Beauty editors and TikTokers are crazy for copper peptides, one of the key ingredients in our award-winning Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum. But what’s behind all that buzz?For those of us who love to know what goes into our food, hair care, household cleaners, detergents and skincare, etc. we NEED to know, and the answer is a bit more complicated than a quick Google search. So we’re diving deep into the science behind copper peptides in skincare. What are Copper Peptides in Skincare?
Copper peptides, also known as GHK-Cu, are a naturally occurring complex made within the human body during times of repair. As we age our body produces less copper peptides, and your skin and hair cells spend less time in a state of continuous healing. These little wonders were first identified to help heal wounds, and eventually made their way into the skin and hair care segment as a way to repair cells and fight signs of aging.With decades of data-driven success, copper peptides bring a unique skillset to your skincare products: they act as antioxidants while also stimulating collagen and elastin production in the skin. Their antioxidant properties enable copper peptides to fight free radicals, protecting skin from damaging UV rays and pollution which can cause more signs of aging. So not only do they improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles you already have, they help prevent more from forming.What do Copper Peptides do for Your Skin?
The simple answer: Copper peptides in skincare make your skin plump and bouncy with visibly diminished fine lines. They also support the production of collagen and elastin and help repair damaged tissue resulting in tighter, bouncier skin with huge anti-aging benefits. Our natural collagen production decreases year by year as we age, leaving our skin cells less full which creates fine lines and wrinkles over time. Copper peptides help fill those skin cells back up with collagen for bouncy, healthy, youthful-looking skin.How are Copper Peptides made?
As a biotech beauty brand we use innovative technology to create the best, most effective and sustainable ingredients. Our copper peptides are made from a synthetic tripeptide using glycine, L-histadine and L-lysine — also known as Gly-HIS-Lys — joined in sequence and complexed with copper. It’s the copper that gives our serum its brilliant blue color.Joining copper with a tripeptide creates a peptide ingredient with special superpowers. Copper is a critical component involved in the formation of enzymes. It’s also an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, which makes it a great ingredient for addressing redness and sensitivity.How are Copper Peptides in Skincare Different from Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant or a moisturizing agent used for hydration. Its profound fame comes from its ability to supply skin cells with hydration by binding to water molecules from the air and pulling them into the skin for increased hydration. Copper peptides, on the other hand, are known mostly for their anti-aging benefits. When these two ingredients combine they help increase the effectiveness of the other within the skin, resulting in hydrated, plump, bouncy skin with a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.Can I Use Copper Peptides with Vitamin C?
Yes! In fact, we recommend it! Peptideswork synergistically with vitamin C to trap moisture and improve the skin’s texture. Try combining them with moisturizing products that are rich in a gentle form of vitamin C such as such as our Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer, or Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil.
How do you layer copper peptides into your skincare routine?
Copper peptides are great for all skin types, especially for those who are dry to mature and noticing increased fine lines and wrinkles and a loss in firmness. Looking to add them to your skincare routine? Here’s a copper peptide layering guide to inspire you.
6 Step Layering Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil to gently dissolve dirt and makeup, including stubborn waterproof mascara.
Step 2: Spritz with Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist. Pro tip: Hyaluronic Acid bonds with water. If you spray your face while it’s still a little damp, the HA in our toning mist will pull those water molecules into your skin to hydrate even more deeply.
Step 3: Using your ring finger, apply our award-winning Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream to your orbital bone. Our bestselling eye cream reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as dark circles and puffiness while delivering deep, all-day hydration.
Step 4: Apply Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum to powerfully hydrate, plump, and add bounce. Our bestselling serum uses copper peptides alongside hyaluronic, polyglutamic, and sugarcane-derived squalane to visibly improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Step 5: Hydrate with Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer to work in tandem with the copper peptides in previous step of your routine while deeply moisturizing and improving the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
Step 6: Instantly brighten while locking in moisture with our award-winning Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. Our bestselling facial oil uses a unique, oil-soluble version of vitamin C to deeply penetrate and visibly improve the look of discoloration.
As a lifestyle writer and journalist, I love sharing my passion for ocean conservation and obsession with clean beauty. I’ve tried almost every trend and ingredient, and Biossance’s science-backed formulas are the only ones that consistently calm my reactive skin and make it smoother, clearer, and healthier. I’m so excited to be on this journey of skincare innovation with Biossance, and to share it with you!
