As people age, they lose collagen which results in sagging and wrinkled skin. In Australia’s sunny climate, too much sun exposure makes the damage happen more rapidly.
Since collagen is a protein composed of long chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, peptides play an important role in replacing lost collagen. As collagen breaks down, the protein chains break up into smaller chains of peptides. The resulting peptide chains send signals to the body to produce more collagen.
Since peptides are small, they can penetrate the skin’s protective barriers. Applying peptides directly to the skin through good skin care products tricks the skin into thinking that it has lost collagen recently and needs to produce more. This makes it an extremely powerful ingredient to use to fight the ageing process.
At The Sanctuary, these are my top 3 favourite products which contain collagen-stimulating peptides:
1. Aspect’s Phytostat 9 – this is an extremely hydrating moisturiser which contains peptides and a host of antioxidants to really plump and smooth your skin. This product can be used as a day/night moisturiser and retails for only $77.
2. O Cosmedics’s 30+ Mineral Pro Sunscreen/moisturiser – I think this fantastic Australian formulated suncreen/moisturiser combo is the best sunscreen ever! It’s main ingredient is zinc oxide, which means that it provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The zinc oxide is micronised, meaning that even though it’s a sunscreen, it’s texture is fine and it will not leave your skin looking like it has a white film slathered on it. In addition to zinc oxide, it also contains peptides and resveratrol, a potent antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes – so it stimulates collagen and helps to stall the ageing process with these two fantastic anti-ageing ingredients. It comes tinted or untinted and is only $49.
3. Cosmedix’s Eye Genius – This super-charged eye treatment corrects the look of eye lines, crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles and more. It contains 5 firming peptides to plump out those crows feet! Only $85.
The above products will work well with a good quality cleanser and an exfoliating product, preferably one that contains alpha hydroxy acids as they not only get rid of dead, dull skin but also hydrate skin and enhance the penetration of your serums/moisturisers.
