Thursday, December 17, 2009

Copper peptides for Melanin Reduction

Copper peptides are part of the new wave of skin care breakthroughs. It is only recently that dermatologists have studied and discovered their antioxidant abilities.

Copper is found in minimal quantities in our cells, however once it has been converted to copper peptide does it yield a host of skin care benefits - one of them being a decrease in melanin retention and production of cells. Being an antioxidant, copper peptides fight off free radicals before they get a chance to destroy our healthy skin cells, and subsequently trigger defense responses within them (increase in melanin is a primary skin defense mechanism). Also, I should note, just like Vitamin C, copper peptides stimulate collagen synthesis (plumper, fuller skin).

The skin lightening process of copper peptides is gradual and mild, just like a Vitamin C serum. Ironically, Vitamin C and Copper Peptides should never be used together. The two of them applied together, or layered upon one another cancels each other out and the effectiveness of each dwindles.

Copper peptides are now being featured in many products now - all targeting either pigmentation or anti-aging. The study I am going to link below shows how in one particular trial, copper peptides proved to be an alternative to hydroquinone (obviously taking much longer to see similar results). But the important thing is copper peptides have low toxicity and are not risky like hydroquinone use.

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