amino acid

[vertm]

Dr Todorov,

Amino acids......peptides.... is confusing !!
can you explain the difference between for example : the amino acid in kelp & the amino acid in matryxil . are they the same amino acid ? For the little that I know one is made in a lab ...... synthetic...... & the other is ......?

[drtodorov]

Amino acid is a small molecule that may bind together with other aminoacids to form chains. Free aminoacids (i.e. not bound together) are only minimally useful in skin care. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, usually 3 to 20, some peptides stimulate skin matrix synthesis and possibly have other effects. Proteins are long chains of amino acids folded into a particular 3D structure. Some proteins, such as growth factors, may have skin effects, but if have difficulty penetrating the skin because of their size.