11 Best Peptide Serums for Smoothing Fine Lines and Wrinkles, According to Testers

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing the latest anti-aging serums, including peptide serums, to gauge their efficacy. For our most recent anti-aging serum study, our beauty experts selected 10 top-selling and newly launched serums across price points and reputable brands. We recruited 100 consumer testers ages 35 and older, representing a range of skin types and tones, to use their assigned serum daily for four weeks. Of those 10 serums, seven also underwent instrumental testing in the Beauty Lab. Instrumental testing also took place over four weeks, while consumer testers used their assigned serums for four weeks. For the instrumental portion of the study, 60 different testers had their skin evaluated before and after the testing period in the Lab using the VISIA Complexion Analyzer and Cutometer, which measures skin firmness.

GH Beauty Lab scientists recorded data on changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores, skin tone, and texture. Consumer testers also reported perceived changes in skin tone evenness, firmness, wrinkles, brightness and softness, as well as ease of use. In total, we analyzed 6,290 data points from instrumental measurements and consumer feedback to identify the top performers.

✔️ "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.

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."

"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.

In addition to being super skin smoothers, peptides are also known for playing nicely with other ingredients. "Peptides are generally compatible with other skincare products and provide synergy to antioxidants, retinoids, and acids without additional irritation and often even help to combat irritation that may occur with some skincare products and aid healing," says Serena Mraz, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, California.

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."

There are many different types of peptides, all of which have different functions. Dr. Garshick and Wnek share the most commonly used ones:

• Carrier peptides (like Copper-tripeptide-1, also known as GHK-Cu) deliver minerals necessary for wound healing and collagen production. They have antioxidant and skin-repairing properties and help support the skin barrier.
• Signal peptides send a message to parts of the skin to stimulate collagen, elastin, and production of other proteins. They are used to support the appearance of firmer, smoother skin and reduce the look of fine lines while also reducing inflammation. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, also known as Matrixyl, is a commonly used signal peptide.
• 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. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) is the most popular of these.
• Enzyme-inhibitor peptides bind to enzymes blocking an activity, such as reducing the production of collagenase, which breaks down collagen.

"While all peptides can help with sagging skin, signal peptides tend to be especially good for those with sagging skin to help firm," says Dr. Garshick. Matrixyl 3000 is one signal peptide that Dr. Kim recommends both generally and for sagging skin, although "it's important to remember that any skincare ingredient alone won't instantly lift sagging skin," he says. "Skincare products can soften the appearance of wrinkles but they're not going to erase wrinkles or pick up your skin."