Peptides in Skincare: What They Do and How to Use Them

Short answer: peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. In skincare they're used to help skin look smoother, firmer and more hydrated. They suit most skin types, can usually be used morning and evening, and work best as a steady, everyday habit rather than a quick fix.

What peptides are

Proteins such as collagen and elastin give skin its structure and bounce. They're built from long chains of amino acids. Peptides are much shorter chains, typically just a few amino acids long. "Peptides" is also a family name, not a single ingredient: each one has its own name on the INCI list, such as Hexapeptide-11 ("hexa" = six amino acids), and different peptides are chosen for different effects.

What they can do for your skin

In cosmetic formulas, peptides are used to help:

• reduce the appearance of fine lines
• support skin that looks firmer and more elastic
• smooth the look of skin texture

They're almost always combined with hydrating ingredients, and that's a big part of the result: well-moisturised skin looks plumper and smoother straight away, while the peptide care builds up over weeks of regular use.

Peptides in our range

• Peptide-Powered Anti-Aging Serum: 2% Hexapeptide-11 with 1% ginkgo biloba extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and blueberry seed oil. Use 2–3 drops morning and evening, then your moisturiser. It is COSMOS Natural certified and contains fragrance.
• Peptide Anti-Aging Eye Cream: a peptide complex with vitamins C and E and sodium PCA, made for the thinner skin around the eyes. Pat on morning and evening; it sits well under make-up.

Peptides and retinol: what's the difference?

They're different ingredients that do different jobs, not one replacing the other. Retinoids are usually applied only at night and often need a slow start, because they can make skin dry or sensitive at first. Peptide products are generally used morning and evening from day one. Some people use both, with retinol on some evenings and peptides the rest of the time. If you do, introduce one new product at a time.

What pairs well with peptides

• Hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA for hydration. Both are already in our peptide serum.
• Vitamin C in the morning. A common split is vitamin C in the morning and peptides in the evening. See vitamin C: morning or evening?
• A rich night cream on top, such as the Ceramide Barrier Night Cream
• Sunscreen every morning. No serum does its job if the day's UV undoes it.

What to expect, honestly

Skin feels hydrated and looks smoother soon after applying. Anything beyond that is gradual and depends on consistency: give a peptide serum several weeks of daily use before you judge it. No cosmetic can do what a medical treatment does, and a good one won't pretend to.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use peptides every day?

Yes. Our peptide serum and eye cream are both designed for morning and evening use.

At what age should I start using peptides?

There's no fixed age. People usually add them when fine lines or a loss of bounce start to bother them, often from their late twenties or thirties onwards.

Do peptides go before or after moisturiser?

A peptide serum goes before moisturiser, on clean skin. See our layering guide for the full order.

Can I use peptides with vitamin C?

Yes. Many routines use vitamin C in the morning and peptides in the evening, or both in the morning, one after the other.