Peptides are everywhere right now. Every brand has them, every influencer is recommending them, and every serum seems to have "peptide complex" somewhere on the label. But here's a question worth asking: do you actually know what a peptide is?
If the answer is a vague "something good for anti-ageing," you're not alone. The skincare industry has done a great job of making peptides sound impressive without ever really explaining them. So let me do that.
Start With the Basics: Proteins and Skin
Your skin is largely made up of proteins. The two most important ones are collagen (which gives skin its firmness and structure) and elastin (which gives it bounce and flexibility). From your mid-twenties onwards, production starts to slow - and the structural effects show up as fine lines, loss of firmness and a general shift in how your skin looks.
Proteins are made of amino acids linked together in chains. Shorter chains - typically between 2 and 50 amino acids - are called peptides. So a peptide is essentially a small protein fragment.
What Peptides Do in Skincare
When peptides are applied topically, they act as signalling molecules - they communicate with your skin cells and trigger specific responses.
Signal peptides tell your skin to produce more collagen by mimicking the breakdown products of collagen, triggering the body's repair response.
Carrier peptides transport minerals like copper and magnesium into the skin, essential cofactors in collagen synthesis.
Inhibitor peptides block the signals that cause muscle contractions - the mechanism behind expression lines.
Enzyme inhibitor peptides slow down the processes that break down collagen and elastin.
Why Multi-Peptides Matter More Than Single Peptides
Most brands market "peptides" as a single selling point, often using one peptide type to justify the claim. But because different peptides work through entirely different mechanisms, using multiple peptide types together creates genuinely better results.
A well-designed multi-peptide complex might include: a signal peptide to boost collagen production, a carrier peptide to improve mineral delivery, a structural peptide to support the skin barrier, and a hydration-supporting peptide to work alongside HA and PGA.
The Catch: Peptides Need Stability to Work
Peptides can be destabilised by strong acids, exposure to air and light, and poor formulation. When choosing a peptide product, look for opaque or airtight packaging, formulas that don't combine peptides with high-strength acids, and brands that use clinical testing to verify efficacy.
Why We Use Multi-Peptides in the Skinergy Serum
The Skinergy Hydrate & Plump Serum combines a multi-peptide complex with Hyaluronic Acid and Polyglutamic Acid. The peptides actively support the skin's ability to use the hydration those ingredients provide, improving structural integrity and helping results compound over time.
At €24, clinically proven and dermatologically tested.
Peptides work. The industry just needs to do a better job of explaining them. Now you know.
Skincare, simplified.
- Sam
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