If you think you can’t get a post-facial-like glow in the comfort of your own home, think again. Peptides are some of the most innovative ingredients out there for improving the elasticity, firmness, and smoothness of your complexion. They’re also usually paired with other nourishing ingredients to further bolster and maintain collagen and elastin production.
Peptides don’t get talked about nearly enough as some other ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol, but their benefits are bountiful and play a key role in improving the elasticity and plumpness of your skin. As we previously reported, peptides essentially act as tiny messengers that send messages directly to our skin cells to promote better communication. (If only they could perform the same task to better our relationships — we kid.)
At their core, peptides are “chains of different types of amino acids, like glycine, arginine, histidine, etc.,” David Kim, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City explains to Allure. “Peptides in skin-care products are designed to boost and replenish amino acids, which are the building blocks for collagen production.” Since amino acids are the smallest unit of a protein, peptides are able to mimic another type of protein, collagen. And compared to topical collagen, peptides also have a much smaller particle size and can actually be absorbed into your skin.
“By boosting collagen production, [peptides] can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make the skin firmer,” Dr. Kim says, adding that everyone can incorporate and benefit from using the powerhouse ingredient in their routines. To that end, he says that you shouldn’t experience any side effects while using peptides. “If someone has a [negative] reaction, it’s most likely from the preservatives, other chemicals, or essential oils in the formula, not the peptides,” Dr. Kim explains.
Mature skin can definitely benefit from peptides since, unfortunately, our bodies start to produce less and less collagen as we age. And, not to mention, the quality of said collagen also decreases over time, board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, M.D., who is based in Birmingham, Alabama, explained to us. As a result, wrinkles start to form and skin begins to sag.
Common categories of peptides consist of signal, carrier, enzyme-inhibitor, and neurotransmitter-inhibitor depending on how they work. For example, copper peptides activate wound healing, which, in turn, stimulates collagen production. But that’s a bit hard to remember, especially considering that labs and brands can and do trademark their own peptide complexes.
As a consumer, you’ll often find “peptide” placed front and center on the actual product packaging, you can also look out for ingredients like dipeptide, tripeptide, and hexapeptide. It’s not uncommon to see multiple peptides strung together to maximum their collagen-boosting benefits, like Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster and The Ordinary “Buffet.”
To help you sort out the vast market, we asked dermatologists and our very own Allure editors to recommend their favorite peptide skin-care products, so you can be well on your way to achieving smoother, firmer skin.
Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer
If you’re dealing with dry skin and in need of a reboot, the Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer may be for you. Inside this jar is 12 different types of peptides that work together to lift, firm, and smooth skin. You’ll also find tremella mushroom extract in it to bind moisture and keep the skin barrier intact.
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum
The Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum features a high concentration of vitamin C so your skin will be shining bright like a diamond. Plus, there are also tripeptides in the mix, to help strengthen the skin.
Kopari Tri-Peptide Lip Cloud
Kopari’s Tri-Peptide Lip Cloud is a plumping lip oil but not the type that burns or tingles lips. Its formula holds three types of peptides to boost collagen and hydrating hyaluronic acid to give that plump effect. Not to mention, it has a subtle vanilla flavor, making it a delight to apply.
Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Hydrating + Firming Oasis Serum
The star ingredients of this one are hyaluronic acid to revitalize thirsty skin and a triple bio-peptide blend to support collagen. Basically, the Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Hydrating + Firming Oasis Serum will give you plump and strong skin.
The Inkey List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum
Check out The Inkey List’s Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum if firmer skin is your end goal. This tiny yet mighty bottle is packed with syn-tacks, a trademarked ingredient that the brand claims will boost collagen and elasticity. Plus, it’s only $12, so you really can’t go wrong.
Tata Harper Crème Riche Velvet Moisturizing Cream
The Tata Harper Crème Riche Velvet Moisturizing Cream is a rich moisturizer that delivers concentrated hydration and smooths uneven skin. With just a pea-sized amount your skin will be taking in the red maple bark to diminish fine lines, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and a sugar carbohydrate complex that promotes the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum
Let us let you in on the reasons why Drunk Elephant’s Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum won a 2021 Best of Beauty Award. Its potent, 10 percent concentration of lactic acid (a form of alpha hydroxy acid or AHA) effectively dissolves the bonds holding together dead, dull surface cells — leaving behind a more radiant complexion.
It gets even better, though. The milky serum has a Signal Peptide Complex that is made up of — as you might imagine — 11 signal peptides and plant-derived growth factors to trigger and stimulate elastin and collagen production, leading to plump and bouncy skin.
Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster
Dr. Kim is a fan of Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster because the dropper-accompanied formula is packed with eight types of restoring peptides (including Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1), all of which he says “can improve skin firmness and soften wrinkles.” You’ll also find a potent cocktail of hydration-inducing ingredients, like glycerin, glutamic acid, and amino acids, present in this silky, lightweight gel. Feel free to apply this serum on its own or use it to literally boost another serum or moisturizer of your choice.
SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex
Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of Mohs Surgery at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island says that one of her favorite peptide serums has to be SkinMedica’s TNS Recovery Complex. While it’s a splurge at $220, she explains that this red-tinted treatment is formulated with “a patented growth factor blend, peptides, and antioxidants that work to rejuvenate skin, enhance skin texture and tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” By targeting blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and encouraging cell growth, this potent serum leaves behind a very noticeable glow — as if you’re the human iteration of the sparkle emoji.
Mele Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
As a skin-care brand designed to address the needs of melanin-rich skin (at relatively affordable prices points, might we add), Melē’s well on its way to becoming the brand to watch. The pearlescent Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum pairs a 2.5 percent tripeptide blend with ingredients soothing ingredients like niacinamide and rosehip extract to brighten and firm uneven, rough skin. Like its name suggests, it keeps oil levels in check, prevents excess shine, and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores. It even serves as the perfect mattifying primer for makeup.
NeoStrata Cellular Restoration
If you’re on the hunt for a rich face cream to nourish your dry skin, NeoStrata’s Cellular Restoration won’t disappoint. A dynamic blend of exfoliating glycolic acid and hydrating gluconolactone, alongside a series of peptides, replenishes moisture levels, encourages collagen production, and plumps skin. To all of the fine lines that have crossed the line, your time is up for now.
Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Eye Cream
Peter Thomas Roth’s Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Eye Cream packs a serious punch with a potent blend of 21 peptides and neuropeptides. In conjunction with innovative ingredients like Regu-Age, Reforcyl, and Gamma Proteins, this swarm of peptides practically reverses the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines, and deep-set wrinkles. It’s no wonder the silky cream picked up a coveted 2021 Best of Beauty Award.
Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist has been a skin-care staple for what seems like ages (especially in the beauty sphere) but that doesn’t mean the innovations come to a halt. Case in point: The drugstore-friendly brand’s Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer delivers serious brightening benefits alongside niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, and lactic acid (a type of AHA), which work together to improve cell turnover and support smoother, firmer, and more hydrated skin. Not only do we love the complimentary golden packaging, but the noncomedogenic formula is also lightly laced with a citrus scent that’ll leave your senses happily buzzing.
Exuviance Age Reverse Night Lift
Maximize your beauty rest with a few pumps of Exuviance’s Age Reverse Night Lift, a refreshing night cream packed with AHA (glycolic acid), PHA, and peptides (including Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) to build new collagen and prevent future breakdown of collagen, boost firmness, and curb the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s almost like a face-lift in a tube.
The Ordinary “Buffet”
The Ordinary has stolen the hearts of many a skin-care devotee and “Buffet” is no exception, making its $15 price tag (which is, get this, one of the highest price points in the entire lineup) worth every penny. This viscous yet surprisingly fast-absorbing formula is packed with five different types of peptides to increase collagen production and speed up cell turnover.
If you’re looking to upgrade a tad, check out “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%. Copper peptides, as we previously reported, have been shown to have free-radical-fighting benefits.
Neocutis Bio Cream Firm
Neocutis’ Bio Cream Firm combines the power of two types of peptides (Tetrapeptide-21 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Acetate) and three types of ceramides (NG, NP, and AP) to minimize signs of aging as your skin’s natural abilities to produce collagen start depleting. Growth factors also play an important role in boosting both collagen and hyaluronic acid production, making this steeply-priced bottle well worth it once you start witnessing a firmer, smoother complexion.
Alastin Restorative Skin Complex
Dr. Libby also recommends Alastin’s Restorative Skin Complex, which she mentions is known for its patented TriHex peptides. This innovative, damage-reversing technology has been shown to stimulate collagen and elastin production by removing aged cells and restoring an optimal environment for new batches to flourish. Furthermore, the gel-like formula also contains barrier-restoring ingredients like ceramides and squalane that will help your skin actually maintain and support the aforementioned new collagen and elastin.
Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream
Once you get over how adorable the periwinkle, cocoon-like packaging of Then I Met You’s Calming Tide Gel Cream is, you’ll fall all over again for the hydrating goodness inside. Powered by the brand’s Tri-Tide Peptide Complex — more specifically, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 — this soothing moisturizer improves overall skin texture and strengthens your barrier.
Other notable ingredients include inflammation-reducing madecassoside (a variation of Centella asiatica or cica) and tone-evening niacinamide to further the peptides’ skin-boosting agendas. Its lightweight texture layers underneath sunscreen and makeup like a dream, too.
Shani Darden Intensive Eye Renewal Cream
Aesthetician Shani Darden is the brains (and beauty) behind her namesake skin-care line that’s shoppable at Sephora. Spiked with a blend of peptides, silk tree extract, and ceramides, The Intensive Eye Renewal Cream smooths out the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines so your eyes look as bright and fresh as the rest of your complexion.