What do glycoproteins do for your skin?
Glycoproteins mean “sugar” in science, and proteins swim in and around membrane cells. So the simplest explanation for glycoproteins is that they are basically proteins with sugars attached to them. It sounds simple, but there’s a lot more to these clever particles and their benefits for your skin. Let’s find out together what exactly glycoproteins are and what you can expect from them in your skin care routine.
What do glycoproteins do for your skin?
Since glycoproteins are considered a type of peptide, they are naturally found on the outer surface of your skin and within the body. Combined with ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, they can keep your skin looking its healthiest and give it a smooth, radiant appearance. Over time, you can also expect glycoproteins to build natural elasticity to your skin’s surface and barrier, allowing it to better prevent further skin damage and repair damage that has already occurred.
What are glycoproteins derived from?
Derived from algae, glycoproteins are a potent combination of intracellular proteins, peptides, and amino acids that are praised for their rejuvenating, rejuvenating, and oxygenating properties. They can strengthen your skin’s natural protective barrier, which protects it from environmental influences and skin damage caused by other free radicals. Extensive research has shown that glycoproteins increase oxygen levels, helping the skin bring the healthiest layer of cells to the surface of the skin. Another benefit to the skin is that glycoproteins support hydration, which can moisturize the skin by binding water to the outer surface, making the skin look rejuvenated, youthful, and healthy.
What are some examples of glycoproteins?
Now this part can get a little complicated. Glycoproteins are formed when proteins are bound to carbohydrates in a process called glycosylation. You’ll also notice that the structure of glycoproteins has carbohydrate chains attached to a polypeptide, which gives glycoproteins a lower proportion of non-protein content than other similar protein structures. This means there are a ton of examples of proteins that evolved to become glycoproteins. Here are the most common examples found in nature:
Collagen
Transferrin
Antibodies
Hormones
Mucins
Ceruloplasmin
And many more, all of which form the same structure and produce the same results on the surface of the skin and throughout the body.
Where are glycoproteins made?
Glycoproteins are proteins that contain sugar residues that often significantly change the chemical composition of the protein they are bound to. When two particles act on the surface of the skin, they need each other to function properly. These cells also play an important role in the overall health of the skin by establishing cell-to-cell interactions and protecting the skin from infections caused by bacteria and viruses.
What are the three types of glycoproteins?
Based on their structure and synthesis, glycoproteins are classified into three types: N-linked glycoproteins, O-linked glycoproteins, and non-enzymatically glycosylated glycoproteins.
N-linked glycoproteins
These cells are synthesized and modified within the two membrane boundaries of the cell. One part is the rough endoplasm and the other part is called the Golgi apparatus. This is the compound that forms the glycoproteins and is found in the surface layer of the skin, along with other amino acids to form structures called polypeptides. There are more than twenty amino acids that can be synthesized into N-linked glycoproteins. Another unique feature of this protein family is that it contains carbohydrates, which provides additional overall benefits to the performance and overall appearance, feel, and health of the skin.
O-linked glycoproteins
O-linked glycoproteins are usually synthesized by adding sugar residues to polypeptides in the Golgi apparatus, but unlike N-linked glycoproteins, O-linked glycoproteins are synthesized by adding single sugar residues at a time. Once attached, they become part of the extracellular matrix, which is part of the skin and its structure.
Non-enzymatic glycosylation
Non-enzymatic is the way glycoproteins are created by chemically adding sugars to polypeptides. The main factors that control glycosylation are time and sugar concentration. You will also find that non-enzymatic glycosylation may occur more frequently in individuals with higher blood sugar levels. Therefore, this is relevant to the monitoring and long-term maintenance of blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Below is an overview of the three categories of glycoproteins and how they work. You will find that there are a range of different products that contain each category. Protein structures that are beneficial for your skin and body.
What are Glacier Glycoproteins?
Glacier glycoproteins are proteins extracted from marine glaciers that protect and deeply moisturize the skin by locking in moisture and preventing water loss from the skin. Compared to other forms of glycoproteins, they work well with other skin ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, and niacinamide, all of which work well with Glacier Glycoproteins to keep your skin at its healthiest, with a fully functioning protective barrier and the correct amount of water and oil.
Glycosylation vs. Glycosylation
Glycoproteins acquire sugars through an enzymatic process, which helps the molecules they are attached to function properly. Another known process is called glycation, which is not an enzymatic process, but involves the covalent attachment of sugars to proteins and lipids. Glycation also occurs naturally during the aging process and is sometimes accelerated in diabetics who have higher blood sugar levels.
So here you have more information about glycoproteins, which generally provide many benefits to the skin by supporting its structure and protecting it from infection and other damage. By treating different areas of the skin and depending on the moisture content, the skin can function to its fullest and remain healthy, hydrated and comfortable.
If you want to learn more, check out our Instagram where you can find daily posts, product launches and enter competitions!
