For years, cosmetic companies have been pedalling this and that peptide-based product, claiming that it helps to stop the signs of ageing in your skin. However, it has now been shown that Peptide MatrixylTM nearly doubles the amount of protein collagen, which is essential for your skin elasticity. This is according to researchers at the University of Reading, who found that this peptide has enhanced anti-ageing properties, and can give your skin wellness a real boost.
The study proved that MatrixylTM works by replenishing your collagen levels, which increases the elasticity of your skin, leading to visibly fewer or diminished fine lines and wrinkles. The peptide enhances the amount of collagen that the cells in your body can produce, albeit only if the concentration of the protein is sufficiently high enough to begin with. Not only is collagen important for younger looking skin, but it plays a vital role in your wellbeing, supporting tissue connectivity in your body.
According to Professor Ian Hamley, from the University of Reading’s Department of Chemistry, ‘Studies like this are very important for the consumer, as cosmetic companies rarely publish their work so rivals can’t copy their products.’ The research was supported by a University studentship, but it also received additional funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Professor Hamley explained that, based on the study’s findings, he can confirm that ‘collagen-based materials have immense potential in tissue engineering’ which does indeed have an impact on the effectiveness of anti-ageing products. For years, many cosmetic companies have been boasting about the benefits of peptides on your wrinkles, but concrete, independent scientific evidence has been hard to find, and so this study, published online in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics under the title Collagen Stimulating Effect of Peptide Amphiphile C16-KTTKS on Human Fibroblasts, should serve to reinforce those claims that refer to this peptide specifically.
However, it’s not just cosmetics and anti-ageing products that hope to benefit from Professor Hamley’s research. With further funding from the research programme, the team from the University of Reading is set to take the study into the area of wound healing in battlefield applications. This work will be done as part of collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence.
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