HAPPY HEALTHY SKIN
Even at its thickest point, our skin is only a few millimetres thick. But it is still our heaviest and largest organ, making up about one seventh of our body weight: Depending on your height and body mass, it weighs between 3.5 and 10 kilograms (7.5 and 22 pounds) and has a surface area of 1.5 to 2 square meters. Skin protects your body from harmful things in the outside world, it is an important sensory organ, and plays a big role in metabolism. It’s what separates your delicate insides from the harsh outside world, making it one of the most important organs in your body. Skin is composed of a vast, complex network of various cells, proteins, ceramides, and lipids—but arguably, the most vital component of all is the skin barrier.
Unfortunately, your skin barrier is sensitive to its environment. It can be damaged by environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, smoking, extreme weather variations, etc. Physical factors such over-exfoliation or using harsh/irritating products, and environmental damage, poor dietary choices.
If your skin barrier is damaged, your skin might be dry, flaky, sensitive, irritated, tingly, burning, and/or itchy.
You may also be dealing with rashes and inflammation since a damaged skin barrier increases your risk of dermatitis. flare-ups of rosacea, acne, eczema, and keratosis pilaris.
In general, most cases require product formulas that reduce inflammation, improve dryness and strengthen the skin barrier with active ingredients such as ceramides or glycerine. it is important we replace the lost moisture as this is your body’s first line of defence.
Look at a holistic approach to your skincare by ensuring you are also looking after your digestive health. Try an Essential Fatty Acid supplement such as DMK’s EFA Ultra supplements available in clinic and on line and drink at least 2L of water a day.
Skinade Collagen Peptide Skin Drink - Their slogan ‘Better Skin From Within’ recently won the 2024 New Beauty Award for Best Collagen Drink! 🏆 Drinking advanced collagen drinks such as Skinade everyday is one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat skin collagen loss and ageing from the inside out.
THINGS TO AVOID TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY SKIN:
- Avoid overly hot showers and harsh soap and scrubs.
- Excess exfoliation
- Long, hot baths
- Too much sun exposure
- Touching or picking the skin
- Not drinking enough water
- Eating lots of unhealthy food
- Smoking
Peptides
How These Potent Ingredients Can Transform Your Skincare Routine:
Peptide power in skincare. Peptides play a crucial role in maintaining healthy and youthful skin. These potent ingredients have the potential to revolutionise your skincare routine, offering a myriad of benefits.
What are peptides?
Peptides are essential components in the world of skincare, but before diving into their benefits, it is crucial to understand what they are and how they function. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These chains of amino acids play a vital role in the production of proteins and collagen, which are responsible for maintaining the skin's structure and elasticity.
Definition of peptides
Peptides are small molecules made up of two or more amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. They serve as the fundamental building blocks of proteins, which are essential for the proper functioning and maintenance of our skin. Peptides are naturally occurring in the body, but they can also be synthetically created for use in skincare products.
Protein building blocks and collagen production
Proteins are critical for the health and appearance of our skin, and they are composed of chains of amino acids. The most crucial protein for the skin is collagen, which provides the skin's structure, strength, and resilience.
Amino acids: The building blocks of protein
Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that can be combined in various sequences to create a vast array of proteins. Each amino acid has a unique structure and function, which allows them to serve as the foundation for proteins and peptides in the skin.
Chains of amino acids in proteins and collagen production
When amino acids join together in a specific sequence, they form a peptide chain. These peptide chains can then combine to create larger, more complex proteins like collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up about 75% of its dry weight. It provides the skin with structure and elasticity, helping to maintain a youthful and radiant appearance. As we age, collagen production slows down, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. This is where peptides come into play in skincare, as they can help stimulate collagen production and improve overall skin health and appearance.
Benefits of Peptides for Skin Care
Peptides provide a multitude of benefits for the skin, ranging from anti-ageing effects to enhancing the skin's natural barrier. By incorporating peptide-infused skincare products into your routine, you can achieve healthier and more radiant skin.
-
Anti-aging Benefits: One of the primary advantages of peptides is their ability to combat visible signs of ageing. Peptides can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production, a critical component in maintaining the skin's elasticity. As we age, our skin's natural collagen production decreases, leading to sagging and loss of firmness. Peptides help to stimulate collagen synthesis, resulting in firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
-
Enhancing the Skin Barrier: A strong skin barrier is essential for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Peptides can help to improve the skin's natural barrier function, protecting it from environmental stressors and locking in moisture. This enhanced barrier can lead to a more resilient, healthy-looking complexion.
-
Hydration and Moisture: Peptides also play a crucial role in keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. By attracting and retaining water molecules, peptides can help to maintain the skin's optimal moisture levels. This increased hydration can lead to a more plump, smooth, and supple appearance.
-
Improving Skin Radiance and Texture: Finally, peptides can contribute to an overall improvement in skin radiance and texture. By promoting cell turnover and collagen production, peptides can help to smooth out the skin's surface and even out the skin tone. This results in a more radiant, youthful, and healthy-looking complexion.
Types of Peptides Used in Skincare
In the world of skincare, peptides are generally classified into three main categories based on their function and structure. These categories include synthetic peptides, carrier peptides, and complex peptides. Understanding the differences between these types of peptides can help you make informed decisions when choosing skincare products that incorporate these potent ingredients.
Synthetic Peptides
Synthetic peptides are lab-created versions of naturally occurring peptides. They are designed to mimic the structure and function of their natural counterparts. The primary advantage of synthetic peptides is that they can be tailored to target specific skin concerns, such as wrinkles or loss of elasticity. Synthetic peptides are often used in anti-ageing skincare products due to their ability to stimulate collagen production and promote skin firmness.
Carrier Peptides
Carrier peptides, also known as signal peptides, play a crucial role in delivering essential nutrients and minerals to the skin. These peptides are responsible for transporting active ingredients, such as copper, zinc, and manganese, deep into the skin layers. The presence of these minerals in the skin can help boost collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and promote overall skin health. Carrier peptides are commonly used in skincare products that focus on nourishment and revitalisation.
Complex Peptides
Complex peptides, sometimes referred to as bioactive peptides or enzymatic peptides, are known for their multifunctional properties. These peptides not only stimulate collagen production but also possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Complex peptides are ideal for addressing a variety of skin concerns, including ageing, inflammation, and acne. Skincare products that incorporate complex peptides often target multiple skin issues at once, providing comprehensive benefits for a more youthful and radiant complexion.
One of the significant advantages of peptides is their suitability for all skin types. As these potent ingredients play a crucial role in various biological processes, they can benefit everyone's skin, regardless of age, skin type, or concerns. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, incorporating peptide-containing products into your skincare routine can address multiple issues and improve overall skin health.
Peptides are compounds consisting of two or more linked amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. The number of amino acids that make up a peptide determines whether it is a di-peptide (two peptides), tri-peptide (three peptides), or more. In topical skincare formulations, some peptides are shown to help provide anti-aging benefits.
Skinceuticals skincare products which contain tri-peptide ingredient.
What does tri-peptide consist of?
A tripeptide is a string of three amino acids, or peptides. These amino acids provide tri-peptide skin benefits because they can help the skin stimulate collagen production.
Our recommended products with the strength of peptides:
Metacell Renewal B3
Lightweight anti-ageing face cream with niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Corrective retinol neck firming treatment targets early to advanced signs of visible neck ageing.
Derma Lift 5.0
Formulated for an immediate lifting effect combined with long-term peptide skin-boosting action. Its synergy of ingredients improves the appearance of free radical damage and the signs of skin ageing. For the appearance of sagging skin, expression lines and fine wrinkles. All skin types.
