{"id":2723,"date":"2021-12-21T13:03:26","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T21:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/?p=2723"},"modified":"2025-06-24T12:36:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T19:36:22","slug":"neuropeptides-are-showing-up-in-skincare-everywhere-why-and-what-exactly-are-they-plus-2-top-docs-weigh-in-on-their-supposed-botox-like-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/neuropeptides-are-showing-up-in-skincare-everywhere-why-and-what-exactly-are-they-plus-2-top-docs-weigh-in-on-their-supposed-botox-like-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Neuropeptides are showing up in skincare everywhere\u2014why and what exactly are they? Plus, 2 top docs weigh in on their supposed ‘Botox-like’ results"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Clinically reviewed by:<\/strong> Lori Cahitas, licensed <\/a>esthetician<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When 2020 forced a break from dermatologists (it\u2019s not you, it\u2019s the pandemic<\/em>), many devotees of Botox\u2014the popular-as-ever injectable neurotoxin\u2014turned to neuropeptides<\/a> as a pseudo-replacement. We asked Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, double board-certified plastic surgeon with Zuri Plastic Surgery<\/a> and Dr. Jenelle Kim, doctor of Chinese medicine, founder and master herbologist at JBK Wellness Labs<\/a> to help us face the facts: What are neuropeptides? And can they really be better than Botox? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give it to us simply: What are neuropeptides?  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neuropeptides are bioactive peptides<\/a> that play a role in synaptic signaling. Kim tells us, “Neuropeptides are chains of amino acids that act as chemical messengers in our bodies and perform many functions.\u201d Since we\u2019re getting scientific, neuro <\/em>means medicine that deals with the nervous system. And here\u2019s why you need to care about amino acids: They\u2019re the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin. A high supply of collagen and elastin provides that face-firming<\/a> look and feel that can diminish over time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why neuropeptides are having a major moment in skincare? <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen applied through topical skincare, neuropeptides<\/a> can help stimulate greater collagen production, inhibit the release of neurotransmitters to help prevent wrinkles, reduce inflammation, make skin more resistant to UV rays and promote hyaluronic acid production,\u201d Kim says. She also notes that neuropeptides can work preventatively to reduce signs of aging and increase skin repair for \u201chealthier, stronger and more youthful-looking skin.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do neurotoxins compare to neuropeptides? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kim says, \u201cBoth neuropeptides and neurotoxins function as chemical messengers in the body.\u201d Zuriarrain adds that some studies have shown \u201cneuropeptides<\/a> can exert a Botox-like effect by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters that cause muscle contraction.\u201d But the all-mighty injectable still yields better results, and here\u2019s why: \u201cNeuropeptide serums<\/a> and moisturizers<\/a> are applied topically and only affect the protective layers of skin, whereas neurotoxins like Botox, Xeomin and Dysport interfere with muscle function because they\u2019re injected into the skin,\u201d Kim says. These types of injectable procedures are the most effective at preventing fine lines around the mouth and inhibiting movements that can cause wrinkles on the forehead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So bottom line: What are the benefits of neuropeptides in skincare products? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany patients are combining the use of injectable neurotoxins along with neuropeptides to improve facial aesthetics long term,\u201d Zuriarrain says. Kim takes it one step further, adding that anyone who wants to prevent signs of aging \u201ccan benefit from a neuropeptide-based skincare product<\/a>.\u201d If you want products that are closest to mimicking the Botox-in-a-jar effect, Kim and Zuriarrain suggest looking for creams<\/a>, wrinkle correctors<\/a> and serums<\/a> that contain neuropeptides. And when in doubt, Kim adds, \u201cYou can always talk to your dermatologist about any new product you want to add to your routine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Murad, and are for informational purposes only, even if the advice of physicians and medical practitioners are included. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered specific medical advice.<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Clinically reviewed by: Lori Cahitas, licensed esthetician When 2020 forced a break from dermatologists (it\u2019s not you, it\u2019s the pandemic), many devotees of Botox\u2014the popular-as-ever injectable neurotoxin\u2014turned to neuropeptides as a pseudo-replacement. We asked Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, double board-certified plastic surgeon with Zuri Plastic Surgery and Dr. Jenelle Kim, doctor of Chinese medicine, founder and master herbologist at JBK Wellness […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":2779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-skin"],"metadata":{"_edit_lock":["1750793784:21"],"_edit_last":["21"],"adobe_analytics_repeatable":["a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:\"name\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"value\";s:0:\"\";}}"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["3"],"show_featured_image":["1"],"_show_featured_image":["field_609ee1cf1ce13"],"primary_category":["5"],"_primary_category":["field_608c33bdd26d5"],"mobile_image":[""],"_mobile_image":["field_60bf7692abe28"],"_post_views_count":["field_6107dfafd6a27"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["5"],"post_views_count":["12972"],"_thumbnail_id":["2779"],"sidebar_products_use_global_default":["0"],"_sidebar_products_use_global_default":["field_63a349a11086a"],"sidebar_products_title":["Related Products"],"_sidebar_products_title":["field_6408d62123449"],"sidebar_products_items":[""],"_sidebar_products_items":["field_63a349a110878"],"sidebar_products":[""],"_sidebar_products":["field_63a349a0dadad"],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["Neuropeptides in skincare explained | Murad Skincare"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["What are neuropeptides in skincare? Top doctors explain these anti-aging ingredients and their botox-like results. Get expert skincare insights!"]},"aioseo_notices":[],"acf":{"show_featured_image":true,"primary_category":{"term_id":5,"name":"Skin","slug":"skin","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":238,"filter":"raw"},"mobile_image":false,"post_views_count":"12972","sidebar_products":{"use_global_default":false,"title":"Related Products","items":""}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2723"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13499,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2723\/revisions\/13499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/2779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}