What Are Peptides + What Can They Do For Your Skin?

Darlings, peptides are a hot topic in the skincare world, but what are peptides and what can they do for your skin? Discover the role that peptide creams, serums and balms can play in your skincare routine and how they can give your skin that clean, plumped look, as well as some of my supercharged skincare products with peptides including my iconic Charlotte’s Magic Cream moisturiser.

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What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are building blocks for useful proteins like elastin and collagen. The main types of peptides are signal peptides, carrier peptides and neurotransmitter peptides which each have slightly different functions. Our bodies produce peptides naturally to help regulate tissue repair and cell growth, however this quantity starts to deplete with age.

What Do Peptides Do For Your Skin?

Peptides are commonly used in skincare products for their anti-ageing effects. Creams and serums with peptides can reduce the appearance of visible signs of ageing, smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boost the look of skin firmness and elasticity, and plump the look of skin to give your complexion a healthy, youthful look. Adding peptides to your skincare routine can also support your skin barrier for hydrated skin

What Are Peptides Good For?

Peptides are suitable for all skin types, especially mature skin that is lacking collagen and is beginning to show signs of ageing. The anti-ageing properties of peptides make them especially effective for keeping your complexion looking youthful and glowing. Reaching for skincare products with peptides can help your complexion to look smoother, plumper and more youthful, and lip care products like peptide lip balms can help to smooth the look of lip lines and boost the appearance of lip volume.

How Do Peptides Work?

Peptides are the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin. Introducing peptides to your skincare can help to top up peptide levels in your skin by strengthening the skin barrier. Different types of peptide will behave slightly differently in your skin:

Signal peptides send messages to your skin to help improve skin firmness and elasticity.

Carrier peptides help to keep skin looking healthy and plump.

Neurotransmitter peptides specifically target the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helping skin to look smoother and more youthful.

Should I use peptides in the morning or the evening?

You can use peptides in your morning and evening skincare routine. I recommend using peptide creams and serums like Charlotte’s Magic Cream and Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir in the daytime to make skin look dewy and plump, and peptide balms and masks like Life-Changing Lip Mask and Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask in the evening to nourish skin while supporting your skin while you sleep.

How To Use Peptides In Your Skincare Routine

Are Peptides Suitable For My Skin Type?

Peptides are suitable for all skin types and are particularly suitable for mature skin. Skincare with peptides can help smooth the appearance of dry skin and boost the natural skin barrier, can contribute to balancing an oily complexion, and also reduces the visible signs of skin ageing to help a mature complexion appear fresher and more youthful.

When should I start using peptides in my skincare routine?

Mid 20s are a sweet spot for introducing peptides into your skincare routine. Your skin and its needs may start to change as you enter your late 20s and fine lines may begin to appear, so adding peptide creams and serums into your routine at this stage is a good way to target signs of ageing at the onset and helps keep skin looking smooth and plump.

How Often Should I Use Peptides?

You can use peptides daily as a part of your skincare routine. Reach for peptide-infused skincare in the morning to smooth and plump the look of skin and again in the evening to encourage overnight barrier repair. Consistent use garners best results, darlings, so make peptide serums, moisturisers and masks a prominent part of your skincare routine!

Can I use peptides with Vitamin C?

Yes – peptides and vitamin C can work in tandem to even the look of skin tone, brighten the look of your complexion and create a smoother-looking skin finish. Some face serums like Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir are formulated with both of these skincare powerhouses to provide anti-ageing and brightening-effect skin benefits in one supercharged serum.

Shop Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir:

Darlings, peptides are a superpowered skincare ingredient that belongs in every skincare routine! Peptides can make your skin appear smoother and firmer and also boost skin resilience and strengthen your skin barrier. If you are developing forehead frown lines, smile lines or wrinkles around the eyes, add peptides to your skincare routine and watch as signs of ageing appear reversed!

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