The Science Behind Peptides and Collagen: How They Work Together for Firm, Hydrated Skin
Peptides in skincare are the next-generation solution for firmer, more hydrated skin. As you age, natural collagen levels decline, but using skincare products with peptides can promote collagen production while preventing breakdown. And more collagen, equals improved skin hydration.
We’ll get into all the details of peptide research and collagen in this article. Keep reading as we explore:
- What are peptides for skin?
- What do peptides do for the skin?
- The role of collagen in skin health
- Peptide research and collagen
- Skin peptides and hydrating skincare
- Firming and hydrating skin products from NassifMD®facial plastic surgeon skincare
What Are Peptides in Skincare?
Peptides are amino acid chains, in other words, small proteins. Peptides are produced by the body and function as hormones, enzymes, and messengers. Specific peptides can also be used topically in skincare products, such as peptide creams and serums. They are absorbed into the skin layers and promote biochemical processes.
Benefits of peptides for skin health include:
- Increase production of collagen
- Improve skin elasticity
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Support skin barrier health
- Promote skin healing and rejuvenation
- Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory actions
How Collagen Keeps Skin Firm
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s found in the skin, joints, bones, tendons, and other connective tissue. In the skin, collagen provides the skin with its structure, allowing for firmness, elasticity, and hydration.
Collagen levels peak in the 20s and begin to decline. Sun damage and poor lifestyle habits (like smoking) can accelerate collagen’s decline. As collagen levels drop, the signs of aging increase. Skin becomes less firm and drier with an increase in fine lines and wrinkles.
The good news is you can slow the decline and even boost collagen production by incorporating targeted, proven peptides into your skincare routine.
Peptides’ Role in Collagen Production
Specific skincare peptides help boost and maintain collagen levels in the skin. These fall into two categories: signal peptides and enzyme-inhibitor peptides.
Signal peptides essentially trick your skin into thinking it’s been wounded, triggering natural growth factors and increased collagen production for skin repair.
Enzyme-inhibitor peptides block the enzymes that break down collagen, which minimizes collagen breakdown. You retain more of the collagen your body has already produced.
The net effect of using these skincare peptides is increased collagen, resulting in fewer signs of aging (such as wrinkles and crepey skin), improved skin hydration, and enhanced firmness.
While skincare peptides promote collagen production, you can also eat collagen-rich foods and take collagen peptides for skin as a supplement to supply the amino acid building blocks for the body’s production. The best collagen peptides for the skin are NassifMD®Collagen Gummies.
Can Peptides Improve Skin Hydration?
Collagen is the ultimate skin hydrator. It builds the skin structure, allowing the skin to hold on to water. More, dense collagen means more hydrated skin. Additionally, many products with peptides for the skin also contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
If dry, dehydrated skin is a concern, consider the best hydrating skincare products including peptides. Read more about how to hydrate skin in this article.
Best Products with Peptides + Collagen
NassifMD®Skincare is committed to creating multi-action formulas that address multiple skincare concerns at once. Many formulas are simultaneously firming and hydrating. At their core, each NassifMD® Skincare product offers several concentrated active ingredients that work synergistically together, providing results greater than the sum of the parts.
Here are some of our favorite products that utilize the best peptides for skin, along with other active ingredients, to support collagen production, skin hydration, and a younger-looking appearance.
NassifMD®Pro Peptide Collagen Serum is specifically designed to boost the skin’s collagen production, improve hydration, and nourish the skin barrier. Active ingredients include a lipopeptide complex (comprising skincare peptides and fatty acids), hyaluronic acid, and beta-glucan. Your skin may feel instantly tighter after application.
NassifMD®Niacinamide Biopeptide Serum is our newest serum featuring skincare peptides to firm, smooth, and brighten the skin. The formula contains concentrated niacinamide, along with Peptilium, which is comprised of over 300 unique natural peptides for the skin extracted from cranberry. Peptilium offers potent anti-aging benefits similar to retinol.
NassifMD®Deco-Lift Neck & Decollete Firming & Lifting Complex targets sagging neck skin with Renovage peptide complex, which boosts firmness and elasticity while decreasing inflammation, wrinkles, and redness. It’s one of the best peptides for skin tightening.
Additional key ingredients include vitamin C and glycolic acid.
NassifMD®Crepe Inhibitor Triple Action Body Butter offers firming and moisturizing skincare peptides to the whole body from Renovage. This body butter also contains shea butter, Glycoin algae extract, and a mineral complex.
NassifMD®Hydro-Screen Lip Plumper provides skincare peptides to target collagen production in the lips, supporting plump, smooth, and shiny lips. This formula features Volulip plant extracts and peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba.
NassifMD®Soft Focus Hydrating Day Cream is our instant perfecting daytime moisturizer, featuring Crystalide, a natural skin peptide that brightens and evens the complexion while promoting hydration and optimizing the skin barrier. Synergistic ingredients include niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
NassifMD®Wrinkle Blur Targeted Treatment blurs, brightens, and visibly plumps the skin with Haloxyl, a combination of peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and diamond powder.
NassifMD®Age Defying Neck & Décolleté Serum tightens and smooths the delicate skin of the neck and décolleté, which is prone to collagen loss. It contains the anti-aging peptide for skin health called NassifMD® Upfinity Peptide Complex, clinically proven to improve collagen organization and rejuvenation. This serum also contains niacinamide, glycoin, betaine, and gold powder.
NassifMD®Undereye Anti-Aging Smoother is a skincare peptide formula that targets collagen production in the undereye area with Eyeseryl Solution B to reduce dark circles and puffiness while improving elasticity and hydration.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of skincare peptides for improving collagen production and slowing collagen decline. After all, better collagen means hydrated, firm, and younger-looking skin. With numerous peptide options from NassifMD®Skincare, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and skincare goals.
References
- Aguilar-Toalá, J. E., Hernández-Mendoza, A., González-Córdova, A. F., Vallejo-Cordoba, B., & Liceaga, A. M. (2019). Potential role of natural bioactive peptides for development of cosmeceutical skin products.Peptides,122, 170170.
- Varani, J., Dame, M. K., Rittie, L., Fligiel, S. E., Kang, S., Fisher, G. J., & Voorhees, J. J. (2006). Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. The American journal of pathology,168(6), 1861–1868.
- Gorouhi, F., & Maibach, H. I. (2009). Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. International journal of cosmetic science,31(5), 327–345.
