%20copy.jpg)
Save this story Save Story Save this story These days, you can’t scroll, shop, or even walk down the street without hearing about peptides . And while they’re in everything from supplements to IVs, the best peptide serums stand apart for their ability to boost hydration, increase collagen and elastin, and deliver smoother, more youthful skin—with the evidence to back up many of their claims.
But even in skincare, these ingredients are enjoying newfound attention. “ Peptides have graduated from the fine print to the front of the bottle,” says Mona Gohara, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut. They’re quickly approaching hyaluronic acid -territory—which itself has become a household name—in part due to their versatility. “Many peptide formulas offer improvements in the appearance of fine lines and firmness while being relatively easy to tolerate and incorporate into a routine,” she says. “They also pair beautifully with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide , and antioxidants.”
For the uninitiated, peptides are short chains of amino acids. “Certain ones can act as messengers, helping signal processes involved in maintaining skin’s structure, including collagen,” Dr. Gohara explains. The various types of peptides can work differently: Some kickstart collagen production, others inhibit enzymes that break down collagen and elastin (preserving what your skin already has), and certain peptides can improve the penetration and function of other ingredients, such as that all-important hyaluronic acid. (“Hyaluronic acid helps give skin that immediate cushion; certain peptides aim to support the framework over time,” says Dr. Gohara.) Being a team player is part of the reason peptides have found popularity—and why that’s unlikely to wane anytime soon.
Moreover, depending on how they work in skin, peptide serums can offer a variety of benefits, such as lasting moisture, increased collagen production , and a reduction in pigment production . With that, scroll ahead for the best peptide serum for every skin concern and goal.
What is a peptide serum? What are the benefits of using a peptide serum? What to Look for in a Peptide Serum Who is peptide serum for? How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Overall: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum Save to wishlist Save to wishlist SkinMedica
Best for: Aging skin, all skin types Key Ingredients: Dimer Tripeptide-43, green microalgae, apple fruit extract, growth factors Size: 30 ml Love It Leave It Pairs peptides with growth factors for amplified repair The dual-chamber pumps can get clogged Free of fragrance making it especially gentle Best for Dry Skin: Medik8 Liquid Peptides Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Medik8
Best for: Mature and dry skin types Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, acetyl hexapeptide-8, tetrapeptide-21, pentapeptide-18, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, pantolactone, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, copper palmitoyl heptapeptide-14, heptapeptide-15 palmitate, hyaluronic acid Size: 30 ml Love It Leave It Sinks into skin quickly Nothing to note Delivers immediate plumping from hyaluronic acid Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Save to wishlist Save to wishlist SkinCeuticals
Best for: Fine lines and wrinkles Key Ingredients: Hexapeptide, dipeptide, 5% PHA, niacinamide, laminaria Size: 1 fl. oz. Love It Leave It Absorbs without greasiness or residue Takes several weeks to show results Gives skin a radiant, glassy look One of the pricier serums on our list Best Affordable: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum Save to wishlist Save to wishlist The Ordinary
Best for: Dry or sensitive skin types Key Ingredients: Copper tripeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, hyaluronic acid Size: 30 ml Love It Leave It Can also helps reduce redness May occasionally pill under makeup The most cost-effective option on this list Best for Deep Wrinkles: Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Dr. Dennis Gross
Best for: Mature or sun-damaged skin Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, oligopeptide-2, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ectoin Size: 30 ml Love It Leave It Leaves skin with a dewy finish Some might find the odor unpleasant Immediately plumps skin Best Multitasking: CosRx 6X Peptide Collagen Skin Booster Save to wishlist Save to wishlist CosRx
Best for: Dry or dehydrated skin Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-8, oligopeptide-68, SH-polypeptide-121, hyaluronic acid, amino acids Size: 5.07 Fl. oz. Love It Leave It Lightweight texture absorbs quickly Nothing to note Easy to layer with other products Best for Sensitive Skin: Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Face Serum Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Allies of Skin
Best for: Sensitive or eczema-prone skin Key Ingredients: Copper lysinate, acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide, ergothioneine, ectoin, saccharide isomerate Size: 1 fl. oz. Love It Leave It Gentle enough for all skin types One of the pricier serums on our list Helpful during perimenopause and menopause Best for Volume Loss: Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist 16 Serum Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Vichy
Best for: Mature skin, dry skin Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, SH-polypeptide-69, niacinamide, rhamnose, maitake extract, adenosine Size: 1 fl. oz. Love It Leave It Addresses multiple signs of aging Contains fragrance, which some may not like Absorbs quickly Best for Early Signs of Aging: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Alastin
Best for: Thinning skin, fine lines, dry skin Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine, palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminohydroxybutyrate, acetyl hexapeptide-38, octapeptide-45, magnolol, ceramides, niacinamide, squalane Size: 1 fl. oz. Love It Leave It The ingredients and products have clinical evidence behind results One of the pricier serums on our list Includes hydrating ingredients Everything You Need to Know What is a peptide serum?
Peptide serums are concentrated formulas that contain molecules called peptides, which are naturally found in skin. “Peptides act as messengers for the skin by sending signals to skin cells to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and other components of the extracellular matrix,” says Jeanette Graf, MD , a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Unlike other ingredients, peptides “operate at the level of a cell receptor — and, due to their small size and specificity, can fit in whereas most other active ingredients don’t,” she says.
What are the benefits of using a peptide serum?
Peptide serums can address a wide variety of concerns, such as “reducing the appearance of wrinkles, improve the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and promote elasticity,” says Dr. Palm.
Their exact benefit, however, largely depends on the peptide in question. “Signal peptides enhance production of collagen and elastin, while carrier peptides can help vital ingredients get to their target sites to increase collagen production,” says Dr. Castilla. Meanwhile, enzyme-inhibitor peptides can inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen, leading to lax skin and wrinkles.
One increasingly popular type of peptide is a neuropeptide, or “neurotransmitter inhibitor peptides,” says Dr. Castilla. This peptide can “block the release of neurotransmitters that relay muscle signals.” In other words, it acts similarly, albeit on a much smaller scale, as neuromodulators, relaxing the facial muscles to minimize expression lines.
Dr. Graf recommends using a formula that “combines the benefits of peptides with other skin-benefitting ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin,” she says. These help protect the skin barrier, and leave skin feeling plump and smooth.
It’s also helpful to consider the peptide in the serum. Signal peptides and carrier peptides currently have the most evidence to back up their anti-aging benefits—with copper peptides being among the most common and best studied signal peptides, says Dr. Castilla.
Finally, consider your skin concerns. For instance, “if you are looking for plumper, smoother skin, choose a signaling peptide in a formulation that also provides hydration, such as hyaluronic acid,” she says.
If you already use an antioxidant serum, a retinoid, and a sunscreen, then a peptide serum is a good addition to enhance your anti-aging skin-care routine, according to Dr. Castilla. “In general, peptides play more of an additive role, rather than an ingredient that will provide comprehensive benefits,” she says.
They can also offer a preventative effect. “The longer you use peptides, the more benefits you will see for the skin,” says Dr. Graf. “By stimulating important proteins, like collagen, skin is left firmer and brighter—and signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, are slowed.”
Finally, peptide serums are also a good option for those who can’t tolerate irritating ingredients, such as retinoids, as they offer a similar ability to stimulate collagen production—although to a lesser degree. But they don’t come with the risk of irritation, making them a good option for those with sensitivities.
Carmen Castilla, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York at the New York Dermatology Group. Melanie Palm, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, CA at Art of Skin. Jeanette Graf, MD , a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
These ’90s Perfumes Are Primed for a 2026 Comeback
Experts Break Down the Best Eye Makeup for Hooded Eyes
Fresh, Flushed, and Featherweight—The Best Blushes for Mature Skin Restore Radiance
Sign up for Vogue ’s beauty newsletter to receive the insider’s guide to all things beauty and wellness.
Source: Lifestyle
0 Comments