The Best Peptide Serum for Younger and Refreshed Skin

Last Updated: August 24, 2022

Everyone needs to ensure they get the proper amount of amino acids every day, but did you know your face needs amino acids to preserve collagen and the look of youthful skin?

That’s where the best peptide serums come in to save the day. Peptides or polypeptides are amino acids infused into facial serums to reduce wrinkles, improve skin complexion, provide a protective barrier, and treat acne.

Collagen is naturally occurring in our skin, but over time collagen production diminishes, leading to sunken-looking skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Collagen contains three polypeptide chains. So science has figured out that by adding peptides to your face, you can stimulate collagen production for naturally youthful and glowing skin.

Are you ready to reverse time with the best peptide serums for your skin? Let’s jump in!

Winner: Bliss Vitamin C Serum for Face

Bliss Vitamin C Serum is hands-down the best peptide serum for all skin types looking to brighten and firm your face.

This Bliss face serum uses clinical-grade vitamin C and a tri-peptide formula that stimulates and protects collagen while visibly brightening your skin within the first use. The fresh scent invigorates your senses using clean ingredients that nourish and protect your skin.

This Vitamin C face elixir by Bliss is a cruelty-free serum made with vegan ingredients that are free of 1300 harmful ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, SLS, and more.

Bliss is a Certified B Corporation committed to minimizing its environmental impact and making the world more sustainable.

Review

Using this Bliss vitamin C and peptide face serum is bliss. This product is the best peptide serum because it uses clean ingredients for a natural glow, reduced lines, and lasting hydration.

This Vitamin C peptide serum by Bliss boasts ingredients like clinical-grade vitamin C and a trip-peptide formula to make skin look brighter and more youthful. As soon as you pump out a dollop into your hand, you’ll be greeted with a light yet energizing citrus smell.

The tri-peptide and antioxidant-rich formula stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, which helps reduce lines and wrinkles and the look of dark spots. You’ll notice a difference in your skin after just one use. Your skin will feel brighter and have more elasticity, and compliments are sure to follow. After regular use for one month, dark spots from acne scars or hyperpigmentation are visibly reduced.

We love that this product is PETA-Certified vegan and cruelty-free. Bliss uses antioxidant-rich ingredients to defend skin from damage. It’s also free of 1300 harmful and skin damaging ingredients found in many commercial cosmetic products like parabens, SLS, and phthalates.

Another noteworthy feature about this Bliss Vitamin C peptide serum is that Bliss is a Certified B Corporation. Every product from Bliss features fully recyclable packaging and clean ingredients to minimize their environmental impact.

Feel free to use this gentle and non-irritating face serum day and night after cleansing your face and before applying a facial moisturizer. It applies easily and absorbs into your skin with a lightweight feel.

The bottle is a bright orange push pump that is a colorful reminder not to forget this important step in your skincare routine.

The one downside we found to this awesome peptide serum for face rejuvenation was that the push pump clogs quite easily. So we ran it under warm water or used a toothpick to poke a little airway for the blockage to come out when this happened.

Specs

- Item Form: Cream

Skin Type: All

Size: 4.96 by 4.13 by 2.44 inches

Weight: 1 oz (4.16 oz bottle)

Pros

Antioxidant-rich formula
Paraben-free
Free of 1,300 harmful ingredients
Certified B Corporation
Fully recyclable
PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

Pump clogs easily

Runner Up: Foxbrim Naturals Collagen Peptide Complex Serum

The Collagen Peptide Complex Serum by Foxbrim Naturals is a close second for the best peptide serum around. This amazing collagen peptide serum brings out the natural beauty of your skin with plant-based hydrating and collagen-boosting ingredients.

Foxbrim Naturals peptide serum features botanical hyaluronic acid, organic jojoba oil, aloe vera, and plant-based peptides to increase elasticity, reduce skin inflammation, and smooth out lines and wrinkles.

This fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin types, including oily, combination, dry, and sensitive skin.

Every bottle of Foxbrim Naturals Collagen Peptide Complex Serum is produced in small batches in the United States from ethically sourced ingredients that are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Review

Foxbrim Naturals Collagen Peptide Complex Serum is one of the best peptide serums for anti-aging and hydrating all skin types and ages.

This vegan peptide serum uses nine plant-based peptides, jojoba oil, aloe vera, vegan hyaluronic acid, gotu kola, dandelion extract, and other ethically sourced ingredients for deep hydration that noticeably stimulates collagen production.

Keep your skin glowing and firm. Instead of using harmful chemicals, Foxbrim Naturals is committed to using clean ingredients that are free of chemicals and synthetic fragrances.

The plumping formula of this vegan peptide serum brings elasticity back to your skin, making it soft and supple and leaving it hydrated and glowing. You’ll notice the glow return to your face, and the look of wrinkles diminish after just one week of using this product. Commit to a month and delight in the difference.

Another remarkable feature about this peptide serum from Foxbrim Naturals is that it’s made in small batches in the United States. Small batches mean greater oversight during the production process so that every bottle is exactly what you expect.

You’ll notice the best effects when you apply this luxurious-feeling facial serum once or twice a day after washing and exfoliating your face and before putting on your daily moisturizer.

The small brown bottle looks like something you’d find in an apothecary and fits in well on a bathroom counter or medicine cabinet. It comes with a push pump for a consistent amount with each application.

Foxbrim Naturals is a company founded by two women making skin care products with clean ingredients that are good for your skin and the planet. All ingredients in Foxbrim Naturals products are sustainably sourced and manufactured in the US.

The one downside we found with this face serum is that we needed to use more than the recommended small amount to cover the face and neck, which meant we ran out faster than we intended to.

Specs

- Item Form: Serum

Skin Type: All

Size: 2 by 4 by 2 inches

Weight: 1 oz

Pros

Hyaluronic acid
Plant-based peptides
Produced in small batches
Long-lasting and hydrating formula
Fragrance-free
Vegan and cruelty-free
Made in the USA

Cons

Need to use a lot of product

Alternative: ORPHEUS All-In-One Plant Stem Cell Face Serum

ORPHEUS All-In-One Plant Stem Cell Face Serum is an award-winning face serum and is one of the best peptide serums for sensitive skin.

This scientifically formulated serum uses botanical extracts from the Orpheus flower to help your skin naturally regenerate, just like the impressive flower.

You’ll love adding this peptide serum to your skincare routine. Featuring hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, vitamin C, probiotics, and botanical extracts, this all-in-one serum gives long-lasting hydration. Feel the elasticity and suppleness return to your skin within just a couple of uses. Notice a lasting difference in your skin with regular application.

Every bottle of ORPHEUS peptide serum is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and antioxidant-rich.

Review

The ORPHEUS all-in-one peptide serum is an amazing product from the moment your first get hold of the box. The premium packaging, weight of the glass bottle, and luxurious feel of this product all go hand in hand.

This vegan peptide serum boasts botanical ingredients that soothe skin, improve barrier function, and visibly reduce wrinkles. ORPHEUS products feature extracts from the Orpheus flower, a plant nicknamed the resurrection flower.

Other notable ingredients in this facial elixir include hyaluronic acid, organic Bulgarian rose water, vitamin C, Niacinamide (vitamin B3), and antioxidants. Together these powerful and multi-correctional ingredients reduce breakouts, plump and firm the look of your skin, and help hyper-pigmentation.

Use this amazing all-in-one face serum as a peptide eye serum, for your neck, and all over your face. We recommend washing and exfoliating your face before applying. You’ll notice clearer skin, refined pores, and anti-aging benefits within one or two weeks of daily use.

This ORPHEUS award-winning peptide serum is vegan and cruelty-free, gluten-free, and has no added fragrances. It’s received recognition from Forbes magazine and other notable sources for its effectiveness, feel, and clean ingredients.

A feature that really sets this peptide serum apart from others is that is contains probiotics to strengthen your facial microbiome and protect your face from free radical damage.

The ORPHEUS peptide serum has no synthetic fragrances added, so the smell is natural with hints of rose. The subtle natural fragrance makes this serum a pleasure to apply day or night.

This luxurious-feeling peptide facial serum has a push pump in a lavender-purple and blue bottle that mimic the colors of the Orpheus flower. Just holding the bottle, you can feel that this is a quality product, but once you apply the silky serum to your face, you’ll be sold on its virtues.

We found a downside with this vegan peptide serum; some users found it dried out their skin rather than hydrated it. Different skin types react to products in unique ways. While many users found this product to hydrate and soothe, some found it didn’t work for them.

Specs

- Item Form: Serum

Skin Type: Sensitive skin

Size: 1.77 by 1.77 by 5.75 inches

Weight: 1 oz (8.47 oz bottle)

Pros

Hyaluronic acid
Orpheus flower stem cells
No added fragrances
Vegan and cruelty-free
Premium packaging
Long-lasting and antioxidant-rich formula
Award-winning product

Cons

May dehydrate some skin.

Alternative: Youth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Face Serum

Youth To The People Triple Peptide and Cactus Oasis Face Serum is the best multi-peptide serum to reinvigorate your skin and keep it soft and supple.

This vegan peptide serum uses hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals, three peptides, organic cactus stem, rambutan peel, and more. This serum is a lightweight, silky gel that revitalizes skin.

Youth To The People’s triple peptide serum has a fragrance-free formula that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Instead of harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dimethicone, or mineral oil, Youth To The People uses superfood antioxidants and botanical extracts that mimic the natural nutrients of your skin to refresh it naturally.

Youth To The People is proud that every bottle of this triple peptide serum is made in California.

Review

Youth To The People has one of the best peptide serums to plump, hydrate, and firm the look of your skin. Make your skin care routine something to look forward to with this incredible fragrance-free peptide serum.

This vegan facial elixir features vegan hyaluronic acid, a triple-peptide formula, and botanical extracts like organic cactus stem and rambutan peel for long-lasting hydration that absorbs quickly into your skin.

We loved using this facial serum and found it kept our skin feeling firm, hydrated, and plump throughout the day. Its non-sticky formula glides gently across your skin so that a little goes a long way.

Feel comfortable in your skin by using this rejuvenating serum day and night. You need one to two pumps to cover your entire face and neck, and this product works best after washing your face first.

It’s always a benefit when a vegan and cruelty-free product is also paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, and contains no mineral oils or dimethicone. These chemicals have harmful effects and are easily replaced with sustainable and natural ingredients for healthier skin and a healthier planet.

Youth To The People support nonprofit leaders for various important causes like gender and racial equality, climate change, and human rights. We love to support brands that support positive causes and seek to make a positive impact on the planet and all of its residents.

Something to keep in mind when purchasing this amazing peptide serum by Youth To The People is that you must shake it before use.

While all peptide serums recommend using a moisturizer after use, we found that this product really needs a moisturizer to lock in the hydration, so pair this serum with a vegan moisturizer.

Specs

- Item Form: Gel

Skin Type: All

Size: 1.38 by 1.88 by 4.75 inches

Weight: 1 oz (3.2 oz bottle)

Pros

4D hyaluronic acid
Fragrance-free
Alcohol-free
Paraben, sulfate, phthalate-free
Vegan and cruelty-free
Antioxidant-rich formula
Made in the USA

Cons

Must shake before use
Must pair with a moisturizer

Alternative: Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum is the best copper peptide serum that glides on your skin like silk.

Biossance uses patented technology for vegan-sourced squalene derived from sugarcane instead of sharks. Squalene mimics the natural oils in your skin for deep hydration and firming benefits.

Other ingredients featured in this copper peptide serum include hyaluronic acid and paracress for hydration, protection, and skin nutrition.

Every bottle of Biossance peptide serum is PETA-Certified vegan and cruelty-free, climate-pledge friendly, and free of more than 2,000 toxic ingredients. Rejuvenate your skin with clean ingredients that are good for your skin and the planet.

Review

Biossance has one of the best peptide serums that use copper peptides to increase blood and oxygen flow to your skin for a rejuvenated look within the first use.

This liquid facial elixir features clean and sustainably sourced ingredients that hydrate skin naturally, like vegan hyaluronic acid and paracress.

You’ll notice the benefits of this copper peptide serum within moments of use as the copper peptides stimulate blood flow to your skin to rejuvenate it from the inside out and outside in. With a few days of consistent use, you’ll notice more vibrancy, elasticity, and fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Biossance rapid plumping peptide serum is free of over 2,000 toxic ingredients and produced in ethical labs that never test on animals. You’ll find no synthetic fragrances, PEGs, or parabens inside this vegan peptide serum.

Feel free to use this facial elixir day and night. It even works fantastic as a primer before applying makeup.

Another noteworthy feature about this incredible peptide serum by Biossance is that the packaging is 100% recyclable. The box is made from renewable sugarcane paper without any added inks or dyes.

In fact, Biossance supports causes like reforestation efforts, ethical lab practices, carbon-neutral shipping, and sustainably sourced ingredients. We love the feeling of buying a product that also backs positive business practices.

We enjoyed that the Biossance peptide serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. It added a fancy touch to a daily routine. The actual serum is non-sticky and easily massages and absorbs into your skin.

The formula for this luxurious-feeling peptide serum contains no added fragrances. Instead, it has a light, natural smell that some might find off-putting.

Specs

- Item Form: Liquid

Skin Type: All

Size: 4.29 by 1.93 by 1.89 inches

Weight: 1.69 oz (5.93 oz bottle)

Pros

Hyaluronic acid
Copper peptides
Paraben-free
Free of over 2,000 toxic ingredients
Carbon-neutral shipping
PETA-Certified vegan and cruelty-free
EWG-Certified

Cons

The natural scent may be unpleasant for some.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more? We have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the best peptide serums below.

What is peptide serum?

Peptide serum is a facial gel, cream, or liquid that includes amino acids our faces need to continue producing collagen. Peptides signal your body to accelerate collagen production, increase blood and oxygen flow and suppress the production of proteins that cause wrinkles.

Peptide serums can contain a variety of peptides like:

Copper Peptides
Sermorelin
Pentapeptides
Hexapeptides
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3
Palmitoyl oligopeptide
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7

Do peptide serums work?

Yes, peptide serums work to visibly reduce wrinkles, plump and firm skin, increase elasticity, and reduce inflammation.

Of course, peptide serums are a natural and non-invasive way to rejuvenate your skin for a more youthful-looking appearance. Peptide serum is a non-surgical form of beautification that is more subtle than botox.

What are the most effective peptides for skin?

The most popular peptide found in cosmetic products is palmitoyl pentapeptide-3. This effective peptide reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, adds elasticity, heals wounds, and prevents premature aging.

All peptides are effective for nourishing skin and adding elasticity. However, opt for a peptide serum with multiple peptides for noticeable effectiveness.

Which peptide is best for anti-aging?

Sermorelin is the best peptide for anti-aging. Sermorelin is a man-made growth hormone that stimulates the regeneration of cells for more youthful-looking skin.

However, all peptide serum benefits aging skin. By replenishing your collagen, increasing blood and oxygen flow, and adding a protective barrier against the elements, peptide serum is a miracle solution for anti-aging.

Can I use peptides every day?

Yes, you can use peptide serum one to two times per day. In fact, it’s best to use peptide serum daily for the fastest and best results.

To use peptide serum daily, wash your face and apply the serum to your skin. After you’ve massaged the peptide serum into your face, top it off with a daily or nightly moisturizer.

Conclusion

Your skin deserves the best. Hydrate and nourish your face with clean ingredients that are free of toxic chemicals and animal-based ingredients.

These peptide serums are manufactured by ethical producers who never test on animals and are committed to making skin care more natural and less harmful to the planet.

If you want to add hydration, suppleness, elasticity, and a glow to your skin, choose one of these amazing peptide serums to add to your daily skincare routine.

Now that you have all the facts about the best peptide serum, you can choose one that fits your skincare routine, style, and bathroom decor.

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881

https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-niacinamide-skin-care

https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/orpheus-flower/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535073/

http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/ap.2019.8.2.23

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/704420-PALMITOYL_PENTAPEPTIDE3_MATRIXYL/

https://www.ulprospector.com/en/la/PersonalCare/Detail/5737/204058/Palmitoyl-Pentapeptide-3-SpecPed-SC-PP4001

About the author

Jason Hughes

"Hey there, I'm Jason, and you've just landed on the most exhilarating spot on the web - my VL universe! Here's the deal: I'm wildly obsessed (in the best way possible!) with all things diet, strength training, fitness, health, and wellness. It's not just a passion; it's a lifestyle!

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