13 Best Peptide Serums to Help Get Rid of Fine Lines

Credit: No7

Pros

• Increases firmness
• Improves skin texture
• Blurs the appearance of pores

Cons

• May not be great for sensitive skin

A winner in GH Beauty Lab's Anti-Aging Serum study—which took place over four weeks—this serum from No7 increased firmness by 21%, improved skin texture, and blurred the look of pores. It contains the powerful peptide Matrixyl, in addition to retinol and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Multiple said that their skin felt smooth and soft after using, with one commenting "by the time I finished the one-ounce bottle, all of the creases almost completely disappeared!" One thing to note: It may not be ideal for sensitive skin. A few testers with sensitivities had reactions to the formula.

Credit: The Ordinary

Pros

• Copper peptides fight free radical damage
• Can help improve elasticity in skin
• Moisturizing

Cons

• Some reviews noticed skin discoloration after using

Copper peptides do double duty: They help with collagen production and protect against free radical damage. "This serum uses powerful copper peptides, along with a blend of other peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid to fight fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall elasticity," says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Plus, it's moisturizing and brightening.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: "It delivers the essential peptides my aging skin requires, leaving it moisturized and plumped," one Ulta reviewer said. A few did notice some skin discoloration after using, so you may want to try a test patch before using all over.

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Credit: PCA Skin

Pros

• Firms skin
• Easy to use
• Has a softening effect

Cons

• Testers were mixed on the scent

PCA Skin's serum is a Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner for good reason: the highly effective formula boasts five types of peptides in addition to growth factors to truly tighten and soften skin. In our Lab testing, it ranked highest at leaving skin feeling firmer after four weeks of use. Plus, 100% of users found that it softened skin and was easy to use. While it doesn't technically have fragrance in it, testers were mixed on the product's scent.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: “This visibly firmed my skin, including mild jowls,” one said. Two other testers shared that they received compliments on their skin after using the serum.

RELATED: Best Skin Tightening Creams

Credit: Glow Recipe

Pros

• Hydrating formula
• Leaves skin soft and glowy
• Nice light scent

Cons

• Some reviewers felt results weren't strong

"Combining peptides, pomegranate seed oil, and hyaluronic acid, this serum works to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also helping to firm, lift, and tighten the skin," says Dr. Garshick. She loves that it doesn't leave skin feeling dry or irritated, as "it also contains squalane to help support the skin barrier and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth."

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: They like the light scent but are mixed on the results; some felt that it was super hydrating but didn't do much in terms of wrinkle reduction.

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Credit: Olay

Pros

• Brightens skin
• Reduces the appearance of undereye bags
• Won't irritate skin

Cons

• Doesn't have a strong firming effect

No more tired eyes here. Olay's lightweight serum lets you fake looking awake thanks to included peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, and caffeine. The formula ranked at the top for brightening skin and minimizing the look of undereye puffiness and bags in our Beauty Lab's evaluations. While it didn't have a strong firming effect, the gentle formula didn't cause redness or irritation on any testers in this super thin-skinned and sensitive area.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: “I was shocked at how well it worked,” a tester said. “It felt cooling and hydrating, and my eyes looked brighter."

RELATED: Best Eye Creams

Credit: Colorscience

Pros

• Contains a blend of 10 peptides
• Hydrating and firming
• Good for all skin types

Cons

• Pump can break easily, according to reviewers

Dr. Garshick recommends this for sagging skin (of all skin types) as it helps to boost collagen and elastin production while remaining gentle on the skin. "It incorporates a blend of 10 peptides, glycerin, and antioxidants which help nourish, improve the overall texture and tone, and firm the skin," she says. It's gentle enough to use twice daily and is designed for the face, neck, and decolletage.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: "It starts working immediately, making your face look younger, tightened, glowing," one Amazon reviewer shared. One thing to look out for: a few noted that the pump breaks easily.

RELATED: Best Skin Tightening Creams

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Credit: Mary Kay

Pros

• Safe for sensitive skin
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• Won't cause breakouts or clog pores

Cons

• Pricey

Gentle enough for all skin types, this GH Seal holder contains a key peptide that helps maintain hyaluronic acid levels to help hydrate and plump skin. It's non-comedogenic, so it won't cause breakouts or clog pores. It is on the pricier side, but the results speak for themselves:

WHAT TESTERS SAY: After 12 weeks, clinical data showed significant improvement in the appearance of deep wrinkles and 91% of testers agreed they were less visible.

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Credit: Isdin

Pros

• Plumps and smoothes instantly
• Improves skin's texture

Cons

• Expensive

ISDIN’s silky serum delivers results fast and furiously. The Good Housekeeping Beauty Award Winner contains two types of hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump both inner and outer layers of skin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluations found that the formulation delivers immediate plumping and smoothing effects and will improve skin’s texture over time.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: “I love how this serum soaks in quickly and smooths my face instantly” and “it left my skin refreshed,” two testers said.

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Credit: Revision

Pros

• Contains five types of peptides
• Reduces the appearance of expression lines
• Plumps and hydrates

Cons

• Metal applicator can be faulty

"Thanks to a combination of five potent peptides and a precise applicator, this serum helps to reduce the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes," says Dr. Garshick. The GH Beauty Award winner also incorporates hyaluronic acid that helps to plump the skin and reduce dryness. The stainless steel tip allows for targeted (and cooling) application, although a few online reviewers report issues with the applicator dispensing product improperly.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Two testers noted that lines were less noticeable in under 30 minutes.

Credit: Eighth Day

Pros

• Doesn't irritate
• Moisturizes and softens skin
• Gives a glowy effect

Cons

• Expensive

Say goodbye to fine lines with Eighth Day’s GH Beauty Innovation Award-winning formula. The blend of peptides, amino acids, and growth factors help to firm, tighten, and smooth skin, helping to improve the look of lesser wrinkles.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Our testers gave it a perfect score for not causing redness or irritation, making it a great choice for all skin types. They also said it hydrated, softened, and made skin appear more radiant.

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Credit: Estee Lauder

Pros

• Smoothes and firms skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines

Cons

• May not be ideal for all skin types; can cause irritation

The luxe formula contains hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and the brand's proprietary "night peptide" which work synergistically to plump, firm, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. A favorite of GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek's, Estēe Lauder's classic serum is extremely popular among online reviewers as well.

WHAT EXPERTS SAY: "I love it because it feels gentle on my combination/oily skin and yet makes my skin feel and look smoother and firmer," said Wnek. While most reviewers also rave over the results, a few noted breakouts and irritation from the serum.

RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Credit: Biossance

Pros

• Moisturizing
• Absorbs instantly
• No stickiness

Cons

• Bottle can leak

"A blend of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and squalane plumps and boosts moisture levels in the skin, while copper peptides help to increase collagen production," says Dr. Garshick. The lightweight (and blue-tinted, thanks to the copper) formula absorbs instantly and leaves skin soft and smooth.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: "This product is so incredibly hydrating on my dry skin and is not greasy, nor does it leave my face slippery from product," said one Amazon reviewer. Just make sure to keep the bottle tightly closed as a few reviewers reported leaking.

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Credit: Strivectin

Pros

• Gentle on skin
• Noticeable plumping effect

Cons

• Thick texture may feel greasy

GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino loves that this peptide serum is super gentle on her skin, unlike some anti-aging products that can be harsh. She was thrilled with the results as well: "It gave a noticeable plumping, hydrated effect."

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: Reviewers who have both acne-prone and sensitive skin agree and felt that it left skin plump, firm, and smooth, with no irritation. It does have a thicker texture which some say can feel oily on skin.

How we test the best peptide serums

The GH Beauty Lab is constantly testing the latest anti-aging serums, including peptide serums, to gauge their efficacy. Our beauty editors identify top-selling and newly launched serums across price points and reputable brands and then label-mask the products to eliminate brand bias.

Our most recent anti-aging serums study included 170 consumer testers between the ages of 35 and 77 with a range of skin types and tones. In this test, we evaluated eight serums and each tester used their assigned serum daily over four weeks. In the lab, 85 women had their skin evaluated before and after the four week period with our VISIA Complexion Analyzer and Cutometer, which gauges skin laxity. GH Beauty Lab scientists recorded data on changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores, skin tone, and texture. Finally, testers reported their feedback, including perceived changes in skin tone, firmness, wrinkles, brightness, and softness, plus ease of use. Across the eight products and 170 testers, we collected 7,820 data points from instrumental measurements and consumer feedback to find the anti-agers that actually work.

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Good Housekeeping Institute

What to look for when shopping for the best peptide serums

✔️ "Peptides" on the packaging: "In most cases, you can easily find if a product contains a peptide by reading the ingredient label and looking for 'peptide' in the ingredient name," says Wnek.

✔️ Type of peptide: "It is important to look for the specific type of peptides included in a product as some may be preferred for fine lines and wrinkles, while others may be preferred for firming," says Dr. Garshick. Dr. Kim specifically recommends Matrixyl 3000 as "it is a great peptide blend of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 which work synergistically to stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation."

✔️ Leave-on products: Wnek suggests sticking with products that stay on the skin instead of rinse-off products so that they have enough contact time with skin for optimal benefits.

✔️ Other key ingredients: "Look for other ingredients that may be included in the formulation such as hydrating ones like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, antioxidants, or other active ingredients like retinols or exfoliating acids depending on your skincare goals," says Dr. Garshick.

✔️ A trusted brand: "Choosing a peptide serum from a reputable company with robust clinical data to support claims is always a good idea," says Dr. Mraz.

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Do dermatologists recommend peptides?

Yes, in conjunction with other powerful ingredients. "While peptides alone are not sufficient for a complete skincare routine and research is still ongoing, they help to promote collagen and elastin production, which is important for skin tightening and firming as well as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Garshick. "Peptides are generally well tolerated by all skin types, which makes them a good option for those with sensitive skin who are unable to tolerate retinoids or other key active anti-aging ingredients."

Both Dr. Mraz and Dr. Kim agree that peptides are a good component to a strong and effective skincare routine. "I recommend peptides especially for patients in their 30s and older," says Dr. Kim. "We start to lose a significant amount of collagen in our late twenties so it helps to supplement the skin with peptides and amino acids."

What does a peptide serum do?

"Peptides provide a signal to the body that healing or recovery needs to take place and this helps to boost natural collagen production," explains Dr. Garshick. Serums that incorporate peptides can help with skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. "Depending on the type of peptide, some peptide serums can also help to improve the appearance of expression lines as well as boost radiance and hydration in the skin."

"It's important to note that unlike collagen, which is too large to penetrate the skin topically, peptides are shorter chains and are able to penetrate the skin to signal to the skin to boost collagen production," she says.

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Do peptide serums work—and are they worth it?

The general consensus among our experts is that peptide serums are effective and tolerable on most skin types but more research would be helpful to understanding their full benefits.

"Peptide serums are often more expensive than bland moisturizers, but an effective peptide often provides a lot more bang for the buck than many other products with active ingredients," says Dr. Mraz. "Peptide serums also tend to be non-irritating and well tolerated which allows for comfortable daily use."

Wnek notes that peptides are not only a huge category of ingredients but also a relatively new ingredient in skincare. "There needs to be more randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies on specific peptides without the addition of other skin benefiting ingredients to determine the peptide benefits topically," she says. "However, we have seen products that contain peptides with other skin benefiting ingredients that have shown to provide anti-aging benefits."

What are the different kinds of peptides?

There are many different types of peptides, all of which have different functions. "Carrier peptides (like copper) deliver minerals necessary for wound healing and collagen production; signal peptides send a message to parts of the skin to stimulate collagen, elastin, and production of other proteins; and neurotransmitter peptides block the release of chemicals that lead to contraction of muscles of expression which is why some peptides are thought to have a Botox-like effect," says Dr. Garshick.

"There are also enzyme-inhibitor peptides that bind to enzymes blocking an activity, such as reducing the production of collagenase, which breaks down collagen," adds Wnek.

Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.