Peptides Are Your MVPs
It’s not a trip to Sephora without walking through shelves of peptide-infused lotions, creams, gels, everything. The wildly popular ingredient, a type of amino acid also found naturally in skin, may help “reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve the skin barrier, ease inflammation, and promote elasticity,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a dermatologist in San Diego. Not all peptides are created equal though. Enzyme inhibitor peptides block the stuff that breaks down skin-firming collagen. Signal peptides encourage your cells to produce more collagen, elastin, and other proteins. Carrier peptides can transfer other actives, like copper and magnesium, into your skin for better results. And neuropeptides can halt some of the muscle contractions that cause lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin smoother and more supple, explains NYC dermatologist…
