Peptides are the messengers of the body. We generate them on a daily basis, naturally. They tell the body when to make more collagen, speed up exfoliation, seek out more water, increase oil production or slow it down and when the skin is broken open, they tell the body to rush White Blood and T Cells to the area to swell the skin and prevent bacteria from entering and causing infection.
Peptides in skin care products do the same thing, but have specific jobs. They tell cells to produce collagen, exfoliate, hydrate, lighten by blocking enzymes that cause darkening, prevent the production of the enzyme that causes aging, and make the skin function years younger by stimulating it (turning on the skins youth switch) on and on (and on and on). Studies have shown that when used in skin care products, there is a reduction in forehead wrinkles by 8% in two weeks and 60% in four weeks, and 60% in crow’s feet in one month.
Why don’t we use plant stem cells in our products?
The relatively young age of this “miracle” ingredient means there has been little scientific research done on it, causing consumer apprehension.
Plant stem cells can only do one thing at a time, for example – green apple will speed up exfoliation and red grape is a super antioxidant and protects the skin against UV stress. Peptides are the ultimate multitasker – stimulating the skin at many different levels. Peptides help to stimulate human stem cell growth.
As Stem Cell’s continue to be researched and improve their ability to aid in preventing aging, we do plan to incorporate them into our products. The cost and lack of scientific research out weighs the cost to customers at this time. It’s like Flat Screen TV’s or computers; when they first came out they cost thousands of dollars and were very limited in what they did but now they are advanced and the value is relative to the cost. At one time peptides were also limited in their ability to effect the skin, and today, with new technology they are the cornerstone for Clinical Result Driven Cosmecutical Anti-Aging products and within the next two to three years I see that Plant Stem Cells will have developed with the research to back up the claims.
Some of the advantages Peptides have over Stem Cells at this time are:
- Stimulate exfoliation
- Increase hydration
- Encourage new skin cell growth including collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and tissue connection increasing elasticity
- Increasing the life of skin cells
- Reversing and preventing sun damage
- Repair torn tissue
- Regenerate antioxidants.
It is my policy that we never jump on a trend unless there is research to back it up and will not cause irritation or health issues. Bottom line: the results must be worth the cost to our customers.
Ken Simpson has over 32 years of experience in conceptualizing, developing and marketing skin care products for some of the world’s most renowned retail companies and upscale destination spas. www.skin2skincare.com
