Peptides have recently popped up in a wide array of beauty and wellness products — protein powders, teas, moisturizers, and serums — claiming to enhance skin health with just a sip or slather. Haruharu wonder even offers several topical peptide products for skin, such as Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream and Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule. But amidst all the buzz, a couple of fundamental questions remain: Do you truly understand what peptides are and, more importantly, how they can benefit your skin?
It's easy to get swept up in the hype surrounding the latest "miracle" skincare ingredient, but true understanding requires digging a little deeper. That's why we've created an easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide to skincare peptides. We’ll break down the science behind this increasingly popular ingredient, the types of peptides typically added to skincare products, and why you should incorporate them into your skincare routine for a bouncier, smoother complexion.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of two to 50 amino acids naturally occurring in our bodies. They can also be found in other living things, such as plants, animals, and microalgae. Known as the
“building blocks” of proteins, peptides help give our skin, bones, and cartilage their structure.
In other words, they help boost collagen and elastin production to keep skin firm, taut, and radiant. Peptides also work to repair damaged skin cells due to UV damage and aging.
What are the skincare benefits of peptides?
The peptides in skincare products function similarly as they do organically in our bodies. They promote collagen and elastin production, helping smooth deep wrinkles, firm skin, and improve overall skin texture in the process. Studies have also found that peptides in skincare can help decrease collagen breakdown, which leads to sagging, hollowness, wrinkles, and fine lines, and combat the natural aging process. They are also known to help repair damaged skin due to acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and sun exposure.
Vegan? No problem. The peptides added to skincare products are created synthetically and derived from plants and microalgae. They are considered bioactive, meaning their molecules are small enough to be absorbed by the skin and work their skin-rejuvenating magic. Several types of peptides are typically used in skincare formulas, including signal, carrier, neurotransmitter-inhibitory, enzyme-inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. All help stimulate collagen and elastin production, but each has extra benefits.
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Signal: Helps skin cell turnover; diminishes and prevents hyperpigmentation.
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Carrier: Wound healing benefits, improves skin barrier function.
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Neurotransmitter-inhibitory: Imparts a moisturizing effect; prevents hyperpigmentation.
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Enzyme-inhibitory: Moisturizing effect; helps prevent skin aging; anti-inflammatory properties.
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Antioxidant: Prevent skin damage.
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Antimicrobial: Helps balance sebum production and decrease acne breakouts.
Are peptides safe for sensitive skin?
Absolutely. Peptides are considered safe for sensitive skin due to their soothing and healing benefits. However, we always recommend patch testing your skincare products before incorporating them into your skincare routine just in case.
Peptides vs. Retinol
You may think that the skincare benefits of peptides sound a lot like the ones that are touted by retinol — and you’re not wrong. Both of these beloved well-aging ingredients diminish the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. They both also smooth away roughness and dryness while leaving skin clearer, tighter, and more luminous by stimulating collagen production and speeding up cell regeneration. However, the mechanism by which they do so differs.
First and foremost, our bodies innately produce peptides. Retinol, on the other hand, is a vitamin (A, specifically) that needs to be supplied to our bodies, and then, retinoid receptors within our cells convert topical retinol into retinoic acid, which regulates cell growth.
Another major difference is peptides are better for sensitive skin and pack anti-inflammatory properties that retinol lacks. In fact, retinol can cause flakiness, redness, and sun sensitivity, so we recommend slowly but surely working them into your skincare routine, while peptides can be used daily in the morning and at night without side effects. Retinol, however, is known to work faster than peptides, so you have to weigh the pros and cons, and see what makes the most sense for your skin goals.
What are the best peptide products for skin?
We may be biased but Haruharu wonder’s Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream is one of the best peptide creams in the game right now. This ultra-rich hydrating formula is infused with a potent mix of five peptides for powerful well-aging and cell-reparative benefits.
1. Copper Tripeptide-1: A carrier peptide that reduces inflammation, helps skin heal faster, and stimulates collagen production for calmer, healthier skin.
2. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: A neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptide known for its anti-wrinkle benefits, particularly for reducing the appearance of under-eye and forehead wrinkles
3. Oligopeptide-32: A carrier peptide that blocks oil production and softens skin.
4. Oligopeptide-29: An antioxidant-rich carrier peptide known to promote plumper, dewier skin.
5. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: A signal peptide that amps up collagen synthesis for tighter, firmer skin.
Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream’s peptides are joined by soothing cica to further decrease inflammation and strengthen your skin barrier. We also added caffeine to help depuff your skin and give it a healthy glow, as well as moisture-locking squalene to offer your skin an all-in-one solution for happier, healthier skin.
We love pairing Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream with our Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule. This lightweight yet effective serum features Rice sh-Oligopeptide-1 and Rice sh-Polypeptide-1. Both of these are signal peptides derived from rice. Sh-oligopeptide-1 is scientifically known as a cosmetic equivalent of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), meaning it mimics growth factors in the skin and helps regenerate skin cells. Sh-Polypeptide-1, on the other hand, is an FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor), that stimulates fibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Together, they help make your skin bouncier, firmer, and more youthful-looking.
Our Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule also stays true to its name (and product line) with its inclusion of our signature fermented black rice extract, which nourishes skin, reduces inflammation, improves elasticity, and protects skin from environmental aggressors, like UV damage and pollution.
For the ultimate peptide skincare routine, apply the Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule after cleansing and toning your skin. Then, slather on the Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream, and get ready for a more radiant, revitalized complexion.
What’s the Deal With Peptides?
Peptides have recently popped up in a wide array of beauty and wellness products — protein powders, teas, moisturizers, and serums — claiming to enhance skin health with just a sip or slather. Haruharu wonder even offers several topical peptide products for skin, such as Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream and Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule. But amidst all the buzz, a couple of fundamental questions remain: Do you truly understand what peptides are and, more importantly, how they can benefit your skin?
It's easy to get swept up in the hype surrounding the latest "miracle" skincare ingredient, but true understanding requires digging a little deeper. That's why we've created an easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide to skincare peptides. We’ll break down the science behind this increasingly popular ingredient, the types of peptides typically added to skincare products, and why you should incorporate them into your skincare routine for a bouncier, smoother complexion.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of two to 50 amino acids naturally occurring in our bodies. They can also be found in other living things, such as plants, animals, and microalgae. Known as the
“building blocks” of proteins, peptides help give our skin, bones, and cartilage their structure.
In other words, they help boost collagen and elastin production to keep skin firm, taut, and radiant. Peptides also work to repair damaged skin cells due to UV damage and aging.
What are the skincare benefits of peptides?
The peptides in skincare products function similarly as they do organically in our bodies. They promote collagen and elastin production, helping smooth deep wrinkles, firm skin, and improve overall skin texture in the process. Studies have also found that peptides in skincare can help decrease collagen breakdown, which leads to sagging, hollowness, wrinkles, and fine lines, and combat the natural aging process. They are also known to help repair damaged skin due to acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and sun exposure.
Vegan? No problem. The peptides added to skincare products are created synthetically and derived from plants and microalgae. They are considered bioactive, meaning their molecules are small enough to be absorbed by the skin and work their skin-rejuvenating magic. Several types of peptides are typically used in skincare formulas, including signal, carrier, neurotransmitter-inhibitory, enzyme-inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. All help stimulate collagen and elastin production, but each has extra benefits.
Signal: Helps skin cell turnover; diminishes and prevents hyperpigmentation.
Carrier: Wound healing benefits, improves skin barrier function.
Neurotransmitter-inhibitory: Imparts a moisturizing effect; prevents hyperpigmentation.
Enzyme-inhibitory: Moisturizing effect; helps prevent skin aging; anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidant: Prevent skin damage.
Antimicrobial: Helps balance sebum production and decrease acne breakouts.
Are peptides safe for sensitive skin?
Absolutely. Peptides are considered safe for sensitive skin due to their soothing and healing benefits. However, we always recommend patch testing your skincare products before incorporating them into your skincare routine just in case.
Peptides vs. Retinol
You may think that the skincare benefits of peptides sound a lot like the ones that are touted by retinol — and you’re not wrong. Both of these beloved well-aging ingredients diminish the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. They both also smooth away roughness and dryness while leaving skin clearer, tighter, and more luminous by stimulating collagen production and speeding up cell regeneration. However, the mechanism by which they do so differs.
First and foremost, our bodies innately produce peptides. Retinol, on the other hand, is a vitamin (A, specifically) that needs to be supplied to our bodies, and then, retinoid receptors within our cells convert topical retinol into retinoic acid, which regulates cell growth.
Another major difference is peptides are better for sensitive skin and pack anti-inflammatory properties that retinol lacks. In fact, retinol can cause flakiness, redness, and sun sensitivity, so we recommend slowly but surely working them into your skincare routine, while peptides can be used daily in the morning and at night without side effects. Retinol, however, is known to work faster than peptides, so you have to weigh the pros and cons, and see what makes the most sense for your skin goals.
What are the best peptide products for skin?
We may be biased but Haruharu wonder’s Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream is one of the best peptide creams in the game right now. This ultra-rich hydrating formula is infused with a potent mix of five peptides for powerful well-aging and cell-reparative benefits.
1. Copper Tripeptide-1: A carrier peptide that reduces inflammation, helps skin heal faster, and stimulates collagen production for calmer, healthier skin.
2. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: A neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptide known for its anti-wrinkle benefits, particularly for reducing the appearance of under-eye and forehead wrinkles
3. Oligopeptide-32: A carrier peptide that blocks oil production and softens skin.
4. Oligopeptide-29: An antioxidant-rich carrier peptide known to promote plumper, dewier skin.
5. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: A signal peptide that amps up collagen synthesis for tighter, firmer skin.
Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream’s peptides are joined by soothing cica to further decrease inflammation and strengthen your skin barrier. We also added caffeine to help depuff your skin and give it a healthy glow, as well as moisture-locking squalene to offer your skin an all-in-one solution for happier, healthier skin.
We love pairing Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream with our Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule. This lightweight yet effective serum features Rice sh-Oligopeptide-1 and Rice sh-Polypeptide-1. Both of these are signal peptides derived from rice. Sh-oligopeptide-1 is scientifically known as a cosmetic equivalent of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), meaning it mimics growth factors in the skin and helps regenerate skin cells. Sh-Polypeptide-1, on the other hand, is an FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor), that stimulates fibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Together, they help make your skin bouncier, firmer, and more youthful-looking.
Our Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule also stays true to its name (and product line) with its inclusion of our signature fermented black rice extract, which nourishes skin, reduces inflammation, improves elasticity, and protects skin from environmental aggressors, like UV damage and pollution.
For the ultimate peptide skincare routine, apply the Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule after cleansing and toning your skin. Then, slather on the Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream, and get ready for a more radiant, revitalized complexion.