If you’ve been clued into the peptides conversation, you might also be wonder what the best peptide skin-care products can do for you. This “silent powerhouse” (there are, in fact, various types of peptides) is a derm favorite for healing skin, slowing aging, and stimulating collagen and elastic production. At their most basic, peptides are short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin. These proteins are essential for firm, youthful-looking skin.

Vogue’s Favorite Peptide Skin-Care Products

Below, we asked experts to explain what peptides are, whether they recommend them in a skin-care routine, and what to look for when shopping the best peptide skin-care products, from creams and serums, to essences. We also rounded up our favorite peptide products for both the face and body in the guide ahead.

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Best for Beginners: The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum

• Why We Love It: “The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum is great for people who are just starting their skin-care journey or anyone looking to keep their routine minimal,” says holistic esthetician Amity Murray. She recommends it to clients who want a clean, effective formulation that “provides hydration, smooths lines, and is safe for sensitive skin.” It’s also priced under $20, so you won’t wince every time you use it, and you can generously apply it to your face, neck, and décolletage (as we all should be doing).
• Key Ingredients: Collagen peptides
• Best For: Dry, dull skin
• Fragrance-Free: No
• Size: 1.01 fl oz

Best Drugstore: Olay Collagen Peptide Face Moisturizer

• Why We Love It: This fragrance-free moisturizer is a top pick for sensitive-skin types. It feels great on the skin and layers nicely under sunscreen or makeup. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth, it’s packed with palmitoyl pentapeptide, a peptide known for helping to stimulate collagen and elastin production. “It works by mimicking the skin’s own repair signals, essentially signaling the skin to renew itself, which makes it effective for improving fine lines, firmness, and overall skin texture,” she explains. Because it’s small and lipid-linked due to the palmitoyl group, she notes that it penetrates the skin more easily than some other peptides, allowing it to deliver anti-aging benefits deeper into the dermis.
• Key Ingredients: Collagen peptide, niacinamide, pro vitamin b5
• Best for: Dry, aging, textured skin
• Fragrance-Free: Yes
• Size: 1.7 oz