Amino acids help restore cracked, flaky, or dry skin and maintain overall skin health. They work much better than any other fancy ingredient you might have heard of. This article explains the benefits of amino acids, how to use them, and their potential side effects. Keep reading to know more.
What Are Amino Acids?
Amino acids are the organic compounds that combine to form proteins. They are left behind after proteins break down. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins to perform various functions (1). What Are Its Benefits? It has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties that may improve skin hydration, and reduce fine lines. Who Can Use It? It can be safely and effectively applied to the skin. How Often? They are mostly safe to use every day, provided they’re not applied excessively. Caution It may cause skin irritation, therefore, a patch test is recommended before using it.
Amino acids also play a role in maintaining overall skin health and appearance. These amino acids can be segregated into two major categories:
Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids are those not produced by the body. You can only get their benefits from eating certain foods or supplements. Examples of essential amino acids include leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, histidine, threonine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, and valine. They are found in animal meat (beef, poultry, seafood), animal products (dairy, eggs), and certain high-protein plant foods (nuts, legumes, soy products, and beans) (2). Akanksha Singh, a blogger, shared how green gram dal, a legume rich in essential amino acids, helped improve her skin health. She wrote, “However, after consistently using this face pack every other week for around 2–3 months, I noticed a remarkable improvement in my skin. It felt noticeably softer, smoother, and more supple, which in turn boosted my confidence (i).”
Non-Essential Amino Acids
Non-essential amino acids are produced by the body. These include alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, proline, glycine, and tyrosine. Most healthy adult bodies make these amino acids naturally (3). Amino acids are a natural part of the skin and help keep it hydrated and supple. They also make up collagen, which is a part of various connective tissues, muscles, and tendons. Collagen is also present in the skin (4).
Key Benefits Of Amino Acids For The Skin
The key benefits of amino acids in skincare include promoting cellular repair, increasing skin moisture, stimulating collagen production, etc. We have further elaborated on these benefits below.
Hydrate The Skin
The skin’s top layers contain amino acids that help keep the skin hydrated. They also help treat skin dryness, acne, and rough texture (5). For those dealing with acne, amino acid lysine for acne can be an effective treatment, aiding in the reduction of breakouts.
May Protect Skin Against Damage
Amino acids help protect skin by promoting cellular repair, boosting hydration, and offering antioxidant protection (6).
May Enhance Water Retention
Amino acids, used in conjunction with other ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, plump the skin by helping boost moisture (7). It is believed that amino acids, when used with hyaluronic acid, may help fight the signs of aging (8).
Help Build Collagen
Studies suggest that amino acids help restore collagen synthesis that otherwise would have been impaired by UV radiation (9).
Help Smooth Fine Lines
Amino acids may help make the skin firmer and diminish fine lines and wrinkles (10). Their ability to promote collagen production may also have a role to play here.
Promote Cellular Repair
Amino acids are easily absorbed from topical creams and help stimulate collagen production. Certain amino acids also reduce inflammation and promote skin repair (11). Apart from amino acids, peptides are also often discussed in skin care. How are the two related? We shed some light on the same in the next section.
How Do Amino Acids Work With Peptides?
Amino acids are the fundamental components of peptides that are used in skin care. Peptides are long chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins. When applied topically, peptides can influence skin processes due to their unique sequences. The amino acids within the peptides help maintain the skin’s structural integrity and support collagen production. They may also signal skin cells to perform specific functions, such as repairing damaged tissues. Additionally, amino acids can help in the transportation of essential nutrients to skin cells and reinforce the skin’s natural barrier. This way, they may help improve skin health and appearance (12). However, more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and benefits. You saw the major benefits of using skin care products with amino acids. That said, these acids may also cause certain side effects.
Side Effects Of Using Amino Acids
Amino acids usually work well for most skin types and are generally safe. However, do exercise caution while introducing them to your skincare routine. Perform a patch test before using the product. Stop use if you observe any reaction. The next section will discuss the ways to use amino acids for better, healthy-looking skin.
How To Use Amino Acids For Smoother Skin
Incorporating the right foods for healthy skin into your diet can enhance your complexion. The safest and easiest way to reap the benefits of amino acids is through your diet. You may start consuming various dietary sources of amino acids. Protein also contains all nine essential amino acids. These complete proteins include meat, fish, eggs, poultry, and dairy. Essential protein options for vegans include buckwheat, soybeans, and quinoa. In addition, amino acids must also be an essential part of your daily skincare regimen. The most common source of amino acids is facial creams, especially those meant for sensitive areas (like the area around the eyes). If you want to introduce facial creams rich in amino acids to your skincare routine, start with a moisturizer or eye cream. Some of the amino acids to look for in skincare include lysine, arginine, histidine, glycine, and leucine (9). Thus, to support your skin from within, consider consuming foods high in amino acids. Do amino acids tighten skin? Yes, amino acids can help soothe and firm the skin while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Can you mix vitamin C and amino acid? You can use vitamin C and amino acids together in your skincare routine. Do amino acids help with skin elasticity? Yes, amino acids boost the production of your skin’s natural collagen and elastin, resulting in increased firmness and improved elasticity. Can I leave amino acids on my face overnight? Yes, you can leave amino acids on your face overnight to let them absorb and get time to work on your skin as you sleep.
Illustration: Benefits Of Amino Acids For Skin How To Use & Side Effects
Amino acids are essential for healthy skin. Learn how they can help improve your skin’s appearance and texture by watching the informative video below.
