What Are Peptides? Benefits and Role for Skin
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that play a pivotal role in stimulating the body to produce essential proteins like collagen and elastin, two key components that build the structure and maintain the elasticity of the skin. These molecular chains can be synthesized by the body itself or supplemented through specialized skincare products and nutrition, effectively contributing to the process of combating aging, firming the skin, and significantly improving dermatological issues.
Structure and operating mechanism
- Forming amino acid chains:Peptide molecules are formed when amino acids tightly bond together through peptide bonds, creating a specific chain.
- Biochemical roles:These amino acid chains are capable of combining to form specific proteins. In the body's environment, they act as "signaling messengers," prompting cells to perform their proper functions, typically collagen synthesis.
Uses of peptides for the skin
- Promotes the formation of collagen and elastin:Peptides encourage skin cells to produce collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for maintaining firm, elastic, and healthy skin.
- Anti-aging:By actively supporting collagen production, peptides contribute to slowing down the natural skin aging process, effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and giving the skin a more youthful appearance.
- Improvement of skin structure:Peptides play an important role in maintaining the overall structure of the skin, helping skin become smoother and better hydrated.
Common types of peptides
There are many different types of peptides, each with distinct functions, including:
- Neurotransmitter Inhibiting Peptide:It works to reduce muscle contractions, thereby softening dynamic wrinkles on the skin's surface.
- Signaling peptide:Performs the function of stimulating collagen and elastin production, thereby slowing down the skin aging process.
- Transport peptides:Provides essential minerals for collagen production and other trace elements, helping the skin maintain its health from within.
- Enzyme-inhibiting Peptide:Prevents the natural breakdown of collagen in the body, supporting the sustained maintenance of skin structure.Note: For optimal effectiveness, peptides should be combined with other moisturizing active ingredients.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, playing a crucial role in stimulating the body to produce essential proteins like collagen and elastin. These are two key components that build the structure and maintain the elasticity of the skin. These molecular chains can be synthesized by the body itself or supplemented through specialized skincare products and diet, effectively contributing to the process of anti-aging, firming the skin, and significantly improving dermatological issues.
In the Vietnamese cosmetics industry, products containing peptides are increasingly popular. From high-end international brands to local labels like Cocoon and Lam Thao Cosmetics, all prioritize incorporating peptides into their product formulas to meet consumers' beauty needs.
Structure and Mechanism of Action of Peptides
Forming amino acid chains
Peptide molecules are formed when amino acids link tightly together via peptide bonds, creating a specific chain. Depending on the number of amino acids, peptides can be referred to as dipeptides (2 amino acids), tripeptides (3 amino acids), oligopeptides (2-20 amino acids), or polypeptides (more than 20 amino acids).
Biochemical roles
These amino acid chains can combine to form specific proteins. In the body's environment, they act as "signaling molecules," prompting cells to perform their correct functions, typically the process of collagen synthesis. When skin is damaged or shows signs of aging, peptides send signals to cells to increase protein production, helping to restore and regenerate the skin.
The uses of peptides for the skin
Peptides offer many benefits for the skin, becoming an indispensable ingredient in many modern skincare products.
Promotes collagen and elastin formation
Peptides encourage skin cells to produce collagen and elastin, two proteins that are essential for maintaining firm, elastic, and healthy skin. Collagen accounts for approximately 75-80% of the skin's structure, while elastin helps the skin recover after stretching. As collagen and elastin levels gradually decrease with age, wrinkles and sagging skin appear. Supplementing with peptides helps compensate for this deficiency, keeping the skin smooth and firm.
Anti-aging
By actively supporting collagen production, peptides help slow down the natural skin aging process, effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, and give the skin a more youthful look. Research shows that using peptide-containing products for 8-12 weeks can reduce wrinkle depth by up to 20-30%. Anti-aging serum products in Vietnam from brands such as Olay and Rohto Hada Labo often contain peptides among their main ingredients.
Improve skin texture
Peptides play an important role in maintaining the overall structure of the skin, helping the skin become smoother and better hydrated. They help strengthen the skin's protective barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, thereby effectively moisturizing the skin. Well-hydrated skin is less prone to irritation and dryness.
Common Types of Peptides
There are many different forms of peptides, each taking on distinct functions in skin care.
Neurotransmitter inhibitory peptide
It has the effect of reducing muscle contractions, thereby softening dynamic wrinkles on the skin's surface. This type of peptide works similarly to botox but at a milder level, helping to relax facial muscles and blur expression lines such as forehead wrinkles and crow's feet. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a typical example of this type of peptide, often found in anti-aging serums and creams.
Signaling peptide
It performs the function of stimulating collagen and elastin production, thereby slowing down the skin aging process. This is the most common type of peptide, which works by "ordering" skin cells to increase the production of structural proteins. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) is one of the most widely researched and proven signal peptides effective in stimulating collagen production.
Transport peptide
Provides essential minerals for collagen production and other trace elements, helping skin maintain health from deep within. Copper peptides are a prime example. Copper is an important mineral for the synthesis of collagen and elastin, and also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In spas and dermatology clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, skin care treatments using products containing copper peptides are increasingly popular to support skin recovery after laser or peel therapies.
Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides
Preventing the body's natural collagen breakdown, sustainably supporting the maintenance of skin structure. Enzymes like metalloproteinases (MMPs) can break down collagen and elastin, accelerating the aging process. Enzyme-inhibiting peptides help block the activity of these enzymes, protecting skin structure from damage.
How to supplement peptides effectively
To achieve optimal results, peptides should be combined with other moisturizing active ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin to enhance their moisturizing and absorption capabilities. When choosing products, look for ones with appropriate peptide concentrations, often clearly stated on the packaging. Additionally, consistent and persistent use is crucial to see noticeable improvements in the skin.
In Vietnam, consumers can easily find peptide-containing products from international brands such as The Ordinary, Paula's Choice, Timeless, or local brands that are gradually asserting their position like Klairs, SkinCeuticals, through official distribution channels or major e-commerce platforms like Shopee, Lazada, with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to over 2,000,000 VND depending on the brand and peptide concentration.
Peptides have proven to play an important role in maintaining and improving skin health, becoming one of the most sought-after active ingredients in the cosmetics industry today.
Reference information. Please consult a doctor or dermatologist for advice suitable for your skin condition.
🔍Explore More
Read this article in other languages:
Current article:
📌What Are Peptides? Benefits and Role for SkinRelated articles:
Bình luận (8)
Peptit là chất gì?
@Thảo Peptide (từ tiếng Hy Lạp πεπτός, nghĩa là "tiêu hóa", xuất phát từ πέσσειν, "tiêu hóa") là những hợp chất chứa từ 2 đến 50 gốc α-amino acid liên kết với nhau bằng các liên kết peptide. Hai đầu của một polypeptide, một gọi là đầu N hay đầu tận cùng amino, và một đầu khác gọi là đầu C hay đầu tận cùng carboxyl.
Peptide không nên kết hợp với gì?
@Lan Peptide là một thành phần cực kì kém bền vững thường các nhãn hàng như The Ordinary khuyên những hàng Peptide của họ không nên thoa chung với vitamin C, những loại acid amin, AHA, BHA.
Peptide có tác dụng gì trong mỹ phẩm?
@Đức Peptide có tác dụng thúc đẩy sản sinh collagen và ức chế quá trình lão hóa, chúng còn có thể làm mờ nếp nhăn và tăng cường độ đàn hồi cho da. Peptide được xem là một trong những hoạt chất quan trọng trong cơ thể và là thành phần chính của nhiều loại kem dưỡng da hiện nay.
Peptide chiết xuất từ đâu?
@Phương Thông thường, inhibitor peptide thường được chiết xuất dưới dạng Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8 hoặc acetyl hexapeptide-3, Lipotec); Signal Peptide (Peptide nhận tín hiệu): Peptide này xuất hiện phổ biến trong các sản phẩm chăm sóc da, có tác dụng kích thích hoặc ức chế hoạt động tế bào.