Derms Say This Skincare Ingredient May Give You Smoother and Plumper Skin

There are so many effective skincare ingredients out there. You've probably heard of retinol, retinoids, collagen, niacinamide, vitamin C… I mean, the list goes on and on. But have you heard of

peptides? They've been gaining buzz in recent years, and it seems that more and more products are enriched with the ingredient. And if you're not quite sure what they are, just know that they have skincare benefits that will really make you sit up and listen.

"A peptide is an amino acid that is naturally found in the body," explains Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics. "Peptides act as a precursor (or signaling agents) for certain proteins in our bodies and activate thousands of biological functions, like promoting memory; DNA repair; gut health; attacking free radicals; sexual function; hair, skin, and nail health; and much more. Over time, scientists have been able to isolate certain synthetic and plant peptides for use in medicine and cosmetics. The objective is to stimulate certain cells to increase protein production in key problem areas."

And Tiffany Libby, MD, FAAD, Reserveage's resident dermatologist, adds that peptides are essentially the building blocks of proteins, like collagen, elastin, and keratin. You've probably heard of all three of those when it comes to healthy hair, skin, and nails.