16 Of The Best Peptide Serums To Lift, Firm And Boost Collagen

The best peptide serums offer multiple benefits. Powered by peptides – small chains of amino acids that support communication between cells – the best formulas can boost moisture, promote healthy collagen production and reduce hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

The best peptide serums – Vogue’s top picks

Best for mature skin

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

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“What a peptide offers is entirely dependent on its molecular size and chemical structure,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, of the varying traits of peptide serums. For instance, some can encourage collagen production, while others inhibit enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, thus preserving what your skin already has. Other serums can bolster the penetration and function of other ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.

Keen to invest? Scroll on for a deep dive into the best peptide serums available now.

Scroll ahead for the best peptide serum for every skin concern and goal.

Best overall: Medik8 Liquid Peptides

• Why we love it: When it comes to peptides, more is often more – as is the case with this peptide serum, which offers 10 different peptides to firm, plump, and smooth skin. They’re housed in a copper peptide that ushers them exactly where they’re most needed in the skin, to provide results effectively and quickly (think weeks, not months). For more immediate improvement, however, the formula also offers several weights of hyaluronic acid.
• Other ingredients: glycerin, tripeptides, lactic and glycolic acid
• Size: 30 ml

Best for mature skin: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

• Why we love it: Charlotte Tilbury has a long list of celebrity clientele, including Gisele Bündchen and Kate Moss, so it’s little surprise that she’d have access to top scientists, too, who helped her create this serum. It’s powered by Replexium, a proprietary blend of two peptides that target complex proteins, along with collagen, which effectively smooths out wrinkles and fine lines in skin. It also contains polyglutamic acid, a cousin to hyaluronic acid that’s even more hydrating, as well as vitamin C to repair and protect. Keep in mind, however, that it does have a fragrance, so won’t be right for all skin types.
• Other ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide, polyglutamic acid
• Size: 8 ml, 30 ml, 100 ml

Best for acne-prone skin: Biba de Sousa Los Angeles The Plant Stem Cell Serum

• Why we love it: While you can find the usual actives in this formula – including two peptides to restore the skin’s supportive matrix and enhance collagen production, as well as hyaluronic acid – they’re joined by a unique plant stem cell derived from echinacea. This is geared towards protection, preventing the formation of new lines, as is the CoQ10, a powerful, time-tested antioxidant. Better yet, the formula is non-comedogenic, so it’s ideal for those aiming to address mature skin without triggering breakouts.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, panthenol, echinacea plant stem cell
• Size: 30 ml

Best for oily skin: Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid

• Why we love it: Hailey Bieber is the woman behind the famous “glazed doughnut” skincare trend, which is defined by skin so juicy and plump that it looks like, yes, a glazed sweet treat. This formula doesn’t just make achieving that specific look easy, but it also delivers a blend of peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin.
• Other ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, marula oil
• Size: 50 ml

Best for dry skin: Biossance Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Biossance

Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum

• Why we love it: The beauty of a product with speedy results is that it encourages regular use – after all, the goal is to maintain the benefits, versus commit optimistically to achieve a promising yet far-off goal. The impatient might prefer this serum, which uses copper peptides to support long-term collagen production. It deploys a complex of powerful hydrators – hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and squalane among them – to immediately plump skin and restore a supple feel.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, squalane
• Size: 50 ml

Best for sensitive skin: Pai Peptides 5% Smoothing Booster

Pai

Peptides 5% Smoothing Booster

• Why we love it: This booster serum contains a concentrated blend of all-natural peptides – including pea and hexapeptide – to promote collagen and elastin production and generally nurture the skin, for a luminously healthy glow. It’s fragrance-free and can be blended into other skincare formulas or used alone. It may be great for sensitive skin types, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see a noticeable difference in your skin with consistent use.
• Other ingredients: glycerin, vitamin E and lactic acid
• Size: 10ml

Best for dark spots: RéVive Brightening Serum Vitamin C Niacinamide + Bio-Renewal Peptide

• Why we love it: Formulated to fade discolouration and even out skin tone, this serum relies on three powerful brightening agents: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a form of vitamin C that’s as potent as it is stable), niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. The three work in tandem to address excess pigment and leave skin more luminous. What bolsters its effects further, however, is the brand’s signature Bio-Renewal Peptide, discovered when founder and plastic surgeon Dr Gregory Bays Brown was studying wound healing in skin. It acts as an epidermal growth factor, meaning it mimics the cellular renewal process in skin to deliver smoother, suppler skin.
• Other ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Size: 30 ml

Best for lifting: Dr Dennis Gross DermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum

Dr Dennis Gross

Derminfusions Fill + Repair Serum

• Why we love it: While topical products can make quick work of fine lines and more shallow wrinkles, they often aren’t powerful enough to lift lax skin – which, in many cases, calls for injectables. This formula sets out to change that, with four peptides that trigger collagen and elastin production in order to restore volume and lift. It also has a unique delivery system that shrinks the size of water molecules, allowing the solution to sink deeper into skin.
• Other ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ectoin
• Size: 30 ml

Best for deep wrinkles: Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum

Naturium

Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum

• Why we love it: Brilliant both for treating and preventing fine lines and more established wrinkles, this formula contains a peptide complex called Argireline Amplified alongside copper peptides and encapsulated ferulic acid to lift, smooth and firm the skin. A great way to (naturally) inject some radiance into the skin, it’s also free of parabens and fragrance too.
• Other ingredients: collagen, ferulic acid, squalane, glycerin
• Size: 30 ml

Best for fine lines: StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Plump Line Filling Bounce Serum

StriVectin

Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Plump Serum

• Why we love it: While some serums rely on several peptides to deliver results, that’s not the case with this formula. It uses a single, proprietary peptide that encourages the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – which falls with age across the board – to deliver both immediate and long-term plumping. That makes it potent enough to offset even stubborn wrinkles, like those on the forehead.
• Other ingredients: red algae extract, turmeric root extract
• Size: 30 ml

Best for volume: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

Cosrx

The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

• Why we love it: This multitasking K-beauty number does it all. Not just brilliant for boosting volume, it also works to improve the appearance of pores, encourage glow, even out texture, smooth fine lines and more. Six different peptides, hyaluronic acid, allantoin and niacinamide join together as a sort of superhero tag team against a selection of skin issues – just apply after cleansing.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, allantoin, niacinamide
• Size: 150ml

Best for daytime: Estée Lauder Futurist Peptide-Power Serum Primer

Estée Lauder

Futurist Peptide-Power Serum

• Why we love it: This multi-tasking formula marries the skin-care benefits of face serum with the smoothing abilities of makeup primer. The gel texture has a slip to it that creates a canvas for seamless blending, but the primer also offers complexion heavyweights like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides. A few drops immediately lend radiance (the work of light-reflecting pearls) and grip makeup – all while working to make skin smoother and more resilient over time.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, algae extract
• Size: 30 ml

Best for evening: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

Drunk Elephant

Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

• Why we love it: For a more powerful peptide treatment, consider this exfoliating serum. It contains 10 per cent lactic acid – a high concentration of the relatively gentle chemical exfoliant – to clear away dead skin cells, allowing the peptides to better sink into skin. (And, in its own right, lactic acid also hydrates and leaves skin gleaming.) The serum contains 11 peptides to tackle signs of sun damage, such as fine lines, and shrink the appearance of pores. If that sounds intense, the formula also contains hyaluronic acid and green tea seed oil to hydrate and soothe skin.
• Other ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid
• Size: 30 ml

Best affordable: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

• Why we love it: This peptide serum is proof that results don’t always have to come at a cost. It contains five peptides, including a copper peptide found to stimulate production of collagen and elastin, as well as hyaluronic acid to draw in water for immediate plumping. The copper peptide does more than that, however: It can also double as an anti-inflammatory agent and support skin’s immune function.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, probiotics, allantoin
• Size: 30 ml

Best multi-tasking: Lancer Triple Peptide Drops with Vitamin E + Niacinamide

Lancer

Triple Peptide & Vitamin E Serum

• Why we love it: For those who don’t want to choose between peptide, antioxidant, and hyaluronic acid serums, this hardworking serum contains all of the above for added versatility. Together, they leave skin brighter, better hydrated, and more supple – thanks in no small part to the formula’s triple peptide complex. It encourages collagen production and fortifies skin for lifting and smoothing. And, better yet, the ingredient is time-released to deliver lasting benefits.
• Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide
• Size: 30 ml

What is a peptide serum?

Peptide serums are highly concentrated skincare products that feature peptides — small molecules naturally present in the skin. According to Dr Jeanette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, “Peptides serve as signalling agents, prompting skin cells to produce collagen, elastin and other essential elements of the extracellular matrix.”

What sets peptides apart from many other ingredients is their ability to interact directly with cell receptors. “Thanks to their small size and targeted action, peptides can access areas that most other active ingredients cannot,” Dr Graf explains.

What are the benefits of using a peptide serum?

Peptide serums can address a wide variety of concerns, such as “reducing the appearance of wrinkles, improving the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and promoting elasticity,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, CA.

Their exact benefit, however, largely depends on the peptide in question. “Signal peptides enhance production of collagen and elastin, while carrier peptides can help vital ingredients get to their target sites to increase collagen production,” says Dr Castilla. Meanwhile, enzyme-inhibitor peptides can inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen, leading to lax skin and wrinkles.

One increasingly popular type of peptide is a neuropeptide, or “neurotransmitter inhibitor peptides,” says Dr Castilla. This peptide can “block the release of neurotransmitters that relay muscle signals.” In other words, it acts similarly, albeit on a much smaller scale, as a neuromodulator, relaxing the facial muscles to minimise expression lines.

What to look for in a peptide serum

Dr Graf advises selecting a serum that “blends the benefits of peptides with other skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin.” These ingredients support the skin’s barrier and help create a plump, smooth texture.

It’s also important to pay attention to the type of peptide in the formula. Signal peptides and carrier peptides currently have the strongest research backing their anti-ageing effects, with copper peptides being among the most well-known and extensively studied signal peptides, according to Dr Castilla.

Lastly, consider your specific skin goals. “If your aim is to achieve firmer, more hydrated skin, look for a signalling peptide paired with moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid,” she recommends. To help narrow your options, Vogue has rounded up some of the best hyaluronic acid serums worth trying.

Who are peptide serums for?

If you already use an antioxidant serum, a retinoid, and a sunscreen, then a peptide serum is a good addition to enhance your anti-ageing routine, according to Dr Castilla. “In general, peptides play more of an additive role, rather than an ingredient that will provide comprehensive benefits,” she says.

They can also offer a preventative effect. “The longer you use peptides, the more benefits you will see for the skin,” says Dr Graf. “By stimulating important proteins, like collagen, skin is left firmer and brighter – and signs of ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles, are slowed.”

Finally, peptide serums are also a good option for those who can’t tolerate irritating ingredients, such as retinoids, as they offer a similar ability to stimulate collagen production – although to a lesser degree. But they don’t come with the risk of irritation, making them a good option for those with sensitivities.

Meet the experts

• Carmen Castilla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York at the New York Dermatology Group.
• Melanie Palm, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, CA, at Art of Skin.
• Jeanette Graf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.