Peptides provide many benefits to the skin and are a key component of a good routine! However, when figuring out what to use peptides for, you need to get more specific than the blanket term. There are many different types of peptides—copper, collagen, diamond, platinum peptides, etc, all of which address various skin concerns.
Knowing the difference between each peptide will help you narrow down your skincare to products that are effective for your needs. Below, we’ll break down the common peptides found in skincare products, their benefits, and which ones you should include in your skincare routine!
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are a string of amino acids and building blocks of proteins that boost your skin and help your skincare products work more effectively. These amino acids signal the skin to perform restorative tasks like boosting collagen, enhancing hydration, and repairing surface-level damage.
While peptides naturally occur in the body, skincare products use synthetic peptides for safe topical application. The versatility of peptides allows the creation of formulations that can target very specific skin concerns, from wrinkles and fine lines to dryness and irritation.
Common Peptides in Skincare Products & Their Benefits
There are several types of peptides that you can find on the skincare market, and they all provide unique benefits for your skin. To properly address your skin concerns, it’s important to use peptides formulated for your specific purpose.
There are five main peptide categories: signal, carrier, neuropeptides, enzyme inhibitor peptides, and multifunctional peptides. Let’s break these down below:
Signal Peptides
Signal peptides are used to stimulate skin cells for elastin and collagen production. Platinum peptides (Acetyl tetrapeptide-17) are a signal peptide formulated to boost the skin’s elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and create a smoother appearance.
(Our Platinum Peptide Brightening Cream from Isomers Skincare is formulated to provide these types of results.)
Carrier Peptides
Carrier peptides help transport essential minerals to skin cells for repair and nourishment. They play a similar role to signal peptides by boosting collagen and elastin, but also act as anti-inflammatories.
A common example of this category is copper/collagen peptides (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1), which help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin, and reduce acne scars, sunspots, and other skin tone imperfections.
Our copper peptides from Isomers Skincare are specially formulated to enhance their efficacy. In fact, we’re the only skincare brand on the market that uses our particular formulation!
Enzyme-Inhibitor Peptides
The purpose of these peptides is in their name—enzyme inhibitor peptides are designed to prevent (or inhibit) the actions of enzymes that cause the depletion of collagen and elastin.
Matrixyl® 3000 peptides(Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1) are a great example of enzyme inhibitors (and are also considered a signal peptide). These micronized collagen peptides provide a smooth and firm effect due to collagen and elastin stimulation. Continuous topical use of Matrixyl® results in thicker, firmer skin, smaller pores, and better hydration.
Neurotransmitter Peptides
Neuropeptides are programmed to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters by blocking muscle contractions, which helps prevent smile, frown, and other expression lines from setting. Argireline® (or acetyl hexapeptide-8) is a key neuropeptide that provides a result similar to Botox treatments without using needles. The result is smooth, more youthful-looking skin!
Multi-functional Peptides
Some peptides fall under the multi-functional peptide category as they are formulated to address multiple skin concerns simultaneously. This makes them approachable for all skin types and allows users to tackle several skin goals in one go. Copper peptides are a great example of a multi-use blend that provides lasting results, from addressing visible aging to optimizing the skin’s moisture levels!
How to Choose the Right Peptide Product for Your Skin
So, how do you select the right peptides for your skin? First, identify your skincare goals. Are you aiming to achieve a more youthful complexion with reduced fine lines? Consider platinum peptides. Do you want to get rid of dry skin and large pores while receiving soothing properties? Opt for copper peptides. Whatever your skincare goals, choose peptides targeted to your specific needs.
When you begin incorporating peptides into your skincare routine, remember to start slow. Introducing any new ingredient to your skin requires safety and patience—you never know how your skin may react to a foreign agent.
Before you start using peptide serum regularly, patch test it on a small area of your skin. If you don’t experience any irritation or discomfort after 24 hours, you can begin to use it on a daily basis.
Get Peptide Serums, Creams, & More from Isomers Skincare
Are you ready to see the powerful effects of peptides on your skin? You can use our Build My Routine quiz to figure out which of our peptide-based products work best for your skin. You can also shop by Skin Concern via the drop-down menu for product suggestions.
Visit our Shop to learn more.