Ingredient Library
Peptides
Plant-based polypeptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal skin to support its own collagen, helping it look firmer and smoother over time. They suit mature, thinning skin.
A natural history
Peptides are fragments of protein, the body's own messenger molecules, carrying instructions for growth and repair. Their skincare story begins in 1973, when a researcher studying human blood noticed that a tiny copper-binding peptide could coax aged tissue to behave young again. That discovery, of a peptide called GHK, opened the door, and by the early 2000s a new generation of signal peptides designed to encourage collagen had arrived in serums.
What makes peptides different from a simple moisturizer is that they are built to communicate. Rather than only sitting on the surface, a signal peptide is designed to tell skin cells to act in the way younger skin does. It is one of the more elegant ideas in modern skincare, borrowing the body's own language.
What it does for your skin
Cosmetic peptides are valued for the look of firmer, smoother skin. In a twelve-week, placebo-controlled facial study, a moisturizer with a collagen-supporting peptide improved the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles more than the placebo, and was well tolerated.[1] Background research on the copper peptide GHK describes its long-studied role in skin renewal and repair.[2] Results are gentle and cosmetic, which is exactly how we use our plant-based polypeptides, to support the look of firmness.
References
[1] Robinson LR, Fitzgerald NC, Doughty DG, Dawes NC, Berge CA, Bissett DL. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005;27(3):155-160. doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00261.x
[2] Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:324832. doi.org/10.1155/2012/324832
Found in these formulas
Questions, answered
They are signal molecules valued for telling skin to look firmer and smoother, supporting the look of collagen.
Yes. They are generally well tolerated, and their results are gentle and cosmetic rather than harsh.
Peptides derived from plants, used to support the look of firmer, more revitalized skin.
Our 8% Polypeptide Collagen Revitalizing Toning Serum and Collagen Rebuilding Firming Serum, among others.