Ingredient Illuminated: Amino Acids

2 Minute Read

We know that amino acids are an ingredient to look out for in our skincare, but do we really know what benefits they have.  Here’s a quick overview on why they’re just so good.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, essential for health and wellbeing. Proteins like collagen and elastin provide structural support to the skin, keeping it firm, elastic, and youthful-looking.

There are two types of amino acid, essential and non-essential. Non-essential are made by your body while the essential ones need to be acquired via food or supplements. When it comes to skincare, our focus is the non-essential amino acids, there are 11 of them.  While they are produced by the body themselves it’s a little ‘more the merrier’ to support the skin barrier when it comes to topical application.

Non-essential amino acids contribute to the overall function of the skin, maintaining hydration levels, supporting the skin's natural repair mechanisms, regulating cellular turnover, improved collagen production, anti-ageing, anti-oxidant and microbiome balancing.

Certain amino acids, such as serine, alanine and glycine, have humectant properties, meaning they can attract and bind moisture to the skin. This helps to keep the skin hydrated, plump, and smooth. All three of these amino acids can be found in our Mother of Masks. By preventing trans-epidural water loss (TEWL) and strengthening the moisture barrier to lock in hydration, skin appears more youthful and the appearance of fine lines are reduced. Basically, the fewer amino acids present in the skin the rougher and dryer skin feels.

Amino acids are effective antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and improve skin complexion. We’ve included amino acids arginine and proline in our Mother of Masks as their anti-oxidant properties protect the skin from damage caused by environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution. This protection helps to prevent premature aging and maintain the skin's overall health.

Perhaps the most important benefit of amino acids for the skin is the stimulation of collagen production. As collagen is mostly made up of amino acids (proline and glycine) it makes sense that adding more of these into your regime will promote collagen synthesis, plumping skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Boosting collagen production can help visibly repair the skin, increasing the skin’s healing process so that wounds heal faster. Amino acids assist the skin's natural repair and renewal processes. They aid in the formation of new skin cells, facilitate tissue repair, and boost overall skin regeneration, resulting in healthier and more radiant skin.

Overall, incorporating amino acids into a skincare regime can help to nourish, hydrate, repair, and protect the skin, leading to improved overall skin health and appearance. Why not try our Mother of Masks and harness the power of amino acids for radiant skin.