Facing the Peptide Revolution

plus, what makes me mad

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Last week a curious reader emailed me with a question about peptides. She’s been seeing peptides in skincare promoted everywhere. What’s the deal?

“I’d love to know why peptides are the latest must-have in skin cream,” she wrote.

Me too, Dear Reader, me too!

She also sent a link to a story recently published online in Vogue that likely generated her interest: “How the Best Peptides Skin Care Can Deliver Botox-Like Results.”

Even as I type that (oddly worded) headline, my blood boils. Buried under a pile of product recommendations beats the story’s sad, schizophrenic heart. “Though peptides are often touted as a ‘miracle’ ingredient by the hyperbolic… their benefits are more gradual than immediate.”

Then, in tiny print: “All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.”

Beauty journalism, where forthrightness goes to die.

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