How Amino Acids Benefit Your Skin

You’ve heard of amino acids in nutritional terms and may have a slight recollection of them from your high school years, but did you know that they provide a host of skin benefits when added to your skincare products?

Discover what they are, how they work, and why you should be adding them to your daily skincare ritual.

What are amino acids?

Type of ingredient: Varying

Who should use them: All skin types

How often you should use them: Gentle enough for everyday use

Works well with: All other skincare ingredients

Collagen, elastin, and keratin are key proteins found in the skin, and both these and every other protein have one thing in common – they're all made up of amino acids. There are two types of these protein-building molecules: essential and non-essential. Your body can create non-essential amino acids on its own, whereas you must obtain essential amino acids from food or supplements. Both play a role in almost all of the body's processes, making them vital to basic functioning and health – including that of your skin.

How do they benefit the skin?

Your skin contains naturally occurring amino acids that help support the skin barrier. By adding them to your skincare, you provide additional benefits to the health and appearance of your skin. These include:

Hydration & moisture retention: Certain amino acids – like serine, glycine, and lysine – are natural humectants, which means they attract and retain moisture. When applied to the skin, these amino acids help keep it hydrated by drawing water in from the environment and thus preventing transepidermal moisture loss. Properly hydrated skin appears plump, healthy, and radiant.

Minimizing redness: Amino acids like histidine have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and irritation on the skin. By calming inflamed skin and balancing the skin's pH, amino acids can be especially beneficial for people with conditions like rosacea or sensitive skin.

Building collagen: Collagen and elastin are crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Arginine, proline, and lysine stimulate collagen synthesis. The presence of adequate amino acids in skincare products can support the skin's natural collagen production, which can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and sagging over time.

Visible skin repair: Amino acids help repair damaged skin cells and promote the formation of new, healthy skin tissue. Methionine and cysteine are known for their role in skin repair. They assist in wound healing and may aid in reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes.

Smoothing fine lines: Amino acids work in conjunction with collagen to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of aging. Regular use of amino acid-enriched products can contribute to a more youthful appearance, as they enhance the skin's structural integrity.

Adding amino acids to your skincare routine

So, how do you enjoy all the benefits of amino acids by incorporating them into your daily routine? For best results, without any additional steps, reach for Soy pH-Balanced Hydrating Face Wash. Our research shows that soy is an amino acid-rich ingredient that contributes to skin elasticity and suppleness. This soy-enriched formula, ideal for morning and evening use on all skin types, has been paired with soothing aloe vera, cooling cucumber extract, and nourishing borage seed oil to deliver potent amino acids to your skin while deeply cleansing and removing all traces of makeup for radiant, healthy-looking skin.

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