WHAT ARE PEPTIDES AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

Peptides are the building blocks of skin firming and plumping proteins like elastin and collagen. Because of this, peptides in skincare receive a lot of attention for their anti-aging potential – and for good reason. Gentle and naturally occurring, all skin types can typically use peptides for skin-aging improvement and protection. To help you get the most out of peptides in your skincare regime, we’ve deep dived into this trending ingredient.

So, what are peptides in skincare? And what other ingredients are peptides safe to use alongside? To help supplement your essential skin proteins, see how to include peptides in your skincare routine.

What are peptides?

Proteins are the foundation of youthful looking skin. By supporting skin’s tissue, proteins like collagen and amino acids maintain skin’s firmness, plumpness and elasticity. Peptides are made up of a combination of amino acids – and when a string of amino acids combines to make peptides, new collagen and elastin can form in skin. There are a variety of peptide types, with each working in a slightly different way, and a variety of peptide types can be combined to create efficacious skincare formulas.

What do peptides do for skin?

Peptides are naturally occurring in skin, but the collagen that they help to form depreciates as we age. By supplementing peptides for skin, collagen production can be encouraged. This helps to target visible signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and loss of volume in skin. Other benefits of implementing peptides in skincare include supporting the skin moisture barrier, which is a key part of maintaining hydration and preventing skin stress from impurities like bacteria. Given that they’re already present in skin, peptides are usually suitable for all skin types – including sensitive.

Which ingredients complement peptides in skincare?

Peptides can be combined with other skincare ingredients in the same formulations or via layering your skincare products. While some combinations will enhance and multiply effects, others are not recommended. Generally, peptides don’t mix well with chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and glycolic acid as acids can reduce peptides’ effectiveness. To promote radiant and youthful skin, look to combining the following ingredients with peptides in skincare routines:

1. Peptides & vitamin C

Using antioxidant vitamin C alongside peptides enhances the anti-aging benefits of your skincare routine. Together, peptides and vitamin C provide additional protection against aging stressors like UV radiation and address signs of skin stress like dullness and dark spots.

2. Peptides & hyaluronic acid

A deeply hydrating ingredient, hyaluronic acid draws in and retains moisture content. Combining the humectant with peptides helps to encourage optimal hydration and proteins in skin, promoting a brighter more youthful complexion.

3. Peptides & retinol

A mainstay in anti-aging skincare routines, retinol is used to promote younger skin and visibly improve signs of aging. By encourage skin cell renewal, fresher skin is able to come to the surface. You can enhance these results with the use of peptides.

How to implement peptides for skin

To help skin retain and improve firmness and radiance, consider adding a peptide-based skincare step to your routine. Included as part of your anti-wrinkle moisturiser products, peptides help to firm and plump skin (at any age!). You’ll find peptides are often formulated into cream products like moisturisers and eye creams for hydrating and nourishing delivery of the ingredient’s benefits. With this in mind, here’s how to implement peptides for skin:

AM or PM, begin by gently cleansing skin of impurities and pat dry.

If layering a peptides moisturiser with serums or toners, apply these first and allow to absorb.

Take the recommended amount of peptides moisturiser and dot onto skin, including the face, neck and décolleté. Tap or gently massage into skin.

If using an eye cream, delicately tap product onto the eye area using your ring finger.

To take the next step and find the right peptides skincare for you, see the luxurious range of Lancôme peptide skincare below.

Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream

Our latest innovation in peptide creams, Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream uses over 300 different types of peptides, bringing together over 30 years of research in the science of skin. To target the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles on the face and neck, the cream is infused with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to complement the effects of peptides. Our anti-aging formula encourages skin renewal, helping to promote even tone and more uniform skin texture.

Discover Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream.

Rénergie Multi-Lift Day Cream Rich

Thicker-textured formulas help to promote bouncier and hydrated complexions in mature and dry skin types. Rénergie Multi-Lift Day Cream Rich is enriched with Multi-Tension technology to help firm facial zones and promote collagen production via peptides for skin. The thicker texture helps to keep skin hydrated for longer as part of your morning routine.

Discover Rénergie Multi-Lift Day Cream Rich.

Rénergie Multi-Lift Night Cream

Evening skincare routines help to retain moisture content as you sleep, so that you can wake up with brighter and refreshed skin. Formulated with hyaluronic acid alongside peptides, Rénergie Multi-Lift Night Cream targets multiple skin layers. Skin is replenished with moisture, while anti-aging properties help to encourage youthful looking skin.

Discover Rénergie Multi-Lift Night Cream.

Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Eye Cream

To help the especially fragile area of skin around the eyes, we recommend including firming and gentle ingredients like peptides in skincare routines. Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Eye Cream combines cocoa seed butter with hyaluronic acid and peptides to fill in moisture and improve the eye contour area’s appearance.

Discover Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Eye Cream.