Great Minds Think Alike: Peptides, defined

Thank you to dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields for demystifying peptides! It is so coincidental that these two brilliant women would send us an email all about peptides from their new blog, Derm RF, just as we were struggling to write a comprehensive report on peptides yesterday!

Check out their March 2 “Ingredient of the Week” post and read all about it.

Most people have an idea how retinoids, acids and topical vitamins work, but peptides are a riddle.

Rodan and Fields remove the confusion regarding this new uber-ingredient that you are hearing so much about.

“Peptides are small chains of amino acids that signal natural processes in the skin,” the blog writes.

Some peptides increase collagen and others decrease inflammation. However, the doctors warn against picking up any old product that claims to have peptides.

“For peptides to be effective, the formula must contain a clinically-efficacious dose,” the blog continues.

Because peptides are extremely expensive, “many companies sprinkle peptides to make label claims, which in the end, do not benefit the consumer.”

“Formulations containing a clinically-efficacious dose can be pricey, so in this instance, you get what you pay for,” the blog says.

Two of the most effective collagen-building peptides are Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-3. Look for those ingredients when reading product labels.

While you’re on Derm RF, you’ll want to subscribe to the new blog which sends email notifications of new posts by the docs themselves and Director of the RF Connection, Mary Radford, RN.

Derm RF, which launched March 1, is an entertaining, fun, interactive forum that addresses common skin queries and is rich with skin-savvy information, all written in user-friendly vernacular.

Let Derm RF keep you informed on your body’s largest organ…your epidermis. Thanks Katie and Kathy!