Read the article to find out which best peptide cream for sagging skin is available and which of the specific peptides it contains.
Peptides have quickly earned a great reputation in the cosmetics industry due to their anti-aging properties and overall skincare benefits. They are composed of amino acids and can be found in both synthetically manufactured and natural forms.
In this article, we’ll review the 3 best peptide face creams available on the market today and highlight the specific peptides contained in each product. We’ll also highlight each product’s key features and intended health benefits.
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TL;DR: The 3 Best Peptide Face Creams
- NutraNuva FACE FOOD is the best peptide cream for wrinkles.
- Nutribiotic Peptide Face Creme is the best peptide moisturizer.
- Andalou Naturals Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream is the best peptide cream for soft skin.
What are Peptides?
Peptides are short-chain amino acids that serve as building blocks for protein in the skin. Peptides are typically composed of 2-10 amino acids and their small size allows them to permeate skin cells and promote cell growth and repair.
They’re one of the most popular and effective ingredients used in skin-care products today and are typically used to reduce lines and wrinkles, treat acne, improve elasticity, and to lighten the skin.
How Do Peptides Work?
When peptides are applied to the skin, the body acts as if it’s injured and goes into overdrive for repair. The skin is stimulated to make additional protein and signaling peptides that contain amino acids induce protein synthesis or inhibit the formation of other types of protein.
Basically, peptides serve as messengers throughout the process and tell the skin to create new tissues to further enhance healing from the perceived injury. When the skin is injured under normal circumstances, protease, the enzyme which breaks down proteins and peptides, separates the damaged tissue into various peptide fragments.
Benefits of Peptides in Skincare
The addition of peptides in skincare products enhances your skin’s ability to make more collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are two major proteins found in the body that help with maintaining a youthful appearance and a strong texture.
Collagen is the most abundant protein that occurs naturally in our skin and it’s found in over 80% of the skin. It serves as the superglue of the skin, ensuring that tissues are connected and supported. Elastin is another prominent protein found in the skin that allows connective tissues to stretch, contract, and resume their original shape.
The stimulation of the growth of these major proteins leads to a domino effect where the more collagen and elastin you have, the more your body is able to produce and maintain. This is essential for restoring the skin barrier, reducing signs of aging, and having smooth skin that’s free of lines and wrinkles.
Benefits of Peptide Face Cream
The major benefits of including peptides in face creams include:
- Reduces lines and wrinkles
- Promotes tighter skin
- Enhances even skin tone
- Promotes a brighter complexion
- Most absorb quickly and are non-greasy
- Provides hydration and maintains moisture
Types of Peptides
There are five types of peptides used in skin care products which include signaling, carrier, enzyme-inhibiting,neurotransmitter-inhibiting, and structural peptides.
Let’s take a quick look at each of the major types of peptides along with their primary roles in skincare. We’ll also highlight the specific names of the most popular peptides used in skincare products from each group.
Signaling Peptides
This is the most common form of peptides used in skincare products and cosmetics. Signaling peptides are generally known for their roles in stimulating collagen production.
The most popular signaling peptides include:
- Carnosine
- N-acetylcarnosine
- Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2
- Palmitoyl tripeptides
- Palmitoyl hexapeptides
- Tetrapeptides
- Hexapeptides
Carrier Peptides
This is another popular form of peptides used in skincare. Carrier peptides help facilitate the delivery of trace elements, such as copper and manganese, to skin cells.
Some of the most common forms of carrier peptides include:
- Manganese tripeptide-1
Neurotransmitter Inhibitor Peptides
Although less common than the previous two types of peptides, neurotransmitter inhibitor peptides work by prohibiting the release of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in the muscle contraction process. Basically, this type of peptide reduces lines and wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles.
The most common neurotransmitter inhibitor peptides include:
- Acetylhexapeptide-3
- Pentapeptide-3
- Pentapeptide-18
- Tripeptide-3
Enzyme Inhibitor Peptides
This group of peptides prevents the breakdown of major proteins by hindering the activity of certain chemicals that are involved in the aging process, such as inhibiting the role of key enzymes in breaking down collagen and elastin.
The most common types of enzyme inhibitor peptides include:
- Soybean peptides
- Silk fibroin peptides
- Rice peptides
Structural Peptides
Structural peptides are used to reduce dehydration and dryness. Most peptides within this group are derived from keratin and allow the skin to retain water.
The most common types of structural peptides include:
- Keratin peptides
- Wool lipids
Most Popular Peptides in Skincare
Now that we’ve covered the different types of peptides, we’ll take a closer look at the most popular peptides used in skincare products.
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3
This is one of the most researched and oldest types of peptides. This peptide has been proven to stimulate the production of fibronectin and collagen in the body, which are both important for healthy skin. Fibronectin enhances the skin by stimulating cell growth, while collagen improves the skin’s strength and resilience.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
This peptide may sound similar to the peptide that is right above it, but these peptides are not the same and have different uses. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 helps reduce skin inflammation. There are many conditions including stress, pollution, and sun damage that can cause skin inflammation and makes the skin look worn. This could lead to premature wrinkles and other skin damage.
Many Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 creams are designed to be used the night. This helps the skin heal while you are asleep, instead of during the day when you are exposed to pathogens and other harmful chemicals.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 is commonly known and listed as Argireline. This peptide has been claimed to have similar effects as Botox and works in the same way. Both have the ability to inhibit some muscle functions, which shapes and lift the skin. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 is very effective, and some people see very visible results and have their wrinkles reduced by up to 30 percent.
An issue that some people have with Argireline is that it does not always penetrate the deeper skin layers. This means that the results are only superficial, but many people still swear by these creams. To have a good outcome with these creams is to pick serums or creams that have a 10 percent concentration of Argireline.
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Fibroblasts are cells that produce collagen and exist in the dermis, which is the lowest layer of the skin. The amount of collagen that is produced is determined by your age and health. Lower amounts of collagen production can limit the skin’s ability to lift itself, which is what causes fine lines and wrinkles.
So, increasing your skin’s collagen levels can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Palmitoyl Oligopeptide helps stimulate the fibroblast cells to produce more collagen. When these creams are used twice a day for six months, most users see tighter and firmer skin.
Maytrixyl-3000
This is one of the newest peptides on the market. Maytrixyl-3000 is a combination of Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, which was created to help stimulate the fibroblast cells. It is hard to find information about Maytrixyl-3000 because it is so new to the market.
There is not a lot of information about the long-term effects of Maytrixyl-3000 on the skin. This peptide does contain additional antioxidants, which can help create dramatic results that many people are looking for.
Best Peptide Cream For Sagging Skin
Best Peptide Cream for Wrinkles: NutraNuva FACE FOOD
When you are looking for skincare products, you should always be looking for ones that are hardworking and create great results. This cream is one of the hardest-working products and should be on your list of products to look at. Along with containing copper peptides, this cream also contains collagen, COQ10, hyaluronic acid, and alpha lipoic acid, which help create the results that you are looking for.
NutraNuva Face Food Moisturizer absorbs quickly and is lightweight. This cream can be worn under makeup without the sticky feeling that other products can cause. There can be a stinging sensation after you have applied this product, but it’s normal and should not last for more than 60 seconds.
Best Peptide Moisturizer: Nutribiotic Peptide Face Creme
This cream is made with acetyl hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and acetyl hexapeptide-8 as its main peptides. It was specialized for women and men. It can also be used as an aftershave moisturizer. This cream comes in a 57-gram jar, which means that you have more than enough to use this product regularly.
Nutribiotic Peptide Face Creme is non-gender specific and does not have a heavy scent. This can help your face look moisturized and refreshed. This cream has a light texture but moisturizes the skin all day. However, the cream tends to be on the runny side.
Best Peptide Cream for Soft Skin: Andalou Naturals Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream
Andalou Naturals Goji Peptide Perfecting Cream is made with many emollient ingredients including fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, Shea butter and jojoba oil. These ingredients make a great moisturizer for people who have dry to normal skin, but it should not be used by people who are prone to breakouts. There are also a variety of antioxidants in this cream, including cucumber, goji, vitamin C and CoQ10. Many of these ingredients are also anti-irritants.
One of the most interesting ingredients that are in this cream is Lycium barbarum Glycopeptide. This ingredient comes from the goji plant. Goji extract is a great antioxidant and has built a cult status. This extract can be consumed by drinking the juice or eating the plant.
The benefits of using a glycopeptide version are not clear. There is some research that has been released, but it was done on animals and cells in labs and the research was not related to skincare. This peptide is most likely bad for your skin, but it is worth headlining because it is mostly guesswork at this time.
Additional Skincare Ingredients
Peptides are only one piece of the skincare puzzle and on their own are not enough to provide youthful skin that’s firm, radiant, and well-hydrated. It’s also important to keep in mind that there’s no such thing as the one best peptide or peptide blend and each peptide has its own unique role.
When searching for the best skincare products it’s essential to keep other ingredients in mind that promote healthy skin and promote natural healing.
Some of the best natural ingredients to include in your skincare routine are:
- Aloe vera
- Honey
- Vitamin C
- Coconut oil
- Essential oils, such as lavender
Take-Home Message
It is no wonder that peptides are some of the most popular anti-aging ingredients in most skin care products. However, peptides are not the only ingredients that you should use to have healthy, younger-looking skin. The perfect blend will also have other organic ingredients.
Peptides are one of the skincare ingredients that are here to stay. This is due to the fact that they have general and anti-aging skin health benefits. Peptide creams have quickly earned a reputation of being an anti-aging solution that really works.
References
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