We all know that we need to get enough protein through food because they are the basic building blocks for our body. You already know how much bodybuilders like to eat eggs, drink whey protein and eat meat. All this in order to get enough protein, so that their muscles can grow. Nowadays, there is more and more talk about the benefits of amino acids, proteins, and peptides for the skin. And before you go to the fridge to check how many eggs you have, we suggest you wait for a second, because there is more.
These building materials are becoming more and more present in skincare products and research shows that they have a great effect on the skin when used topically. They’re most popularly known as a trio of anti-aging ingredients, and that is why today we are writing about whether amino acids, peptides, and proteins really have the power to slow down the signs of skin aging. Let’s get started.
Benefits of Amino Acids
If we want our skin to be and look healthy, amino acids are the way to go. As one of the well-known anti-aging ingredients out there, amino acids have a beneficial effect on the skin — both when taken through food and when applied topically to the skin. They participate in the hydration of the skin and are so important to our body that it naturally produces them. They are best buddies with water channels (aquaporins) — together ensure the passage of water molecules through the layers of the skin.
This role of amino acids is very important because we all know what a lack of water in the skin can do. Dehydration is not the most pleasant thing that can happen to our skin, because it causes our skin to look dull. But the agony does not end there. Lack of water in the skin leads to flaky skin, as well as redness. The skin becomes prone to irritation and redness, and even acne can occur. Because of all this, we want to drink enough water (plus maybe consider quitting alcohol) and apply to the skin everything that helps it stay hydrated. And amino acids come into play here.
When the skin is adequately hydrated, it looks plump and fresh. In addition, amino acids target other ways in which they achieve an antiaging effect. Some of them act as antioxidants and protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Others stimulate the production of antioxidants, and some of them also participate in the construction of collagen, which gives the skin firmness. All these indicate that amino acids are such hardworking anti-aging ingredients.
That said, amino acids have the best effect when combined with other ingredients that contribute to skin hydration, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. You may also want to look into other acids that are beneficial in skincare, such as salicylic acid and lactic acid.
Peptides and Proteins as Anti-aging Ingredients: do they work?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that build various structures in the body. We can call them mini proteins. They build larger proteins that are of great importance for the skin. Some of these proteins are collagen, elastin, and keratin, which give the skin firmness and elasticity. When we have enough of them our skin looks phenomenal.
In the last few years, peptides have been especially praised in the world of skincare because as anti-aging ingredients, they are attributed with almost-magical properties. And is that really so? Well…you’ve probably already figured out that every ingredient that flies high falls low. And when we hear that something is magical, especially in the world of skincare, we should check it twice.
Studies have shown that certain peptides are indeed effective as anti-aging ingredients. They act in different ways and contribute to the stimulation of the synthesis of proteins found in the skin. In this way, the skin retains its elasticity and firmness much longer.
However, don’t be fooled. No peptide alone is powerful enough to transform the skin. We know it sounds very appealing that there is one among all these anti-aging ingredients that will solve all your problems. And we are sorry to ruin this illusion, but there is no such thing. It is always desirable to combine the strengths of different ingredients in order to achieve the desired effect.
It is always advisable to take a combination of several different peptides to get the most out of them. On the other hand, the best anti-aging effect is achieved when we act from several sides. We recommend you to include various antioxidants in your care, SPF (of course!), as well as substances that hydrate the skin, strengthen the skin barrier… and so on. You get the point. What we want to emphasize is that skincare is most effective when it is comprehensive. Do not rely on just one group of anti-aging ingredients, but combine several different ones and observe how your skin enjoys it.
Barriers that Peptides and Proteins Still Face
Although these ingredients have been present in the world of skincare for a long time, there are still obstacles they face. One of them is their permeability. We are continuously working to increase their permeability through the layers of the skin and thus achieve an even better effect.
Finally, many topical peptides and proteins can be found on the market whose efficacy has not been demonstrated. It is very important to use formulations that do not contain other anti-aging ingredients during the test because otherwise reliable results will not be obtained. Although many peptides are known to be very effective and beneficial for the skin, there is another side of the story that we need to take into account.
Conclusion
Although the effectiveness of amino acids, peptides, and proteins as anti-aging ingredients has been confirmed, further research is needed to maximize their effects. Although these ingredients are very popular and sound interesting to us, let’s not forget the other crew members. Only skincare that includes various effective anti-aging ingredients will show the best results, allowing your skin to look taut, radiant, and young for a very long time.