Polypeptides: A must have ingredient in your skin care
The plethora of ingredients in skin care products often makes one feel confused and overwhelmed about what is best for the skin. Each buzzword and ‘miracle ingredient’ makes lofty promises, claiming to solve all your skin woes. However, many hyped products don’t live up to expectations and sometimes do more harm than good.
This makes many of us wary of trying out new products, making us miss out on even the good ones, which is an absolute pity. It’s best to make informed decisions and go for products that contain natural and active ingredients like polypeptides.
Active ingredients are defined as ingredients contained within skincare products that actually work to address the skin concern the product is meant to target. They are the ingredients that have been scientifically proven to actually have the desired effect, meaning the product will do what it says it will. Active ingredients other than peptides are hyaluronic acid, retinol and others.
What exactly are polypeptides and why are they important?
Polypeptides are small chain amino acids that form proteins in the body including those like collagen, elastin and keratin. These proteins are found in the skin and are essential for the maintenance of the skin’s smooth texture and firmness. They also help the skin heal and rejuvenate itself, making it look radiant and youthful.
An absence of these proteins results in dry and scaly skin. It begins to show early signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines. Incorporating polypeptides into your daily skin care routine can help slow down and minimise the visible effects of ageing.
Instead of applying already-created proteins like collagen to your skin, applying the shorter and fragmented polypeptides allows them to be absorbed into the skin easily giving quick and effective results, enabling you to enjoy soft and smooth skin for much longer
Benefits of polypeptides
Peptides are like messengers, sending signals to the skin cells to carry out functions like healing, soothing and replenishing. The main benefits are:
Production of collagen:
Collagen is made up of three polypeptide chains, and although a naturally occurring component in the body, over time it’s production decreases. This causes the skin to sag and wrinkle. Applying products containing peptides can stimulate collagen production leading to firmer and younger-looking skin. Collagen also helps to plump up the skin and lips making wrinkles and fine lines less visible.
Protect against skin damage:
Peptides protect the skin from artificial and natural damage by forming the first line of defense. They protect against ultraviolet rays, pollution, and free radical damage. Over-exfoliation can also damage the skin barrier which peptides help to rebuild and replenish.
Help fight acne:
Peptides are of various kinds, one of which is antimicrobial. This means they help fight against bacterial contamination and infection that leads to acne. It helps to clear out the skin and minimises chances of future breakouts.
Ease inflammation:
Peptides help to soothe and calm the skin, helping to reduce inflammation, itching, redness and swelling. They also help to even out skin tone, making the skin look glowing and bright.
Increases hydration:
With age, the body’s natural collagen production decreases, causing skin dehydration and transepidermal water loss. Incorporating peptides in your skincare will help to lock in moisture, giving hydrated and fresh looking skin.
Firmer and younger skin:
Similar to collagen, peptides also make up elastin fibers, also a type of protein. These fibers help the skin to look firmer and lifted. Peptides also decreases the appearance of pores, giving your skin a smooth and flawless texture.
How To Use It
Peptides can be applied to the skin in the form of cleansers, serums, creams and face masks. It's also recommended to opt for a peptide product that can be left on the skin, such as a cream or serum so that it does the job while you go about your day.
Polypeptides are also included in some topical serums used after procedures like micro-needling, laser and lip fillers injections to increase the penetration of the peptide and help the skin quickly recover and heal from the procedure.
Generally, polypeptides are safe to use twice daily and for maximum effectiveness, should be applied during both morning and nighttime skincare routines.
Now that you’re convinced about the benefits that polypeptides have to offer, and are looking to add a product containing these benefits to your skin care routine, try the Leovard Lip Luster. Made up of hyaluronic acid, polypeptides and botanical oils like castor oil and jojoba oil, this miracle product helps to soothe and hydrate, dry and cracked lips. It is a natural and organic lip balm that gently exfoliates the lips, helps to reduce lines and gives plump and hydrated lips, so that you can be your best possible self.
Because we want you to be your bold and proud self, with Leovard.
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