C is for Copper
There’s a new skincare ingredient in town, well not quite new but one that’s getting a lot of attention. It is of course copper. Copper is nothing new though. For thousands of years—all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, it was heralded as a “fountain of youth’ of sorts and today it’s safe to say, it’s not just for pipes!
Copper is a key component in collagen production, which provides the structure for skin, bone, and connective tissue. Skin with plenty of collagen tends to be firm, elastic, and more youthful-looking. But as our bodies age, our collagen formation slows down, not good! This slowing down of collagen production is correlated with a decreased presence of something called “GHK-cu copper peptides” in blood plasma as we age. So how do we address this and boost our collagen production? By topically applying skincare products containing copper peptides.
Along with its anti-aging benefits, copper has other added benefits too. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can also help to improve skin firmness, elasticity, and plumpness, whilst its wound-healing properties make it a great treatment for acne scars, wrinkles, and marks. Found in various night creams, SPFs, serums, and hair restoration products, I wanted to see for myself if all these claims held true and if was copper indeed a hero ingredient.
One such product I tested was NIOD CAIS 2:1 Serum. According to NIOD, overall it improves skin health. In actual fact, it helps skin heal faster, tackles pores, and hyperpigmentation, and improves tone and texture. Thankfully, my skin wasn’t too bad, to begin with, but I definitely noticed a more even-toned, smoother appearance. I applied it in the morning, straight after my cleanse. You can do am and pm, I just want it to last longer! I like to spread the serum (it’s more of a liquid consistency) between my palms and then press it into the skin. Once applied use your usual serum or cream. At the moment I follow with NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Serum. If using a serum that contains vitamin C, wait for at least 40 seconds before you apply so the copper can be absorbed into your skin.
It’s early days but so far, I am loving it and my skin is too. If you haven’t ever tried a product with copper peptides and are looking to incorporate a new serum into your regime, or if your skin is looking dull, congested, and just meh! I think you’ll see great results. Alpha-H’s Vitamin B Serum is another product I will be testing soon, this is a potent vitamin serum fortified with Niacinamide and Copper Tripeptide that promises to take on daily environmental elements and help prevent the appearance of premature aging. I will let you know how I get on!
Sherna x
