A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and skin is literally built from proteins — collagen and elastin are proteins. A peptide, then, is something like a sentence of a few words where a protein is a whole paragraph.
Peptides are used in skincare because they are small, formulate well, and some of them have described behaviour on skin. The word “peptide” on its own means nothing, though — there are many, each different, and what is known about them varies enormously.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8
The one in No3. Hydro Boost Collagel Serum appears in the INCI as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. It is studied in connection with the appearance of expression lines — the fine creases that come from repeated movement of the face.
No3. Hydro Boost Collagel Serum
Explore productWhy it stands beside hyaluronic acid
Collagel is a gel, not an oil. Its main work is hydration: hyaluronic acid in several molecular sizes binds water and glycerin helps hold it. The peptide adds no moisture; it adds a different layer of care.
There is a practical logic to it. Dry and dehydrated skin looks more lined than it is — a lack of water in the surface layers emphasises every crease. Once skin is hydrated, part of that impression disappears without any other ingredient. The peptide is then what you add on top, not what should replace hydration.
What to expect, and when
Texture and how skin feels are apparent straight away. For the appearance of fine lines it makes sense to look after several weeks of regular use, morning and evening, with the same dose — three pumps for face, neck and décolletage. Differences between complexions are large, and we promise nobody a particular number of days.
- A peptide does not replace hydration; it complements it
- Order in the ritual: after the toner, before the oil serum or balm
- In the morning, always finish with SPF protection
