Amino Polypeptide Creams

Amino Polypeptide Creams Can be Effective Botox Alternatives

Amino polypeptide creams have been shown to penetrate to the deep layers of the skin and regrow collagen, elastin and proteins thereby restoring a more youthful appearance to the face and reducing or actually removing evidence of old stretch marks.

Collagen firms and supports the layers of the skin; elastin provides flexibility allowing the face to bounce back after you smile or frown; glycoproteins make the skin denser.

I have been watching the development of amino polypeptide facial creams.

When I first read about the market leader, StriVectin SD I was quite skeptical so I checked the clinical studies myself. The active ingredient in StriVectin, a patented oligo polypeptide (called Pal-KTTKS), was first used to dissolve stretch marks.

However, researchers then started a test using the cream on wrinkled facial skin.

In the trials, subjects applied the polypeptide solution to the crows' feet area on one side of the face, and a cream containing either retinol, vitamin C, or a placebo to the other side. Subjects in the Pal-KTTKS/retinol study applied the cream once a day for 2 months and then twice a day for the next 2 months.

Using special image analysis, the researchers reported significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkle depth, length, wrinkle volume, and skin roughness for those women using the polypeptide solution.

Better yet, at the 2-month halfway point, the polypeptide solution thickened skin nearly 1.5 times faster than retinol, and without the inflammation retinol often causes in sensitive skin.

The results of the remaining studies confirmed that the Pal-KTTKS solution's effectiveness at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles far exceeded both vitamin C and placebo. These studies were reported at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology in 2002.

In addition to StriVectin-SD, amino polypeptides are active ingredients in DDF Wrinkle Relax.

Amino Polypeptides vs. Retin-A and Retinol

While Retin-A and retinol products are very effective at sloughing off dull dead surface skin to reveal the younger you below, they provide only a small stimulus to the production of new collagen and elastin. So the skin continues to thin with age.

However amino polypeptide products go one step further: they grow new collagen and elastin to thicken the skin and plump up wrinkles.

Think of one as demolition and the other as reconstruction. Aging skin needs both!

Botox Replacement?

Men and women across the country endure painful cosmetic injections, plastic surgery and face lifts in an attempt to look more youthful. All of these procedures can have dramatic effects; however there are less expensive and less painful alternatives.

An estimated two million women and men have enjoyed the benefits of Botox or botulism toxin type A. Botox is a nerve-paralyzing solution that is injected into facial muscles to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Products based on the chemical Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 have proved to be effective Botox alternatives. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a non-toxic agent that naturally reduces the amount of nerve stimulations to muscles, thereby relaxing them and significantly reducing lines of expression.

One added benefit to these polypeptide creams is that they have been shown to actually extend the life of a Botox injection. While a standard Botox injection can cost as much as $500, it lasts an average of only 4 months. By applying a polypeptide based skin cream, the life of a Botox injection can be almost doubled.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is an ingredient in DDF Wrinkle Relax.

Polypeptide Skin Care Product Comparison

StriVectin SD

Strivectin Product Description

StriVectin SD is a multi-action antiaging skin cream enriched with Striadril, a compound containing patented penta polypeptides that significantly improve the appearance of facial wrinkles, stretch marks, and minor skin imperfections by aiding the build-up of collagen. Unlike many other antiaging skin care treatments, Striadril has a longer shelf life, causes less irritation, is safer and more effective than Retin-A or Retinol.

Strivectin Ingredients

Deionized water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, sesame oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sweet almond oil, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, Striadril(tm) Complex (consisting of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, siegesbeckia orientalis extract, polyglyceryl methacrylate, propylene glycol, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glucosamine HCL, algae extract, yeast extract, urea, butylene glycol, hydrocotyl extract, coneflower extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed wheat starch, imperata cylindrica root extract, bearberry extract and licorice PTH), glycerin, PPG-12/SMDI copolymer, glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate, cocoa butter, stearic acid, shea butter, tocopheryl acetate, mango butter, peppermint oil, methylparaben, xanthan gum, propylparaben, triethanolamine, butylene glycol, DMDM hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, disodium EDTA, retinyl palmitate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Directions for Applying Strivectin

Smooth over face and neck or any stretch marks - even old ones, morning and night.

DDF Wrinkle Relax

DDF Wrinkle Relax Product Description

DDF Wrinkle Relax is a combination of two non-toxic antiaging polypeptides chemically combined from naturally derived amino acids. It helps prevent fine lines induced by repeated facial movements without the loss of expression that Botox can cause.

It increases collagen and elastin production and helps prevent premature aging. There have been reports of visible results within two weeks.

It is most effective when used in the eye area and forehead. Even after 60 days, a once a day application maintains its results.

DDF Wrinkle Relax Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth 20, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide 8 (Neuropeptide), Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide 7, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG 100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl 3 Isostearate, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydrantoin, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja Sterol (Soybean), Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Orange 4, Red 40

Directions for Applying DDF wrinkle Relax

Gently massage into muscle points. Apply a thin coat to clean, dry skin, twice daily. Results can be seen starting in two weeks with maximum visible reduction of fine lines and wrinkles up to 50% within 45-60 days.

Skin Care Comparison Conclusions

I can't really say which of these antiwrinkle creams is best.

They all contain similar polypetide ingredients. I also had good results with Avon Clinical Deep Crease (which is no longer available).

Since everyone is different my results may differ from yours. If you're interested in these polypeptide creams, do your own "clinical study". Take a before picture of your face, straight on and with flat lighting. Then use the cream for a month or two on one side of your face. Retake the pictures and see if you notice any difference.

If you'd like to share the results with me, contact me. If I get enough responses to draw any conclusions, I will pass them on to my readers.

These anti wrinkle polypeptide creams do what they say, if you keep your expectations realistic. And they are cheaper, safer and less painful than continuing collagen or Botox injections.