Lack of Firmness & Tone | Targeted Treatment

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: synthetic peptide composed of four amino acids (glycine-glutamine-proline-arginine) and palmitic acid. The addition of the fatty acid palmitic acid enhances the stability and permeability of the ingredient to the skin. Skin repair ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties: protects extracellular matrix components from degradation by reducing the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by keratinocytes and fibroblasts, key cells in the skin. Interleukin-6 is a mediator of inflammation that causes faster degradation of extracellular matrix components, promotes wrinkle formation and reduces skin firmness and elasticity. Acute inflammatory response can lead to glycation damage, or the process by which glucose links with proteins and causes them to bind together, stiffening tissues. This negatively affects the skin's support system, composed of collagen, elastin, and other proteins, and leads to wrinkles, loss of tone and elasticity, and uneven skin tone.

Retinol: Oil soluble retinol penetrates the stratum corneum: Intracellular penetration is the main way of transport. Molecules move through the intercellular cement of structures composed of ceramides, sterols, phospholipids, and fatty acids and it also penetrates into the dermis. When retinol reaches a keratinocyte, it enters its interior and binds to an appropriate receptor • Retinols boost production of epidermal proteins and accelerate the process of keratinization. Retinol penetrates into the basal layer of the epidermis (composed of living cells that are producing new cells) and they also penetrate into the dermis. Retinol, by interacting with receptors inside keratinocytes, promotes their proliferation, strengthens the epidermal protective function, and reduces TEWL • Retinols influence the function of melanocytes, providing regular arrangement of melanin in the epidermis. They block transport of melanin to epidermal cells and diminish the activity of stimulated melanocytes • In the dermis, retinol stimulates fibroblasts to synthesize collagen fibers, improves skin elasticity, and promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessels). Retinol protects collagen against degradation and inhibits the activity of metalloproteinases which are responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix. It enhances remodeling of reticular fibers and stimulates angiogenesis in the papillary layer of the dermis.

Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract: Resveratrol is an effective active ingredient but it has difficulty penetrating through the skin barrier. Pichia Pastoris is a yeast that ferments resveratrol making it more readily available for the skin to absorb. Resveratrol is a polyphenol (micronutrients found in plants), phytoestrogen (plant-based compound that can mildly mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and they can bind to estrogen receptors), and a phytoalexin (antimicrobial compounds produced by plants). This compound is found in grapes, berries, tomatoes and nuts. It exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, reparative/wound healing and regenerative properties such as enhancing collagen synthesis, protecting the skin against the harmful effects of UVB radiation, and inhibiting tyrosinase which aids in reducing skin discoloration.

Hexapeptide-9, also known as collagen peptide III (Gly‐Pro‐Gln‐Gly‐Pro‐Gln), is a synthetic hexapeptide that exists in the structure of human collagen IV and XVII. These are key basement membrane collagens. It is made up of 6 amino acids. Hexapeptide-9 is a "signaling peptide" that communicates with skin cells. It mimics a fragment of collagen, allowing it to bind to collagen receptors on fibroblasts (these are the cells in your dermis that produce collagen and elastin). This stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen and other extracellular matrix components (the ECM is composed of proteins such as collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans which attract and hold water), enhancing the structural integrity, density, and resilience of the skin. This leads to increased firmness and elasticity. What else does Hexapeptide-9 do for strengthening the skin? Exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that helps to reduce the degradation of collagen and the skin barrier Aids in promoting skin repair and regeneration by activating various growth factors involved in wound healing and tissue regeneration. For example, hexapeptide-9 increases the production of growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a powerful protein that aids in tissue repair of the ECM. Strengthens the skin barrier which is essential for skin health The skin barrier (which is as thin as a single sheet of paper) protects us from environmental aggressors such as microbes (bacteria, fungi, virus), allergens, and pollutants, it reduces the risk of infections and inflammatory responses, and it maintains our hydration. It's our waterproof barrier. Hexapeptide-9 promotes extracellular lipids such as ceramides and filligran (filament-aggregating protein) which strengthens the adhesiveness of the skin barrier’s proteins making the body less susceptible to microbial and environmental invasion while lessening trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). A well maintained barrier function also keeps your skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn®-Coll) mimics the thrombospondin I (TSP-I) tripeptide sequence and can stimulate matrix protein production by upregulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). It effectively supports collagen synthesis and improves skin elasticity.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: signal peptide with the amino sequence of glycine-histidine-lysine, or GHK. GHK is attached to palmitic acid (a fatty acid) to increase oil solubility and skin penetration. Supports ECM synthesis, provides wound recovery, wrinkle reduction, skin firming, skin roughness and texture improvement. Stimulates collagen synthesis by activating the transforming growth factor TGF-ß. TGF-β stimulates dermal collagen remodeling, increases collagen production, and increases hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is ubiquitous in body tissues and is best known for its capability of attracting water molecules. The highly polar structure of HA makes it capable of binding 10,000 times its own weight in water. HA is used exogenously for the promotion of tissue regeneration and skin repair.