Are Peptides the Silver Bullet You Need to Combat Aging?
In recent years, peptides have become a big deal in the skincare industry. From popular drug store brands like Olay to premier skincare lines like skinbetter science and Peter Thomas Roth, peptides have been touted as an anti-aging revelation. Are topical peptide skin treatments really worth the hype? Do oral collagen peptides supplements work better? OR should you go all in? Let’s discuss! As it’s involved with some pretty important functions, like:
- Regulates the body’s metabolic rate
- Heart and digestive function
- Brain development
- Muscle control
- Mood and bone maintenance
- And more!
What do peptides do for your skin?
Peptides are comprised of short chains of amino acids that act as the building blocks of proteins. These tiny organic substances help regulate many systems in the body, act as chemical messengers that tell our cells what to do, and perform many healing and rejuvenating functions. Peptides are also known to provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which are both essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin.
When it comes to the best anti-aging peptides, collagen peptides top our list because collagen plays a key role in keeping our skin hydrated, elastic, springy and smooth.
Our bodies naturally produce collagen. However, as we age, the overall collagen content in the surface of the skin declines by about 1% per year, resulting in dryness, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.
For many people, supplementing with collagen peptides (typically an oral supplement taken in powder form) may help boost collagen levels in the body. Unlike the collagen our bodies produce, which is insoluble, collagen peptides (or hydrolyzed collagen) are soluble and bioactive, which means they readily absorb into the bloodstream to support cellular activity.
While research supports the use of oral collagen peptide supplements to improve skin health and appearance, the jury is still out on topical peptide treatments. Many skin care manufacturers now include various peptides in their anti-aging serums, moisturizers and eye cream but the precise benefits of these products remain unclear.
Do collagen supplements prevent aging?
While no supplement can prevent you from getting older, numerous studies suggest that consuming oral collagen peptides supplements may help improve skin hydration, elasticity, appearance of wrinkles and overall skin health. Collagen peptide supplements may also help promote the production of elastin, which helps keep skin firm and taut. In addition, research shows that skin improvements can occur in a matter of weeks, with lasting results.
IMPROVED SKIN ELASTICITY: A 2013 study by Proksch et al. of women ages 35 to 55 years old, revealed that study participants who took a daily dosage of oral collagen peptides showed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity compared to the placebo group.
IMPROVED SKIN HYDRATION, COLLAGEN DENSITY. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology revealed study participants experienced significant improvements in skin hydration and collagen density in the dermis (the thicker layer of skin underneath the epidermis—or top layer of skin), as well as significant decreases in the disintegration of the skin’s collagen network.
REDUCTION IN WRINKLES, INCREASES IN COLLAGEN AND ELASTIN LEVELS. Additional research by Proksch et al. on women ages 45 to 65 years revealed that participants who consumed bioactive collagen peptides experienced a significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume compared to the placebo group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the researchers also found a “statistically significantly higher content of procollagen type I (65%) and elastin (18%) in the bioactive collagen peptide-treated volunteers compared to the placebo-treated patients.”
To take a deeper dive into collagen peptide supplements, check out this recent post.
Is anti-aging possible with peptide-infused skin care products?
Peptides perform numerous functions that help promote healthier, younger looking skin. The question is: Can topical serums, moisturizers and eye creams infused with peptides deliver the same results as oral collagen peptide supplements?
Some studies suggest that topical peptide and polypeptide treatments could be beneficial to skin by stimulating collagen synthesis and activating dermal metabolism. Another study proposes that topical peptides may reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
What’s important to note is dermatologists tend to agree more research needs to be done to support the marketing hype promoting topical peptides as an anti-aging treatment. Studies performed to date have typically been small, with different types of peptides and products being tested. While the efficacy of peptide skin care products remains to be seen, peptides are generally safe to use for most people.
If not peptides, what ARE the best anti-aging skin products?
Many of the wonderful skin care products available in the market today (with and without peptides) include vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients that are generally accepted as proven anti-aging powerhouses. Look for anti-aging products that include these proven, gold standard skin care ingredients:
- Retinol (vitamin A) and its retinoid derivatives are widely known for antioxidant and skin anti-aging effects. How do retinoids work on your skin? Retinoids help promote collagen metabolism, and the retinoid derivative tretinoin has been shown to reduce the signs of UV ray-induced aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and pigmentation issues.
- Vitamins C is a powerful antioxidant used in many skin care products today. Vitamin C is known for its anti-inflammatory capabilities (which helps protect against wrinkles) and role in supporting collagen production.
- Vitamin E is also known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well wound healing, hydration and photoprotection of skin to prevent sun damage. Research also suggests the antioxidant powers of vitamin C and vitamin E work best when combined together.
- Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) helps regulate cell metabolism and regeneration, and studies suggest that it may be useful for promoting skin elasticity and treating skin rashes and pigmentation issues.
Wondering how to prevent my skin from aging?
Staying out of the sun is a great place to start because sun damage is the leading cause of aging skin. If you must be outside, be sure to apply sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. Natural, mineral sunscreens containing zinc or titanium provide the protection you need but don’t break down in sunlight or absorb into the skin like traditional sunscreens. We also recommend Elta MD and skinbetter sunscreens to patients.
Living a healthy lifestyle also plays an important role. We need to keep our bodies hydrated and fueled with unprocessed, antioxidant-rich foods to ensure our bodily systems, tissues and organs—like the skin—stay healthy, youthful looking and free of disease.
If you want to treat the signs of aging, EVEXIAS offers many effective treatments to combat the effects of photo-aging, nutrient deficiencies, genetics and time. Depending on your needs, our aestheticians may recommend treatment to:
- Refresh and rejuvenate skin with chemical peels, laser therapy, PRP and exosomes therapies and professional skin care products.
- Restore volume with dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid and collagen.
- Smooth fine lines and wrinkles with .
- Address nutrient deficiencies with dietary changes and nutritional supplements like collagen peptides and others.