Peptides have (rightly so) reached centre stage in your skincare routine.
Especially for those who are looking for the best anti-aging products.
But what exactly are peptides and how can they benefit your skin?
What Are Peptides?
Small but incredibly influential, peptides are short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins and help drive many of the body’s most important processes, including cell growth and repair.
There are thousands of types of proteins built by peptides, and some of them, such as collagen, elastin, or keratin, are dedicated to protect your skin and hair’s strength, structure, and resilience.
In skincare, peptides have become one of the most talked-about ingredients for supporting smoother, firmer, more resilient skin.
Peptides are valued for their ability to help support the skin’s natural processes, including collagen production, barrier repair, and hydration.
Unlike harsher actives that work by exfoliating or resurfacing the skin, peptides function more like messengers, signaling the skin to maintain its natural renewal and repair mechanisms to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and restore firmness.
Peptides support your skin during typical aging processes, which is why they are commonly found in anti-aging skincare products, moisturizers, serums, and supplements.
Types of Peptides Used in Skincare
There are over 7,000 types of peptides that we know about. So scientists have developed categories of peptides according to their effect and functions on your skin.
There are four main types of peptides: signal, carrier, enzyme-inhibiting, and neurotransmitter-affecting. Collagen peptides are smaller chains of amino acids created by breaking down collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body.
Collagen Peptides
Collagen provides structure and strength to the skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissues. However, collagen molecules are large and difficult for the body or skin to absorb in their natural form.
This is where collagen peptides come in.
Collagen peptides are created through a process called hydrolysis, which breaks collagen down into smaller amino acid chains. These smaller chains are easier for the body to absorb and use.
In skincare and supplements, collagen peptides are valued because they can support collagen formation, improve the appearance of skin elasticity, and contribute to have healthier hair and nails.
| Peptides | Collagen peptides |
|---|---|
| Short chains of amino acids | Specifically derived from collagen protein |
| Can perform many different biological functions | Often used in supplements or collagen-focused skincare |
| Used widely in skincare formulas | Provide amino acid building blocks associated with collagen |
Both types play valuable roles in supporting skin and overall health.
Signal Peptides
Signal peptides are among the most widely used peptides in skincare. These small molecules act as messengers, signaling the skin to support the production of structural proteins like collagen and elastin, which help keep skin firm and resilient.
As we age, the body gradually produces less collagen, often beginning in our mid-twenties, and this natural decline continues over time. Signal peptides help encourage the skin to maintain these important proteins, which can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven texture.
Because of this supportive role, signal peptides are commonly found in targeted treatments such as serums and moisturizers designed to promote smoother, more resilient-looking skin.
Carrier Peptides
Carrier peptides help transport important trace elements to the skin.
These peptides bind to minerals like copper or magnesium and deliver them to skin cells, where they support healing and regeneration processes.
Copper peptides, for example, are widely used in skincare because they can help support skin repair, collagen support, and skin texture.
Though the results are similar to signal peptides, their process is different.
Carrier peptides are often included in products designed for skin renewal and barrier support.
Enzyme-Inhibiting Peptides
Over time, certain enzymes in the body break down collagen and elastin. This natural process contributes to the visible signs of aging.
Enzyme-inhibiting peptides work by helping slow the activity of these enzymes, allowing the skin to maintain its structure longer.
These peptides may help reduce the appearance of expression lines, wrinkles, or skin thinning.
They are frequently included in products designed to support long-term skin firmness.
Neurotransmitter-Affecting Peptides
Some peptides influence the way facial muscles contract.
These are sometimes described as “Botox-like” peptides, though they work much more gently.
Neurotransmitter-affecting peptides help reduce the appearance of tension-related lines, such as forehead lines, crow’s feet, or expression wrinkles.
Rather than freezing muscle movement, they help soften the visible effects of repeated facial expressions.
When Should You Use Peptides?
One of the biggest advantages of peptides is that they are suitable for almost every skin type.
They can support skin health whether you’re dealing with dryness, sensitivity, or visible signs of aging.
Here are some of the most common situations where peptides can be particularly helpful.
- When you feel your skin is dry or dehydrated
Peptides can support the skin barrier and help improve moisture retention.
When combined with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, peptides can help restore softness and smoothness to dehydrated skin.
- If you want to maintain skin vitality
As collagen levels decline with age, skin can lose firmness and elasticity.
Peptides help support the skin’s natural repair processes, which can improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity.
- If you have sensitive skin
Unlike some active ingredients such as retinoids or strong acids, peptides are generally very gentle and well tolerated.
This makes them a good option if you have experienced reactive skin or redness with other products.
Peptides offer strong repair without irritation.
- When you want to be preventative during your 20s
Peptides aren’t only for mature skin.
Many dermatologists recommend introducing peptides in your 20s or 30s as part of preventative skincare.
Using peptides earlier may help support the skin’s natural resilience and maintain collagen levels for longer.
Benefits of Peptides for the Skin
Peptides have become popular in skincare thanks to their versatility and their gentle nature, making them suitable for most skin types.
Rather than aggressively exfoliating or resurfacing the skin, peptides work by supporting the skin’s natural biological processes. Consistent use of peptide-based skincare products can help maintain the proteins that keep skin strong, hydrated, and resilient.
One of the most valued benefits of peptides is their ability to support skin firmness. Signal peptides encourage the skin to maintain collagen and elastin, two structural proteins responsible for keeping skin smooth, plump, and elastic.
Peptides may also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By supporting skin structure and improving hydration levels, peptide-infused products can help soften the look of expression lines and promote a smoother complexion.
Another important benefit is strengthening the skin barrier. A healthy barrier helps protect the skin from environmental stressors such as pollution and climate changes while preventing moisture loss. Peptides can support the proteins involved in maintaining this protective barrier, helping the skin remain balanced and resilient.
With continued use, peptides may also help improve overall skin texture, making the skin appear more even, refined, and healthy-looking.
Although, don’t forget to be consistent with peptides. This ingredient is not miraculous, it is more of a long-term skincare ingredient.
Peptides Benefit More Than Just the Skin
Although we have focused heavily on how peptides benefit your skin, they’re also incredibly beneficial in hair growth, muscle recovery, and overall wellness.
- Peptides for hair growth
Hair is primarily made of keratin, a protein built from amino acids.
Peptides provide some of the amino acids necessary to support healthy hair structure and impact hair growth and scalp health.
For example, Maya Chia PowerFol is an advanced scalp treatment that is formulated with pea peptides that will help your hair grow healthier and thicker over time.
Peptides in the formula provide amino acids that contribute to keratin production, the protein that forms the structure of hair strands. By nourishing hair follicles internally, the supplement helps support stronger, thicker-looking hair.
The formula also contains nutrient-rich botanical ingredients, including chia-derived compounds and plant extracts that help support scalp health and overall hair vitality.
Formulas like this nourish hair follicles and promote healthier hair growth.
- Peptides for muscle growth (and weight control)
Peptides are also widely used in sports nutrition and wellness supplements.
Because they are composed of amino acids, peptides play a role in muscle protein synthesis, tissue repair, exercise recovery, and other metabolic processes.
If you are practice sports regularly, you could use peptide-based supplements to support muscle maintenance and recovery after exercise.
They work best when combined with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits.
How to Use Peptides
Peptides can be incorporated into your routine in two main ways: through topical skincare products or through supplements and dietary sources.
The way you choose to use peptides will depend on what you’re hoping to support or improve.
For example, if your goal is to address skin concerns such as fine lines, dehydration, or loss of firmness, topical peptide skincare products are usually the most direct approach.
When applied to the skin through serums, moisturizers, or treatments, peptides work at the surface level to help support collagen production.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to support hair growth, overall skin health, or muscle recovery, peptide supplements or peptide-rich foods may play a more supportive role.
When consumed internally, peptides provide amino acids that the body can use to build important structural proteins such as collagen and keratin
How to Use Peptides in Skincare
Topical peptides are most commonly found in serums, where concentrated formulas can deliver them effectively to the skin.
Although you can also find them in scalp treatments, face mists, moisturizers, face masks, lip treatments, or body care products.
In most products, peptides are used at 0.5% to 5% total concentration.
This allows you to layer peptides throughout your skincare routine.
Peptide products should generally be applied after cleansing and before heavier creams or oils, unless they come in heavier products like moisturizers. And you can use them both in the morning and the evening.
To make the most out of them, you can combine peptides with other actives such as:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Antioxidants
- Ceramides
Of course, if you’re looking for clean sources, you can’t go wrong with these Beauty Heroes’ favorites:
Marshmallow Poof is a peptide-rich moisturizer designed to visibly smooth, firm, and revive the skin with a cloud-light, cushiony touch.
The formula features a 15% concentration of five cell-communicating peptides, including neurotransmitter peptides that help soften the look of expression lines by relaxing the appearance of facial tension.
Together, this peptide complex supports collagen and elastin, helping skin appear firmer, more lifted, and resilient over time.
Shiitake mushroom extract, edelweiss, and superoxide dismutase help defend the skin against oxidative stress and environmental aggressors.
Niacinamide and tetrahexyldecyl vitamin C support brightness and a stronger skin barrier, while marshmallow root and aloe deliver soothing hydration for a complexion that feels calm, supple, and refreshed.
Mama Pacha Moisture Infusion Cream is a deeply nourishing moisturizer designed to support hydration, barrier repair, and skin resilience.
Peptides in the formula help signal the skin to maintain collagen and elastin levels, supporting a smoother and firmer appearance over time.
The cream also contains botanical oils, plant-based hydrators, and soothing extracts that help strengthen the skin barrier and replenish moisture, including avocado oil, gotu kola, mango seed butter.
Multi‑Active Hydramist is a facial mist formulated with rice peptides designed to hydrate, refresh, and support skin repair throughout the day.
Peptides in this formula help support the skin’s natural renewal processes while encouraging a smoother, firmer appearance.
Mists deliver lightweight hydration, so they allow peptides to be layered easily within any skincare routine.
The formula is also enriched with botanical extracts, hydrosols, and antioxidants that help calm the skin and reinforce moisture levels, including jasmine, magnesium, and neroli.
It is perfect for dehydrated or stressed skin, especially when used after cleansing, between skincare steps, or throughout the day to refresh the complexion.
Ultra Peptide Cream is a rich moisturizer formulated specifically to support collagen production, skin elasticity, and visible firmness.
The peptide complex in this formula helps stimulate the skin’s natural repair mechanisms while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The cream also includes aloe, baobab, ceramides, marula, niacinamide, and sesame to help strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture.
This combination makes it especially beneficial for mature, dry, or environmentally stressed skin.
Lip Whip Peptide Smoothing is a lip treatment designed to hydrate, smooth, and improve the appearance of fine lines around the lips.
The peptide complex helps support collagen in the delicate lip area, which can help restore the look of fullness and softness over time.
The formula is combined with nourishing botanical oils and conditioning ingredients that help repair dryness and protect the lips from environmental stressors.
Both flavors (vanilla and toffee) include avocado oil, beeswax, camellia seed oil, castor oil, olive oil, and peptides.
Applied daily, it provides both immediate hydration and longer-term smoothing benefits. The result is lips that appear softer, more supple, and visibly smoother.
Celestine Hydra‑Plumping Peptide Serum is a lightweight serum designed to deliver concentrated hydration while supporting the skin’s natural collagen network.
The seaweed peptides in the formula help signal the skin to maintain firmness and elasticity, making the serum particularly effective for addressing early signs of aging.
Other ingredients like aloe, blue yarrow, niacinamide, and pomegranate, help draw moisture into the skin, creating an immediate plumping effect while supporting long-term skin health.
Peptides in Foods and Supplements
Peptides can also be obtained through diet and supplementation.
Peptide supplements are typically available in capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid formats, making them easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
They are often taken once or twice per day, depending on the specific formula and the brand’s recommended dosage, and can usually be consumed with water.
Peptide supplements are designed to provide the body with bioavailable amino acid chains that support the production of structural proteins such as collagen and keratin, which are important for skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues.
However, you can also find your peptides in natural sources. Certain foods naturally contain peptides or amino acids that contribute to peptide formation.
Examples include:
- Fish
- Oats
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Legumes
Find the Best Peptide Products at Beauty Heroes
If you’re ready to explore peptide-powered skincare, Beauty Heroes offers a curated collection of formulas featuring high-quality peptide ingredients.
Every product we carry meets our strict standards for ingredient integrity, efficacy, and sustainability—so you can feel confident knowing you’re choosing from the very best in clean beauty.
If you want to find skincare with peptides, check out the full peptide collection.
If you want to try the best products every month, subscribe today to the Discovery Box. And, as a bonus, get a 15% discount in most Beauty Heroes products.
