Topical Peptides for Acne: Do Peptides Help With Acne?
Breakouts take a toll on your self-confidence, but not everyone’s skin responds well to traditional treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. And you probably don’t want to get on prescription drugs like Accutane. So do peptides help with acne? They certainly can!
We’re going to cover everything you need to know about topical peptides for acne, including what peptides help with acne and how to actually start using them so you can enjoy clearer skin ASAP.
The best topical peptides for acne are just a few clicks away at PLU Laboratories. Our copper peptide serum with GHK-Cu and Palmitoyl Peptides has well-documented anti-inflammatory and tissue repair capabilities, backed by lab testing and 30-day returns, even if you’ve opened it. Get yours today, or learn more below before committing to trying peptides for acne.
Key Takeaways
- Topical peptides work by dialing down an overactive inflammatory response and supporting skin repair processes.
- They DO NOT kill the bacteria that causes acne or unclog pores.
- GHK-Cu and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 are the best topical peptides for acne with published research behind their effects.
- Other peptides we see promise for include TB-500, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, and BPC-Thymosin.
- Peptides work best as a complement to the rest of your acne treatment rather than a replacement for anything.
What Are Peptides?
These short chains of amino acids send messages to cells throughout the body. You can apply peptides to the skin (topically), and they will send targeted signals such as:
- Make more collagen
- Dial down an inflammatory response
- Repair damage
Your body already makes peptides naturally. But you have less and less of them the older you get. And applying topical peptides gets them where they’re needed most. If you’re here reading this guide, we have a feeling that’s on your face for calming acne breakouts.
Do Peptides Help With Acne?
So do peptides help with acne? There’s really strong promise for them - but we need to be very clear in letting you know they’re not like traditional acne treatments that unclog pores or kill the bacteria that cause acne.
What they can do is help dial back the inflammatory response that makes breakouts worse. They can also help encourage the skin to heal faster after a blemish fades. That’s just as important as the other aspects of managing acne. But the key takeaway is that you should use peptides alongside other acne treatments like retinoids, cleansing, and lifestyle adjustments.
What Peptides Help With Acne? The Two Best Topical Peptides For Acne
There are two peptides in particular that show great promise in treating acne - and we include both of them in our copper peptides for face to help you start using topical peptides for acne as quickly and easily as possible.
Copper Peptides (Specifically GHK-Cu)
There’s more research for GHK-Cu than any other peptide, and it has really strong evidence in helping treat acne specifically. So how does GHK-Cu help with acne?
This copper peptide can influence more than 4,000 genes linked to tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and antioxidant defense.1 Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp says that copper peptides have “antioxidant properties that protect skin cells from free oxygen radicals.”2
This is important because an overactive inflammatory response can often cause more blemishes to pop up, and it makes existing ones look worse.
But GHK-Cu can also help you deal with the damage acne leaves behind, like textural changes. This peptide encourages collagen production to help smooth the skin.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
There are two other peptides in the PLU Laboratories Face Tonic - Palmitoyl Peptides. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in particular shows promise in managing acne breakouts, too. It minimizes how much interleukin-6 gets released, which is important because this is one of the chemical messengers behind skin inflammation.
The reason we keep talking about the importance of inflammation is that it’s ultimately what turns a clogged pore into a red, angry, swollen breakout. Peptides like GHK-Cu and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 keep the skin calm.
Other Peptides That May Help With Acne
There are two ways you can go about using peptides: topically and through injections. We advocate for topical peptides for acne because they are far more targeted and way gentler. However, these are some of the other peptides you’ll see on the market:
TB-500
This is a synthetic variant of Thymosin Beta-4, a peptide with well-documented wound healing capabilities. It’s most relevant as it pertains to post-acne recovery (such as scarring).
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15
This is a neuropeptide known to ease skin sensitivity by limiting how much substance P gets released. This molecule triggers pain and inflammation signaling. It’s particularly intriguing if your breakouts are accompanied by redness and physical skin discomfort.
BPC-157
We see GHK-Cu vs BPC-157 compared all the time. But again, BPC-157 is one of those peptides that has been mostly studied as part of an injection protocol. It may help stimulate the body’s natural healing response, though.
Bottom Line on Topical Peptides for Acne
In closing, do peptides help with acne? They certainly can, but you have to make sure you’re using the right ones. Topical peptides for acne are the best way to support your skin and keep blemishes at bay.
The two with the most evidence are GHK-Cu and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and you can get both of them at the right concentration in our GHK-Cu serum. No fluff or filler nonsense. 6 ingredients total. Order yours today and start using topical peptides to fight acne!
PLU Laboratories
Visibly firmer-looking skin, no filler ingredients
Just 6 ingredients. 1% GHK-Cu with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Shop GHK-Cu Face TonicFrequently asked questions
Does GHK-Cu make acne go away?
It’s not like other treatments for acne that clear pores or kill bacteria. Rather, it helps stop breakouts at the source by calming inflammation and encouraging skin repair. It’s a great addition to your existing regimen.
Which peptides are good for acne?
GHK-Cu has more evidence in skin health than any other peptide. The other one we see a lot of promise for is Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. Each of these has been shown to fight inflammation and support skin repair.
Is there a downside to using peptides topically?
Not in the case of topical peptides for acne. They’re gentle with minimal side effects (when used as directed). Injectable peptides are a totally different conversation. Those are unregulated and have a very different risk profile.
Related Resources
Can you use copper peptides with retinol? | How long does GHK-Cu take to work
References
Written by Product Team
