Now and then, there is always a buzzy trend about new skincare ingredients that promise to rule the skincare world. The buzz this time around is on Peptide serums. You might be wondering; “what is peptide serum”. Ahead, you will get an answer to your question.
Peptides, also popularly known as polypeptides, are chemical compounds that contain amino acids; which are a buildup of all the necessary proteins needed in the body.
While some ingredients are all talk and no action, Peptides are the real deal when it comes to changing your skin for the better.
The peptide is one skincare ingredient that you do not want to miss out on, trust me. Peptides are often included in skincare products. However, the best way to give your skin all the amazing benefits of Peptides is to use a peptide serum.
What Is a Peptide Serum?
A peptide serum is a serum that is made up of peptides. Meanwhile, peptides are small compounds of amino acids that build up the necessary protein in the body. A polypeptide is another name for a peptide.
Peptides are a building domain of the necessary proteins and fibers in the body such as elastin fiber, keratin, and collagen.
Collagen is a protein that plays a vital role in helping the skin stay and look youthful while elastin fibers help to keep the body firm and in shape.
Having these two major proteins in the skin will keep our skin a nice texture and feel. The best way to enjoy all the wonderful benefits of peptides is through the use of a peptide serum.
There are different sorts of peptides and each category has its mode of working. First is the copper peptide: this is the most common type of carrier peptide and it works by penetrating the outer layer of the skin to help the skin generate elastin in collagen from the skin tissues.
Another category is the signal peptides: these are the kind of peptide that works by tricking your body into thinking there is damage on your skin that needs repair. This triggers the production of elastin and collagen, as a result, gives your skin a firm and plumper look.
The third category is the enzyme-inhibitor peptide: as the name implies, this kind of peptide works by stopping the enzymes in your body from degrading collagen in your skin. This, therefore, helps to maintain the skin’s firmness.
Knowing all these will help to pick your peptide serum wisely.
What Does Peptide Serum Do?
Naturally, the body produces collagen but as you grow older, the production of collagen in your body decreases. The reduction in the production of collagen causes our body to wrinkle and this also affects the production of elastin fibers, causing your body to lose its elasticity.
This is where your peptide serum comes in. The use of peptide serum on your skin will help to stimulate the production of collagen in your skin, thereby making it look firm and smooth.
Peptide serum acts as a messenger that tells your body to produce more collagen by stabilizing and transporting the compounds needed for the production of the skin.
Aside from being able to eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, peptide serums also help to reduce inflammation and keep the body’s moisture by locking in hydration. Peptide serum can help you to improve your body’s defense against free radicals.
Aside from boosting collagen production in your skin to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it also builds up more elastin for your body to regain its firmness. With its ability to trigger the skin to repair itself, it can help you repair damaged skin.
Another thing a peptide serum does is ease inflammation and help you even out your skin tone. Some peptides serum contain antimicrobial properties that may help to clear acne breakouts.
Do Peptide Serums Work?
Peptide serums have been around for a while and have proven to not just be a buzz but an active anti-aging ingredient. It’s not all hype like some skincare ingredients that claim to do wonders on the skin, it does work on the skin to improve the appearance of your skin.
Investing in a peptide serum is worth it because as you grow, you begin to lose the collagen in your body as the production decreases. However, using peptide serum on your skin will signal your skin to heal itself by producing more collagen.
Unlike some other serums that only sit on the surface of the skin, peptide serum penetrates deep into your skin and works fast on your skin and that is how it can easily trigger the skin to produce more collagen in your body.
Side Effects of Peptide Serum
Peptide serums are generally safe for all of you and you can use them as often as twice daily. As with any other skincare product, using peptide serum for the first time might cause some reactions on your skin such as rash, and itchy skin and it can increase your skin’s sensitivity.
However, this doesn’t mean that the serum will harm or damage your skin, you can keep using peptide serum till your body gets used to it. If you do experience extreme skin reactions such as hives and swelling, immediately stop the use of the product you are using.
You can as well contact a dermatologist for help to relieve any allergic reaction.
How to Apply Peptide Serum
As beneficial as the peptide serum is to the skin, applying it wrongly can reduce the effectiveness of the serum on your skin. It is important to apply peptide serum correctly on the skin. Follow the steps below to apply peptides safely on your skin to get the most result.
1. Do a Patch Test
It is best to always carry out a patch test before using any skincare products on your skin, the same goes for peptide serum. Apply a tiny bit of the serum on your wrist to check for any skin reactions.
Do this by squeezing out a drop of peptide serum onto your inner wrist and rubbing the serum gently for your skin to absorb it. Leave this on for about 24 hours. This is enough time for your skin to show any signs of irritation.
If your skin does not show any allergic reaction such as hives, swelling, and such after 24 hours of using the peptide serum, you can proceed to do the other steps ahead. However, if your skin reacts to the peptide serum with signs of an allergy reaction, do not go on to use the product.
2. Exfoliate Your Skin
Now that you have confirmed that the serum doesn’t cause any irritation to your skin, you can go on to clean and exfoliate your skin as a preparation for the application of your peptide serum to your skin.
Doing this will help to remove dead skin cells from your skin; this in return will help the peptide serum to penetrate deeply into your outer skin layer.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use your exfoliator to scrub your body
- Do this gently to avoid peeling your skin
- Now rinse off your scrub using warm water
3. Apply Your Toner
Once you are done cleansing and exfoliating your skin, you can proceed to apply a little amount of your liquid facial toner on your skin.
How to do it:
- Get your alcohol-free toner and cotton balls
- Dip/soak your cotton ball into your toner
- Rub the cotton ball on your skin gently in circles
- Allow your skin to absorb the toner
4. Apply Your Peptide Serum
You can now apply your serum after you have cleansed and dampened your skin. If your serum comes with a manufacturer’s note on how to use the serum, adhere strictly to the instructions.
The general usage guideline is two pumps of serum per application. However, If your serum comes with a dropper, then two to three drops of serum are the ideal amount for each application. As tempting as it gets to apply more on your skin, try to stick to the right amount of usage.
Here’s how to apply it:
- Pump or squeeze out drops of the serum into your palm
- Use your fingertips to pick up serum from your palm
- Gently massage the serum into your skin using your fingertips
- Once you have distributed the serum evenly on your skin, let it sit for a few minutes
- Wait 5 minutes for your skin to absorb the serum.
5. Moisturize
Wait for 5 minutes after applying your peptide serum for your skin to absorb, then proceed to moisturize your skin. Applying a moisturizer helps to protect and hydrate your skin.
You can apply a moisturizer that contains sunscreen of SPF-30 or higher to help you protect your skin from the sun. Do this if you are doing your facials in the morning before going out into the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you use peptide serum on your skin?
It is generally safe to use peptide serum on your skin daily. You can apply your peptide serum to your face in the morning and at night and you can do this every day.
How long will it take to see the effect of peptide serum?
It takes just about 3 weeks to start noticing improvement in your skin. However, you have to keep using the serum regularly to be able to see tangible skin changes and this usually takes about 3 months.
What can peptide serum do for your face?
By triggering your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, peptide serum can help your face look younger and firm by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and thin lines.
Can you mix retinol and peptide serum?
Yes, you can. Using both retinol and peptide serum can work to give your skin a dewy youthful glow. There are two ways to do this: you can apply both serums in your nightlight skincare routine or you can simply use your peptide serum in the morning and retinol at night.
Conclusion
Trying out several anti-aging skin care products can be tiring. However, peptide serum might be the one skincare product you have been waiting for all this while. Peptides are the real deal when it comes to changing your skin for the better.
Peptide serums have been around for a while and have proven to not just be a buzz. It’s not all hype like some skincare ingredients that claim to do wonders on the skin, it does work on the skin to improve the appearance of your skin.
The use of peptide serum on your skin will help to stimulate the production of collagen in your skin, thereby making it look firm and smooth.
Thanks for reading.
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