Peptides exist naturally in our body and act as the building blocks of vital proteins such as collagen and elastin, which in turn help make our skin bouncy, smooth and elastic.
But as we age, levels of collagen and elastin start to reduce, and that’s why the texture of our skin can begin to change, with lines, wrinkles and sagging becoming more noticeable.
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Peptide-enriched skincare can help to encourage skin to boost its levels of structural proteins, such as collagen. There are lots of different kinds of peptides that do various things for your skin, from hydration and smoothing, to slowing the signs of ageing, and they can be combined in one formula for multiple benefits.
The good thing about peptides is that they’re generally non-irritating, so if you have sensitive skin and find you can’t use ingredients such as acids or retinol because they aggravate your complexion, then try peptides, as they are generally well tolerated across all skin types.
Try these peptide-enriched serums
Director/Skincare Product Formulator at Natusense – Jaco Mollentze – recommends the following peptide serums in a post published to Skincare Junkies South Africa:
Skin Functional Anti-ageing Complex for R550.00 from Retail Box.
The Ordinary Multi-peptide + HA for R650.00 from Bash.
How to get the best results out of peptide-enriched skincare
Cleanse right
There’s no point applying any serum or cream to your face if you’re not cleansing your skin well first. You want serums and creams to sink into the skin and work their magic, not sit on top of make-up and dirt, so cle2anse twice daily.
Always use SPF
While peptides won’t make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, like acids or retinoids can, they are classed as an active ingredient, so you should be using an SPF during the day – layer it on after your serum and day cream. If you don’t, you’re just undoing any skin repair achieved using them, as UV exposure is the number-one cau3se of skin ageing
Apply twice a day
Unlike retinoids, which are best used at night, peptides work well if you use them morning and night. But if you don’t want to give up your nightly retinoid, you can use both. Just use a peptide product in the morning and
on your retinol-free nights too.
How long until you see results?
As with any new product, you need to give peptides a chance to work. After a week, your skin may look more radiant, but the longer you use them, the better. After a few months, signs of skin ageing can improve, such as smoother lines and wrinkles, and better skin clarity. So be patient and don’t expect miracles overnight.
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Feature Image: Unsplash
