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From a bespectacled Gwyneth Paltrow grilling science god Andrew Huberman about them on her Goop podcast to Jennifer Aniston openly spilling to the Wall Street Journal that she’s a superfan, injectable peptides have been a celebrity mega-obsession for a hot minute now.
Whether deployed for weight loss,muscle-mass increase or an immune boost, peptides like GLP-1s, Sermorelin and Thymosin alpha-1 are a frequent add-on to the VIP antiaging arsenal.
Hailey Bieber toggles between needle-based peptides and gummies for lush locks.
No wonder the Rhode founder was an early adopter on the beauty front, serving up her cult-fave Peptide Lip Tint years before the rest of the industry joined in. Now, legions are following in her footsteps.
Be it Drunk Elephant’s first-ever skin tint (Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops), a luxe makeup remover from the Mindy Kaling-fronted Lion Pose (Pep Melt Cleansing Barrier Balm) or a spendy allover beautifier (Plated Skin Science Body Serum), peptides are front and center this fall.
Essentially short chains of amino acids that act as biological messengers, peptides cue the body — and, increasingly, our complexions — to perform specific functions.
While peptides occur naturally in our cells, today’s treatment products are formulated with super-small synthetic versions that target specific concerns, from dehydration to loss of firmness.
There are four core categories of skin-loving peptides: Signal, which boost collagen and elastin; Neurotransmitter-Inhibiting, which soften the appearance of expression lines; Carrier, which deposit minerals where they’re needed most; and Enzyme-Inhibiting, which block environment- and age-generated crinkling and hyperpigmentation.
Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Jason Diamond, whose Metacine product range has a slew of starry fans (Kim and Kourtney Kardashian among them), has contributed to the category’s research for 20-plus years and is convinced of its efficacy.
“I will continue to develop and offer cutting-edge topical peptide treatments to my patients and Dr. Diamond’s Metacine customers,” he says.
Not surprisingly, Aniston has found a way to weave her beloved peptides into her LolaVie hair-care line.
Alongside her Peptide Plumping Volume collection of shampoo, conditioner and spray, the 57-year-old star, who still possesses one of the best heads of hair in Hollywood, includes proprietary bond-building Biomimetic Peptide Pro3 technology in her Intensive Repair Treatment.
Maelove co-founder and CEO Jackie Kim is so keen on peptides she’s greenlit four products featuring the ingredients du jour.
“Certain peptides, such as argireline, have been shown to increase the length of efficacy time for Botox, so you can go longer between injections,” says Sunbin Song, a neuroscientist and the director of research and education for Maelove. “It makes a great maintenance treatment.”
In a rising tide of contenders, one peptide is gaining traction: copper-binding GHK-Cu, which straddles the Signal and Carrier categories and is available in both injectable and topical formats. While copper peptides aren’t new, the buzz around GHK-Cu definitely is.
“There is a substantial — and continuously growing — body of research to support their benefits in skin care,” says Diamond. “They’ve been shown to work synergistically alongside a larger network of ingredients to benefit the skin.”
One novel application of the superstar ingredient is the new Energize Red Light Activator Serum by LED device brand Metamorphosis Light Therapy. Energize is said to maximize the benefits of red and near-infrared light therapy.
As senior scientific communications manager at Deciem, the parent company of the NIOD brand, Joe Basham has been fielding oodles of questions about copper peptides, especially GHK-Cu.
“The science has always been compelling to us,” he says. “Copper peptides, particularly GHK-Cu, are naturally present in the body where they help support processes like collagen production, repair and skin renewal. As those levels naturally decline with age, we see an opportunity to support the skin by working with its biology, not against it.”
