Skincare must be one of the most written-about subjects, and the info out there is daunting, especially if you don’t know your retinols from your salicylic acids. How do you know what to put on your skin when every ad, magazine and website is telling you something different? Though we love trying out new and innovative skincare products, we believe that the basics are most important – a good cleanser to remove dirt and impurities and a great moisturiser to hydrate the skin. Once you’ve got that down, determine which ingredient will solve your woes (and give your skin exactly what it needs!).
We’re on a mission to simplify skincare – one ingredient at a time. Today we take a look at peptides.
What is it?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. When peptides combine in a certain way, they form proteins. Protein is essential for a healthy skin – without protein, the skin would no longer be intact, it would experience loss of firmness, texture changes and accelerated wrinkle formation. Peptides not only help build new collagen, but also new elastin fibres. Collagen, one of the most celebrated of all proteins, has shown remarkable results in minimising the signs of ageing and making the skin plumper and firmer.
How it benefits the skin
Peptides have major regenerating benefits. They have the ability to tell the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which in turn makes the skin appear more youthful, plumper and healthier with increased elasticity.
Some of the benefits of peptides include smoothing out lines, reducing sagging, strengthening the skin barrier and locking in hydration.
Important things to note
Peptides can be used all over the skin but they are particularly effective around the eye area. They perform best when combined with a good quality antioxidant and sufficient daily SPF protection.
Products to try:
Coverderm Peptumax Serum, R888.00
A concentrated, extra strong formula for intense treatment of ageing / wrinkled skin and poor skin tone. Fights all three main causes of the formation of wrinkles and fine lines: ageing, photo-ageing and expression lines. Significantly reduces expression lines, and medium and deep wrinkles. The ingredients mimic the skin’s own defence mechanisms and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to combat ageing; relaxes the muscles that are used repeatedly in facial expressions, and effectively fights the wrinkles caused by photo-ageing.
Sothys Perfect Shape Youth Serum, R1295.00
High performance formula concentrated with active ingredients for targeted action. The texture is designed to facilitate the absorption of the active ingredients and enable the layering of several products. Specially developed for the neck and chest. Apply to the cheeks, downward to the décolleté. Fights skin sagging, lifts the skin and re-shapes this area which is prone to sagging and drooping as we age. Helps the skin recover the desired “V” shape.
Environ Focus Care Youth+ Tri-Peptide Complex Advance Elixir, R1360.00
This elixir contains a unique blend of extracts from Chinese roots used in traditional medicine, which have shown to be effective in reducing the effects of oxidative stress (UV radiation and pollution) and lightening the appearance of uneven skin tone. With three powerful peptide complexes, this multi-functional serum leaves the skin radiant and resilient.
Lancôme Renergie Multi-Lift Plasma, R1730.00
Revitalize. Replenish. Revive. Inspired by the latest cosmetic lifting techniques, discover the power of revitalising skincare. Used for visible results on skin tightening, firmness and radiance. The brand’s first revitalising concentrate with a reverse-emulsion formula with millions of droplets containing a dipeptide enriched technology. Tackles wrinkles, dull skin tone, lack of firmness.
