Peptides are everywhere
Peptides seem to be everywhere in the skin care industry. Look on the label of any fancy skin care product, and you’ll likely find them listed in the ingredients. They’re popping up in creams, serums, sprays and more.
So will they make you glow like J. Lo—or at least her distant, almost-as-glowy cousin?
While several dermatologists we interviewed say the results will vary from product to product, there is some research pointing to the efficacy of peptides, which also naturally occur in the skin.
Why? One word: collagen, the secret behind younger, firmer, brighter skin.
What are peptides?
Peptides are strands of linked amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein in the skin. The big three skin proteins are collagen, elastin, and keratin. As we age, we naturally lose all three. That’s often when topically applied peptides are called in for backup.
But Harold Lancer, MD, a Beverly Hills dermatologist who works with Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, says not all peptides are created equal.
“Their value is dependent on how they are formulated,” he says. “Ingredients and chemistry need to be high quality and provide the right characteristics to make healthier and younger tissue.”
Keep reading this article on The Healthy