Natural Peptides for Mature Skin
Despite our best efforts to avoid them, wrinkles are an inevitable part of life. As we age, our skin cells regenerate less rapidly, and we produce less collagen and elastin (proteins that make the skin appear plump and youthful). The middle layer of the skin, known as the dermis, also thins with age, making the skin’s surface sag.
For years, people have sought to fight these natural processes by using bioactive ingredients like retinol, Swiss apple, and botanical extracts. However, none of these compounds can compare to the power of natural peptides.
What are Peptides?
Peptides are essentially tiny fragments of protein. Each protein in your body looks like a chain. The links of the chain are natural compounds called amino acids. Complex proteins can contain hundreds of different amino acids. However, if the chain contains fewer than 50 amino acids, we call it a peptide. The human body produces peptides every day, and they are 100% natural.
Peptides are crucial for many bodily processes, such as digestion, brain function, immune responses, and skin cell regeneration and repair.
The Role of Peptides in Anti-Aging Creams
Peptides are the active ingredient in many anti-aging products. They supplement the skin’s natural functions, which is especially helpful for mature skin with naturally slower cell regeneration rates. There are four types of peptides in cosmetics: signal peptides, carrier peptides, neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides, and enzyme-inhibitor peptides.
- Signal peptides – stimulate fibroblast cells in the skin. These cells send signals to your brain to produce more collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and other proteins that keep the skin looking youthful.
- Carrier Peptides – help to deliver essential trace elements like copper and manganese into the skin tissue to facilitate wound healing and collagen production.
- Neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides – prevent the brain from releasing chemicals (neurotransmitters) that control involuntary muscle contractions in your face. Relaxing the facial muscles may reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time.
- Enzyme-inhibitor peptides – prevent enzymes from breaking down collagen and elastin in your skin. Many are plant-derived peptides sourced from soybeans or rice.
Some peptide chains can also prevent the skin from losing moisture, creating a hydrating effect that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Others reduce melanin production to clear up dark marks and brighten the complexion.
Synthetic vs Natural Peptides
Peptides are abundant in nature; we can extract natural peptides from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Some typical sources for botanical peptide extracts include mushrooms, rice, legumes, and pumpkin seeds. Plant-derived peptides often have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in addition to their primary cosmetic functions.
Synthetic peptides are made in labs by carefully combining individual amino acids. We can synthesize most natural peptides this way, including insulin. One of the most popular synthetic peptides is Argireline® – a neurotransmitter-inhibitor that relaxes facial muscles to discourage wrinkle formation.
Other Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients
A good anti-aging cream should tackle wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots from multiple angles. Including other natural ingredients alongside botanical peptide extracts can make for a more potent formulation that offers consumers better results. Some examples of such ingredients include green tea, vitamin C or citrus extracts, and Vitamin E-rich almond oil.
Additionally, one must ensure regulatory compliance when crafting a natural anti-aging product. Cosmetics regulations can be stringent, especially in Europe. Producing peptide-rich creams and lotions for international markets means complying with local organic standards and using only EU-certified natural ingredients.
Thankfully, Advanced Biotech offers a range of premium cosmetic ingredients certified by the USDA and EOCC to help manufacturers craft the best formulations for their clients. For more information or to request a sample, please contact us.