What Is Peptide Serum? A Guide To Glowing, Healthy Skin

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Skincare has always been a personal journey for me. Like many of us, I used to try skincare products based on ads or what other people were using, often without understanding what I was putting on my skin. But did you know that many skin care products get absorbed into your bloodstream? This simple fact changed the way I approach my skincare routine. Learning about ingredients in skincare products isn’t just empowering; it helps you make better decisions for your skin type and overall health.

One of the latest additions to the skincare market is peptide serum. Peptide serums promise to boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. After diving into research and testing it myself, I’m here to share everything you need to know about peptide serum. This post will cover what peptide serum is, what it does, whether it’s safe, and how to use it. As a bonus, you will get a review of the multi-peptide serum I have been using and loving since 2021. So, read on!

What Is Peptide Serum?

First off, peptide serum is a lightweight but concentrated skincare product packed with peptides. To clarify, signal peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin. Hence, these proteins are crucial for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration.

Next, there are various types of peptides used in skincare. In a nutshell, the ones you actually want to see in your skin care products are often referred to as signal peptides and copper peptides. They act like messengers, telling your skin cells to produce more collagen and repair damage. These peptides are often paired with complementary ingredients like hyaluronic acids to hydrate the skin deeply.

Further, peptides used in serums are derived from both natural sources (such as plants or yeast) and those that are synthesized in labs. They’re designed to address specific concerns, such as anti-aging, improving skin tone, or enhancing skin elasticity. (source and source)

What Does Peptide Serum Do?

According to research into signal peptides, they offer numerous benefits for your skin. Thus, potentially peptide serums:

Boost collagen production: Encourage the skin to produce more collagen, helping it stay firm and youthful.
Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Help smooth out wrinkles by strengthening the skin’s structure.
Improve skin tone: Promote even pigmentation and brighter skin.
Increase skin elasticity: Enhance the skin’s ability to bounce back, making it look firmer.
Promote skin hydration: Peptides work well with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acids to lock in moisture.
Support skin and hair health: Some peptides can be beneficial for both skin and hair, reducing damage and encouraging growth.
Send signals to skin cells: Direct your skin to focus on repairing and regenerating itself.
Protect from environmental damage: Certain peptides act as enzyme inhibitor peptides, which shield the skin from harmful enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.

I Read Labels For You opinion on whether peptide serum is safe.

Is Peptide Serum Safe?

Clearly, the safety of a serum depends on the safety of the ingredients used to make it. If the ingredients are right and non-toxic, peptide serum is generally safe for all skin types. Indeed, peptides are naturally occurring in the body, so your skin recognizes and responds to them well. Unlike some other active ingredients (like retinol), peptides don’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun. However, as with any skincare product, it’s essential to patch-test first, especially if you have sensitive skin. (Learn here if serums are good for sensitive skin.)

Keep in mind that not all peptide serums are free from harsh irritants, even though they may be paired with gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acids. Specifically, I recommend avoiding skin care products whose formulations feature at least one of the following:

Benzisothiazolinone: known for its allergenic and sensitizing potential.
Methylisothiazolinone: known for its allergenic and sensitizing potential.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone: known for its allergenic and sensitizing potential.
Cyclopentasiloxane: bioaccumulative and may contain residue of cyclotetrasiloxane which is potentially endocrine-disrupting and toxic to reproduction.
Fragrance (and isolated fragrance ingredients, like linalool, limonene, citral etc.): may contain allergenic, sensitizing, endocrine disrupting, and carcinogenic ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol: may contain residues of corrosive phenol and carcinogenic ethylene oxide.
Polysorbates and other ethoxylated ingredients: may contain residues of carcinogenic contaminants.

In addition, make sure the serum doesn’t use neurotransmitter-affecting peptides that act like Botox, paralyzing the muscles, such as acetyl hexapeptides. You can learn more about them in my post Non-Toxic Anti-Aging Beauty Routine Guide.

How To Use Peptide Serum

To maximize their benefits, use peptide serums as part of a broader skincare routine that includes moisturizers, sunscreen, and potentially other anti-aging products like eye creams. Incorporate your peptide serum into your skincare routine using the following steps:

cleansing
toning
serum application
moisturizing
sunscreen application (in the AM).

Let’s look at each of these steps and the products you can use.

Cleanse Your Skin

First, start with a clean canvas. Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, ensuring the serum can penetrate your skin effectively.

The cleansers I use:

Crunchi I AM The Balm Cleansing Balm
Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the 1^st order of $50+), and
Pure Haven Refresh Cleanser with Pre+Probiotics (15% embedded in the link for new customers).

Apply Toner Or Essence

Second, though optional, this step can help prepare your skin for better absorption of the serum.

The toner I use:

Crunchi Clarilight Facial Essence (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the 1^st order of $50+).

Use Peptide Serum

Third, a little of this peptide serum goes a long way. I use 1/2 of a dropper to cover the areas prone to signs of aging, like the face, neck, and décolleté.

The peptide serum I use:

Crunchi Goldenlight Multi-Peptide Serum (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the 1^st order).

Follow With Moisturizer

Next, lock in the benefits of peptides with a hydrating moisturizer. Look for products that complement peptides, like those containing hyaluronic acids.

The moisturizers I use:

Crunchi Daylight® Advanced Facial Cream and
Crunchi Nightlight® Advanced Facial Cream (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on your 1^st order).

Use Sunscreen During The Day

Lastly, if you’re applying the serum in the morning, always finish with sunscreen to protect your skin and enhance the serum’s anti-aging effects.

The sunscreen I use:

Crunchi Sunlight Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the 1^st order of $50+).

Crunchi Peptide Serum Review

To begin, Crunchi Goldenlight Multi-Peptide Serum (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on the 1^st order) works for both women and men. It is the best I have ever seen or used among all non-toxic skin care options. In fact, it contains many of the ingredients that are commonly used in anti-aging skincare. They include niacinamide, organic green tea, and hyaluronic acid. Plus, it’s packed with many other powerhouse ingredients, like arnica, B3, B5, and sea buckthorn to plump, protect, and reduce pore size. Importantly, it has four (!) collagen-stimulating peptides that work overtime to reduce the signs of aging:

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
palmitoyl tripeptide-5
palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and
palmitoyl tripeptide-38.

Next, Crunchi peptide serum does not use any of the “ingredients-to-avoid,” such as benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, fragrance (or even essential oils), phenoxyethanol, and polysorbates or other ethoxylated ingredients.

Moreover, Crunchi multi-peptide serum’s formulation is free from cyclopentasiloxane or any other cyclical silicones. Why is this important? Because cyclical silicones only mask the appearance of wrinkles. In other words, they do not improve the condition of your skin. Plus, certain contaminants, whose residues may potentially be in these ingredients, may contribute to endocrine disruption. (Learn more in my post on cyclopentasiloxane.)

On top of that, Crunchi serum for aging skin was clinically tested to be non-irritating to the eyes and gluten-free. And it comes in a glass bottle with a glass dropper.

I use Crunchi’s serum with a 15% multi-peptide complex daily to keep my skin firm and young. It helps boost collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and enhance skin elasticity. I do notice improved skin tone and reduced signs of aging.

If you’re already a fan of Crunchi’s non-toxic makeup, this serum is a fantastic addition to your collection. To learn more about the company, check out this review of Crunchi makeup.

Conclusion: Why Peptide Serum Is A Game-Changer In Skincare

Some Benefits Of Peptides In A Serum Include Enhancing The Production Of Collagen And Elastin, Which Helps Increase Skin Elasticity And Decrease Skin Pigmentation And Wrinkles, Making The Skin Appear Smoother And Firmer.

To sum up, incorporating peptides into your skincare routine is a smart move for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Whether you’re looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines, enhance skin quality, or achieve a more even skin tone, peptide serums deliver on their promise.

By understanding the ingredients in your skincare products, you can make informed choices tailored to your skin type and goals. Peptide serums made with signal peptides and non-toxic ingredients are a safe, effective, and exciting option for anyone seeking improved skin and long-term benefits.

My husband and I use Crunchi Goldenlight® Multi-Peptide Facial Serum (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on your 1^st order). With the cleanest ingredients on the market, it’s a serum we love. Plus, to help our skin on a cellular level, we take Pure Haven Skin Collagen Peptides as a daily food supplement.

Browse the I Read Labels For You blog for the latest posts on ingredients and non-toxic products. For instance, you will benefit from the blog posts on Oliveda skincare and Beautycounter alternatives. Visit the I Read Labels For You Non-Toxic Products shop and the I Read Labels For You Amazon shop. Also, make sure to check out my Baby Wipes, Disposable Diapers, and Permanent Hair Color e-books for help with making healthy choices!

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What Is Peptide Serum? A Comprehensive Guide To Glowing, Healthy Skin