There are so many skincare products out there it can become a little dizzying to scope out what you actually need in your daily care regimen.
One thing we know for sure is that our skin diminishes its collagen production as we age. This is when we start to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity and firmness.
Aside from the regular washing and moisturizing, there are a few things we can add as we age to help our skin produce collagen and give it back some plumpness and glow.
One of these trending ingredients that is found in skincare products is peptide. You may have seen the word on the bottles of skin care products. But what are they exactly? And what do they do? Let’s take a look at peptide serums and list our favorite ones on the market today.
What to Look for in Peptide Serums
Peptides are harmless ingredients that typically don’t create skin reactions. They are basically molecules that form a chain of amino acids. Amino acids are the structure of proteins and peptides are short chains of amino acids. Proteins are related to collagen production and that is the key to keeping skin youthful looking.
Peptides nourish and moisturize your skin. They often come in creams or serums and are sometimes combined with ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamides.
Some ingredients to look for on the labels:
- Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2
- Carnosine and N-acetylcarnosine
- Palmitoyl tripeptides and palmitoyl hexapeptides
- Tetrapeptides, including tetrapeptide-21 and tetrapeptide TKEK
- Hexapeptides, including hexapeptide-11 and hexapeptide-14
- Pentapeptides, including pentapeptide-3 and pentapeptide-18
- Tripeptide-3
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
Best Peptide Serums for Mature Skin
Remember, creams and other skincare products cannot reverse your skin back 20 years. I am always wary of brands who claim to be able to do this. Harbor normal expectations when using a new product knowing that you are moisturizing and hydrating your skin -and hydrated skin is healthy skin.
Serums work best when applied before your regular moisturizer. That way your skin absorbs more of the product to obtain the best results.
Olay Collagen Peptides Wrinkle Correction Serum
OLAY add vitamin B3 (niacinamide) in their peptide serum. This is a fast absorbing, moisturizing, non-greasy serum that nourishes and hydrates the skin. It’s made for daily use.
Pros
Cons
- Good price
- Added vitamin B3
- Fragrance free
- Paraben free
- Trusted brand
- Feels too watery
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Peach and Lily offer this skin refining serum that visibly brightens, firms, and hydrates the skin. It nourishes and promotes supple skin while leaving a refined texture. It’s designed with a combination peptide complex with added peach extract, vitamin B3 (niacinamide), and hyaluronic acid – excellent for all skin types.
Pros
Cons
- Added peach extracts and other natural ingredients
- Fragrance free
- Paraben free
- On the pricier side
MELÉ Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
MELÉ Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum visibly reduces pore size and rebalances excess oil throughout the day for smoother, more even-toned looking skin. MELÉ skincare was developed with dermatologists of color who understand, at a cellular level, the needs of melanin rich skin – perfect for darker skin tones.
Pros
Cons
- Well priced
- Great for dark skin tones
- Paraben free
- Not always available
The Ordinary. “Buffet”
The Ordinary. is a super affordable peptide serum and the best priced on this list. This multi-peptide, lightweight, water-based serum targets multiple signs of visible aging and visibly leaves the skin healthy and glowing. It’s good for all skin types.
Pros
Cons
- Very affordable
- Fragrance free
- Paraben free
- Vegan and animal cruelty free
- Texture
Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum
Peter Thomas Roth offers this wrinkle-fighting serum that combines a complex of 21 peptides and neuropeptides and two gamma proteins to help the skin appear noticeably younger. Those with normal skin can benefit from it.
Pros
Cons
- Loaded with skin nourishing ingredients
- Great texture
- Fast drying and non-greasy
- Very expensive
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Facial Serum features a combination of vitamin B3 and retinol complex to work wonders while you sleep. The fragrance and dye free formula absorbs quickly and goes deep into your skin’s surface, so you wake up every morning with radiant skin. Good for all skin types.
Pros
Cons
- Good price
- Added retinol
- Trusted brand
- Dropper feels cheap
Eva Naturals Peptide Complex Serum
This Eva Naturals serum boasts aloe and hyaluronic acid, along with the peptide complex, to smooth away wrinkles and improve elasticity for a stunningly youthful glow – good for all skin types.
Pros
Cons
- Excellent price
- Full of natural ingredients
- Absorbs fast
- Some women have mentioned a reaction to the Witch Hazel.
Do you use a peptide serum every day? Will you try one of the suggestions on our list? Do you have your favorite peptide serum to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below.
