Proteins are found in every cell in the human body & are important components of structural tissues in our hair, skin & nails. If we break a protein down we get amino acids – these can be described as the building blocks of proteins. Quite simply, amino acids linked together form a peptide. So where do peptides fit into this equation? In the middle! Peptides are smaller than proteins and are made up of shorter chains of amino acids. So why use peptides in skincare rather than proteins? Protein molecules are too large to penetrate the skin, but peptides (being a much smaller molecule) can penetrate into the deeper layers of skin. The role of a peptide is as a chemical messenger. It communicates with the cells to perform a specific function. Matrixyl was the first commercially used peptide in skincare & it is what we would class as a collagen stimulating peptide. It stimulates C1 collagen – our structural collagen & makes up 80% of collagen in our skin.

Argireline another well-known peptide & is often termed as ‘Botox in a bottle’. Argireline is what we would class as a neuropeptide. When we use the muscles in our face for expression, the nerves send a signal to the muscle to contract. When we overuse these muscles we develop more permanent expression lines that can be seen when the face is relaxed. Argireline interrupts the signal that is sent from the nerve to the muscle which in turn keeps the muscle in a more relaxed state. The effect of peptides is accumulative. Results are seen as soon as two weeks, with best results after 12 weeks. DermaQuest Peptide Facial Booster is a combination of 8 different peptides including Matrixyl, Syn-Coll, Sn@ke, Rigin, Eyeliss & Regu Age, Snap-8 & Argireline at a total of 60%. Best applied both morning & night.