These days, you can’t scroll, shop, or even walk down the street without hearing about peptides. And while they’re in everything from supplements to IVs, the best peptide serums stand apart for their ability to boost hydration, increase collagen and elastin, and deliver smoother, more youthful skin—with the evidence to back up many of their claims.
Vogue’s Favorite Peptide Serums:
But even in skincare, these ingredients are enjoying newfound attention. “Peptides have graduated from the fine print to the front of the bottle,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut. They’re quickly approaching hyaluronic acid-territory—which itself has become a household name—in part due to their versatility. “Many peptide formulas offer improvements in the appearance of fine lines and firmness while being relatively easy to tolerate and incorporate into a routine,” she says. “They also pair beautifully with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidants.”
For the uninitiated, peptides are short chains of amino acids. “Certain ones can act as messengers, helping signal processes involved in maintaining skin’s structure, including collagen,” Dr. Gohara explains. The various types of peptides can work differently: Some kickstart collagen production, others inhibit enzymes that break down collagen and elastin (preserving what your skin already has), and certain peptides can improve the penetration and function of other ingredients, such as that all-important hyaluronic acid. (“Hyaluronic acid helps give skin that immediate cushion; certain peptides aim to support the framework over time,” says Dr. Gohara.) Being a team player is part of the reason peptides have found popularity—and why that’s unlikely to wane anytime soon.
Moreover, depending on how they work in skin, peptide serums can offer a variety of benefits, such as lasting moisture, increased collagen production, and a reduction in pigment production. With that, scroll ahead for the best peptide serum for every skin concern and goal.
