This Is the Most Essential Ingredient to Boost Your Skin’s Collagen & Elastin Production
Shop the eight best products to achieve that bouncy glow we’re all after.
Let’s go back to Biology 101. Remember learning that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins? Well, collagen and elastin are two types of proteins that are essential to the health of our skin. But when we think of speeding up collagen and elastin production (which can help minimize signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging, and lack of radiance), our attention almost immediately turns to ingredients like retinol and chemical exfoliators or in-office peels that cost a fortune. We seldom ever think, What if we can *build* collagen and elastin in our skin?
May we introduce to you the often forgotten skin-care ingredient that can actually create more collagen and elastin in your skin: peptides.
Peptides are amino acids that are naturally occurring in our skin. Dr. Ellen Marmur, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare, tells Coveteur, “Think of peptides like letters of the alphabet. Letters create words. Peptides make proteins, like collagen and elastin,” meaning these short chains of amino acids are the basis for two essential molecules in your skin. When we’re lacking either collagen or elastin, our skin can become dryer, less firm, and is more susceptible to wrinkling or texture issues.
What else do peptides do in our skin? Says Dr. Marmur, “Peptides signal your skin to boost the production of the collagen and elastin, [which] do much more for great skin than just nixing the wrinkles. They also strengthen the skin barrier and ease inflammation,” making them great for everyone’s skin type, whether that is oily, combination, dry, or sensitive. They can also help to build a stronger skin barrier, which protects you from environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and microbial organisms.
Whether you’re young or old, it’s wise to incorporate peptide products into your skin-care routine. Dr. Marmur explains, “Peptides are great for mature skin because as you get older, your skin produces less collagen and elastin,” so peptides can ignite collagen and elastin production in skin that might be otherwise slowing down.
So what are the best ways to incorporate peptides into our routines? Dr. Marmur recommends looking for serums and moisturizers that contain peptides, as “[these products] will absorb into the skin, unlike a cleanser that you rinse off.”
Peptides are naturally occurring in skin, so there aren’t many people out there who can’t use products containing them. But, as with any new product, be sure to do a 24-hour patch test either on your neck or back of your hand to check if you are allergic to the product itself. Additionally, there are some products to avoid when using peptides. Dr. Marmur reveals, “AHAs will make peptides weaker,” so make sure to avoid ingredients like lactic, glycolic, or mandelic acid in your daily routine in order to give peptides room to do their thing.
Shop 8 of our favorite peptide-rich products:
Adonia Organics Peptide 10 Serum
$79
If you would love for your skin to rewind 10 years within a matter of minutes, definitely give this serum a try. We love the way it instantly tightens and firms the skin on our forehead and around our eyes, and the fact that it has palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore elasticity in the skin over time.
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
$178
If you enjoy a rather minimalist skin-care routine, consider purchasing this three-in-one product that is sure to have you waking up with fresh and glowing skin every morning. This product contains multiple weights of hyaluronic serum that hydrate several layers of the skin as you snooze away. Additionally, it has moisturizing vitamin E to promote a healthy skin barrier and a peptide complex that helps your skin during its nighttime restoration.
Dermalogica AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
$75
Of course, there is no proper anti-aging routine without some SPF. This product contains palmitoyl tripeptide-5, which ignites collagen synthesis in skin. Furthermore, it contains licorice, which is proven to lighten age spots and hyperpigmentation in the skin, as well as decrease any inflammation due to acne or sun damage.
MMSkincare MMRepose Serum
$85
If, like many of us, your skin has been exhausted lately, consider giving this MMSkincare Serum a whirl. It contains blue-green algae that plumps skin that is tired or dull-looking, and night-blooming Chinese cucumber, which helps to soothe irritation as well as regulate the circadian rhythm that naturally lives in our skin.
PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum
$115
If you are looking to diminish the deeply set wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead, consider adding this serum to your cart. It contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, a synthetic peptide that is actually found in Botox. It can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles significantly and return that dewy glow in your skin that you thought was lost to your college years. Additionally, this serum contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and a slew of good-for-your-skin oils to lock in the moisture and promote a functioning lipid barrier.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
$69
This eye serum is the bee’s knees, and it lives in our daily rotation for a number of reasons. The lightweight consistency immediately soaks into the skin to plump it before bed. Now, it contains peptides to build collagen and elastin around your eyes, but Dr. Dennis Gross took it a step further—he added retinol into the formula to ensure that your fine lines and wrinkles will diminish over time, and ferulic acid to prevent new wrinkles from creeping up.
Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster
$52
We love the flexibility of boosters because, in the same way fruits can be eaten alone, added into desserts, or thrown into salads, boosters can essentially live anywhere in your routine, either alone, mixed in with your serum, or mixed in with your favorite moisturizer. This booster contains eight different peptides that all work to promote elasticity and glow in lackluster skin.
Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal B3
$112
If you are in the market for something that will firm your jowls like there is no tomorrow, give this moisturizer a try. It contains a 2.5 percent firming tri-peptide concentrate that will promote elasticity in the skin while diminishing the look of any texture you might be battling. It also contains niacinamide to brighten any unevenness, and glycerin to moisturize the skin barrier. Trust us, after a few weeks of using this, you’ll be looking to take all the selfies you can to show off your new youthful glow.
Want more stories like this?
Everything You Want To Know About Collagen
Finally, The Truth About Skin-Firming Products
The 16 Most Effective Retinoid Products According To Beauty Industry Experts
