Depology Peptide Complex 10% Serum Review

If you’re looking to add peptides to your anti-aging skincare routine, you might find yourself overwhelmed by all the different types of peptides that are available. Do they all do the same thing? Are some better than others? Do peptides actually work?

In this article, I’ll be explaining what peptides are, the different types of peptides, their benefits, and what to look for in a peptide serum.

I’ll also be sharing my favourite Peptide Complex Anti-Wrinkle Serum –  The Depology Peptide Complex 10% Serum formulated with Argireline^TM peptide.

This post is sponsored by the brand but all opinions are honest and are my own

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that have various functions within your skin, including facilitating the production of proteins like collagen.

In theory, applying peptides to your skin can promote the production of collagen and keep your skin looking youthful.

They’re also great for boosting skin hydration.

Types of Peptides

There are five different types of peptides, each of which has slightly different benefits for your skin:

• Signalling peptides – encourage the production of a particular protein (e.g. collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid).

• Carrier peptides – help transport important trace elements (e.g. copper) into your skin cells.

• Enzyme-inhibiting peptides – prevent the activity of particular enzymes (e.g. tyrosinase).

• Neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides – help reduce muscle movement for a ‘Botulinum-Toxin-like’ effect.

• Antimicrobial peptides – help prevent the growth of bacteria.

Benefits of Peptides

Different types of peptides have different benefits. When it comes to treating fine lines and wrinkles, signalling peptides and neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides are the best options.

For example, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3/5 mimics the effects of a naturally occurring protein in your skin that improves wound healing. It has also been shown to increase the production of collagen, as well as reduce the activity of the enzymes that break down existing collagen.

Signalling peptides can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production while neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides reduce muscle movement to prevent dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by facial movement).

The most well-researched and effective neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptide is Argirline^TM peptide.

What Is Argirline^TM Peptide?

Also known as acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl hexapeptide-3, Argirline^TM peptide is often touted as a non-invasive alternative to Botulinum Toxin or “Botulinum Toxin in a bottle”. It has a unique ability to minimize muscle movement and reduce dynamic wrinkles.

A clinical study found that a product containing 10% Argirline^TM improved wrinkles by nearly 50% (48.9%) when applied twice-a-day for 4 weeks. Other research has found that 10% Argirline^TM was able to reduce eye wrinkles by 30% within 30 days and inhibited neurotransmitter release with a similar potency to Botulinum Toxin but with an expected lower efficacy.

Argireline^TM is a great ingredient for anyone in their mid-twenties as this is when collagen starts to decrease and fine lines begin forming.

The Depology Argireline^TM Peptide Serum

As the name suggests, Depology’s Peptide Complex Anti-Wrinkle Serum contains 10% Argireline^TM Peptide (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8), as well as:

• Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Centella Asiatica
• Panthenol
• Vitamin E

Each ingredient offers its own benefits for your skin.

Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide

Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide is a combination of L-ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C) and pentapeptide.

Research suggests that ascorbic acid polypeptide is more stable and more effective than both ascorbic acid and pentapeptide at boosting collagen production and equally as effective as ascorbic acid at reducing pigmentation.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 is a signalling peptide that mimics the effects of a naturally occurring protein in your skin that improves wound healing. It has also been shown to increase the production of collagen, as well as reduce the activity of the enzymes that break down existing collagen.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient that acts as a humectant to increase the water content of your skin. It can instantly boost skin hydration and, when used over a longer period of time, can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Centella Asiatica

Centella asiatica is a South Asian plant extract that’s been used for centuries to improve wound healing. It helps reduce inflammation, increase skin hydration, boost collagen production, and contains key antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, & E) to help protect your skin.

Panthenol

Panthenol, or vitamin B5, is a moisturizing skincare ingredient that also reduces inflammation and improves wound healing. Research suggests that it can improve skin barrier function and reduce TEWL within two hours of application.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from free radical damage and is particularly effective when used alongside Vitamin C. It has hydrating and nourishing properties for to strengthen your skin barrier and increase skin hydration.

How To Use The Depology Argireline^TM Peptide Serum

The Depology Argireline^TM peptide Serum is suitable for all skin types, especially dry/dehydrated and aging skin. Apply a small amount to your whole face once or twice a day and allow the product to absorb fully before applying any other products.

For best results, use the serum twice a day for at least 4 weeks (this is the frequency and time frame used in the clinical studies).

The Depology Peptide Complex works particularly well when used alongside the Depology Matrixyl 3000® Collagen Boosting Serum which has been clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth and boost skin hydration within 28 days.

You can easily add Argireline^TM into your skincare routine alongside any existing active ingredients but it’s advised to use it at a separate time of the day from any acids, like glycolic acid, or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 

For example:

• Using vitamin C in the morning and Argireline^TM in the evening 
• Using Argireline^TM in the morning and glycolic acid in the evening

The Depology Peptide Complex vs. The Ordinary Argireline^TM Peptide Serum

When compared to other Argireline^TM Peptide serums, The Depology Peptide Complex Anti-Wrinkle Serum comes out on top as it offers a wider range of benefits for your skin.

Arguably one of the most popular and well-known Argireline^TM peptide serums is The Ordinary’s Agireline^TM Solution 10%, which also happens to be the first and only other, Agireline^TM peptide serum I’ve tried.

The popularity of The Ordinary’s Argireline^TM Serum is, in my opinion, mainly due to the price. 

One thing that I like about The Ordinary’s products overall is how affordable they are. The lower price makes it easier to test out new skincare ingredients to see if they work for your skin – without breaking the bank.

However, the downside of this is that the affordability encourages people to buy multiple products, begin using them all at once, and damage their skin barrier in the process.

The Ordinary’s products also have quite basic formulas which, again, means that you have to buy multiple serums to get the same benefits offered by a multi-ingredient product.

The Depology Argireline^TM Peptide Serum has a more advanced formula that offers additional benefits to your skin and contains many ingredients that are excellent skin hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and Centella Asiatica extract.

Although The Ordinary’s Argireline^TM Serum is around a third of the price of Depologys, you would need to purchase multiple products to achieve the same benefits offered by Depology’s Serum.

The Depology serum has also been clinically proven to boost skin hydration by 45% and reduce wrinkle depth by 7%.

First Impressions

Depologys serum is lightweight, non-greasy, and feels refreshing when applied to your skin due to its instant hydrating effects. It gives an initial ‘plumping’ effect that helps temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Of course, it takes a lot longer for your skin to produce new collagen so these initial results are mainly down to the fact it increases skin hydration. However, with continued use, these results can become more permanent.

I’m only 34 so I don’t have many fine lines or wrinkles (thanks in large part to sunscreen!), however, the expression lines on my forehead are noticeable when my skin is dehydrated or when I’ve just applied mascara (I can’t seem to apply mascara without making that awkward, open-mouthed surprised face).

I have definitely noticed that my forehead expression lines return to normal much quicker after applying mascara since using this serum.

Final Thoughts

Peptides are excellent additions to any anti-aging skincare routine. One particularly effective ingredient is ArgirelineTM which offers an affordable and less invasive alternative to Botulinum Toxin.

When it comes to ArgirelineTM serums, they don’t come much better than The Depology ArgirelineTM Peptide Serum. Its advanced formula offers wider benefits than its competitors and has been clinically proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles and increase overall skin hydration.