It seems like every week there’s a new skincare craze that claims to overhaul your skincare. Of course, some skincare ingredients end up being more hype than actual action, whereas others are worth adding into your skincare routine — polypeptides are one of the ingredients that you definitely don’t want to ignore.

As per Healthline, polypeptides occur naturally in the skin, however many skincare products — such as moisturizers and facial oils — include polypeptides within their ingredient list, and it’s easy to see why.

Polypeptides are a form of amino acid that are used to create specific proteins that skin needs to stay healthy. For instance, collagen — the substance known for helping to keep skin looking youthful — is made of three polypeptide chains, and adding peptides to your skincare can help encourage production of additional collagen. With higher amounts of collagen helping to keep skin looking firmer, smoother, and more youthful, polypeptide products certainly seem worth investing in.

Board-certified dermatologist and neuroscientist Erin Gilbert told Byrdie, “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.”

It’s clear that polypeptides have upped the ante when it comes to skincare, but what is it that’s made them such a skincare essential?

Here's why you should be using polypeptides in your skincare

Unlike a lot of buzzword ingredients, polypeptides offer a power packed punch when it comes to skincare, helping to enhance skin health in a number of ways.

Jennifer Herrmann, board-certified dermatologist, explained to Byrdie that, “When used in cosmetic skin products, peptides fall into three main categories: signal peptides, carrier peptides, and those that inhibit nerve signals, by acting as messengers, signal peptides can trigger collagen synthesis, which then increases skin firmness.”

As per Byrdie, peptides can aid skin health in a range of ways, from strengthening the skin barrier, locking in hydration, and aiding collagen production, to firming and smoothing skin, repairing damage, and offering anti-inflammatory support. According to the outlet, using products laced with peptides tricks the skin into thinking it has lost collagen and that more needs to be created. Think of it as the perfect skincare bluff. 

Healthline noted that peptides are unique because instead of sitting on top of the skin, they are able to penetrate the outer layer. Think of peptides like messengers for other cells — they send signals that encourage other cells to increase the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in healthier, more youthful looking skin. 

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