Five Best products with copper peptides
For existing lines or scars, copper peptides are a wrinkle warrior's heavy artillery. One of the main roles of copper is anti-inflammatory – it works by suppressing inflammatory cytokines – and there is a growing school of thought that increased inflammation brings about aging. However it should be noted that, as I understand it, copper has to have something to repair (for preventative skincare, it is better to look for collagen boosting peptides like Matrixyl and antioxidants). Copper's powers also extend to hair growth. It seems to work on the follicle in two ways: increasing follicle cell proliferation increased follicle size; and copper also decreases programmed follicle cell death, which results in smaller follicles.
When I posted a week ago on how copper peptides work, I promised a roundup of the best performing products with copper peptides. Here it is:
Skin Nutrition Cell CPR ($170 in the TIA shop). Skin Nutrition’s philosophy is that skin cells are complex things made up of phospholipids, proteins (enzymes, oligopeptides, amino acids), oligosaccharides, oxygen, vitamins and minerals. And so, therefore, is Cell CPR with a whopping 70 or so ingredients. You'll find some new peptides, including hexanoyl dipeptide-3 (which is lecithin and norleucine Acetate) activates skin cell regeneration by stimulating the natural desquamation process of the skin, leading to a gentle peeling. Rh-oligopeptide-1 (Egf) is a recombitant human epidermal growth factor. Here, of course, is copper tripeptide (also known as copper GHK). Even more cutting edge is adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an ingredient that is also in DermaSilk. It is the main energy source for the majority of cellular – and muscular – functions. This includes the synthesis of DNA. It's expensive, but I get compliments when I use it.
Hair Vitality Complex ($49 in the TIA shop). This is Truth In Aging's first branded product. Copper peptides help a great deal for hair growth and reduced shedding. The problem was that most copper peptide products were unpleasant to use and also contained other ingredients that I didn’t like. And so I worked with Your Best Face to make a product that would work, be pleasant to use (no bad smells) and not scary for those of us with blonde hair and expensive salon color jobs. There are amino acids creating a copper peptide and vitamin B and that's about it. I tested this on 125 members of the TIA community and 70% said it would work and they would buy it. Well here it is.
GloTherapeutics Glopeptide+Defense ($130). This potion has three of our five best anti-aging ingredients, L-carnosine for extending the hayflick limit, spin trap (a busy molecule that is a brilliant radical scavenger) and collagen boosting Matrixyl 3000. Copper peptides do not appear high on the list of ingredients, but Glopeptide has to get a mention for the host of great ingredients that pack an awful lot of antioxidant punch. When I used this cream for a few weeks, I was told that I looked as if I'd had Botox.
Hair Signals ($27 in the TIA shop) Both are made by Skin Biology and use the same copper peptide formula. Hair Signals is easier to use as it isn't the same alarming turquoise as Folligen. There's also saw palmetto and green tea. Although at first glance, Hair Signals seems to have eshewed parabens, there are actually two in the ingredient that goes by the name of germaben 11-E.
Ingredients in Glo Therapeutics: Aqua (Water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Polawax, Sodium PCA, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, L-sodium Hyaluronate, Thermus Thermophilus Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Algae Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Laureth-3, Hydroethylcellulouse, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Alcohol Denat., Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Rooibos (Aspalathus Lineasris) Extract, White Peony Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Phyllantus Emblica (Amla) Fruit Extract, L-carnosine, Niacinamide, Spin Trap (Phenyl Butyl Nitrone), Acetyl L-carnitine, Ubiquinone, R-lipoic Acid, Crataegus Monogyna Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid, Adenine, Vitamin B Complex, L-glutathione, Cysteine, Tocotrienols, Copper Peptide, Selenium, Manganese, Superoxide Dismutase, Trehalose, D-ribose, C 18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, D-alpha-tocopherol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients in Hair Signals Cream: Water, aloe vera gel, copper peptides (soy protein peptides and cupric chloride), octyl palmitate, squalane, crodamol PMP, stearic acid, PEG 100 strearate, glycerol monostearate cetyl alcohol, extra virgin olive oil, germaben II-E, tea extract, beta-sitosterol, saw palmetto oil, lavender oil, pygeum africanum, leucine, polysorbate 80, allantoin, vitamin E TPGS, retinyl palmitate, vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol isomers, coenzyme Q10, leutin, lycopene.
Ingredients in Super Cop 2X: Purified water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe vera) gel, copper peptides (hydrolyzed soy protein and cupric chloride), squalane, ethylhexyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cupric chloride, carthamus tinctorius seed (safflower) oil, cetyl alcohol, PPG-2 myristyl ether propionate, stearic acid, salicylic acid, glycine, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, allantoin,propylene glycol, polysorbate 20, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, propylene glycol, tocophersolan (Vitamin E), fragrance, retinyl palmitate, menthol, camphor, methylparaben, propylparaben, diazolidinyl urea, mixed (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) tocopherols, mixed (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) tocotrienols, ubiquinone (CoQ-10).
Loading...
Marta, would you happen to have any information on that study regarding using GHK-cu with LED's. I am curious if the GHK product was using daily, before the LED, after the LED, etc. If you have any information on that, I would appreciate it if you could post that! Thanks so much.
Posted on September 15, 2009 at 8:18 am
Dear Marta,
I apologise for writing at some length, but I thought sharing my current copper peptide use might be helpful to others; and I also had 2 questions (of course!).
I have just started using Skin Biology's Exfol serum and his lightest copper peptide cream, as recommended for 'beginners' and those over 30. I leave half an hour between applying the two, so that I can use them both at night (I fear that applying the copper peptide in the morning would mean stopping my use of other products, and just seems simpler).
I then follow this up with a tiny amount of squalane oil, to prevent the copper peptides from being too drying. But I would like to use a good vitamin C-free night cream as well, if you had a particular recommendation.
In addition, at night, I am using Derma Radiant Ageless Eyes, but am also using a thin layer of the copper peptides below my eyes to try to thicken the skin (as recommended) and get rid of my dark circles and a few fine lines. This is probably the only real skin problem I have, apart from the dullness of ageing skin, which Image's Ageless, Suki's exfoliating scrub and Skin Brightening Masque have banished. (I am saving the rather more expensive YBF products for the next decade.)
As a regime, this all seems to be working well, though it is far too early to know if the copper peptides will have any effect on a couple of tiny scars/sun spots that I suspect only I notice. I am really using it for the long term benefits of repairing/renewing my skin and its proteins, which apparently happens less frequently after 20. Which leads to my query.
By definition, such a benefit is somewhat hard to see working. Do you think one would be better off using a matrixyl-heavy product instead, while still in one's 30s (I am 36) and with no wrinkles? Your comments above suggest that might be the case, and I don't want to infringe the Hayflick limit..
Thank you as ever!
Posted on September 15, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Hi Anna,
I am learning all of this as I go along as well. But I think that targeting copper peptides on the scars only you can see makes sense. But for overall prevention you are better off using an good collagen builder and antioxidant cream.
Posted on September 16, 2009 at 8:27 am
I'm confused, thought one shouldn't use an AHA/Glycolic in the same time period as a copper peptide product. I've been using my Image Skincare Ageless at the opposite end of the day from the copper product. Is this incorrect?
Unrelated, have you heard anything about the EVIS LED therapy product?
Thanks,
Stephanie
Posted on September 16, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Stephanie, thanks as I wasn't clear. It is recommended to use the CP am and the AHA at pm.
Posted on September 16, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Thanks Marta!
Posted on September 16, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Thank you!
Posted on September 17, 2009 at 1:20 am
After my recent acne breakout, and (slow)progressive recovery, I'm left with a scatterplot of light brown spots (acne scars?). Would the copper peptides in the Super Cop 2X help with acne scars/brown spots, or would IMAGE'S Ageless anti-aging serum do that? I thought it was a brightener, and Copper peptides were for wrinkles, lines, and scars.
Posted on September 18, 2009 at 6:25 am
Hi Michelle, yes they would help with pigmentation and scars. IAMGE is a glycolic, so helps with exfoliation. You would be best using IMAGE at night and Super Cop in the morning.
Posted on September 18, 2009 at 9:52 am
Hi Marta,
I've been using IMAGE, and it works pretty well for lightening some of my freckles and brown spots. I think since it's a glycolic, it kind of stings and flares up some of my acne spots though. But most of the time it's bearable. Would Super Cop be the same way? Or is there a product that helps with acne scars like Super Cop for a less expensive price?
Also, I'm not sure if it has to do with the products I've been using, but my pores seem to have gotten bigger. What is the best product I can use to reduce pore size? Thank you so much!
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 4:20 am
Hi Michelle,
One of the best things I have found for open pores and breakouts is Astara's blue mask(http://www.truthinaging.com/face/reviewed-and-recommended-astara-blue-flame-purification-mask).
I'm not sure about an alternative to Super Cop (which, by the way, can irritate - you have to build up use slowly), but I'll see if I can come across anything. I'd recommend using IMAGE only every other day to reduce sensitivity.
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 9:50 am
Thank you for the advice Marta! I think I'll try the Astara mask; it has some great reviews! And I'll be on the lookout for any new alternative products for Super Cop that you come across! If not, I'll just try it too and see how it works. My birthday's coming up, and I want my face to be acne and scar free. =D Thanks again! ^_^
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 5:08 pm
oh yeah, and I'm not sure if it's the Clearisil I'm using, or if it's the Pantothenic acid and Vitamin B complex pills I've been taking, but I think it's helped clear up my acne. =D I remember you posting a blog about Vitamin B and acne. Just thought I'd share that just in case anyone else has the same problem.
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 5:11 pm
After reading elsewhere that copper can help relieve skin inflammation, I've used Skin Biology's copper a number of times on facial psoriasis and it has helped relieve the redness and flaking. I just wanted to share, as psoriasis is challenging to treat without resorting to steroids.
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:54 am