Many peptides function as anti-ageing ingredients in skincare, due to their ability to fit specific receptors in the body to trigger anti-ageing responses. This includes mechanisms like collagen production, cell regeneration or even blocking muscle contractions to smooth expression lines. Peptides are made up of amino acids, and are unique in shape, with a huge variety available to target specific responses in the body.

Renude

barrier support

dehydrated skin

fine lines

redness

ultra dry skin

I have chosen this barrier-supporting serum to improve skin hydration, reduce redness, and provide daily antioxidant protection to the skin.

Amino acids are the small building blocks that make up peptides, and proteins. Each amino acid has a unique structure, and as such plays a specific role within the body. There are around 20 different types considered to be most important for human health. In the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, they are present in the ‘natural moisturising factors’, our skin’s own moisturising mechanism, and they help to support water transport between skin cells to keep our surface smooth and hydrated.

alanine

L-ascorbic acid is Vitamin C in its purest form, and the active form required by the body to result in the many skin skin benefits of Vitamin C. The issue with L-ascorbic acid is in the delivery, as it is very unstable in water, and needs a pH 4 or below for it to penetrate the skin. That being said, when it can be stabilised in a formula and is able to penetrate the skin, it provides the highest potency of any form of Vitamin C currently available.

ascorbic acid

Vitamin C has many skin benefits, including its action as an antioxidant, to neutralise free radicals (reactive molecules with an unpaired electron), preventing them from causing damage to cells within the body. Vitamin C is also involved in the collagen-production process, so provides anti-wrinkle activity through this mechanism. Lastly, Vitamin C inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin-synthesis, and can therefore visibly reduce areas of hyperpigmentation in the skin.

copper palmitoyl heptapeptide

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is a catechin found naturally in abundance within green tea. It has a number of skin benefits, firstly as a powerful antioxidant, meaning it can neutralise free radicals before they can cause damage to skin cells. Studies have also shown it to encourage the production of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), in turn increasing the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which results in more hydrated, plump, smoother skin. There is some research to show that EGCG can also reduce visible hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin in the skin.

epigallocatechin gallate

heptapeptide-15 palmitate

hydrolyzed oat protein

Oat extract is known to have soothing, anti-inflammatory effects in the skin, and is a popular active for treating symptoms of dry skin. It also has antioxidant properties so is able to protect the skin against free radicals caused by pollution and UV.

Acetyl Glucosamine is an amino acid sugar

isoleucine

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 and Nicotinamide, has many skincare benefits. Firstly, it regulates sebum production in the skin, which in turn reduces blemishes and visible pore size. It also reduces facial redness by improving microcirculation, which means moving the blood inside the capillaries away from the face to reduce visible redness. It also has the ability to strengthen the natural lipid barrier of the skin by encouraging ceramide production (the building blocks which seal our skin cells together), which in turn increases the hydration within the epidermis. Lastly, niacinamide works to help reduce hyperpigmentation by blocking melanin from being deposited on the skin cells.

niacinamide

parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides

Algae is an incredibly interesting natural ingredient source. It is essentially an underwater plant, designed to get its food from sunlight, much like any other plants, although from much more challenging conditions. There are many types of algae (kelp, laminaria, microalgae), but in general in all its forms it acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting from free radical damage, as well as being able to hydrate the skin and deliver naturally-occurring vitamins into the skin.

proline

Vitamin A derivative. It is broken down in the body to retinol, and then into retinaldehyde, then again into retinoic acid, the active form recognised by the body to trigger it’s skin benefits.

retinyl palmitate

Vitamin A, aka Retinol, is one of the most well-researched actives used in skincare today. Retinol and all of its derivatives are broken down within the skin first into retinaldehyde, then into retinoic acid, the active form recognised by the body to trigger it’s skin benefits.

Retinoic acid (aka tretinoin) is the gold standard of anti-ageing and works in a number of ways. Firstly, it blocks the production of collagen-degrading enzymes, meaning collagen does not get broken down as quickly in the skin. After prolonged use (6M+), it has also been shown to stimulate the production of type I and type III collagen, reducing wrinkles and improving skin firmness. It has been shown to protect against UV-induced damage, as well as reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation in the skin. Skin treated with retinoids is smoother, more even-toned, firmer and younger looking.

serine

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), which is found naturally in the body, and in the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF). PCA acts as a humectant, meaning it draws water to it, plumping and hydrating the area. The skin’s NMF ensures adequate hydration of the stratum corneum, which also works to support the overall barrier function of the skin, regulating trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Including Sodium PCA in skincare supports this natural mechanism of the skin.

sodium pca

Natural moisturising factor (NMF) is a substance produced by the body, made up of minerals, lactate, urea, amino acids & humectants, which coats the surface skin cells to keep them moisturised. NMF increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which results in more hydrated, plump, smoother skin.

threonine

valine

An anti-oxidant rich, fortifying serum is formulated to help defend the skin barrier against pollutants and environmental aggressors.

This anti-oxidant rich, fortifying serum is formulated to help defend the skin barrier against pollutants and environmental aggressors. Formulated with the highest concentration of Alguronic Acid from algae, our benefit-boosting ingredient, this fortifying serum combines with nutrient-rich niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and an anti-oxidant power house: Phloretin (from apple wood) and Ergothioneine (from mushroom). Skin barrier is fortified to help improve the appearance of dullness, redness, discoloration, lines, and skin tone.

dull skin

firmness

wrinkles

This day cream is a great option for you to restore moisture to the skin, provide anti-ageing benefits, and provide UV protection. It includes plant oils to nourish the skin and a copper peptide complex to encourage cellular turnover and promote younger-looking skin.

Allantoin occurs naturally in the body, but can also be derived from the root of the Comfrey plant or Chamomile, or produced synthetically. It is used in skincare for its ability to promote wound healing and healthy tissue growth, by stimulating the fibroblasts in the dermis to produce collagen and elastin fibres, essential tissues for skin regeneration and healing. Allantoin has also been shown to have soothing and anti-irritant properties, which is thought to be down to its ability to form complexes with irritating agents, thus preventing them from activating inflammatory mechanisms within the skin.

allantoin

Arginine is an amino acid which occurs naturally within the human body. It is a popular ingredient in skincare for a number of reasons; it offers antioxidant protection, it hydrates the skin by stimulating the body's own production of humectants like urea and it can also repair visible skin damage.

arginine

Bisabolol is a naturally-occurring active found in the chamomile plant, although this can also be created synthetically. It’s key properties are as an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, with some studies also showing it to have a brightening effect on the skin. Bisabolol is also a rich source of Panthenol (Vitamin B5), which acts as a humectant, meaning it draws water molecules towards it to plump and hydrate the area. Studies have also shown that bisabolol can enhance the penetration of other actives into the skin, so is great when used in combination with other actives designed to work at the basal layer of the epidermis, or in fact the dermis.

bisabolol

butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter

Shea butter is the natural butter of the shea nut, which grows in West Africa. It is high in fatty acids and vitamins, so works to support the natural lipid barrier of the skin, reducing water loss via the epidermis to keep skin soft, smooth and moisturised.

Copper peptide is used in skincare as an anti-ageing ingredient. As with most peptides, it works by activating a receptor in the skin to perform a certain function, e.g. produce more collagen. Studies have shown copper peptide to have a positive impact on skin density, firmness and depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

copper peptide

Glycerin is a humectant present in all natural lipids. It works to attract water molecules towards it, plumping & hydrating the applied area, resulting in smooth, soft, hydrated skin. It is one of the most widely used humectants in skincare, due to it’s high performance and broad availability (making it very cost-effective). Recent research has shown that it’s ability to penetrate the layers of the skin is superior to that of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, making it a brilliant choice for overall skin hydration, and suitable for all skin types.

glycerin

Panthenol is a form of Vitamin B5, which is converted into Pantothenic acid within the epidermis when applied topically. Its main benefit in cosmetics is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to.

Panthenol also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

panthenol

Vitamin B5 is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to. It also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

persea gratissima (extra virgin,  cold pressed avocado) oil

Avocado oil is a rich source of fatty acids, which help to protect excess water loss through the skin’s surface, to keep it moisturised, soft and smooth. This oil also has antioxidant properties so helps to protect skin against free radical damage.

Sunflower oil is a rich natural source of Vitamin E, a skin-moisturising antioxidant. This oil is also rich in linoleic acid (Omega 6), an essential fatty acid which works to nourish the skin, support the natural barrier, and provide some anti-inflammatory benefits.

sunflower oil

Tocopheryl acetate is a specific form of the fat-soluble Vitamin E, with improved stability vs. Tocopherol. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

tocopheryl acetate

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin contained in many plant oils, or can also be produced synthetically. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

vitis vinifera (organic, cold pressed concord grape) seed oil

Resveratrol in a polyphenol most famously found in the skin of red grapes, but also occurs naturally in peanuts and certain fruits such as blueberries and cranberries. It is included in skincare for its powerful antioxidant abilities - with research showing it can protect against free radicals, as well as oxidative damage caused by UV. 

Restore dry, ageing skin with Murad’s powerful Age-Balancing Moisture SPF 30. This supreme moisturiser is not only perfect for moisturising and nourishing the more mature skin; it also functions as a broad-spectrum UV sunscreen to protect you against harmful UV rays. The cream contains Resurrection Plant Proteins to replenish the skin’s moisture levels. A blend of Sunflower, Grape Seed and Avocado Oil provides long-lasting hydration, while Phytoestrogens work to smooth your complexion. In addition, a Copper Peptide Complex stimulates cell turnover and the production of collagen, resulting in a more supple skin. The moisturiser will strengthen the barrier of your skin, providing you with a shield against free radical attacks and external influences. At the same time, a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen protects you against sun damage with SPF30. Your skin will be left soft, plump and healthy!

Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide

What is Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide?

What does Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide do?

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