The 5 Best Peptide Serums We Tested in 2026, Dermatologist-Approved

Frequently Asked Questions

Most formulas contain a combination of peptides, so you don’t have to worry about how each one works, but it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the different types of peptides when looking at the ingredients.

Signal peptides, such as matrixil 3000They work by sending a message to cells to boost the production of proteins like collagen and elastin, which ultimately helps tighten the skin. These are the most commonly used peptides in skin care. You’ll also find synthetic peptides like argyrelin, which Joshua ZeichnerMD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, says it helps smooth the skin (also known as Botox peptide), relaxing muscles and improving the appearance of wrinkles. Carrier peptides (which include copper peptides) helps strengthen the barrier and stimulate collagen by delivering minerals to the skin, he says; They act similarly to signal peptides, in that they improve skin firmness and soften the texture. Finally, there are growth factor peptides to help with wound healing and skin regeneration; They also stimulate collagen production (noticing a theme here?), making them especially efficient at anti-aging.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks that our skin uses to make collagen and elastin. “Since we gradually lose and damage our collagen and elastin fibers as we age, many skin care peptides are designed to improve skin structure, increase hydration, and stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin fibers,” says. Rachel Nazarian, MDA board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. That’s what makes them a great addition to any anti-aging skin-care routine – they help support collagen production.

With regular use, peptide serums are worth the investment. “Peptides can be applied to the skin twice a day under makeup and sunscreen,” says howard sobelMD, is Clinical Attending Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC. With continued use, peptides help tell cells to “act younger”, thus, making fine lines and wrinkles less visible.

No, They cannot be compared to Botox. “Botox (and neurotoxins like it) are very unique – they essentially weaken the muscles and stop contraction, which can cause expression lines to fade,” says Dr. Nazarian. She explains that there is no topical ingredient that can fight muscle contractions like this. Peptides can soften some expression lines by plumping and hydrating the area, but they don’t actually work or get results like an injection.

Dr. Engelman suggests combining peptides with ingredients that help enhance their benefits, such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. She also recommends applying a peptide serum with a good facial moisturizer that contains ceramides to help retain moisture and hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. That being said, five dermatologists we spoke to cautioned against combining peptides with harsher exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, which could counteract the benefits of the peptides. However, you can combine peptides with retinol – in fact, it may help reduce some of the irritation caused by retinol use.

We evaluated peptide serums by looking at their ingredients, texture, and efficacy. The best ones contain multi-peptide complexes, or clinically tested peptides like Matrixyl 3000, collagen peptides, or copper peptides that help smooth and soften skin. They also had other ingredients that worked well with the peptide ingredients, like antioxidants for glow and protection, exfoliators like PHAs to soften texture, niacinamide to reduce redness, or PDRN to strengthen the skin barrier. Our Hero Serum also has a light, non-sticky texture that doesn’t pill or leave residue after application. Finally, the options on our list showed noticeable results immediately after using them—our skin looks so much firmer, brighter, and brighter after incorporating these into our routine!