Carrier Oils & Essential Oils For Natural Peptide & Collagen Support

Peptides receive a lot of attention in the marketing of skincare products. This is particularly true of marketing campaigns promoting anti-ageing elixirs, serums and face oils.

But, whilst many of us are aware of the term peptides, most of us have no idea what they are, and why they help in supporting healthy skin function. Plus, we are often equally unaware of why peptides may help to reverse the ravages of time, or help to prevent further skin ageing.

And perhaps, more importantly, many of us don’t know whether peptides are natural or synthetic, and whether this actually matters…? (It does!)

This article will explain what peptides are, and which carrier oils contain the highest levels of natural peptides.

It will also outline which carrier oils contain the key components needed for our skin to produce peptides as part of our body’s natural restructuring and maintenance processes.

It will also explain why so many products contain synthetic peptides, and why it’s best to avoid them.

Lastly, it will also outline why essential oils provide many precursors to peptide and collagen production, and why so many essential oils have been shown to be anti-ageing.

Do Wild As The Wind Facial Oils Contain Peptides?

Yes, Wild As The Wind Facial Oils contain naturally occurring peptides and the constituents needed to promote peptide and collagen production.

Wild As The Wind Facial Oils are effectively formulated to promote:

• Optimal skin health
• Optimal skin integrity
• Optimal hydration / moisturisation
• Optimal skin barrier function
• Reduction in inflammation and infection
• Improve skin tone

This is why Wild As The Wind Facial Oils can be used instead of moisturising creams.

Facial Oil No. 2 contains higher levels of peptides than Facial Oil No. 8. However, Facial Oil No. 8 has higher levels of ceramides than Facial Oil No. 2.

In fact, Facial Oil No. 8 has outstanding levels of natural ceramides, which help to protect against moisture loss by maintaining skin barrier function. Ceramides are also thought to play a role in wound healing and skin repair.

An article on ceramides is in the pipeline, so please join the mailing list to receive a notification of when it’s available. If you have disabled the pop-up mailing list subscription box, you will find another version of it on the Health News Overview page.

What Are Peptides?

Simply put, peptides are short chains of amino acids, linked by peptide bonds. These bonds are known as peptide amide bonds that facilitate the linking of two amino acids together to help form a peptide or protein.

Are Peptides Proteins?

Although peptides and proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, joined by peptide bonds, they are distinctly different in size and function.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, typically ranging between two and fifty amino acids, whereas proteins are long chains of amino acids, which often exceed 100+ chain of amino acids.

Proteins are made of multiple shorter chains. Effectively, peptides are protein fragments, or the building blocks of proteins. All proteins are made up of polypeptide chains, but peptides, on their own, serve other functions within the body.

In basic terms, the biological activity of peptides includes signalling / messaging, repair, and delivering antioxidant effects.

Because peptides have simpler structures, and primarily function as signalling molecules or hormones, they act as chemical messengers in the body, regulating various processes like immune response, metabolism, and cell-to-cell communication.

However, the longer chains within proteins allow them to fold into complex three-dimensional structures. This permits proteins to perform more diverse functions, such as acting as enzymes or structural components.

Peptide Components

Each peptide is made from varying combinations of amino acids.

There are 20 standard amino acids:

• Glycine (Gly)
• Alanine (Ala)
• Valine (Val)
• Leucine (Leu)
• Isoleucine (Ile)
• Serine (Ser)
• Threonine (Thr)
• Aspartic acid (Asp)
• Glutamic acid (Glu)
• Lysine (Lys)
• Arginine (Arg)
• Histidine (His)
• Phenylalanine (Phe)
• Tyrosine (Tyr)
• Methionine (Met)
• Cysteine (Cys)
• Tryptophan (Trp)
• Proline (Pro)
• Asparagine (Asn)
• Glutamine (Gln)

Benefits Of Peptides

Improved Firmness & Elasticity:
Peptides boost collagen and elastin, which are the vital proteins for skin structure and integrity. The daily application of peptide rich oils has been shown to lead to a firmer, more supple complexion.

Preserve Structural Integrity:
Enzyme inhibitor peptides work by blocking enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, thereby helping to preserve the skin’s structural integrity.

Reduced Wrinkles:
By increasing collagen production, peptides can help plump the skin, making fine lines and wrinkles appear less prominent.

Enhanced Skin Barrier Function:
Some peptides help by strengthening skin barrier function, making it more resilient to environmental damage and irritants. Peptide signalling motivates skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin. These proteins are vital for maintaining the skin’s structure, firmness, and elasticity.

Increased Hydration:
Peptides support the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture, preventing dryness, maintaining a soft, supple complexion, and leading to improved hydration.

More Even Skin Tone:
Certain peptides can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, contributing to a more uniform complexion.

Calmer Skin:
Some peptides possess anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm irritated skin, reduce redness and diminish sensitivity.

Enhanced Healing:
Peptides promote skin repair and regeneration, helping to heal minor wounds and accelerate recovery from skin damage.

Controls Breakouts:
Certain peptides have antimicrobial properties that can help prevent acne-causing bacteria, leading to a clearer complexion.

Botox-like Effects:
Specific “neurotransmitter peptides” can temporarily inhibit nerve signals to facial muscles, softening expression lines in a similar way to Botox.

Provides Direct Defence:
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring small peptides that are the skin’s first line of defence, killing bacteria, fungi, and viruses that can compromise the skin barrier.

Why Do Carrier Oils Contain Peptides?

The peptides, which naturally occur in our bodies, are derived from the proteinous foods we eat, and sometimes through supplementation.

Peptides are found in the highest concentrations in the following foods:

• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Beans

Carrier oils are extracted from nuts, seeds and fruits, and whilst some of the peptides are lost during the extraction process, some make it through to the extracted oil.

However, the more processed an oil is, the more it will lose peptide content.

Wild As The Wind carrier oils are minimally processed for optimal nutrient benefit. Please vist the Ultimate List Of Carrier Oils to find out the individual processes involved in the production of each carrier oil.

Sadly, many commercially available carrier oils are heavily processed and refined to remove ‘odour’ and influence texture. Also, whilst less expensive, these heavily refined oils are almost always extracted using methods that heat the oils to temperatures that destroy many of the beneficial constituents.

These oils will still be defined as “cold pressed”, even though they are anything but. Extracting at speed significantly reduces costs, but obviously creates a lot more friction, and therefore, heat.

So, if the price of a carrier oil is lower than those available from Wild As The Wind, then it was very likely extracted with heat, and won’t be bottled in glass.

Why Are Peptides Lost In The Carrier Oil Extraction Processes?

Some of the proteins and peptides remain in the defatted seed and nut meal, because they are water-soluble. Nevertheless, shorter protein fragments and peptides still migrate into genuinely cold-pressed, minimally refined oils.

Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil has been shown to retain the most peptides than all other carrier oils. However, there are other carrier oils, available form Wild As The Wind, that possess a good peptide content. (Please see below for a selection of these.)

Organic Sunflower Oil, found in Organic St John’s Wort Oil and Organic Arnica Oil, has a practically equivalent peptide content to Pumpkin Seed Oil.

Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil has been shown to be the best carrier oil for female pattern hair loss owing to the fact that it restores hair follicle function. Perhaps this is due to containing high levels of peptides?

Top 10 Carrier Oils For Natural Peptide & Collagen Support

All of the following organic carrier oils are available from Wild As The Wind with the exception of: Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Rice Bran Oil, and Organic Camellia (Tea Seed) Oil, which appear in positions 7, 8, and 10, respectively.

For all other carrier oils listed, i.e. the ones that are available from Wild As The Wind, please follow the links provided to access the relevant, individual product pages, or visit Ultimate Guide To Carrier Oils for further information. The Ultimate Guide To Carrier Oils permits you to compare carrier oils more easily. (Use the Find page to discover the necessary shortcuts to finding the information you are looking for more easily and quickly.)

1. Organic Rosehip Seed Oil

Key Active Compounds: Retinoic acid (vitamin A), linoleic acid, tocopherols, vitamin C

Key actions: Stimulates fibroblast activity (cell renewal) and collagen formation. Antioxidants protect existing peptides from oxidation. Provides co-factors (vitamin C) for peptide bonds. Stimulates collagen gene expression.

Suitable for: All skin types, but especially helpful for those with damaged, mature and problem skin.

Wild As The Wind also carry a Wildcrafted Organic Rosehip Seed Oil.

2. Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil

Key Active Compounds: Punicic acid, ellagic acid, flavonoids

Key actions: Enhances keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation (cell renewal); boosts cell signalling for peptide synthesis.

Suitable for: Normal to dry / ageing skin.

3. Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil

Key Active Compounds: Palmitoleic acid (omega-7), carotenoids, vitamin C

Key actions: Promotes regeneration, increases collagen deposition, and provides co-factors (vitamin C) for peptide bonds. Stimulates collagen gene expression.

Suitable for: Dry, mature, or sun-damaged skin

4. Organic Avocado Oil

Key Active Compounds: Oleic acid, lecithin, vitamin E, sterols

Key actions: Deeply nourishes fibroblasts and provides essential fatty acids that maintain cellular health for peptide synthesis. Maintains moisture & enzymatic activity for peptide synthesis.

Suitable for: All skin types, especially dry skin.

5. Organic Argan Oil

Key Active Compounds: Tocopherols, ferulic acid, squalene

Key actions: Antioxidant shield reduces oxidative breakdown of collagen peptides; supports fibroblast vitality.

Suitable for: All skin types

6. Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Key Active Compounds: Amino acids (esp. Arginine, Proline), vitamin E, linoleic acid

Key actions: Provides free amino acids that act as raw materials for peptide formation. High in vitamin E, essential fatty acids and amino acids which help stimulate collagen production and promote elasticity.

Suitable for: Dry, dull & mature skin

7. Organic Hemp Seed Oil

Key Active Compounds: Arginine, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), omega-3 & omega-6

Key actions: Supplies amino acid arginine, a direct building block for collagen peptides; balances inflammation.

Suitable for: Combination, sensitive, or acne-prone skin

8. Organic Rice Bran Oil

Key Active Compounds: Gamma-oryzanol, ferulic acid, amino acids

Key actions: Supplies antioxidants and small peptides from rice proteins; may mildly stimulate collagen expression.

Suitable for: Normal or combination skin

9. Organic Jojoba Oil

Key Active Compounds: Wax esters, vitamin E, iodine

Key actions: Mimics skin’s natural sebum, protects structural proteins and peptides from oxidative stress. Maintains moisture & enzymatic activity for peptide synthesis.

Suitable for: Oily, combination, or sensitive skin

10. Organic Camellia (Tea Seed) Oil

Key Active Compounds: Oleic acid, squalene, catechins

Key actions: Improves skin barrier and antioxidant defence, indirectly aiding peptide maintenance.

Suitable for: All skin types, especially mature skin

Facial Oil No. 2

Wild As The Wind Facial Oil No. 2 contains five of the carrier oils listed in the Top 10 Carrier Oils For Natural Peptide & Collagen Support. These include:

Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Organic Pomegranate Oil, which occupy the top three positions in the list.

Organic Argan Oil, which is in position 5 and Organic Jojoba Oil, in position 9.

However, Organic Jojoba Oil contains more ceramides than any other carrier oil, with percentages in the 90% range, from harvest to harvest.

Ceramides are vital lipids that naturally strengthen the skin barrier function, helping to retain moisture, and protect the skin from environmental stressors, including pollutants and allergens.

The ceramides in Organic Jojoba Oil are structurally similar to the natural sebum produced by human skin, making them easily absorbed and highly beneficial for all skin types.

Organic Rosehip Seed Oil does not directly contain ceramides. Nevertheless, it is rich in linoleic acid and other fatty acids, which are crucial components needed by our skin to naturally produce its own ceramides to maintain a healthy barrier. Therefore, while not a source of ceramides themselves, Organic Rosehip Oil supports the skin’s ability to produce and strengthen them.

Likewise, Pomegranate Seed Oil does not provide ceramides, but it contains compounds like punicic acid and other fatty acids that support the skin’s own ceramide synthesis, thereby boosting the moisture-retaining properties of our skin.

Again, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil does not directly contain ceramides, but it is rich in the essential fatty acids, like linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), which are necessary precursors for the production of ceramides. These fatty acids strengthen the skin barrier function, locking in moisture by supporting the formation of ceramides within the skin.

Synthetic Peptides

Synthetic peptides are made in a laboratory and are designed to mimic the functions of natural peptides for specific applications, such as high-end skincare, etc.

While synthetic peptides are touted as being identical to naturally occurring peptides, this is unlikely to be true. The chemical structures may look the same, but the energetic imprint of synthetic peptides will likely be entirely different to natural peptides.

As everything we put on, and in, our bodies delivers information, and because we are energetic beings, any disparity in the signalling of synthetic peptides will be confusing for our bodies.

This may have unwanted outcomes…

A devastating example of this is the way in which synthetic hormones, known as xenoestrogens, behave completely differently to their natural counterparts.

Xenoestrogens mimic natural oestrogens in appearance, but behaviourally they harm rather than help regulate the body.

After a natural oestrogen hormone docks within an oestrogen receptor site, it delivers its message, and then falls off, ultimately making its way to the liver, to be processed out of the body.

By contrast, after a xenoestrogen docks within an oestrogen receptor site, it fails to deliver any message, and refuses to let go. This means that, over time, an increasing number of oestrogen receptor sites become jammed and are no longer available to our natural oestrogens, leading to hormonal dysregulation of the body, and all of the emotional and physical problems this causes, such as anxiety and depression, premature ageing, and weight loss resistance, etc.

As these fake chemicals accumulate in the body, we must also concern ourselves with the consequences of the potential toxic burden they pose.

As xenoestrogens are largely derived from synthetic chemicals that leech into food, when stored in plastic, or via the fire retardants on all of our soft furnishings, including sofas, beds, cushions and pillows, as well as the coating on till receipts and the chlorine in our water, we are liberally exposed to xenoestrogens on a daily basis.

Phenols are known to disrupt xenoestrogens, forcing them to release their grip on hormone receptor sites, after which we can detoxify them from our bodies.

Harmony Essential Oil Blend helps support hormonal health as it contains Organic Thyme Essential Oil, which is high in phenolic acid.

Other essential oils containing phenols include:

• Organic Clove Essential Oil
• Organic Cinnamon Essential Oil
• Organic Oregano Essential Oil

All of these essential oils, including Organic Thyme Essential Oil are in Five Allies 2020 Essential Oil Blend, which must be diluted in a suitable carrier oil, prior to topical application, or used as a bath oil, etc. It is a potent antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral blend that must only be used intermittently.

Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil has good levels of polyphenols, but it is viscous, and not an ideal option, when used as a single carrier oil. Instead, it is better to rely on the phenolic content of the essential oils and select a carrier oil that absorbs easily into the skin without leaving any residue.

• Organic Avocado Oil
• Organic Blackcurrant Oil
• Organic Broccoli Oil
• Organic Borage Oil
• Organic Evening Primrose Oil
• Organic Grapeseed Oil
• Organic Hazelnut Oil
• Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil
• Organic Raspberry Seed Oil
• Organic Safflower Oil

As the cooler weather is with us again, maybe one of the more protective carrier oils would be an ideal choice?

These include:

Moringa Oil (Unrefined)
Organic Tamanu Oil

Essential Oils For Natural Peptide & Collagen Support

Whilst essential oils don’t contain peptides, there are a good number of essential oils that support similar outcomes of peptide use:

These include:

• Collagen stimulation
• Wound healing
• Anti-inflammatory activity, (through biochemical signalling, not peptide delivery).

Top 10 Essential Oils That Stimulate Skin Peptide & Collagen Production

Please note, all of the essential oils listed are available as organic essential oils within the Wild As The Wind Shop.

In addition, the organic versions of many of the essential oils listed can be found in Facial Oil No. 2 and Facial Oil No. 8.

1. Frankincense Carteri Essential Oil

Key action: Stimulates fibroblast activity → collagen renewal
Key constituents: Boswellic acids & terpenes

2. Rose (Rosa damascena) Essential Oil

Key action: Promotes skin regeneration
Key constituents: Citronellol, geraniol, nerol

3. Helichrysum (Immortelle) Essential Oil

Key action: Aids wound healing and peptide-related pathways (TGF-β activation)
Key constituents: Neryl acetate, italidione

4. Lavender Essential Oil

Key action: Anti-inflammatory, reduces oxidative stress
Key constituents: Linalool, linalyl acetate

5. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) Essential Oil

Key action: Regulates sebum and promotes fibroblast oxygenation, supporting tissue peptide metabolism.
Key constituents: Geraniol, citronello

6. Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) Essential Oil

Key action: Contains carotenoids and antioxidants that promote new cell growth and collagen stabilization.
Key constituents: Carotol, daucol

7. Neroli Essential Oil

Key action: Stimulates cell turnover and supports skin elasticity through antioxidant protection.
Key constituents: Nerol, linalool, limonene

8. Sandalwood (Santalum album) Essential Oil

Key action: Calms inflammation, enhances dermal repair and hydration, protecting structural peptides.
Key constituents: α-santalol, β-santalol

9. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) Essential Oil

Key action: Promotes fibroblast migration and wound repair; reduces inflammation that blocks collagen/peptide synthesis.
Key constituents: Furanosesquiterpenes, curzerene

10. Rosemary Essential Oil

Key action: Increases cellular metabolism and microcirculation; improves nutrient delivery to fibroblasts.
Key constituents: Camphor, 1,8-cineole

Bonus Essential Oil:

11. Bergamot Essential Oil

Key action: Contains antioxidants and compounds that can stimulate skin cell renewal, protect against free radical damage, and potentially support collagen production.
Key constituents: linalool, antioxidants, including vitamin C

Key Scientific References & Findings

Pomegranate as a cosmeceutical source: Pomegranate fractions promote proliferation and procollagen synthesis and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human skin cells”

(Aslam, et al., 2005)

Findings: Found: pomegranate seed oil stimulated keratinocyte proliferation in monolayer; pomegranate peel extracts stimulated type I procollagen synthesis and inhibited MMP-1 in dermal fibroblasts (thus helping collagen preservation)

Source: PubMed + 2 Europe PMC + 2

The Effectiveness of a Topical Rosehip Oil Treatment on Facial Skin Characteristics … (Pilot Study, MDPI)

Found that rosehip oil treatment was associated with enhanced collagen synthesis, reduced wrinkles, improved skin texture; the oil’s components (PUFAs, provitamin A, antioxidants) help drive fibroblast activity and collagen / peptide health.

Source: MDPI

Phytotherapeutic evaluation of rosehip seed and olive oils on wound healing: evidence…

Findings: Rosehip seed oil showed significantly improved wound healing; higher rate of scratch assay closure in fibroblasts; suggests enhanced regenerative / peptide / collagen activity.

Source: PubMed

Anti-Aging Effect and Mechanism of Proanthocyanidins Extracted from Sea Buckthorn on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Aging Human Skin Fibroblasts

Found that sea buckthorn proanthocyanidins promote collagen I synthesis via TGF-β₁/Smads pathway, reduce collagen degradation, protect against oxidative stress. This supports collagen / peptide maintenance.

Source: PubMed

The Effect of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Seed Oil on UV-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Human Skin Cells

Found that sea buckthorn seed oil partially prevented UV-induced ROS [reactive oxygen species], improved antioxidant defences, reducing damage to lipids and proteins; healthier cells can better maintain collagen / peptides.

Source: PubMed