What Is Argireline And Why Is It Beneficial In Skin Care?

With so many different ingredients in use in skin care products, it can be really easy to lose track of each of them individually. 

However, here at MiamiMD, we believe that knowledge is power. Really learning about the ingredients that are in your skin care products can help you shop smart, and invest in products that you know have proven, scientific benefits. 

One of the ingredients most often talked about, especially when it comes to dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, is Argireline. How is it beneficial in a skin care routine, though, and does it really work?

What is Argireline in Chemical Terms?

Argireline is the brand name for a product known chemically as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8. It is a synthetic six amino acid peptide, meaning it was created in a lab to look and perform exactly like the peptides that naturally occur inside the body. 

Peptides, as a quick reminder, are made up of amino acids, often referred to as the “building blocks” of protein. That makes them the foundation for being able to form other, essential proteins in the body, like collagen and elastin, which are an incredibly important part of understanding any skin care routine that focuses on anti-aging. 

Argireline is a small fragment of a larger complex known as SNAP-25 (Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25kDa), which works on the nervous system. SNAP-25 is also part of botulinum toxin, more commonly referred to as Botox, which is part of why the two products work so similarly. 

However, although it does share some of the chemical components of botulinum toxin, it is important to note that Argireline is not a toxin, which is an important advantage that it has.

The ingredient is a larger, more complex molecule, which means it doesn’t absorb thoroughly into the skin. That allows it to act on the top layer more readily. As the signs of wrinkles and fine lines occur on the epidermis, or outside layer, this can be a huge benefit. 

What is Argireline Used For?

The number one benefit of Argireline is its ability to help reduce the appearance of both fine lines and wrinkles on the face. 

It is specifically good for helping to improve the appearance of areas on the face that are prone to developing what are known as “dynamic” folds, which are the folds that are directly related to repetitive muscle movements. These are most common around the eyes, mouth, and on the forehead area.

Argireline is also said to be able to optimize the function of collagen, which can not only help to smooth out the skin but also keep it moisturized. 

In general, Argireline is best when used for anti-aging concerns. It isn’t quite as beneficial for younger, healthier skin, but it is still safe to use. 

How Does Argireline Work?

Argireline works on the face by reducing the ability of certain neurotransmitters to be able to activate movement in the muscles on the face, both big and small. 

While we don’t often think about the fact that there is so much more going on under the surface of our skin to create the facial gestures that we take for granted, like smiling and frowning, the truth is that it actually involves a complex series of events that starts in the brain. 

With less active neurotransmitters triggering the nerves in the face, those small muscle movements are limited. This means that they contract less, causing less wrinkles by taking away some of the repetitive motions that cause them. 

In addition, Argireline is said to be able to help promote the production of collagen. Collagen, as we briefly touched on earlier, is perhaps the most important protein involved in anti-aging skin care products. 

When we have enough collagen, our skin appears firm, strong, and youthful in appearance. This continues through our early 20s. Unfortunately, after that, our collagen production naturally decreases at a rate of around 1% a year. Once the body reaches menopause, that rate can increase to around 30% total for the five year period surrounding that change. That’s why the face naturally appears thinner the more that we age.

Why is Argireline Beneficial in Skin Care?

Argireline is an incredible ingredient to use in any skin care product that focuses on anti-aging concerns. 

A good example of one of these products is our Age-Defying Lift & Firm Cream. With this cream, Argireline is combined with other ingredients known for their age defying benefits, like Progeline and Matrixyl 3000. 

The Argireline helps to prevent the muscle movement that leads to the formation of wrinkles, much like a gentle non-invasive botox equivalent that can be done at home, while the other two ingredients help to further boost lost collagen and stop the skin from aging further.

All it takes is just a quarter-sized amount of the cream rubbed gently into the face after cleansing, and serums if you’re using them. It can be used both morning and evening. If using before applying makeup, allow at least 15 minutes for full absorption before you start. 

Argireline is also great when combined with any other skin care ingredient, so you don’t have to worry about other ingredients neutralizing its positive benefits. For instance, it’s great when combined with MiamiMD’s Intensive Eye Repair Serum. 

While the Age-Defying Lift & Firm Cream is meant for use all over the face, using a targeted serum in addition can help multiply the benefits. As the eye area is one of the most common places people start to see the development of fine lines and wrinkles first (“crow’s feet” is a good example), paying specific attention to this area is a good idea. 

What Else Can I Do For Anti-Aging?

When it comes to ingredients that can help fight off the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face, Argireline is usually top of the list. However, that doesn’t mean that it is the only ingredient out there that works. 

MiamiMD Instant Wrinkle Eraser is another product in line that helps to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acting like an “invisibility cloak” for the skin. It is said to work within minutes of application, helping to smooth the skin while also targeting those “senior shadows” that make fine lines and wrinkles more obvious. Its main ingredients are Matrixyl Synthe-6 and Acetyl Hexapeptide 30. 

Both of these ingredients are peptide-based, just like Argireline, which gives them a boost when it comes to being able to positively impact the skin. They also give the skin added elasticity, while blocking the nerves that cause facial movements (similar to Argireline). In addition, much like the Intensive Eye Repair Serum, Instant Wrinkle Eraser can be used in tandem with an Argireline based product like Age-Defying Lift & Firm Cream. 

Also, in addition to choosing anti-aging skin care products that have proven ingredients, one of the best things that you can do for your skin is to make sure to wear sunscreen. This can’t be stressed enough. 

Many of the common complaints women have about their aging skin can actually be attributed not to the natural aging process but to the result of a lifetime of sun exposure. The more that the sun is able to impact your face, and the more that the UVA rays specifically are able to reach your skin without having to go through sunscreen, the quicker the collagen is broken down. This means your skin develops that aged, thinning, saggy look often much quicker than it naturally would have. 

Applying sunscreen over your moisturizer before you leave the house is a quick and easy way to fight off the impact the sun can have on your face and how quickly it ages.

Developing a quality skin care routine from start to finish is the best way to work to counteract the signs of aging skin. Always cleanse your skin thoroughly, use gentle pressure when drying (no rubbing, only patting), and cater your skin care products to be buildable and to target exactly the skin related concerns that you have. 

When you have a team of products working for you, instead of just one, you’ll notice more results in a smaller amount of time. You’ll also have the best opportunity to reveal exactly the skin you’re looking for.

In Conclusion…

Argireline is one of the most sought after ingredients in anti aging skin care products, and for good reason. Because its formulation works similarly to botox without the need for expensive doctor’s appointments or painful procedures, it can help you reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at far less of a cost. 

MiamiMD has formulated our products to use the best scientifically-proven ingredients possible, which is why Argireline makes an appearance in at least one of our age defying creams. Consider adding a product with Argireline into your skin care routine, and see its age defying benefits for yourself.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/snap25

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-18454-z

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23417317/