12 Best Peptide Skincare Products For Glowy, Youthful Skin
When compared to other anti-aging skincare ingredients, peptides have a face card that pretty much never declines. They’re pretty much welcome in every category of skincare and play nice with a host of anti-aging ingredients. To sum it up, peptides are made up of short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), that send messages to our skin cells to trigger collagen and elastin production, in turn helping to fight signs of aging. The benefits of peptides are plenty, and because peptide molecules are so small in size, they absorb super easily into skin when used in your skincare routine. This also makes it easy for them to help with a list of skin concerns like fine lines, plumping, firmness and elasticity, dry skin, rough skin texture, and improving overall skin health. The best part? Peptides are perfect for sensitive skin and can benefit pretty much all skin types because they’re also naturally made in our skin. While they won’t provide facelift-like results, peptides do a lot of the legwork when it comes to helping your skin fight signs of aging. Here are some of the best peptide infused skincare products we can’t wait for you to try.
1. Best Peptide Moisturizer for Dry Skin
OLE HENRIKSEN Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
If your skin craves hydration, especially with the winter months approaching, this skin plumping fix is for you. Packed with an impressive ingredient list that includes 8 different peptides, collagen, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin b12 (and more!), you’ll see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of fine lines, plumper skin, a more even skin tone, and longer lasting hydration. “This peptide moisturizer has genuinely surprised me. It's light enough that it doesn't trigger any breakouts, and my skin feels surprisingly smooth and calm. After a few weeks of use, I've noticed a subtle radiance I didn't have before, and my skin seems happier and more balanced,” says Ipster Ana T.
2. Best Skin Barrier Strengthening Peptide Serum
KATE SOMERVILLE Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum
A strong skin barrier is key when it comes to healthy skin (that’s why we also love skin barrier strengtheners like ceramides and hyaluronic acid). Turns out peptides are major players when it comes to strengthening, protecting, and repairing your skin barrier too. In this refreshing peptide serum, (we love how it immediately perks up our skin on contact), a signature blend of 5 different types of peptides helps hydrate skin, boost firmness and elasticity, and helps smooth skin texture when you use it morning and night.
3. Best Peptide Infused Toner
KOA LIFE Copper Peptide Toner
This toning potion sent our large pores packing (seriously, we can’t find them). Infused with copper peptides, a blend of Goji Berry, Licorice Root, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Glycerin, and Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower, a few spritzes is all it took to leave our pores looking tighter, our skin feeling plump and hydrated, and any redness to fade into the background. It also promises to help fade dark spots and even out skin tone thanks to a host of good-for-skin antioxidants.
4. Best Self Tanner + Peptides
VOLITION BEAUTY Getaway Glow Gradual Tan Firming Serum with Peptides + Niacinamide
Looking to build a gorgeous summer glow, minus the sun? This baby comes with all that plus the benefits of you guessed it—peptides—to help improve firmness in skin, along with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help balance oil, and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. At first, we were a little unsure of how well this tan would develop on our darker skin tone, but after applying it we immediately fell in love with our healthy, even-toned glow. Pretty much a win-win!
5. Best Peptide Based Eye Cream
DR. BRANDT Do Not Age with Dr. BRANDT Triple Peptide Eye Cream
Our tired looking eyes thanked us for this one and with over 3000 five-star reviews, fellow Ipsters agree. “I love using this product in both my AM and PM skin care routines because it provides intense hydration that lasts all day and night long, but doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on the eyes. This cream quickly soaks into my skin and instantly makes my eyes look plump and awake. My makeup applies beautifully on top of this eye cream and helps to prevent my concealer from creasing. I have noticed such an improvement in the smoothness and texture of my under eyes when consistently using this product,” one Ipster raves. It’s all thanks to a mix of plumping peptides, ceramides, shea butter, and caffeine that help soften the look of crows feet, brighten dark circles, and calm puffiness.
6. Best Wrinkle Fighting Peptide Serum
INTOXICATED COSMETICS Snail Serum
While Botox-like results can pretty much only be achieved from neuromodulators, biomimetic peptides in this snail serum promise to help minimize muscle contractions and smooth out lines, (like injectables but on a baby scale). Were we intrigued? 100 percent. Were we skeptical? Totally. But after applying a few drops of this to our face and neck, we noticed our forehead looked smoother, our complexion super glowy, and our skin felt much tighter too. “Literally in love. You can almost immediately feel the difference in your skin. 10/10 recommend!,” says Juliana G.
7. Best Peptide Packed Lip Balm
PERSONA COSMETICS Day Mask Peptide Lip Balm
We swiped this lip saver on after lightly exfoliating our super flaky lips and all of our dry lip problems became yesterday’s problems. Its formulation consists of a mix of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, blueberry, peach, and pomegranate extract which help hydrate, plump, soften, and protect lips from the elements.
8. Best Alternative to Retinol
NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum
We know that Bakuchiol is a fabulous alternative to retinoids, especially if you've got sensitive skin. Pair “nature’s alternative to retinol” with firming peptides, soothing aloe vera leaf extract, and brightening vitamin C and you've got a formidable combo. One Ipster raves, “I have received the most compliments I have ever gotten on my skin! My skin is so smooth, plump, and radiant! It leaves my skin feeling moisturized, and just perfect!.” And if you’ve already incorporated a retinol into your routine, it's totally safe to use both. We like to use retinol three times a week and apply this on our off nights to wake up glowy AF.
9. Best Peptide Powered SPF
TULA SKINCARE Ultimate Sun Serum PentaPeptide Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Looks like our search for a non-greasy SPF finally came to an end. This multitasking spf helps cut down on excess oil, fight signs of aging (thank ya, peptides), protect skin from UV rays, blue light, pollution, and brightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Pretty much the spf of our dreams! Plus, it didn't get flaky or pill when we applied it under our makeup.
10. Best Primer+ Peptides
GROWN ALCHEMIST Anti-Pollution Primer
This Ipster’s praise pretty much says it all: “Oh my goodness does it ever blur! It has a beautiful, soft texture, and when pressed gently into the skin, I could see it blurring my pores. It also provides a mattifying effect that was even more visible before I applied my foundation. Would be great for non-makeup days. I really like this primer!.” All thanks to an army of peptides and the skincare brand’s Anti-Pollution Shield Complex, this formula creates a protective barrier against damage from blue light exposure while blurring large pores for flawless makeup application.
11. Best Crow’s Feet Fighter
The ORDINARY Multi-Peptide Eye Serum
When it comes to topicals, THE ORDINARY is one of those skincare brands that gets straight to the point, which is why we love them so much. After applying this serum around our eyes, we noticed an improvement in our stubborn dark circles and a softening of fine lines and crepey skin.
12. Best Peptide Infused Cleansing Balm
E.L.F. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
This baby does just what it promises and melts away makeup with minimal rubbing or scrubbing. “Getting to apply this product felt like a pampering spa experience to me, as I massaged it onto my dry face. This one really worked and not only cleansed away my skin impurities, but it also removed my makeup effortlessly!,” according to one Ipster. Packed with peptides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, this felt like a luxurious treat on our dry, winter skin.