Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules — telling skin cells to perform specific functions like producing more collagen, repairing barrier damage, or relaxing muscle tension that causes expression lines. Different peptides do different jobs.
Peptides are messengers. They tell your skin what to do — make collagen, repair the barrier, relax fine lines — without the irritation of stronger actives.
The clinical evidence for Peptides is strongest in these areas:
Mature skin, anyone wanting renewal benefits without retinol irritation, sensitive skin, and recovery-focused routines.
Very well-tolerated. The challenge is identifying which peptides do what — look for established names like Matrixyl, Argireline, copper peptides.
Build a complementary routine — these actives layer cleanly with Peptides.
Strong acids in the same routine can degrade peptides before they work.
Use the Routine Builder to see Peptides in context — with the four other steps that complete a routine.