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Oct 20, 2024

17 Best Peptide Serums of 2024, According to Dermatologists

Hey Siri, play "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise. Never in a million years would my high-school self

Hey Siri, play "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

Never in a million years would my high-school self imagine that I'd be geeking out over peptides in adulthood, something that would have felt deeply complicated back in the day. Fortunately, I'm one of many beauty editors explaining the latest science and, not to flatter myself, but making it fun in the name of fewer fine lines and wrinkles and smoother, brighter skin! That, my friends, brings me to my current obsession: peptide serums, which are basically what's responsible for making my skin so damn firm and plump.

"Peptides are tiny building blocks that send signals to the cells in your skin to do specific tasks, such as making more collagen and repairing damage," says dermatologist Nicole Lee, MD. So, incorporating peptide serums and creams can potentially help reduce wrinkles by making your skin smoother and more elastic, as well as quell inflammation and improve overall skin health. "Think of peptides as messengers that tell your skin to act young and stay healthy," says Dr. Lee.

There are legit thousands of different kinds of peptides, which is why it's *so* important to do your research before buying any ol' peptide serum on the market. To help you choose the best peptide serum for your skin, I spoke with three derms, dug into my skincare collection to refresh my memory on my years-long favorite products, and did a wild amount of research to round up the 17 best peptide serums of 2024. Here's a peek:

Keep scrolling for the full list of best peptide serums below, with glowing reviews from people who are obsessed with them. And for those who stick with me until the very end, you'll also find expert insights on how to choose the best peptide serum for your skin type, among other helpful deets.

Ever since I tried Medik8's Sleep Glycolic Peel for the 2024 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Awards, I was hooked. This serum was my second purchase from the brand, and WOW, it’s just as life-changing. It’s packed with 10 (!) types of peptides and has the seal of approval from dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD—seriously, she’s the doc I’d trust with my life. She calls it a “really cool formula,” calling out Matrixyl 3000 in particular; it's “a peptide that boosts collagen and elastin synthesis." Translation: It helps your skin produce more of the proteins that keep it firm, smooth, and elastic.

My personal fave ingredient: carnosine, an antioxidant and a peptide! It’s naturally found in muscle and brain tissues and fights glycation. Glycation is when sugar molecules stick to your skin’s proteins, like collagen and elastin, speeding up their breakdown. This can happen to anyone, but especially those with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or a diet high in sugar and refined carbs. Sound like you? Get it!

Glowing customer review: "Liquid Peptide Serum is THE GAME CHANGER to your skin care routine! A cosmetic chemist recommended this product and the decrease of fine lines and wrinkles in my skin have drastically changed! I have stopped getting Botox because this had made that much difference!

I've been singing the praises of The Ordinary to anyone who'll listen for years. Why? Because its products are not only v affordable but also v (!) effective. And this blue-colored serum is no exception. It's packed with a powerful lineup of peptides to protect your skin and help stop fine lines and wrinkles in their tracks.

Here’s the lowdown: Copper peptides (which give it that blue hue) protect against those icky free radicals from environmental stressors like air pollution and blue light. Matrixyl steps in to boost collagen and elastin production. And let's not forget argireline, a peptide, which miiiiight just help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, by relaxing your facial muscles. (Almost kinda like Botox, sans injections, but you'll have to use it v consistently to see noticeable results).

Glowing customer review: "This is one of my must-haves! I've been using it for a few years now, and it is probably the item that has made the biggest difference in my skin! My acne scarring and wrinkles have all softened and blurred."

Derma E is one of my absolute fave skincare brands to snag on Amazon, since its products are budget-friendly and packed with potent formulations that deliver. The MVP ingredients in this bb? Two kinds of peptides, but that's just scratching the surface. The formula is stacked with antioxidants, hydrators, soothing agents, and moisture barrier-protecting ingredients. In other words, this peptide serum does it all.

Glowing customer review: "This serum is AWESOME! II'd give it 100 stars if I could. DermaE is my go-to skin care line and they did not disappoint with this product. It definitely gives my skin a much needed boost. Within a week of using it friends were noticing my skin looking really good. At first I forgot that I had made any changes to my regimen because I was only suing it in the morning but once I noticed a visible difference I started using it in the morning and night. It has definitely helped with diminishing fine lines and giving me a little umph where I need it."

Thanks to her Peptide Lip Treatment and this TikTok-famous gel-serum, Hailey Bieber has single-handedly introduced the masses to the magic of peptides. This refreshing formula uses argireline, that "Botox in a bottle" we mentioned. (FYI: This is a bit of an exaggeration.) It works alongside smoothing niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and nourishing marula oil.

While it might not give you the most dramatic results, it will leave you looking hella dewy à la Bieber."I like mixing a few drops of this serum into my moisturizer to amp up my glow, or I'll even just dab it straight onto my cheekbones as a highlighter," says Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette.

Glowing customer review: "I wasn’t expecting much, but I really notice a difference in my skin since using it. I use it day and night - during the day I’ll either apply it after SPF or mix with my foundation - and no matter which way I use it, my skin looks much more plump and hydrated. I was skeptical at first about the hype, but this is actually a fantastic product. It’s the only one I’ve repurchased so far - other than the lip treatments - and I’ll always make sure I have a back up of it."

Finding a hardworking face serum when you have sensitive skin is a freakin' dangerous game. But the Cetaphil Hydrating Serum? It checks alllllll the boxes. It’s free of alcohol, fragrance, parabens—you name it—so basically everyone I've recommended it to not only tolerates it, but loves it. This one protects, hydrates, and soothes skin with glycerin and niacinamide and tackles signs of aging with (you guessed it) peptides.

Glowing customer review: "This is one of a very few skincare products that actually does what it says it does. By the end of the first bottle, I could see a difference in my skin.It has no discernable scent, it is a very light feeling but great moisturizer and my overall complexion is just ... better."

In the age of Sephora-loving teens, Bubble's offering up a peptide serum to get you started early (but, IMO, it's just as covetable for elder Gen Z'ers like moi). The lightweightWater Slide serum is completely free of potentially irritating and unnecessary ingredients like sulfates, fragrances, and essential oils (among many others!) but packed with the good stuff: peptides (duh), antioxidants, soothing prickly pear extract, and moisture barrier-boosting ceramides. And obviously, the packaging is hard-to-resist-cute.

Glowing customer review: "After using Water Slide for a week, I can confirm the name describes it perfectly! My skin has never felt so soft and smooth! This serum is extremely hydrating and got rid of all my redness and dry skin. I love using it so much, I want to buy multiple bottles for myself and family! I love the packaging, it's easy to use and the air pump makes me feel at ease knowing I won't waste a single drop."

My big ole crush on Maelove started with its insanely good Night Renewer Glycolic Acid Cream and has grown over time to include this newer launch. This one's blue-tinted because it contains copper peptides to build collagen, but it's a powerhouse, with potentially-muscle-relaxing argireline, collagen-boosting Matrixyl 3000, and rice peptides, which can possibly help slow the breakdown of collagen.

Glowing customer review: "After just a few weeks, my skin looks noticeably firmer and more radiant. Fine lines have softened, and my complexion is more even-toned. The serum provides excellent hydration, keeping my skin plump and comfortable all day. Love this product!"

Alicia Keys would never let us down, and this peptide serum is proof. It's basically a godsend for dry skin because it's straight-up loaded with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid (they attract and hold moisture in the skin) and emollients such as jojoba esters (which seal in moisture. This specific formulation uses signal proteins that tell your skin cells to make more collagen and slow the degradation process.

Glowing customer review: "One thing about skincare is that some products take a long time to see results. I love this serum because it instantly makes your skin look and feel smoother and firmer. Not only does it have immediate glow and tone, but it seems to truly improve long-term after use. It is so moisturizing and applies silky and nourishing!"

You probably know CosRX for its famed snail mucin (loved by Cosmo contributor Iman Balagam), but its peptide serum deserves your attention too. Unlike others on this list, it's super lightweight, almost like micellar water. I apply it before my exfoliant, retinol, or moisturizer (I'm a skin cycling girlie).

Peptides amp up the absorption of what comes next, boosting their effects (hence its name as "booster.") Despite feeling as light as water on your skin, this serum is pretty damn potent with six peptides that work together to make my skin look and feel firmer, smooth out wrinkles, and boost my skin's collagen production.

Glowing customer review: "This product has been a game changer. Since I started incorporating this in my skincare routine, my pores have shrunk and my skin is looking radiant than ever. My significant other even pointed out that my skin looks amazing. I recommend it!"

The Futurist Peptide-Power Serum isn't just a chic bottle—it's a skincare and makeup primer in one. It boasts a silky (non-sticky!) texture that makes my foundation melt into my skin like butter. As for the benefits, it works both instantly and over time (if you use it on the reg) by temporarily plumping fine lines with hyaluronic acid and firming them up with two kinds of peptides. What I love most is the addition of mica (a reflective mineral), which gives my skin a radiant glow that looks juuuuuust as good alone as it does under makeup.

Glowing customer review: "This is a wonderful product, giving skin a smooth silky finish, I just love the feel of it & its great that it doesn't clog pores / cause blemishes. The bottle also looks amazing!!"

This nighttime serum looks like a lil unicorn AND is a multitasker extraordinaire. Its star ingredient is palmitoyl pentapeptide-4—aka Matrixyl. But this formula is more than just some peptides. It also packs a in brightening vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid, gently exfoliating lactic acid, soothing niacinamide, and free radical-busting antioxidants. Olay wasn't kidding when they called it the "super" serum...

"I gave this serum a true test by massaging it in every morning for a month straight, and TBH, my skin never looked better," says Gillette. "I thought it would be so irritating, since it's loaded with actives, but the combo of hydration and strengthening peptides offsets that a bit, so I just notice a light exfoliation."

Glowing customer review: "I’m usually a cynic of products like this, but I’d read a lot of good things about several of the ingredients in this one, so I decided to try it. I’m happy to report that, after using this serum at night for only a few short weeks, my skin is brighter and more youthful in appearance! (I first noticed a difference after two nights!) Don’t expect miracles. No product can reverse the clock. However, this product definitely does help, and I’m very happy with the results!"

This power-packed peptide serum is ideal for those looking to subtly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as uneven skin texture. It contains a high percentage of lactic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that's a "gentler cousin to glycolic acid," Dr. Collins previously told Cosmo. But it's surprisingly gentle, thanks to a combination of 11 (!) different peptides, plus hydrating snow mushroom.

Glowing customer review: "I am someone that deals with uneven texture on my cheeks and very few products help me combat it, but this serum has been a game changer! My skin is softer and smoother without any irritation. I’m in love!"

As promised by this product's name, it's a booster, meaning you can mix it into your moisturizer or CC cream, or wear it on its own like a traditional face serum. (It's your journey!!) It uses six types of peptides, including signal peptides that tell your body to create collagen and elastin, and anti-inflammatory peptides to help calm down inflammation.

Glowing customer review: "As someone who's tried numerous skincare products, I can confidently say that Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster is a game-changer. From the moment I incorporated it into my routine, I noticed a remarkable difference in the texture and firmness of my skin.

Dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, recommends this multitasking sunscreen serum from Kiehl's. Why? Well, it uses collagen-boosting peptides to help keep your skin firm and plump and anti-inflammatory peptides to improve skin texture. Obvi, you're in good hands with SPF 50 courtesy of chemical filters—along with vitamin E, an antioxidant, to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, too.

Glowing customer review: "I hate facial sunscreen with a fiery passion because I feel like no matter how I apply it, it always ends up melting into my eyes at some point. This stuff is fabulous - no melting, it stays put and doesn't migrate anywhere else on your face. No scent and no harsh ingredients so there is no irritation at all. It's also more of a serum rather than a lotion so I don't feel like I will sweat it off. Its very soothing and hydrating all while protecting your face from the sun - total win!"

Don't let the name of this bottle fool you: This peptide serum isn't as effective as neurotoxin injectables like Botox or Xeomin (nothing topical is, unfortch), but it sure is the next-best thing for fighting wrinkles. It uses argireline, which—not to sound like a broken record—Dr. Lee loves for the way it reduces muscle contraction like Botox and thus, prevents them from getting worse. Plus, it uses other collagen-boosting peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid to "fill in" lines by plumping them up a bit.

Glowing customer review: "I’ve almost used a full bottle and I can def see my fine lines and wrinkles have decreased, looking plumper and smoother."

Repeat after me: You don't need to spend a zillion dollars on a peptide serum that works. But! If you've got money to burn and want to tackle undereye issues sans filler for deep lines, or 'tox for those dynamic lines (the ones that show when you laugh or get mad), you're in good hands with Revision Skincare. This is the only peptide serum on our list that comes in a mini tube with a cooling metal applicator for precise undereye application that helps depuff a lil bit, making it elite for dealing with under-eye bags. It also uses argireline and a bunch of other peptides for both quick and long-term results to help smooth crow's feet and other eye wrinkles.

FWIW, Revision is highly regarded in the medical skincare community, and for that reason, it's often found in dermatology offices. The brand even suggests using it after neurotoxin injections to help extend the effects of your treatment, which is a win for your schedule and bank account.

Glowing customer review: "I am 37 and have been using this twice daily on faint lines—crow's feet, lines around my mouth, necklace lines—for about four weeks now and there are visible results! I am confident that with continued use, my lines will be completely resolved. Do not hesitate, buy now!"

If you want a fast-acting peptide serum and are okay with splurging, you neeeeeed to consider this one. It uses growth factors and peptides to repair and firm the skin. (Quick lesson on growth factors: They "stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production, leading to improved skin texture and firmness and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles," as previously explained by dermatologist Heather Rogers, MD.) Most notable of all, so many reviewers, including deputy beauty director Lauren Balsamo, mentioned that they saw visible results—see: smoother, less dull skin— in just days.

Glowing customer review: "I've been using this for 2 weeks now. Seen overall improvement on my crows feet and my skin appears brighter and firmer. I've also received compliments from friends that skin is looking radiant 🙏"

Yes, peptide serums do work—if by "work," you mean help moisturize, plump, and firm your skin. Peptides are made of amino acids (which are what make up the protein in our skin). “Peptides signal your skin to enter repair mode and produce more collagen and elastin—two proteins responsible for keeping skin smooth and firm,” plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD, previously told Cosmo. What's so good about more collagen? Well, it's what plumps up your skin and makes it resilient and firm, helping to prevent and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it can even make your face look more lifted and tight.

The right peptide serum for you (and any skincare product ever, really) comes down to your skin type. So if you've got oily skin, then you probably won't love a peptide serum filled with sealing oils and heavy moisturizers. In this case, opt for a lightweight peptide serum with humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) to hydrate your skin without making it greasy.

However, if you're working with dry, dehydrated skin, obviously, the more moisture a formula can provide, the better. Look for peptide serums that are loaded with hydrators, plus sealing oils to help lock in all that water and hydration you're flooding into your skin.

Peptides are great, but it's even better when the formula combines them with hydrators, soothers, and sometimes even exfoliants. Generally, your best bet is a peptide serum with hyaluronic acid, which will also help pull water into your skin to make it look even more plump. But I've also included a mix of options above—including exfoliating peptide serums to combine a bit of gentle, chemical buffing to get rid of dead skin that can make your skin look dull, as well as calming options that use aloe vera, cica, and/or allantoin to bring down swelling and inflammation.

Marisa Petrarca is a contributing beauty writer for Cosmopolitan.com. In the rare case that she’s not working on a story, you can find her testing new makeup, skin, or hair launches, binge-watching bad reality TV, or diligently working (but failing) to get her inbox to zero. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, POPSUGAR, and GRAZIA USA, among others. Follow her on Instagram for corgi photos and shameless self-promotion.

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