What Do Peptides Do For Skin? Everything You Need To Know About Peptides In Skincare

Peptides are one of the buzziest ingredients in skincare. But while they're enjoying some well-deserved time in the spotlight, these powerful collagen-boosters are far from new. 

Peptides are a tried-and-true skincare ingredient renowned for their anti-aging abilities. Keep reading to learn how peptides work in skincare, and how to incorporate them into your routine.

What are peptides?

“Peptides are amino acids that signal your skin to increase collagen production, leading to a healthier skin barrier and plumper, more bouncy appearance,” says Biossance Director of Product Marketing + Strategy Celeste Schreier.

You may remember from science class that amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Unlike complete proteins such as collagen, these tiny fragments are able to penetrate the top layer of skin, making them an ideal ingredient to include in skincare formulas.

How are peptides beneficial?

Peptides are a unique anti-aging ingredient because they don’t simply mask wrinkles, they signal the skin to produce more collagen. Because our collagen production naturally decreases as we get older, giving it a boost creates visible changes in the skin including:

Different Kinds Of Peptides

There are three types of peptides most commonly used in skincare:

1. Signal Peptides - Their mission in life is to promote collagen production, plain and simple.

2. Carrier Peptides - These amino acids stabilize and deliver copper to certain enzymes, which then use it to grow collagen and elastin.

3. Nerve-inhibiting Peptides - Almost like a topical Botox, these peptides inhibit nerve signals to soften fine lines and wrinkles

What are copper peptides and how are they different?

If peptides were celebrities, copper peptides would be Meryl Streep. With decades of data-driven success, copper peptides bring a special skillset to your skincare products. 

“Copper peptides are unique because they act as antioxidants while also stimulating collagen and elastin production in the skin,” says Celeste.

Their antioxidant properties enable copper peptides to fight free radicals, protecting skin from damaging UV rays and pollution which can cause more signs of aging. So not only do they improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles you already have, they help prevent more from forming.

Shop Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

How to incorporate peptides into your routine

“Peptides are great for all skin types, especially for those who are dry to mature and noticing increased fine lines and wrinkles and a loss in firmness,” says Celeste. “Peptides are safe and effective for daily use, and work great in tandem with other actives except for exfoliating acids such as AHA’s.”

If you’re going to combine your peptides with other actives, we recommend products containing Vitamin C such as our Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer, Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, or Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. Peptides work synergistically with Vitamin C to trap moisture and improve the skin’s texture.

Looking to add peptides to your skincare routine? Here are two peptide-rich routines to inspire you.

AM Peptide Skincare Routine:

Step 1: Wash your face with Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil to cleanse, refresh and hydrate. Our antioxidant blend nourishes the skin, fighting free radicals from UV rays and Pollution.

Step 2: Spritz on some Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist for a burst of balancing hydration to prepare your skin to receive active ingredients.

Step 3: Using your ring finger, apply a small amount of our Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel to your under eye area. It contains two peptides, eyeseryl and argieline, which work to reduce dark circles and puffiness in the eye area.

Step 4: Apply Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum to visibly reduce the look of dark spots while working in tandem with the peptides in our eye gel to improve skin texture.

Step 5: Double down on Vitamin C with our Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer. This breakthrough blend of Vitamin C and fermented lemon peel works to visibly improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots while delivering next-level radiance.

PM Peptide Skincare Routine:

Step 1: Cleanse with Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil to gently dissolve dirt and makeup, including stubborn waterproof mascara.

Step 2: Spritz with Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist. Pro tip: Hyaluronic Acid bonds with water. If you spray your face while it’s still a little damp, the HA in our toning mist will pull those water molecules into your skin to hydrate even more deeply.

Step 3: Using your ring finger, apply our award-winning Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream to your orbital bone. Our bestelling eye cream contains the palmitoyl tripeptide-5 to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as dark circles and puffiness while delivering deep, all-day hydration.

Step 4: Apply Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum to powerfully hydrate, plump, and add bounce. Our bestselling serum uses copper peptides alongside hyaluronic, polyglutamic, and sugarcane-derived squalane to visibly improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Step 5: Hydrate with Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer to work in tandem with the peptides in previous steps of your routine while deeply moisturizing and improving the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Step 6: Instantly brighten while locking in moisture with our award-winning Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. Our bestselling facial oil uses a unique, oil-soluble version of Vitamin C to deeply penetrate and visibly improve the look of discoloration.