Retinol Too Harsh? These Beauty Creators Say You Should Consider Purified Peptides

As far as anti-aging skincare ingredients go, retinol has the market’s share. However, retinols also come with their fair share of risks: redness, dryness, and general irritation. So, what’s a sensitive skin gal to do? Enter: Purified peptides. Found in Cetaphil Healthy Renew, this effective anti-aging ingredient is an alternative to retinol and the reviews are glowing (literally). Here’s everything you need to know about purified peptides.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins found in the body, such as collagen and elastin that help to keep the skin looking healthy, bright and hydrated. Purified peptides are distilled down to their simplest form, isolating wanted anti-aging benefits while minimizing negative side effects, making them an effective yet gentle anti-aging solution that doesn’t require the typical adaptation time or increased sensitivity to the sun that is typically associated with retinol.

When broken down to their smallest unit, purified peptides are more easily absorbed by the skin, helping them get to work quickly. These small but mighty purified peptides have powerful skin benefits, including: 1) minimizing the look of fine lines 2) improving skin texture and tone and 3) supporting the skin’s natural barrier function to restore luminosity.

The good news is that purified peptides play well with many other skincare ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, as well as other anti-aging ingredients, like vitamin C. See below for four mini reviews from beauty creators to find the products that are right for you.