Peptides 101: Micro Size, Maximum Impact

By Jae Curtis

Everyone’s looking for that overnight miracle to give them dewy, smooth, youthful-looking skin. While peptides aren’t magic, the results you can get from consistently using them are pretty extraordinary. That’s because peptides are uniquely formulated to really penetrate your skin for the best benefits. They may be small, but peptides are mighty. Get to know them so you know when and where to add them to your skincare routine. 

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are best described as short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are responsible for communicating to your body when it needs to produce more of the proteins that keep your skin looking younger, longer. Basically, they’re what you want when you’re looking for a good-quality, all-around beneficial skincare product. 

Peptides are much smaller than other protein chains. Collagen chains, for example, are bigger and are better absorbed through your diet. Because of their smaller size, many forms of peptides are ideal for topical products, since they’re tiny enough to penetrate the surface of your skin and deliver targeted benefits. They’re also very mild, which makes peptides a small-but-mighty addition to your routine, even if you have sensitive skin. 

What Are the Benefits of Peptides?

Peptides are for everyone! Whatever your skin type or age, peptides deliver skin-smart proteins where you need it most. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from adding a peptide-rich product to your usual skin care regimen. 

• Fine line reduction: Some peptides can visibly plump up skin on contact, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines. 
• Reduce inflammation: If you suffer from redness or irritated skin, super-gentle peptides can be your new ally in that fight. They can help noticeably calm inflamed skin and increase cell turnover. 
• Improve firmness: As we age, we naturally experience a reduction in skin protein production. Because peptides essentially communicate with your skin to increase that production, you may see an improvement in firm, bright, less-sagging skin, even as you age. 
• Lock in hydration: When you invest in good ingredients, you want to keep them locked into your skin for the most benefit. Peptides support the skin barrier, which helps defend against free radicals and keep moisture in your skin.

How to Use Peptides 

If you’re interested in adding peptides to your skincare routine, you’ll get the most benefit from using them properly. Peptides should be applied after cleansing and toning; that helps ensure they can penetrate a clean, oil-free layer of skin. They’re typically used after serums, like hyaluronic acid formulas, but before a moisturizer. They’re easy on any skin type, so you can use them morning or night to contribute to visibly smoother, radiant, younger-looking skin. 

You can harness the power of peptides, plus a potent retinoid compound, epidermal growth factor, and squalane, with SuddenlySmooth Gentle RetinAll™. This innovative formula reduces the appearance of wrinkles, visibly lifts sagging skin, and hydrates for glowing skin, without harshness.