gracie7

Do you know how to decipher the ingredients label on your moisturiser? Or whether you should be using retinol? Or what the difference is between AHAs and BHA? Relax and let the Vogue Skincare Alphabet break it down.

What is it?
Copper peptide GHK-Cu is found naturally in the human body, and combines the element copper with three amino acids, making it a tripeptide.

What is it used for?
Copper peptides have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and can promote wound healing, collagen stimulation and attraction of immune cells. The level of tripeptide GHK-Cu naturally occurring in the body reduces with age. In skincare it is mainly used as an anti-ageing ingredient, but is believed to also help with general skin health, including improved skin texture and treatment of scarring. In anti-ageing products it generally appears in lower concentrations of less than one per cent.

What are the pros and cons of using it?
By increasing collagen production, copper tripeptide could improve skin firmness, elasticity and plumpness, whilst its wound-healing properties make it a great treatment for acne scars, wrinkles and marks. However, independent research into copper peptides in skincare is relatively new, so - whilst consumers have fallen in love with its wrinkle-smoothing properties - the scientific benefits when compared to other anti-ageing heroes like retinol have not been proven absolutely.

Which products can I find it in?
Copper peptides are at their best in serums, concentrates and creams which can take their time to work on the skin - as opposed to wash-away products. Three ways to try out copper peptides are Niod Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00%, Strivectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturiser and Sunday Riley Bionic Anti-Aging Cream.

Source: http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2016/0...ncare-alphabet