Serum with peptides to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin

Nowadays, with the ever-increasing popularity of facial skin care products, homemade beauty products are becoming a more attractive alternative as well. In this article, we will therefore look at a simple tutorial for making your own facial serum with peptides. We'll explore the basic ingredients, the different steps of production and alternative raw materials. With this tutorial, you can make a facial serum with peptides to rejuvenate and hydrate your skin, while gaining full control over the composition and quality of the beauty product you use.

What does a peptide serum consist of?

Recently, peptides have become a big trend in cosmetics. Peptides have the ability to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, thus improving the skin's texture and at the same time counteracting wrinkles and ageing. We've put together a guide to a facial serum containing SpecPed® Amino-Peptide to help reduce the signs of aging.

Serum with peptides - how to do it?

1. Be sure to disinfect all utensils and packaging before starting work, you can use ethanol (ideally 70%) in a spray bottle.
2. Mix together the raw materials of phase A.
3. In a separate container , mix the Phase B ingredients until a thick slurry is formed without lumps of hyaluronic acid.
4. Pour the Phase A raw materials into the Phase B raw materials, stirring thoroughly as the mixture begins to thicken into a gel. If you still see lumps of unhydrated hyaluronic acid in the mixture, this is normal, cover the container with cling film and leave to stand overnight.
5. Finally, check the pH, e.g. with litmus papers. Adjust it with lactic acid to a value of 4,5-5,5. Add the lactic acid drop by drop (the amount given is a guide only) and after each addition, mix the mixture thoroughly and check the pH.

Serum with peptides - a little about the raw materials

Below we will introduce you to the raw materials that make up the peptide serum. Read on if you want to know how to use the ingredients correctly, what their benefits for the skin are or what can be substituted for them. In general, active ingredients such as extracts, peptide or fucogel and fucocert can be omitted from the product without significantly affecting the texture and consistency, but by doing so you will lose the positive effects on the skin that these ingredients bring with them to the product.

Demineralised water:

Demineralised water is free of minerals and impurities, making it an ideal base for cosmetic products. It is the most commonly used raw material in cosmetics because it is a solvent of many substances and provides optimal hydration to the skin without the risk of clogging pores or irritation. Alternatives can be distilled water or hydrolates of various herbs.

Fucocert:

Fucocert is a natural polysaccharide obtained by fermentation of plant ingredients. Its main benefits are its ability to improve skin hydration, reduce redness and promote skin regeneration. An alternative may be another moisturising natural extract such as aloe vera.

Fucogel:

Fucogel is another natural polysaccharide that is obtained by fermentation. Its main advantage is its ability to form a protective film on the skin, which prevents moisture loss and moisturises it at the same time. Hyaluronic acid or glycerine can be an alternative to fucogel.

Fruit extract, grapefruit:

Grapefruit fruit extract is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making it a great raw material for cosmetics. Its main benefits include brightening the skin, fighting free radicals and boosting collagen production. An alternative can be an extract from another fruit, such as blueberries.

Fruit extract, blueberry:

Blueberry fruit extract is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help fight free radical damage and improve overall skin condition. Its use in cosmetics helps to hydrate, soothe and smooth the skin. An alternative can be an extract of other fruits, such as grapefruit.

Amino-Peptide SpecPed®:

Amino-Peptide SpecPed® (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 0.05%) is a natural substance developed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. Its mechanism of action is to temporarily limit the production of neurotransmitters responsible for muscle contractions, leading to muscle relaxation and smoother skin. SpecPed® Amino-Peptide also promotes the natural production of type 1 collagen, making it a gentle alternative to Botox. Its benefits thus include increased skin elasticity, smoothing of fine lines and improved texture. Alternatives may include other peptides or collagen.

Hyaluronic Acid HMW:

HMW's hyaluronic acid has a higher molecular weight and so when combined with water, effectively thickens products and gives them a gel-like consistency. At the same time, it hydrates the skin by binding a large amount of water to itself. It leaves the skin smooth and hydrated with reduced wrinkles and fine lines. Alternatives can be low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (however, the serum will be more fluid) or other moisturizing ingredients.

Euxyl PE 9010 - preservative:

Euxyl PE 9010 is a broad spectrum preservative that protects the cosmetic product from microbial growth and spoilage. Its use ensures product safety and longer product shelf life, while being effective over a wide pH range. An alternative may be another preservative with similar efficacy, such as Cosgard or others. However, always check the pH range in which the preservative is effective and adjust the pH of the product before adding the preservative, unless the initial pH of the serum falls within the range of the preservative's effectiveness.

Pentylene Glycol:

Pentylene glycol is a humectant and solvent that helps maintain skin moisture and improves absorption of other active ingredients. It also has antimicrobial effects, thus increasing the effectiveness of preservatives. An alternative may be glycerin, which exhibits similar properties.

Glycerin:

Glycerin is a moisturizing agent that attracts moisture to the skin and helps keep it hydrated. In addition, it improves skin texture, reduces dryness and accelerates the hydration and dissolving of hyaluronic acid in water. An alternative may be pentylene glycol.

Lactic acid:

Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells and stimulates skin renewal. However, in our case, its ability to lower the pH of the products to the physiological pH of the skin was chosen. An alternative is a 50% citric acid solution (water acid 1:1), but the consumption of citric acid solution to adjust the pH will be different compared to lactic acid.

Experiment with common sense - warning

Before using any raw materials for the manufacture of a cosmetic product, thoroughly familiarise yourself with their properties, recommended dosage, storage conditions and safe handling. Any raw material may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals, so we recommend that you check before using the product that you are not allergic to any ingredient in the raw materials or the overall product, for example by a skin test.
In case of very sensitive or acne-prone skin, or if you have other skin and health problems, we recommend that you consult a medical professional before applying a new product to your skin, whether it is a homemade cosmetic product, a pure raw material or a commercially available product.
As mentioned, when experimenting with homemade recipes, it is important to remember that many factors such as humidity, temperature, quality of ingredients and their storage can affect the final result.