If you’re a skincare aficionado, it’s likely you’ve used products infused with 24k gold and colloidal silver. The reign of metals continues as copper is now having its moment – in the form of copper peptides.
Copper is in fact, an essential nutrient for the body, so getting it in trace amounts is vital. It helps in the production of red blood cells, absorption of iron, regulates heart rate and blood pressure, activation of the immune system, brain development and lots more. It’s no wonder then that ancient Ayurvedic texts recommend the consumption of tamra jal – water stored in copper vessels for 6-8 hours.
But What Exactly Does Copper Do For Our Skin?
We spoke to skincare expert Dr Chytra Anand, Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist and Founder of Kosmoderma Clinics & SkinQ, to get her take on copper peptides in skincare.
She explains, “Copper peptides – where copper combines with amino acids – are a part of a complex called tripeptides. These are found naturally in the human body. Peptides are potentially known to be beneficial in helping regenerate collagen. They also trigger the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which is like a jelly in which hyaluronic acid gets formed. This is a complex carbohydrate or a polysaccharide which is present inside our skin, which leads to better collagen eventually.”
Now, peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins such as collagen and elastin needed by the skin to maintain its health. Peptides exist naturally in our bodies but diminish in amount as we age. This is where lab-made peptides used in skincare products come into play, as these mimic their naturally-occurring counterparts. Using peptides can stimulate your skin to make collagen and more collagen leads to firmer, healthier looking skin.
Copper has also been used in the pharmaceutical industry for some years now, as it is known to be an anti-inflammatory that speeds up wound healing. It works well to treat scarring, pigmentation, and redness caused by inflammation.
Let’s take a look at some other benefits of copper peptides specifically…
Copper Peptides To The Rescue
When applied topically, copper peptides boost the production of collagen and elastin in skin, both which give it its firmness, elasticity, and the ability to smooth out the signs of ageing. By aiding in collagen and elastin production, copper peptides can potentially reduce fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
Copper peptides also act as antioxidants, fighting free radicals in the body and helping repair skin damage. It does this by removing old, damaged collagen in the skin, which allows for the regeneration of new, healthy tissue.
Additionally, because copper peptides also promote the production of glycosaminoglycans, including hyaluronic acid, this helps moisturize, hydrate and overall strengthen the skin barrier.
Copper Peptides: Nature’s Botox?
The results of using copper peptides have been so promising that their efficacy has even been compared to Botox by many! But Dr Chytra refutes this claim saying, “Copper peptides or any other peptides cannot be any replacement for Botox. Botox works on the muscular level, whereas peptides only work on the skin level. Botox relaxes the overactivity of the muscle which is causing a contraction, leading to those lines and wrinkles, while peptides work on the surface by hydrating the skin and causing stimulation to the collagen. Peptides therefore, work better on fine lines, but not on deeper wrinkles.”
Are Copper Peptides For Everyone?
While copper peptides are safe for all skin types, Dr Chytra says, “Peptides are better for sensitive skin and for skin that gets red or irritated very fast, including eczema-prone skin. Peptides cannot replace retinol in our skincare, which is the most potent of the lot, but they are the next level. They help with anti-ageing and hydration. With retinol, you’re producing collagen, aiding in skin thickening and cell turnover, whereas peptides do this and they moisturize, but again, it’s not as potent as retinol. So, it is more suited to sensitive skin.”
You’ll be glad to hear, as were we, as she points out that there have been numerous scientific studies carried out on peptides that have tested its efficacy in clinical trials. The results? These studies have proven peptides to be very effective when it comes to anti-ageing benefits.
Pairing Copper Peptides With Other Ingredients
Dr Chytra advises against using peptides along with Vitamin C, retinol, bakuchiol or with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid. “The reason being peptides themselves are stimulatory in nature, so you want to avoid using them with acidic products or with other stimulatory products because then you have over stimulation and this can lead to skin irritation,” she says.
Instead, you can use a peptide cream and wait for 15-20 minutes for it to be well absorbed into the deeper levels of the skin before proceeding with another layer of cream or other skincare products.
Copper peptides are balanced out well by ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica (cica) or vitamin E. “You can use it in cream form in shea butter and other moisturisers. They pair well with hydrating and moisturizing elements,” says Dr Chytra.
If you’re keen to try out products with copper peptides, here’s a curated list that will help…
1. iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist
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This refreshing treatment mist helps defend your skin against visual signs of ageing while instantly giving it a hydrated, smooth, and firm look and feel. It also provides potent antioxidant protection. The mist works as an excellent hydrator to help refresh the skin throughout the day. It can also be used in place of a toner, or before and after makeup application as well. Simply close your eyes and mist it over your face and neck.
2. Aminu Copper Peptide Serum
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A combination of copper peptides, antioxidant gallic acid, botanicals, amino-acids and more help come together to diminish the visible signs of aging, surface wrinkles and to clarify an oily skin appearance. The serum helps in refining pores and enhancing skin barrier function, elasticity and skin integrity. It doesn’t contain any parabens, sulphates, phthalates, fragrances, essential oils, silicones, micro-plastics. It is also a vegan and cruelty-free product.
3. The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
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The Ordinary Buffet with the added benefit of copper focuses on overall skin health. This water-based serum aims to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and surface irregularities, provide better skin elasticity, hydration and also help reverse the impact that our stress-filled, busy lifestyles have on our skin.
4. Aesop Elemental Facial Barrier Cream
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As its name implies, this intensely nourishing hydrator provides soothing barrier protection and conditions skin. With key ingredients of copper PCA, bisabolol (an active plant extract) and ginger root, it is suited to dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, and leaves the skin feeling protected and soothed.
5. Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter
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This nourishing cream hydrates the thin skin around the eye area and gives antioxidant care, improves fine lines and elasticity. It contains sunflower seed oil along with peptides including copper tripeptide-1. Its soft buttery texture absorbs into the skin quickly, without leaving it oily and can be used under makeup. It is suitable for everyone, including users with milium concerns. In fact, it can be applied not only around the eye areas, but also on the neck and nasolabial folds to improve fine lines and elasticity.
6. Mystique Earth Youth Concentrate Serum with Micro Copper Peptide
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Enriched with the goodness of copper peptide and grapefruit, this 98% natural serum aims at delaying the signs of skin ageing by ensuring the proper delivery of antioxidants. Copper penetrates deeply into the skin so that it appears plump instantly. The potent natural actives fight skin issues such as fine lines, blemishes, wrinkles, and dark spots and help tighten and tone the skin and boost elasticity.
7. The Derma Co 3% Collagen + Peptide Face Serum With Collagen & Copper Tripeptide For Youthful Skin
Infused with the benefits of vegan collagen and peptides including copper tripeptide, this serum is a multi-tasker that offers benefits like reduced signs of ageing, reduced age spots and pigmentation, enhanced elasticity, radiance and supple skin.
