21st Century skin care is all about ingredients. There are anti-oxidants like Vitamin A, C and E; lipids like essential fatty acids, cyclopentasiloxane a huge word for the silky silicones that fill in fine lines and coat the skin with soft protective polymers and the latest rage, peptide technology. Peptide is a word you see in skin care, but most people don’t know what it is and how it can affect the skin.

Different types of peptides work in different ways. Some peptides stimulate the skin to produce more collagen. Peptides are tiny protein fragments of amino acids which when linked together make up long chains of collagen fibers. When collagen breaks down it returns to these fragments. Adding peptides to the skin makes your body think that the collagen is breaking down so it stimulates the skin to make more.

Neuropeptides block the release of neurotransmitters from nerves. The thin tissue around the eyes and mouth allow for the absorption of these peptides and help to simulate the affect of Botox. Peptides block the signals facial muscles receive when we make an expression, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Neuropeptides also help to control inflammation by blocking the inflammatory response in the skin.

Matrixyl 3000 is a branded peptide that combines palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide 7. This formula stimulates collagen. According to clinical trials, matrixyl 3000 led to a 33% decrease in wrinkle density, a 23% decrease in the volume of wrinkles and a 20% decrease in the depth of wrinkles. A study presented at the World Congress of Dermatology in Paris found peptides produced faster and similar results to retinol without the irritation.

Lupine protein is a hydrolyzed protein made from the seeds of the lupine plant and contains 35-40% of all essential amino acids. This natural extract provides the same benefits as other peptide technologies and may be absorbed more readily by the skin.

Research suggests peptide technology provides real results in skin care. Check out the ingredient list in a formulation before you select the product. In order to achieve the maximum affect the peptide should be listed in the top 5-10 active ingredients.

Science continues to discover new ingredients to maintain youthful, healthy skin. The days of hope in a bottle are over, now the bottles come with real results. Welcome to 21st century skin care.

Tags: anti-aging, peptides, skin care

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 am and is filed under Skin Care Ingredients. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.