When he comes skin careEvery beauty enthusiast is familiar with some of the much-loved ingredients found in endless products and treatments.

Grab any popular skincare product from the shelves and witness at least one of the skin-friendly holy trinity: hyaluronic acid, retinol or vitamin C And yes, while all three of these key ingredients are important for clear, glowing skin, there’s also one loser that’s making its way up the beauty food chain.

Enter peptides. Almost like the lesser-known cousin of the holy trinity, peptides, also known as polypeptides, play an important role in promoting the elasticity and longevity of youthful skin.

What are peptides?

Director of scientific competence at No7 Skincare in the UK, Dr. According to Eleanor Bradley, our skin-loving friends are “short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins in our skin, such as collagen and elastin.”

“These proteins make our skin look firm, supple and smooth,” he adds. “And some peptides, like those found in No7’s Future Renew, can help support the skin’s natural self-repair process, which encourages the skin to produce more of these proteins.”

Considering that amino acids are the smallest unit of protein, peptides are able to replicate other types of proteins, namely collagen. While collagen-specific products may also work, peptides have a smaller particle size, meaning your skin will absorb them more efficiently.

“They are therefore a great skincare ingredient for anyone with visible signs of skin damage, such as lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven texture,” advises Dr Bradley.

Find out specifically why, when and how to use peptide skin care here

For those looking to add some peptide formulas to their beauty shelves, this handy ingredient can help reduce fine lines and firm the skin’s overall appearance. Those with more mature skin will benefit the most from peptides as the results will be more noticeable and welcomed on skin with less collagen production. But don’t let that stop you; Younger skin can still benefit from extra plump and radiant results. So, if you’re wondering if it’s a good age to start using peptides, the answer is now!

“The greatest visible benefits will be seen in people who already have at least some visible signs of skin damage,” Dr Bradley confirms. “Since not everyone’s skin ages the same way, the age at which these symptoms first begin to be noticed can vary greatly from person to person.”

On how often they should be applied, Dr. Bradley recommends using peptides twice a day for best results.

“(They) can be found in different products, including serums, day creams, and night creams, offering many ways to incorporate them into your skin care regimen,” she says. “Serums generally have the highest levels of peptides and should be used directly on cleansed skin followed by your night cream for the greatest benefit.”

Improvements in skin texture and moisture can be seen within two to four weeks, and for more significant benefits such as reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, this is expected to continue for up to 12 weeks.

Are there any rules regarding the use of peptides?

Unlike ingredients like retinol that promise similar results, you’re unlikely to have an adverse reaction to peptides. There should be no redness, itching, or peeling of the skin, but if there is, it’s a good idea to stop using the product immediately. “Side effects of peptides, such as redness or irritation, are unknown,” Dr Bradley says. “This also means they tend to be compatible with other skincare ingredients.” However, it is important to note that peptides do not mix well with salicylic and glycolic acids, which may affect their effectiveness; so it is best to change them on different days.

Peptides for your face…

By applying peptide-rich products twice a day, you should feel the moisturizing results instantly and notice a change in your skin’s radiance within a few weeks.

• FaceTheory Polypep Complex Collagen-Boosting Serum, $85 Sephora
• Youngblood VividLuxe Crème Blush in Mulberry, $69.95 I love beauty – This blush also benefits skin care thanks to its formula consisting of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides.
• No7 Future Renewing Eye Serum, $44.99; Night Cream, $67.99, Face Serum, $67.99, price line

Peptides for your body…

Yes, that’s right, you can distribute peptides throughout your body AND inject them to benefit inside and out. The right ingredients, like this collagen peptide powder and plant-based peptide body butter, can help nourish your skin from the inside and out.

• Beauty Bite Collagen Peptide Powder in Vanilla, $70 Shredded Foods
• Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Fat Body Butter, $39.95 Natural

Elise Wilson

Elise is the beauty editor for Are Media’s weekly magazines, both in print and online. When she’s not interviewing top names in the industry, you’ll find her trawling social media to keep up with every emerging beauty trend, trying out a buzz-worthy new treatment or, as she puts it, maximizing each of her ‘long-lasting’ beauty products. test.