The 19 Best Peptide Serums of 2024, According to Dermatologists
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From Drunk Elephant, Paula's Choice, and more
People / Lecia Landis
While science class may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the purpose of peptides is one lesson we all should pay attention to. “Peptides have been around for a very long time, but they're not exclusive to serums,” celebrity and board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss tells PEOPLE. “They are also found in moisturizers, lotions, and even lip products. Peptides are a short chain of amino acids that are the building block proteins of the important things in life like collagen, elastin, and keratin.”
The founder of Idriss Dermatology and creator of the #PillowtalkDerm Series on Instagram highlights the numerous benefits behind this science: “Peptides help with texture, skin strength, and overall resilience of your skin. They work by tricking your skin into believing there is an issue. For example, they can trick your skin into believing it has a wound and therefore collagen will get stimulated in the process boosting your overall production.”
Serums are one of the easiest ways to deliver peptides to the skin, as the lightweight formula can better penetrate beneath the skin's surface than a rich moisturizer. As such, we scoured the market and spoke with dermatologists to find the absolute best peptide serums for different skin types and skincare routines.
Here are the best peptide serums to add to your routine.
Best Overall: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum works for people with dry, balanced, and combination skin who are looking for hydration, radiance, and overall skin clarity.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might not be suitable for those with super sensitive skin.
As one of the most popular peptide serums available, this Drunk Elephant gem packs quite the punch. It tightens, refines texture, and adds just a hint of moisture and glow so you look your best while your skin feels its best. “This serum delivers a blend of ingredients to strengthen and support the skin,” dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., tells PEOPLE. “Peptides and growth factors stimulate collagen production, while amino acids help hydrate the skin and lactic acid offers exfoliating benefits to brighten and even skin tone.”
Formulated with these peptides as well as amino acids and a bit of lactic acid, this serum sparks collagen and keratin growth so your skin gets a fresher appearance. It works for most skin types (except for super sensitive skin), including dry, balanced, and combination, and as such, is beloved by Gen Z to Boomers and beyond.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Value: Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster
Who It’s Good For
This serum is ideal for all skin types — especially those looking to improve texture and firm the skin.
Who It’s Not Good For
The small size is great for travel but will run out more quickly than others on the list.
If your skin is feeling a bit dull lately, then this peptide booster is just what you need to reinvigorate it. Using a concentrated dose of eight peptides, this serum targets specific areas on your face to improve firmness and texture, smooth out wrinkles, provide hydration, lessen discoloration and redness, and help with cell renewal.
And it’s so easy to add to your skincare routine — simply mix it into your favorite face moisturizer or serum or use it as a standalone product. We think this product is a great value because the cost is fairly average among popular serums, and it works well for what you’re paying. It also comes in a size that's ideal for travel but may run out more quickly.
Size: 0.67 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Investment: Clinical Skin Polypeptide Firming Serum
Who It’s Good For
This product is designed for those with mature skin who want to target fine lines and wrinkles and hydrate the skin.
Who It’s Not Good For
It's not really necessary for younger skin.
If you want to help strengthen your skin, this Clinical Skin serum is truly a wonder. Using peptides as well as a host of other unique ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this peptide serum treats deep wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin. It's truly designed for mature skin, so those with younger skin may not need this product.
“The Clinical Skin Poly Peptide Firming Serum contains a blend of skin-firming peptides with antioxidants and ceramides to protect and hydrate the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “The product has gone through extensive clinical testing with proven improvements in elasticity, hydration, and appearance in fine lines.”
Results take about four weeks to notice a marked difference, but they will speak for themselves. Just be wary if you’re on a budget, because it’s pricey and, once you start using it, you won’t want to stop.
Size: 1.7 ounces | Skin Type: Mature skin, balanced skin
Best Copper Peptide Serum: The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% High Potency, Signs of Aging Serum
Who It’s Good For
This is good for people who want smooth, tight, and even-toned skin.
Who It’s Not Good For
It shouldn’t be used in tandem with vitamin C.
Copper peptides are known for smoothing and tightening skin texture and lessening pigmentation. They act like antioxidants to reduce damage and free radicals in the skin, as well as stimulate collagen growth. This serum also contains Matrixyl and Argirelox which both work to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides in general help with discoloration, so this serum is also ideal for those who have any redness or hyperpigmentation. Keep in mind that this serum should not be used in tandem with products containing vitamin C.
“I started using this peptide serum about six months ago and have definitely seen a noticeable difference in my skin,” says PEOPLE's associate director of growth and content strategy, Hannah Freedman. “It’s plumper, firmer, more hydrated, and has that healthy glow. The serum is also very lightweight and doesn’t leave any sort of film or residue. I usually use it at night along with the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream, which also packs those peptide benefits.”
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Related: The 13 Best Night Creams of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Retinol Peptide Serum: Kiehls Retinol Skin Renewing Daily Microdose Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum is ideal for those searching for anti-aging remedies, because it boosts collagen production, firms the skin, and improves texture and tone.
Who It’s Not Good For
It has a highly-concentrated retinol, so it's not suitable for those with sensitive skin.
This dermatologist-recommended retinol peptide serum is like a knockout punch to your skin. It works fast to improve skin texture and tone — minimizing pores, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and boosting radiance on the surface of your skin. Since it’s a stronger serum, it’s not intended for those with sensitive skin, and you should only use it once a day. With this serum, a little goes a long way but yields big results.
“Kiehl's has a Retinol Skin Renewing Daily Microdose Serum that contains 0.1% retinol, which is pretty high, so this one is not for the sensitive souls, but instead retinol veterans who are looking for an additional boost to their well-aging routine,” says Dr. Idriss. “It has Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, which tricks your skin into signaling collagen production and instantly helping your skin.”
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Related: The 14 Best Retinol Formulas of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Dewy Skin: Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
Who It’s Good For
This glazing fluid is ideal for those who want smooth texture and radiance.
Who It’s Not Good For
This product works well on surface-level improvements, but it might not be as effective for those seeking deep anti-aging results.
For those who prefer a more viscous serum, this gel-based peptide glaze is ideal. This serum highlights four ingredients (including peptides) that work to transform the surface of your skin. It boosts radiance, tightens, and drenches your skin with hydration to create a dewy appearance.
“I’ve been using the entire Rhode skincare line for two months and so far, I love it!” says PEOPLE editor Madison Yauger. “The peptide glazing fluid gives my combination skin a subtle dewy glow and feels so hydrating and lightweight on my face. And the peptides are doing their thing — I’ve noticed a significant improvement in texture and fewer bumps and imperfections on the surface of my skin. I’m so impressed.”
The peptides also aid in plumping the skin, making it look and feel more supple. This might not be the right product if you're looking for deep anti-aging results. But if you aim to refresh your skin each morning and night, and develop a smooth texture and a glowy complexion, Rhode is worth the waitlist.
Size: 1.7 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Vegan: Derma E Advanced Peptide & Collagen Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum is ideal for boosting collagen and would work for someone looking to smooth out texture and hydrate their skin.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not as effective for pigment concerns or acne.
This peptide serum is great for those who prefer sustainable beauty products. It’s 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free — meaning it’s made without any animal byproducts and animal testing. It’s also recyclable, wind energy-certified, and made without GMOs, gluten, or soy.
Now onto what it does have: This serum has premium ingredients that target texture to smooth out skin roughness as well as any fine lines or wrinkles. And as a bonus, it’s also extremely hydrating. If you have pigment concerns or acne, this product isn't as effective as others on our list.
Size: 2 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types
Best for Melanin-Rich Skin: Melé Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
Who It’s Good For
This formula is good for pore reduction, smoothing texture, and oil control.
Who It’s Not Good For
Since it’s meant for a specific skin type, it’s not effective for those with fairer skin tones.
Specially designed by dermatologists of color for people with melanin-rich skin, this Melé peptide serum targets issues like hyperpigmentation and dark spots as well as excess oil and pore size. “The serum minimizes the [appearance] of pores and modifies the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It contains a peptide to balance oil production along with rosehip extract to reduce shine.”
With ingredients like peptides and niacinamide, this serum also reduces unwanted rough texture. You should use it in the morning and can even use it as a primer before applying your makeup. Since it's meant for melanin-rich skin, it's not effective for those with fair skin tones.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: Combination, oily, mature, melanin-rich skin
Best Soothing: Dieux Skin Deliverance Soothing Trinity Serum
Who It’s Good For
This is good for those who want to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and skin irritations, as well as even skin tone.
Who It’s Not Good For
Since it takes three months to see the full effect, it may not be ideal for someone looking for immediate results.
If your skin doesn’t play well with most ingredients, this soothing peptide serum might just be the one that sticks. Made with delicate extracts and a silky texture that melts into your skin, this peptide serum yields results without bothering your skin barrier.
“Dieux’s Deliverance serum is a fan-favorite for good reason — the formula is intended to calm reactive skin, which is done through hemp extract and water lily,” says PEOPLE commerce director Lindsey Metrus. “It’s also loaded with peptides to help firm and strengthen skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines. I’ve found it to be the perfect serum for my sensitive, 30-something skin that needs a lot of extra love these days.”
Within the first few weeks, you’ll see an immediate improvement in the feel of your skin, followed by an evening of tone and texture. It takes a few months to see the full effects of this serum. At about 12 weeks of consistent use, you’ll see firmness and a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. As an added bonus, this is also a sustainable brand with recyclable packaging, vegan and cruelty-free products, and clinically vetted ingredients.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Overnight: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum is good for people seeking anti-aging products that will give them a fresh glow.
Who It’s Not Good For
Since this has retinol, it might not be the best for those with sensitive skin.
If you don’t have time to think about beauty products, but still crave the effects, use your time wisely — let them work while you sleep. This retinol peptide serum from Olay works overnight so you can consistently wake up with smoother, radiant skin, fewer dark spots, and the appearance of smaller pores. It’s also fragrance-free and absorbs quickly so there’s no tacky residue or scent while you’re trying to go to sleep. Described by users as a “fountain of youth,” this serum is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Since it contains retinol, you may want to avoid this product if you have super sensitive skin.
Size: 1.3 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types, mature skin
Best for Smooth Skin: PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum
Who It’s Good For
This works well for people who need a boost in collagen production and repair for free-radical damage.
Who It’s Not Good For
It doesn’t target pigmentation concerns.
The PCA Skin peptide serum targets signs of aging at the cellular level. Using peptides, the serum thickens the epidermis layer of the skin to strengthen it, as well as tightening and firming the surface. Antioxidants play a role by repairing free-radical damage, and hyaluronic acid assists with a surge of hydration to keep your skin soft and supple. While it doesn't target pigmentation concerns, this serum also boosts collagen production which contributes to a smoother texture overall.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Hydrating: Elemis Peptide4 Antioxidant Hydra-Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum is ideal for those who want their skin to look and feel glowy and refreshed.
Who It’s Not Good For
While it is shown to smooth fine lines, that’s not the primary focus of this serum.
For a surge of moisture, this hydrating serum combines prime ingredients like lotus flower milk and Indian gooseberry — as well as peptides and hyaluronic acid — to create a smooth and glowy surface on your skin. It works in overdrive to improve the texture of your skin by plumping, softening, and fading any dullness. While it doesn’t target anti-aging specifically, this serum lessens the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and gives your complexion a refreshed glow.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum
Who It’s Good For
This serum is great for those with inflamed and damaged skin who are looking for a little restoration of hydration and radiance.
Who It’s Not Good For
If sun damage and inflammation are not your concerns, you should consider another serum on this list.
If you’re self-conscious about sun damage, hyperpigmentation, or areas of inflammation on your face, this Allies of Skin serum works brilliantly to target these issues, giving you a glowier, clearer complexion.
“For pigmentation, Allies of Skin has their Mandelic Pigmentation Correcting Serum with Nonapeptide-1, a peptide known to inhibit the production of melanin and work synergistically with mandelic and lactic acid to give you an overall brighter complexion,” says Dr. Idriss.
Using ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid, it works on reducing blemishes, redness, and any dark spots on the surface of your skin. It’s also high in moisture content, providing a boost of hydration to keep your face looking soft and smooth.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best for Wrinkles: Bliss Youth Got This Serum
Who It’s Good For
Anyone looking for anti-aging benefits should consider this serum.
Who It’s Not Good For
This product is made with pure retinol which can be too strong for sensitive skin.
There’s a refined beauty to aging — seeing memories in the form of laugh lines, scars, and other marks of life across your face, but that doesn’t mean you want to see every wrinkle all the time. Consistently using products like this peptide serum designed to target wrinkles can help remove some of that texture and firm up your facial skin along the way.
“Bliss Youth Got This serum contains a stabilized form of retinol along with peptides to offer complementary benefits and strengthen the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Skin-protecting ingredients like squalane help maintain a healthy skin barrier.” You’ll be able to see a difference in smoothness and firmness after four weeks of using this peptide serum. Because it's made with pure retinol, this product may be too strong for those with particularly sensitive skin.
Size: 0.7 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types
Best for Acne: First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate
Who It’s Good For
This retinol peptide serum helps reduce buildup in the pores.
Who It’s Not Good For
Retinol can be too strong of an ingredient for those with sensitive skin.
This retinol serum from First Aid Beauty is a good option to treat breakouts as well as to reduce general texture issues on the surface of your skin. Using retinol to unblock and open up pores (a common cause of acne) and peptides to stimulate collagen growth which tightens skin, this serum can be equally effective for acne and anti-aging. The skin saver complex also works to help soothe and support your skin’s overall health. Together all of these ingredients also help create a more radiant complexion and even out your skin tone. If your skin is sensitive, you may want to avoid this retinol-containing product.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: Acneic (not good for sensitive skin)
Related: The 14 Best Acne Products of 2024
Best for Sensitive Skin: Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum
Who It’s Good For
Anyone looking for a product with soothing and repairing ingredients.
Who It’s Not Good For
Since the primary target is anti-aging, this serum isn’t as effective for pigmentation concerns.
This plant-derived peptide serum is made without common chemicals and harmful irritants making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. Using soothing ingredients like green tea and chamomile extracts, it softens skin, while the peptides and vitamins help restore elasticity and firmness through cell repair and collagen production. The licorice extract does help somewhat with some hyperpigmentation, but the main properties of this serum work to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and texture, leaving you with a smoother and more radiant complexion.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best Cruelty-Free: The Inkey List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum
Who It's Good For
This is a good choice for anyone looking for a lightweight, firming, and hydrating formula.
Who It's Not Good For
If you're looking for fast results, this product, which takes up to six weeks to work, might not be the best choice.
This cruelty-free peptide serum from the INKEY contains two collagen-boosting peptides — Matrixyl 3000™ and Syn-Tacks™ — that help support natural collagen production. In addition to boosting collagen, the formula is also lightweight, firming, and hydrating, thanks to the addition of glycerin and hyaluronic acid. You can use the formula twice daily (morning and evening), and it takes around six weeks to see results. Another bonus: it is very reasonably priced.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types
Best for Aging: Skin Medica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Who It's Good For
If you're looking for faster results, you can start to see visible results in just two weeks with this product.
Who It's Not Good For
It's an expensive product that may not be necessary for those with very fine lines.
This powerful, fragrance-free, anti-aging formula from SkinMedica smooths coarse wrinkles and fine lines and improves the appearance of sagging skin. According to the brand’s clinical study (reviewed by a third party), users noticed visible results in as little as two weeks, with additional improvement continuing over 24 weeks. The product is delivered from a bottle with two chambers. One holdsTNS®-MR to nourish the skin and support healthy skin functions, and the other contains RENESSENSCE (RSC) ADVANCED, which includes botanicals, marine extracts, and peptides. While pricey, this product is worth it if you’re looking for faster results, but it might not be necessary for those with very fine lines.
Size: 1 ounce | Skin Type: All skin types, including mature skin
Best Botox Alternative: Revision Skincare Revox 7
Who It's Good For
This is ideal for anyone looking for a high-quality product to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Who It's Not Good For
It takes about three months to see results, so it's not for anyone looking for an instant treatment.
If you’re looking for a peptide serum that packs a lot of punch, the Revision Skincare Revox 7 should be at the top of your list. This product contains seven peptides to give your skin the best botox-alternative treatment to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lift sagging skin, and even out skin tone. It’s great for all skin types, particularly mature skin, and you can expect to see results in around three months. The price tag is high, but we think it’s worth it for this high-quality product.
Size: 0.5 ounces | Skin Type: All skin types, including sensitive skin
How to Pick the Right Peptide Serum
Peptide Type
The first consideration is the type of peptide serum you’re looking for. “There are different types of peptides and not all peptides are created equal,” says Dr. Idriss. “Some help to boost collagen production, others even out pigmentation, and some can even inhibit the breakdown of collagen so that your skin can stay firmer longer. The PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum, our best pick for smoothing the skin, also boosts collagen. There are also some that act like 'Botox', but are not a replacement for Botox whatsoever. They temporarily slow down the contraction of your muscles. The biggest drawback is that there is no miracle cure and no single peptide is a miracle.”
Skin Type
Your skin type will also dictate which peptide serum you should look for. Some are designed to help mature skin, sensitive skin, and melanin-rich skin, like the Melé Pore Minimizing Serum. So looking at your skin type and your specific areas of concern related to it (fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and redness, respectively) can help you choose the right serum. In addition, your skin type may interact better with different consistencies — for instance, oily skin might prefer a gel-based serum, and dry skin, a barrier-repairing oil-based serum. "Think of peptides as signals that tell your skin cells to perform a specific function. The majority of peptides that we use for the skin work by revving up collagen production. This improves the experience of fine lines and wrinkles and helps strengthen the foundation of the skin,” Dr. Zeichner says.
Skincare Routine
Think about how simple or complex your skincare routine is. Some peptide serums are easily combined with other products, such as a moisturizer with sunscreen, making them easy to add to an existing regimen. Others have to be applied separately in the morning and night, which, depending on your preference, might be absolutely fine or an annoyance. All peptide serums come with use instructions somewhere on the packaging, so just be sure to read to make sure the application frequency is something you’re comfortable with and capable of doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other skincare products pair well with peptide serums?
“Peptides are a great ingredient to combine with retinol for an increased well-aging benefit, says Dr. Idriss. "If you have sensitive skin and you're looking to add retinol into your skincare routine, you can first start with peptides and slowly graduate to retinol. They are not interchangeable, but they both offer well-aging benefits." If you have sensitive skin, our top pick for a peptide serum that's gentle enough for sensitive skin is the Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum.
“Peptides can be used in combination with other actives like vitamin C,” adds Dr. Zeichner. “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage. It helps brighten dark spots, even skin tone, and protect the skin from environmental damage. Most peptide serums can be used alongside vitamin C serums,” he says.
Which skincare products should not be mixed with peptide serums?
With regular peptides, AHAs or alpha-hydroxy acids do not mix well. While vitamin C pairs well with most peptides, it does not mix well with copper peptides, because it makes both ingredients less effective. If you already use a vitamin C serum regularly, you should consider adding a non-copper peptide serum to your routine. Additionally, niacinamide (an ingredient in many of the serums on our list and a form of vitamin B3), should also not be mixed with vitamin C for the same reasons. However, there are ways to incorporate both into your routine — just use one in the morning and one at night.
“Peptides are hearty ingredients and generally mix well with other products,” says Dr. Zeichner. “That being said, as a general rule, more is not better when it comes to skincare. It’s important to understand what your skincare products do and to choose products that complement each other.”
How often can you use peptide serums?
Like many other anti-aging products, generally, these serums are safe to use daily — either once or twice a day depending on the product instructions. Our pick for the best retinol peptide serum, Kiehl's Retinol Skin Renewing Daily Microdose Serum, recommends using it once a day, morning or night.
However, if you have sensitive skin, and you opt for a peptide serum with retinol, you may want to work your way up to using it regularly so your skin can get used to it. Perhaps start by using it twice a week and work up to daily use.
Take Our Word For It
Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified celebrity dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology, as well as Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. She also consulted several PEOPLE editors and heavily researched the market of peptide serums to determine the best picks for different needs.
Meet Our Experts
Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified celebrity dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
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