Polypeptides

We'll be the first to admit that there are enough enticing skincare technologies, ingredients, and product compilations to excite, overwhelm and last even the most avid skincare junkie a lifetime. And since virtually every buzzword and component makes lofty promises (many of which claim miracle—aka realistically impossible—results), it's essential to have information on what you're putting on your skin.

However, not all buzzy ingredients and products are fallacies. In fact, far from it! The importance lies in the research and what objective skin, and health, professionals can actually verify in terms of efficacy. Which brings us to the topic in question: polypeptides in skincare.

POLYPEPTIDES

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Protein

MAIN BENEFITS: Smoothes fine lines, increases collagen production, decreases the appearance of pores.

WHO SHOULD USE IT: Generally, polypeptides are safe for all skin types.

HOW OFTEN YOU CAN USE IT: For maximum effectiveness, polypeptides should be applied during both morning and nighttime skincare routines.

WORKS WELL WITH: Getting a facial peel before applying peptide products will help peptides penetrate the skin more deeply.

DON'T USE WITH: AHAs will reduce the efficiency of peptides.

What Are Polypeptides?

According to Jennifer Herrmann, MD, FAAD, at Moy Fincher Chips Facial Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Beverly Hills, polypeptides can best be understood as "small chemical compounds composed of short-chain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein." Erin Gilbert, MD, FAAD, PhD, and board-certified dermatologist and neuroscientist, continues: "Peptides tell your cells to produce more collagen: one of the major building blocks of the skin. So by applying them directly to your skin, you're telling your body it needs to make more collagen," she says.

Having sudden flashbacks of junior high science class? We are too, which brings us to our next burning question: Why have they been having such a buzz-worthy moment in the skincare spotlight, and why exactly are polypeptides so frequently found in our favorite serums and creams?

"Peptides are essentially fragmented portions of proteins. So when they're used in skincare, the objective is for those fragments of collagen to stimulate collagen growth," explains Nancy Samolitis, MD, FAAD, co-founder of Facile Dermatology + Boutique. "Complete, non-fragmented proteins (like collagen) are not able to be directly absorbed through the top layer of skin, so these smaller pieces are able to get deep into the cellular level."

"Peptides can be included in serums, moisturizers, and masks," Gilbert explains. "They are also included in some topical serums used after micro-needling or superficial laser procedures to increase the penetration of the peptide and help the skin recover from the procedure."

Benefits of Polypeptides for Skin

"When used in cosmetic skin products, peptides fall into three main categories: signal peptides, carrier peptides, and those that inhibit nerve signals," Herrmann elaborates. "By acting as messengers, signal peptides can trigger collagen synthesis, which then increases skin firmness."

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines: By stimulating collagen production, peptides can give your skin the impression of being plumper: "Peptides help to rebuild collagen and preserve skin's youthful appearance," Gilbert says.

• Strengthens skin barrier: When peptides help amp up your skin cells, they may also help improve your skin barrier.

• Locks in hydration: As you age, collagen production decreases, which also causes dehydration. When peptides help boost collagen production, it also boosts hydration.

• Aids in collagen production: When collagen breaks down, the peptides send a signal to our skin's cells, informing them to make more collagen to replace what we lose naturally as we get older. "Every year, collagen production decreases, which causes wrinkles, dehydration, discoloration, loss of firmness, and a dull complexion," Gilbert says.

• Has anti-inflammatory properties: Antioxidants found in peptides help calm and soothe your skin, leading to less inflammation.

• Helps make skin more firm: By signaling your cells to produce collagen, peptides help your skin become more firm: "[Peptides] that inhibit nerve signals have the potential to soften fine lines caused by muscle movement—in theory, it's like topical Botox," Herrmann concludes.

• Smooths out complexion: With upped collagen production likely comes clearer, more even skin, too.

• Repairs damaged skin: Carrier peptides work to heal your skin from the inside out.

Using products with peptides directly on top of our skin acts as a fake-out, tricking our skin into thinking it's lost collagen and needs to make more. Ingenious, right?

So there's the underlying thinking and theory behind the benefits of polypeptides. But are these too-good-to-be-true sounding claims legitimate?

Side Effects of Polypeptides

Unfortunately, maybe not. (And if it's any indicator, "unfortunately" was also the first word uttered by two of my three experts after I posed the question).

"I personally haven't been convinced that peptides marketed to inhibit nerve signals effectively reach nerve targets (these are deep in muscles!) in large enough numbers to smooth lines as Botox can, but this may change in the future," says Herrmann. (For some context, many polypeptide-infused skincare products claim results as good—or better—than the treatment.)

Samolitis, too, has some disheartening news: "There just has not been significant scientific data on peptides for anti-aging, and they may not be as effective as the tried-and-true retinoids, AHAs, and antioxidants. Plus, the word 'peptide' can be used generically to describe any short chain of amino acids, so that term can easily be used for marketing even if the product does not contain a known active ingredient."

After zeroing in on your regimen, Herrmann says you can take it a step further with things like lasers or other skin-tightening treatments to maximize restoration and skin health. In other words, things like this (versus peptides alone) will act as a cherry on top.

How To Use It

As you can probably guess, this trending ingredient has found its way onto store shelves in the forms of face washes, serums, creams, masks, and more. The frequency of usage will depend on the product or treatment that best suits you and your skin type. Generally, however, polypeptides are safe to use twice daily. It's also recommended that you opt for a peptide product that can be left on the skin, such as a cream or serum.