What Are Peptides? — The Gentlest Anti-Aging
Peptides are the slowest, most-tolerable anti-aging ingredient. The picks below earn their place by being clinically appropriate.
The science.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Topically, they signal to skin cells to behave differently — produce more collagen, calm inflammation, regenerate.
How it works
Peptides bind to cell receptors and trigger downstream signalling. Different peptides do different jobs: signal peptides for collagen, neuromodulators for expression lines, copper peptides for healing.
Right for which skin types?
All skin types. Pregnancy-safe. Particularly good for clients reactive to retinol.
How to use it
Twice daily, AM or PM. Layer with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol. No ceiling on use.
Side effects
Rare.
Top recommendations.
- Multi-Peptide Eye Serum by The Ordinary — $28 · Best value
- Argireline Solution 10% by The Ordinary — $15 · Expression-line specific
- Liquid Resurfacing Peptide Serum by iS Clinical — $95 · Clinical-grade
Common questions.
Are peptides as good as retinol?
Slower but complementary. Peptides signal collagen production; retinol increases turnover. Best used together.
How long until peptides work?
12-16 weeks for visible firmness. Compound effect over years.
Best peptides for fine lines?
Argireline and matrixyl. Both have solid evidence.