Our body and skin are the reflection of our metabolism. Amino acids are essential for a younger look and healthy skin. That is why we need to pay attention to them! At DERMOTECHNOLOGY, we are convinced of their importance and we are going to explain to you why we included them in our Serums and Cosmetics Formulas, for years now.
Amino acids, what is that?
Amino acids are the molecules of both peptides and proteins. Each of them has a specific role in skin care. Overall, they maintain skin’s hydration, texture, resilience, and an overall supple, healthy appearance. We can say that they are indispensable for our skin and elsewhere in our body.
Many scientists categorize them according to their type: Essential or Non-essential. Non-essential doesn’t mean that we don’t need them, it rather means that our body can make them on our own. As for the essentials, they must be obtained from foods or supplements.
Today, we consider that there are nine essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine. Each of them has a vital role in maintaining our health as well as the appearance of our skin.
What are their benefits for the skin?
Amino acids are naturally present in skin, as part of what’s called our natural moisturizing factors. Within the skin’s uppermost layers, they work as conductors that allow our skin to thrive and to stay hydrated. They work in harmony with aquaporins, the body’s water transport system. They act to move moisture throughout the skin. Thanks to this, amino acids help maintain skin’s smoothness and hydration. It also happens when we apply skin care products.
Skin cells keep renewing themselves, knowing that Amino acids are crucial in the collagen, fibrinogen, and elastin creating processes. Those are essential for a firm, and less plump skin cause they prevent thinning of the skin that causes wrinkles.
Moreover some amino acids work as antioxidants. But most of them are believed to play an even greater role by helping skin create more of its own antioxidants, such as glutathione. Applied amino acids help strengthen skin’s natural defense system, making it less likely to show signs of aging from environmental damage.
They also play a vital role in cell metabolism and skin’s structural elements, and therefore, they cause cell turnover and scars reduction. Amino acids eliminate dead cells and enable new ones to grow.
Just for you to know: Research has shown that synthetic amino acids often have greater hydrating ability than animal or plant derived amino acids.
What are the best amino acids for the skin?
Few on them have more specialized roles, which make them even more desirable to see in skin care products:
- Arginine = repairing visible skin damage (Repairing Serum)
- Histidine = antioxidant ability and can soothe skin
- Methionine = neutralizes damaging substances before they can harm skin.
- Lysine = helps visibly firm skin’s surface by reinforcing its supportive elements.
- Proline, leucine, and glycine = diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Amino acids are truly versatile ingredients. In addition to other ingredients such as antioxidants, plant extracts or omega fatty acids for example, they are really beneficial for skin care. They can improve all skin types, and can benefit all ages, especially if your goal is to prevent or diminish signs of aging. This way of thinking is in total adéquation with DERMOTECHNOLOGY Skin Philosophy, which is to resolve by the nutrition of the skin each concern, no matter what skin type!