Peptides for Skincare: An Expert Guide

For skin that looks firm, smooth and beautifully radiant, support starts beneath the surface.

That’s why peptides for skincare are gaining attention – and for good reason. These powerful molecules are known for helping to maintain the skin’s elasticity and suppleness, making them a key ingredient in skincare products.

But what are peptides for the skin? How do they work with the skin – and what benefits can they offer over time? In this expert guide, we explore the science behind peptides, their role in preventing fine lines and wrinkles, and how to incorporate them into your daily ritual for a visibly revitalised complexion.

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids – the building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin, which help maintain your skin’s firmness, plumpness and elasticity.

Naturally found in the skin, these proteins are essential to its structure and bounce. Over time, your skin’s ability to produce them can diminish – and that’s where peptides for skincare come in.

How do peptides work in skincare?

In skincare, peptides for skin work by helping to stimulate the production of key proteins or by aiding their delivery where needed.

From signal peptides that encourage collagen synthesis to carrier peptides that support the absorption of active ingredients, each type contributes uniquely – and when thoughtfully combined, they can elevate the efficacy of your skincare routine.

What are the benefits of peptides for skin?

Peptides offer support for your skin’s firmness, smoothness and radiance. Some of the main benefits of peptides for skin include:

• Encouraging collagen synthesis
• Smooths the look of fine and lines and wrinkles
• Supports the skin moisture barrier
• Promotes smoother, brighter skin

Read on as we unpack each of these peptide benefits to help you visibly improve your complexion.

2. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Peptides are an ideal addition to any anti-aging skincare routine. They support the skin’s structure to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and promote a smoother, firmer complexion over time. With continued use, they can also enhance skin texture, refine tone and help maintain a visibly revitalised look across all stages of skin maturity.

3. Improves skin moisture barrier function

Your skin moisture barrier is key for defending against external stressors like UV exposure and pollution – both of which can contribute to visible signs of aging. For skin to look and feel its best, this outermost layer must stay hydrated and resilient. Peptides for skincare can support your skin’s structure by promoting water retention and maintaining its natural balance.

To help repair your skin moisture barrier and reinforce its strength we recommend incorporating the Rénergie Multi-Lift Night Cream into your evening skincare ritual. Infused with hyaluronic acid and firming peptides, its rich formula helps replenish moisture and leave skin feeling supple by morning.

4. Enhances skin smoothness and radiance

As skin matures, changes in texture and tone can affect its natural luminosity. One of the key benefits of peptides for skin is their ability to work beneath the surface – supporting a visibly smoother, more refined complexion. With consistent use, your skin can appear more even, radiant and polished.

Who should use peptides in their skincare routine?

Peptides are suitable for all skin types but can be especially beneficial if your skin is showing visible signs of aging, dullness or dehydration. Their supportive natures makes them an efficacious choice for anyone looking to build a skincare routine.

While many peptide formulas are well tolerated by sensitive skin, it’s always best to explore ingredient lists and textures to ensure the right fit for your individual needs. If you’re unsure, see our guide to choosing skincare for sensitive skin.

How to use peptides in your skincare routine

Peptides for skin are most commonly found in serums, moisturisers and eye creams – making them easy to use in your daily routine. After cleansing and toning, apply a peptide-based formula before sealing in hydration with a moisturiser. For targeted areas, such as your eye contour, look for products specifically designed for delicate skin.

Lancôme’s National Skincare Expert Brittany Hanchard shares her thoughts on building a peptide-rich routine:

“Peptides layer well with ingredients that hydrate your skin like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. However, they can also complement more potent ingredients like retinol, since the support they skin moisture barrier and minimise your chance of sensitisation.”

Which ingredients complement peptides in skincare?

Peptides can be combined with other skincare ingredients in the same formulations or via layering your skincare products. While some combinations will enhance and multiply effects, others are not recommended. To promote radiant and youthful-looking skin, look to combining the following ingredients with peptides for skincare routines.

Peptides and vitamin C

Using an antioxidant like vitamin C alongside peptides boosts your skincare routine by targeting multiple signs of aging. Vitamin C brightens the complexion and shields your skin from UV damage and pollution, while peptides support skin resilience. By using vitamin C in skincare, you can help to reduce dullness and uneven skin tone, creating a radiant, youthful glow.

Peptides and hyaluronic acid

A deeply hydrating must-have skincare ingredient, hyaluronic acid draws in and retains moisture. When combined with the benefits of peptides for skin, it creates an ideal environment for visibly firmer, more supple skin. Together, they support hydration and skin elasticity, promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion with a refreshed, youthful look.

Peptides and retinol

A mainstay in anti-aging, retinol is used to promote younger-looking skin and visibly improve signs of aging. By encouraging skin cell renewal, fresher skin can come to the surface. Pairing retinol with peptides may enhance results: retinol refines texture and stimulates collagen synthesis; and the peptides support tone and elasticity. Together, they work to visibly rejuvenate and smooth your complexion.

Explore peptides in Lancôme's skincare products

Lancôme’s skincare range features thoughtfully formulated peptides to support smoother, plumper, more radiant-looking skin. Whether you're building a routine for dry or oily skin, peptides can play a valuable role in healthy-looking skin.

Rénergie H.P.N 300-Peptide Cream

Lancôme’s Rénergie HPN 300-Peptide Cream combines over 300 types of peptides with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and visibly refine skin, enhancing its youthful radiance at every stage.

Rénergie Yeux Eye Cream

Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Eye Cream aims to enhance luminescence and reduce the appearance of dark circles. By blending peptides contained in our French Linseed extract with hyaluronic acid, this silky-smooth eye cream aims to plump the skin, stimulate blood flow, and comfort puffiness, revealing a youthful complexion and an evened tone.

Rénergie C.R.X. Triple Serum Retinol

Blending retinol, vitamin C and peptides for skin, the Rénergie C.R.X. Triple Serum Retinol delivers powerful anti-aging benefits to the skin. Retinol is known to be quite drying on the skin, but by blending with peptides, it can help mitigate some of the sensitivity associated with retinol usage. This serum can be applied in the evening a few times per week to clean, dry skin.

Now that you understand the power of peptides for skin, it’s time to embrace their role in your daily morning and nighttime. To explore more effective ingredients, next, discover how salicylic acid benefits your skin.