Most people invest in the best peptide creams for one simple reason: their ability to soften the appearance of fine lines. They offer a non-invasive, topical way to—dare we say—mimic some of the smoothing effects of injectables. Peptides, otherwise known as versatile chains of amino acids naturally found in the body, work overtime in these creams: strengthening your skin’s protective barrier, boosting collagen and elastin, speeding up healing, and more.
And for people with sensitive skin, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, says peptides are a gentler alternative to retinoids, which can be less tolerated on certain skin types. (However, one option on this list has peptides blended with retinols to lighten their harsher effects—talk about a two-in-one!) Keep reading for eight of the very best peptide moisturizers, as suggested by dermatologists and our staffers.
Our Top Peptide Creams
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer
Naturium
Multi-Peptide Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: Naturium’s Multi-Peptide Moisturizer cream delivers on all fronts: a featherlight texture, a potent mix of peptides, vitamin C, and panthenol to smooth fine lines and leave a radiant finish, and a fast-absorbing formula that nourishes like a rich cream without the heaviness. Suitable for every skin type—including oily, acne-prone, and sensitive—it earned the top spot on our list for its ability to keep skin dewy and fresh all day without ever feeling sticky or greasy. And $20? In this economy? We’re grabbing two.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer
Han after applying the Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
“Naturium moisturizers are usually a hit for me (case in point: Dew Point), and Multi-Peptide is no exception. I love the mess-free tube and pump, the lightweight feel, and the fact that it’s infused with vitamin C makes it the ideal daytime moisturizer and makeup primer. In this economy, well-rounded skin care for $20 is hard to beat. Naturium also offers a richer version called Multi-Peptide Rich Cream that is a bit too heavy for my combination skin but would work well as a night cream in the colder months, or people with generally drier skin.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: palmitoyl tripeptide-5, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl yetrapeptide-7, vitamin C, panthenol
- Texture: lightweight cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best for Neck: SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair
SkinCeuticals
Tri-Peptide Neck Cream
Why it’s worth it: SkinCeuticals’ Tripeptide-R Neck Repair stands out in the brand’s powerhouse lineup with a formula designed specifically for the often-overlooked neck and décolletage. This fragrance-free retinol cream is made with a 2% pure, slow-release retinol and 2.5% tripeptide concentrate to smooth fine lines, improve firmness, support collagen production, encourage cell turnover, and address visible signs of aging in this delicate area. Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, counts Triple-R as a staple in his personal regimen. “Once I turned 40, I realized that I could no longer ignore my neck,” Dr. Hartman previously told Allure. “Luckily, SkinCeuticals formulated its Tripeptide-R Neck Repair to incorporate retinol in a formulation that doesn’t cause irritation or unnecessary dryness.”
Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai applying the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair
Pai after applying the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I don’t have platysma bands just yet, but now that I’m in my late 30s, the tech neck—a.k.a. those horizontal lines—is catching up to me. I didn’t really want to slot another product into my routine, but this formula made it both seamless and worthwhile. It sinks in so fast that it’s virtually imperceptible within seconds, and it feels incredibly nourishing. While I won’t see the full benefits for another ten years (crossing my fingers) there’s nothing I trust more to get the job done.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: 2% pure, slow-release retinol, 2.5% tripeptide concentrate, and 5% glaucine complex
- Texture: lightweight, milky cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best for Oily Skin: SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream
SkinFix
Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Why it’s worth it: Even oily, breakout-prone complexions benefit from daily hydration—the trick is finding a formula that won’t overwhelm your skin. Skinfix’s Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream delivers just that, blending hydration with a weightless feel. Inside, you’ll find saccharide isomerate to help skin hold onto moisture, niacinamide to keep excess oil in check, and peptides that help reinforce your natural barrier, all in a pore-friendly, silicone-free base. “For people with oily, acne-prone skin looking for a lightweight moisturizer, this is excellent,” Dr. Kim previously told Allure. “One to two pumps is all you need, and it gets absorbed instantly.”
Pai applying SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream
Deanna Pai
Pai applying SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream
Deanna Pai
“I’ve only just started using this lightweight gel-cream, but it’s totally changed the game for me—already. My combination skin is prone to acne, and I love knowing that the non-comedogenic formula won’t make matters worse. It’s been a godsend this summer, too. I can apply it right after my post-run shower (when I’m usually still sweating) without it ever feeling greasy or occlusive.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: oligopeptide-1, oligopeptide-2, hexapeptide-11, zinc PCA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Texture: lightweight gel-cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best for Dry Skin: Erly Night Moisturizer
Allure features director Dianna Singh after applying the Erly Night Moisturizer
Dianna Singh
Why it’s worth it: While you’re getting your beauty rest, Erly’s Night Moisturizer is awake and working hard to hydrate, plump, and smooth fine lines with a nourishing blend of peptides, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and biotin, all designed to improve elasticity, boost collagen, support skin healing, and fight inflammation. Despite being billed as a night cream, you’ll barely feel it as you make your way over to the bed. No need to rinse it off come morning—just use it last in your nighttime routine to seal in ample moisture and wake up looking extra refreshed.
“Some active-packed formulas are so heavy-feeling, the less-than-pleasant sensorial experience almost isn’t worth the skin-care benefits. On the contrary, Erly’s Night Moisturizer is loaded with peptides, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid but feels featherlight on the skin—and layers beautifully with other products.” —Dianna Singh, features director
- Key ingredients: peptides (including palmitoyl dipeptide- 5 and palmitoyl tripeptide- 38), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, biotin
- Texture: thick cream
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Best Lightweight: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
Paula’s Choice
Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: Why it’s worth it: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer has it all going on. The gel-cream hybrid is rich yet lightweight, super hydrating, and infused with (you guessed it) three different types of collagen peptides for 24-hour hydration that instantly plumps and firms the skin. You’ll also find a generous dose of squalane and glycerin to seal the deal. Apply it morning or night for hydration you can actually feel all day.
- Key ingredients: acetyl sh-hexapeptide-5 amide acetate, oligopeptide-1, tridecapeptide-1, squalane, glycerin
- Texture: gel-cream hybrid
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best Budget: Prequel AM/PM Modern Moisturizer
Prequel
AM/PM Modern Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: If you want a moisturizer that actually works without breaking the bank, reach for Prequel’s AM/PM Modern Moisturizer. This mid-weight multitasker shines any time of day, smoothing rough texture, boosting firmness, softening the look of fine lines, and leaving skin surprisingly soft with every touch. The ingredient list alone makes it hard to believe it costs under $20: peptides, ceramides, and hydrators like glycerin and vitamin F work together to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in lasting moisture.
- Key ingredients: acetyl heptapeptide-4, ceramides, glycerin, vitamin F
- Texture: mid-weight cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best for Combination Skin: Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream
Shani Darden
Hydration Peptide Cream
Why it’s worth it: Created by celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden, the Hydrating Peptide Cream delivers lightweight hydration without the worry of breakouts. The oil-free formula can be used morning and night, balancing skin while keeping pores clear, making it a solid choice for acne-prone types. It absorbs quickly yet still feels nourishing, leaving skin soft and smooth thanks to those peptides, along with squalane and niacinamide.
- Key ingredients: squalane, niacinamide, almitoyl hexapeptide 12
- Texture: lightweight cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Best for Expression Lines: BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer
BeautyStat
Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: BeautyStat tackles fine lines with a proprietary blend of peptides and hexapeptides (a short chain of amino acids) in its Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer, plus glucosamine to help firm sagging skin. It feels so silky and luxurious, rich but not heavy, and the fact that it claims to soften the look of forehead lines makes it worth buying for those with deeper-set lines.
- Key ingredients: C22 Conotoxin Peptide+, hexapeptide, glucosamine
- Texture: rich cream
- Fragrance-free? yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are peptides, and who should use peptide creams?
Peptides are generally considered safe to use without major risks of skin irritation. They’re usually known for their potency as wrinkle reducers, which is why New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, finds peptides more helpful for people to start using them in their late twenties, early thirties, and onwards, when your body starts to lose collagen at a more rapid pace.
Still, Washington, DC-based board-certified dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD, who co-authored a study on peptides in skin care, notes that prevention is key. He thinks that people even younger can start adding peptides into their routine if they feel called to. “There is sufficient data with respect to the decline in collagen, even within your mid-twenties,” he explains, adding that peptides shouldn’t be used in isolation without skin protectors like sunscreen that will really do the legwork of protecting your skin against wrinkles long-term.
Can you layer peptide creams with other actives?
Peptides are naturally found in the skin, and Dr. Kim notes they should be gentle enough to use in concert with other actives like retinol and AHAs, or as a skin-soothing stand-in on days you’re not using actives but want to maximize your skin-care routine.
Dr. Friedman is more hesitant on that front, noting that he would avoid pairing retinol with peptides at the same time and instead would space them out. If you have especially sensitive skin, one way to determine your limits is to test-patch a peptide moisturizer over a retinol serum or after using an AHA face wash, for example, for potential irritation.
How do I find a peptide cream that’s right for me?
For any kind of skin-care product, Dr. Kim says to keep in mind what works for your individual skin type and sensitivities (whether that’s a texture preference or a certain base) above all, rather than just obsessing over ingredient lists.
Generally, the dermatologists we surveyed for this story also suggested peptide serums over thicker moisturizers, though Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, notes that both are helpful. “If you’re looking to see the biggest change, a serum is going to give you the most concentrated version of a peptide treatment,” she explains.
What are the best types of peptides to look out for?
Peptides aren’t as straightforward to spot in an ingredient lineup as something like glycerin or hyaluronic acid since there are so many variations that perform different functions. However, there are a few with skin-smoothing benefits worth looking out for. Dr. Kim calls out Matrixyl 3000 and copper tripeptides as two of the most well-studied types of peptides. “There’s a lot of research out there on how [Matrixyl 3000, a combination of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7,] boosts collagen production,” Dr. Kim says, adding that manufacturer studies have shown a reduction in wrinkles and more elastic skin among participants who have used the peptide topically twice a day over at least two months. “It’s not going to erase your fine lines and wrinkles, but it will soften them,” Dr. Kim explains.
