Amino Acids 

Proteins , Peptides , Polypeptides and Hydration agents

The amino acids form strings of long chains called peptides (1-100 amino acids), polypeptides (l00-200 amino acids), and proteins (over 200 amino acids).

Amino acids are the building blocks of our skin. They facilitate all proteins, regenerating agents, and antioxidants that are essential for skin health. Healthy, youthful skin needs certain amino acids that allow it to maintain its structure and systems of self-repair.

Vital components in skin beautification, amino acids contribute to cellular metabolism, hydration, and UV light protection and can act as chemical messengers. Trying to keep skin healthy without amino acids is like trying to build a house without any wood: it's not going to stay standing for long! A proper balance of amino acids allows the skin to remain healthy and glowing

What Are Amino Acids?

There are many amino acids, but most scientists agree that there are 20 that are important to our health, divided into two types: essential and non-essential.

The "non-essential" term doesn't mean that those amino acids aren't important; instead, it means that your body can make them on its own, so it's not "essential" for you to get them elsewhere, such as from food or supplements.

"Essential" amino acids, on the other hand, are essential because they must be obtained from external sources such as foods, supplements, or skincare; a deficiency in even one of them can result in health problems.

There are nine essential amino acids: histidine isoleucine, leucine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine, methionine, phenylalanine. The best food sources of these amino acids include animal protein (seafood, beef, poultry), followed by animal by-products such as eggs and dairy. Vegan sources of essential amino acids include quinoa and soy/tofu. Beans and nuts also provide some amino acids, but not all of the essentials.

The 11 non-essential amino acids, which the body can make on its own, include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. Several of these are also known as "conditional" amino acids, meaning the body makes them, but only under certain conditions, such as when we're under stress or illness.

Each amino acid plays a vital role in maintaining our health as well as the appearance of our skin.

Why We Need Amino Acids In Skincare?

Amino acids are a crucial part of the process of creating collagen, keratin, and elastin: connective and structural proteins that keep the skin smooth and firm.

If the skin doesn't have enough of them, collagen and elastin production slows down, resulting in skin that's less firm and plump what contributes to premature aging and wrinkles (a process that begins around age 25 and continues with age, both in women and men).

Amino acids also promote healing (helping to repair skin damage), help maintain healthy PH, reject free radicals, and keep the skin's moisture barrier secure.

Amino Acids Skin's Benefits:

Skin Antioxidants: Amino Acids act as potent antioxidants and play an essential role in skin protection. They reject UV rays, Free Radicals, and environmental hazards while protecting our skin from sun damage, hydration lost, and wrinkles formation.​

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Skin Hydration: Amino acids have a distinct ability to bind to water molecules, allowing them to increase hydration significantly in the skin. They can also help protect the skin's moisture barrier by helping to balance PH levels. If your skin is properly hydrated - the less visible lines and wrinkles will be, leaving your skin supple and firm.

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Skin Healing: Perhaps the most magical quality of amino acids is their ability to heal damaged skin and prevent tissue breakdown. Because they play essential roles in cell metabolism and the structural elements of skin, amino acids can increase cell turnover and even help reduce scarring and pigmentation.

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What Causes Lack Of Amino Acids In Skin?

Skin cells, like all cells in the human body, are constantly renewing themselves. Since amino acids stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and hydration, unbalanced ratios of amino acids will cause premature aging, wrinkles, dull and uneven skin.

List of Amino Acids In Skincare: 

There are several amino acids which have been proven to help dramatically improve the condition of the skin:

Glycine: Prevents tissue breakdown and increases rates of healing.

Glutamine: Like glycine, glutamine prevents tissue breakdown and increases rates of healing.

Tyrosine: Helps other ingredients penetrate the skin for maximum effectiveness.

Arginine: Increases cell turnover, improves collagen synthesis, and speeds up healing. It works so well that the application to frostbitten skin has been proven to prevent tissue loss!

Lysine: Hydrates skin and helps increase collagen production.

Alanine: Re-energize the skin and promotes the healing process

Proline: Improves fine lines and wrinkles when paired with other amino acids. Studies have demonstrated significant improvements in crow's feet with proline application!

Leucine: Acts at the wound healing processes and improves fine lines and wrinkles when paired with other amino acids.

Threonine: Participates in collagen and elastin formation.

Serine: Natural moisturizing agent. It is present at the skin metabolism process, promoting cell renewal.

Glutamic acid: Stimulates cells regeneration and boosts skin's metabolism.

Aspartic Acid: Helps to absorb minerals into our skin. Minerals are calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

These amino acids, while useful on their own, often work best in conjunction with each other. For example, a combination of lysine and arginine can effectively treat certain skin infections, while proline and leucine can fight wrinkles best when paired together!

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Complementary Ingredients With Amino Acids:

While finding the best balance of amino acids in a skincare product is essential, you should also look for ingredients that complement the effectiveness of your amino acid blend. Antioxidants and probiotics are excellent additions, as amino acids can improve the skin's ability to utilize them!

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Amino Acids Are For All Skin Types:

Since the body naturally produces amino acids, the acids themselves do not cause any skin sensitivity; our body can easily recognize them and quickly digest!

With that said, all products are different, and detailed research into skincare brands is always a good idea. Products with sulfates, unnatural fragrance, parabens, and phthalates can be harmful to skin and cause sensitivity.

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Include Amino Acids In Your Skincare Routine : 

Since certain amino acids can help other skincare ingredients penetrate the skin, it's best to use an amino acid product directly after cleansing and before any other serums or moisturizers.

Gentle cleansing is a must, as you do not want to strip your skin of its all-important moisture barrier and unbalance your PH. The amino acids will help the skin utilize all of your skincare products' beneficial ingredients, making your regimen more effective over time!

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Don't Forget To Apply SPF :

Because the sun is skin's number one enemy, daily sunscreen application is a must to keep skin youthful. The sun's rays can damage the skin's ability to synthesize proteins, destroying the hard work of amino acids and other nutrients correctly. Always apply sunscreen SPF 30 and higher before any sun exposure.

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Amino Acids Are Vital 

Amino acids are perhaps the most underrated elements of modern skincare. With their unique abilities to hydrate, heal, reverse the damage, and increase structural support, skin with decreased levels of amino acids will begin to appear saggy, lackluster, and wrinkled. Thankfully, science now allows us to supplement our skincare regimens with amino acids, keeping us youthful for longer!