Peptides in skincare: what they are & how to add them to your routine
Rachael Martin
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 6 minutes
From what peptides are to what they do for your skin, we’ve got the answers to your most-searched questions on this hero ingredient
Peptides. They’re a pretty big deal. If they’re not yet on your list of tried-and-tested skincare ingredients, then chances are they’re about to be, thanks to a bevy of beauty launches and the fact that dermatologists on TikTok are all over them – #DermTok, anyone? But what exactly are they and are they worth the hype?
To answer our most searched questions about the wonder ingredient, we enlisted the help of two of the industry’s top skin experts, Dr Sonia Khorana, a GP with a special interest in dermatology, and Dr Ellie Bradley, No7 science credentialing manager.
Scroll on to find out why peptides could benefit your skin, alongside 10 of the best peptide skincare products you can get at boots.com.
What are peptides & how can they help your skin?
Let’s start with the basics – what peptides actually are.
“Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins, such as collagen, elastin and keratin,” explains Dr Bradley. “These proteins form the foundations of your skin and are responsible for its smoothness, bounce and elasticity.”
“They are crucial to the function and appearance of the skin,” adds Dr Khorana.
When applied topically, they can trigger something called a ‘signalling cascade’, stimulating collagen and elastin production to help improve the appearance of firmness and texture.
What are the different types of peptides?
There’s four main types of topical peptides. Allow us to take you on a whistlestop tour:
“There are signal peptides, carrier peptides, enzyme inhibitor peptides and neurotransmitter peptides, all of which can help generate more skin-plumping proteins” explains Dr Khorana.
You may have heard of copper peptides – one of the most hyped. But if not, Dr Khorana breaks down the buzz for us.
“A copper peptide is a type of carrier peptide,” she says. “Several studies have confirmed their ability to improve the condition of ageing skin.”
How can you tell if your skincare products contain peptides?
If you’re wondering what the best peptides are for your skin, the answer may surprise you.
“As each of the four main peptides contributes to great skin, it’s not uncommon to see multiple peptides strung together in skincare to help maximise their skin-boosting benefits,” says Dr Khorana.
These days, brands can often be found highlighting their products’ peptide content in their names to make identifying skincare containing peptides super simple. But if you’re feeling a little confused, Dr Khorana suggests looking out for labels that list ingredients like carnosine, n-acetylcarnosine, palmitoyl tripeptides, most tetrapeptides and hexapeptides.
Matrixyl 3000+, the star ingredient of No7’s hero serums, can be found in the formulas of the brand’s core ranges, such as Protect & Perfect, Lift & Luminate and Renew & Restore. “It’s a blend of three peptides, one of which is found naturally within the collagen protein that forms part of the skin’s natural support structure,” explains Dr Bradley.
“The collagen-based peptide technology helps boost collagen and fibrillin for helping smooth out the appearance of wrinkles. It supports the skin’s natural springs, which break down over time, giving the skin back its elasticity and bounce.”
What’s the best way to add peptides to your skincare routine?
“If you’re looking for the best results, look to combine both a serum and day cream,” explains Dr Bradley. “Face serums are thin and absorbent formulas, designed to drive active ingredients into the deeper layers of the skin.” As they’re more concentrated, they can help target specific skin concerns in a more powerful way.
“Moisturisers on the other hand are thicker, more nourishing formulas, intended to create more of a physical barrier that works at the surface of the skin to moisturise and increase hydration,” says Dr Bradley. By adding peptides at these two stages of your skincare routine, you can reap the skin-firming benefits of them – and more.
The skincare ingredients that work well with peptides
The good news is that they work pretty harmoniously with other active ingredients.
“Peptides don’t compete with other actives, so you can team them with vitamin C, niacinamide, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and retinol,” says Dr Khorana. Plus, they suit a range of skin types. “They are very well tolerated, meaning there’s less chance of irritation,” Dr Khorana adds. “There are not typically any side effects associated with peptides, but as it’s an active ingredient, it’s always a good idea for sensitive skin types to be careful.”
“And don’t forget to apply SPF afterwards. Sunlight is the number one cause of skin ageing.”
Slather on that SPF30 or more pronto!
Are peptides better than retinol?
As they offer so many benefits, would a skincare expert replace their retinol in favour of them? The short answer is no.
“Peptides alone are unlikely to address a specific skin issue, but when combined with other effective ingredients, they can help give skin a smoother, plumper appearance as part of a more targeted routine,” suggests Dr Khorana. “This is why I won’t be rushing to swap my retinol out.”
10 of the best peptide skincare products available at Boots.com
From moisturisers to serums, here are our favourite peptide products.
Find more great picks in our full skincare range.
Best peptide serum for dehydrated skin
Try: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
• Formerly called ‘Buffet’
We can confirm that this peptide and hyaluronic acid serum is anything but ordinary. Ideal for those with dehydrated skin, it helps improve the appearance of skin elasticity and firmness for a boosted and more supple-looking complexion.
Best high concentration peptide serum
Try: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Fragrance-free
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
Drunk Elephant is all over our TikTok feeds right now, but is it any wonder when it has products as brilliant as this one? A resurfacing hero, this serum contains a whopping 11 different types of peptides, as well as lactic acid and luxurious plant oils. The results? Gentle exfoliation that’ll leave you saying ‘wow’.
Best peptide day cream for sensitive skin
Try: Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Day Cream
• Size: 50ml
• Fragrance-free
If you’ve got skin prone to sensitivity, then this day cream from Olay could be a game-changer. Fragrance-free to help reduce the risk of irritation and enriched with glow-boosting peptides and collagen, the rich formula aims to hydrate and support the skin barrier.
Best peptide moisturiser for dry skin
Try: Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser
• Size: 50ml
• Non-comedogenic
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
Ole Henriksen knows more than just a thing or two about good skincare, so it comes as no surprise that we’d be such fans of his eponymous brand. Formulated with ceramides, along with peptides, collagen and hyaluronic acid, this luxe moisturiser leaves skin looking plumper and with a gorgeous glow. Winning!
Best peptide eye serum
Try: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum
• Size: 15ml
• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
Looking a little tired? Investing in a great eye serum could be just the ticket. Simply tap gently around the eye contour morning and night for bright and revived-looking peepers. Note, a little of this goes a long way.
Best peptide day cream for signs of ageing
Try: No7 Future Renew™ Day Cream SPF40
• Size: 50ml
• SPF40
This day cream reverses visible signs of skin damage* including the feeling of dryness. No7's new patent-pending peptide technology is an exclusive blend of peptides as well as key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide.
Best collagen & peptide combo serum
Try: The Inkey List™ Collagen Peptide Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Suitable for vegans
Want to amp up your skincare routine, but not sure where to start? Consider giving The Inkey List’s™ Collagen Peptide serum a go. It’s incredibly hydrating and helps make skin look plumper, thanks to an expert cocktail of collagen and peptides.
Best peptide serum capsules
Try: No7 Advanced Ingredients Ceramide & Peptides Facial Capsules
• Size: 30 capsules
These capsules are clever. To use, simply break open and apply the silky-smooth serum across a clean complexion. You’ll watch your skin transform from grey and dull to bright and radiant-looking with minimum effort, thanks to the infusion of soothing ceramides and smoothing peptides. Bliss!
Best peptide moisturiser for combination skin
Try: The Inkey List™ Peptide Moisturiser
• Size: 50ml
• Suitable for vegans
If you suspect your collagen levels are depleting (totally normal as your skin becomes more mature), but want to give your complexion a boost, then look no further than this nourishing peptide moisturiser that helps restore hydration. Hello visible radiance!
Obsessed? Us too. Find more great peptide product picks in our full skincare range.
