From bakuchiol to hyaluronic acid to niacinamide, there is no shortage of trendy ingredients to choose from in skin care. Peptides, while not exactly new, are another ingredient you've probably seen listed on countless product packages, but you may have no idea what they actually do. Is this an ingredient you should be looking for? Are they safe to use?
In short, yes! Peptides are a harmless ingredient that generally won’t negatively affect you, explained Dr. Susan Massick, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University. Whether you're new to peptides or currently use them in your routine, peptides can treat a variety of skin types and concerns, including soothing dryness and combating aging.
But if you're still unsure about whether peptides are right for you, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela J. Lamb recently shared on the show some tips and tricks to help create a greater understanding of the commonly touted skin care ingredient. Plus, the dermatologist shared some of her favorite peptide-based skin care and makeup to shop.
Keep reading to discover her suggestions, along with additional expert- and editor-recommended picks to begin your peptide skin care journey.
For tired under eyes$undefined$44.00
Multi-dermatologist loved$undefined$54.00
How do peptides work for your skin?
“Peptides are basically a short chain of amino acids,” Massick said. “Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, so peptides are a generic term for small chains of these amino acids.”
Studies have shown that peptides can help repair your skin barrier or produce collagen when used in certain products or combinations. How peptides do this is by signaling the skin cells "to perform certain functions, like boosting collagen production, improving elasticity and decreasing inflammation," Lamb explains.
However, with surrounding science still being so new, there’s no concrete long-term evidence of its anti-aging benefits yet. “While they may be nourishing, hydrating [or] moisturizing [for your skin], in terms of [whether] they really reverse aging? It may not necessarily be as effective as they’d hope," Massick explained.
Despite the lack of current data available on the ingredient, she assured us that peptides are very safe to use. “They’re not harmful in any way and I think that’s important in terms of trying to find all these products,” she said.
Unlike other ingredients that can irritate your skin, Massick says that’s typically not the case with peptides. In fact, certain peptides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2018 study.
But again, don’t expect to see miracles from solely using products with peptides. “Some of them look really interesting in terms of all the things that they promise on their packaging but in terms of 100 percent age reversal, it's probably not going to happen,” she advised.
Best peptide skin care products, seen on TODAY
Consider this a serum that does it all. Lamb says the product hydrates, reduces wrinkles and promotes collagen in one, all thanks to the copper tripeptides inside. They're the "key ingredient in collagen formation, which helps with skin elasticity and anti-aging," the dermatologist adds, by just using twice daily.
Dry skin? Consider yourself lucky. The Face Reality Cran-Peptide Cream is a true treat for dullness and dryness, containing a blend of peptides and antioxidants that deeply nourish and restore the skin. "In particular, the cranberry extract in it boosts the antioxidant power, which protects the skin from free radical damage and reduces premature signs of aging," Lamb notes.
But even if you don't have dry skin, the brand claims the moisturizer is suitable for acne-prone skin, since it is also non-inflammatory for controlling redness and more.
A recent Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner, Medicube's PDRN Pink Peptide Toner was deemed the 'best overall toner' by our editors because of multiple benefits. Regardless of skin type, everything from dark spots, signs of aging and more are addressed, all while leaving your skin with an attractive glow that you'll notice and feel.
If you want fuller lips but are looking for a non-invasive option, look no further. This topical lip treatment from RoC "works both instantly and over time to deliver lips," suggests Lamb. "We're talking just three minutes to smooth the look of fine lines, and a lasting plump in just four weeks, according to the brand." We even had one of our editors' moms test the product, who noticed instant results after first use.
This recent launch by Kosas has quickly become a favorite of the Shop TODAY team. The mascara contains a unique peptide serum that not only lengthens without smudging, but it also promises longer and fuller lashes in just six to eight weeks. So by just wearing the mascara, you'll be treating your lashes, too!
Regardless of the season, SPF is important to wear year-round. The HydroPeptide Solar Defense Tinted SPF 30 protects your skin from UVA, UVB and infrared rays, while simultaneously leaving a soft glow and tint (it will come out as while, but will adapt to your skin tone!).
"Dermatologists say mineral sunscreens are great because they contain safe ingredients like zinc oxide to create a 'physical' barrier between your skin and the sun's UV rays," explains Lamb. "So it sits on your skin to protect, rather than being absorbed by it." Plus, the peptides in the formula will lock in moisture without clogging your pores, so you'll get an extra dose of hydration while you use.
Best peptide skin care products, according to experts and editors
To wake up with smoother lips:
"I used it morning and night and my lips have never looked or felt better," raved social media editor Kara Quill for our annual Beauty Awards. "The finish is a nice gloss without the stickiness, and it also helped my lips feel far less dry and more hydrated throughout the day. I even kept it in my purse in case I needed a little more during the day!"
Add a touch of gloss:
Seemingly the OG in peptide products, both partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison and I [San Miguel] recommend Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment for soothing dry lips. Both the tinted, seen above, and non-tinted versions of the product equally apply smoothly with an attractive glossy finish. I even rated it as one of my all-time favorite lip balms!
"While I wasn’t convinced until I finally tried it, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment has earned its spot as my daily go-to," agrees Marrison. "It appears glossy, never greasy, and the fine tip makes precision easy — something I appreciate when I’m running around the city without a mirror on hand."
For a second-skin finish:
"I love this for days when I want to wear makeup but don’t want to wear makeup that will interfere with my sunscreen," suggests trends editor Vivien Moon. "I love how lightweight it is, and how much coverage it provides." However, she recommends being mindful of the applicator when applying since it can be runny.
Don't forget the neck:
Another pick from Dr. Lamb, this protein peptide-based neck cream promises to boost collagen production to help prevent and combat crepey texture and loose skin. It also contains ingredients like green tea and vitamin B5 to target sun damage, hyperpigmentation and similar concerns.
For long-lasting hydration:
With a milky, creamy texture, this peptide serum promises to deliver 24/7 hydration for a bouncier complexion. It also contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and more skin-loving ingredients to offer other benefits like evening skin tone and firming the skin. I [San Miguel] love that it can be used alone, or even as a primer for makeup prep.
Recommended for tired under eyes:
From deputy managing editor Jess Bender to production coordinator Camryn Privette, this Beauty Award-winning eye cream from Summer Fridays is a clear favorite amongst the Shop TODAY team. "Since it’s packed with vitamin C, it makes my skin feel so soft and smooth to the touch," raves Privette. Bender adds that the eye cream has also done "a great job ironing out some finer lines that come along during my everyday" and that it has been "a good addition to my nightly skin care routine.”
Best for overnight moisture:
Commerce producer Eden Strassburg complimented the lightweight feel of Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer, adding that "it didn’t feel too heavy on my skin."
"It definitely made my skin feel plump and hydrated after using, and it works well under makeup. I feel like it did help with skin dehydration, too!," she adds. "I also recommend using this at night to wake up with hydrated skin. It did not break me out — and I was able to use it while I was dealing with a bad breakout without making it worse."
Instantly brightening:
Tired under-eyes? Bender also recommends this eye cream from Alpyn for sleepless nights. "Nowadays I need to put a little extra effort into the area, and I’ve found that this tinted eye cream does an effective job instantly blurring the area while hydrating it," she claims.
Multi-dermatologist loved:
Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Corey L. Hartman and Dr. Anna Chacon consider this peptide-rich cream from SkinFix as a favorite. Chacon noted in our best skin barrier creams coverage that the moisturizer's nutri-peptide blend is a trusty ingredient for firming and reducing redness, especially if you're healing after lasers and other in-office procedures. “It helps heal the skin and make it look so youthful and plump,” she previously said.
Tips for using skin care products with peptides
When looking for a product with peptides, Massick recommends opting for creams and serums. “I don’t think they’re necessarily as effective when they’re in the washes because they don’t really have enough time to penetrate the skin when you just put them on and directly rinse them off,” she elaborated.
When you find a product you want to try, Massick stresses the importance of starting with a test area to assess any irritation that may arise and checking the other ingredients that are in the formula. She says that oftentimes peptides work synergistically with ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and niacinamides, so you should keep an eye on the ingredients list to see if any of these or other beneficial skin care ingredients are present.
Like every dermatologist, Massick also stressed the importance of making sure you have proper sun protection in your skin care regimen. “That’s really what’s going to be driving…the changes to the skin that we’re trying to combat and reverse with these products,” she said.
How we chose
We leaned on the recommendations and expertise of dermatologists to select the best peptide skin care. We also tapped into the knowledge of Shop TODAY editors, asking them to share their favorite peptide-based products, from peptide serums to toners, they own and love.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Angela J. Lamb, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She’s currently the Vice Chair of Clinical Operations at Mount Sinai Dermatology.
- Dr. Susan Massick is board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, global dermatology innovator, teledermatology pioneer and founder of Miami Derm in Coral Gables, Florida.
