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Peptides & skincare? Here’s what they are — and why you should add them to your routine

Learn about the power of peptides, plus easy ways to add them to your everyday care routine.

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If you’ve spent any time reading about different skincare products to add to your daily routine, you’ve likely heard about peptides. But with all the different information and ingredients out there, it can be hard to figure out just what peptides are and why they can be beneficial. Let’s break it down.

What are peptides?

Peptides are chains of amino acids that your body produces in every cell that help form the building blocks of essential proteins like collagen and elastin, which provide structure, strength, firmness and smoothness to hair, skin and nails.

What are the benefits of using products with peptides?

As you get older, the natural production of these proteins, collagen and elastin slows down, and signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin can start to appear.

Although peptides naturally occur in our skin, it hasn’t always been easy to stabilize and deliver them in skin care products like makeup, creams and serums. But thanks to modern science, experts have been able to create specific peptides and delivery systems that enable easy absorption within the skin surface, while also remaining intact and delivering targeted benefits that address a variety of skincare concerns.

What kind of products contain peptides?

For the face:

Collagen is a vital protein that makes up 70% of your skin’s foundation, but did you know you start losing up to 1% of its collagen each year beginning in your twenties? To help support collagen production, try Neutrogena Collagen Bank™ Moisturizers, which are boosted with our revolutionary patented micro-peptide technology, developed with dermatologists through more than eight years of research and screening more than 100 peptides for size and efficacy. This technology is 2x smaller than leading anti-aging peptides to penetrate more than 10 surface layers deep. Also, with sun being the #1 external collagen depleting aggressor, use the Neutrogena® Collagen Bank SPF 30 Moisturizer daily for stronger collagen and plumper skin.

For eyes:

Moisturize and reduce the look of dark circles, fine lines and puffiness around the eyes with Neutrogena® Hydro Boost+ Fragrance-Free Caffeine Eye Gel Cream. This eye gel cream from a dermatologist-recommended brand combines hyaluronic acid, an essential hydrator found naturally in skin, with peptide complex, known to help improve the look of dark circles, and caffeine, a naturally occurring antioxidant that complements the skin’s defenses.

For lips:

Add in the exuviance® Targeted Lip Filler to hydrate, fill in, plump and smooth the appearance of lips, lines above the lip and the lip contour. This 3-in-1 plumping, smoothing and hydrating formula contains NeoGlucosamine to gently exfoliate skin’s surface to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, CitraFill to support skin’s natural collagen to plump the look of skin and lips, and peptides to target the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

To add to your makeup routine:

Neutrogena Healthy Skin® Radiant Cream Concealer blurs and conceals the imperfections of your skin, acne and blemishes, and has a creaseless finish. Featuring a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula infused with peptides and an antioxidant vitamin E blend, it gives your skin a refreshed glow without clogging pores.

For brows and lashes:

Get healthier looking brows and fuller looking lashes with Neutrogena® Lash + Brow Enhancer Serum infused with biotin and peptides. Designed to nourish, condition and promote fuller and more beautiful, healthier-looking lashes and brows, this lash booster leaves lashes feeling moisturized and longer-looking in just four weeks when applied nightly.