When it comes to anti-aging, peptides are one of the most research-backed ingredients in the skincare world. The best peptide serums not only reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boost firmness and bounce, but also improve skin texture and strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Basically, they are a long-term investment in your skin’s health!
What are peptides?
Peptides are essentially chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin which provide our skin its structure and resilience.
Benefits of peptides in skincare:
- Increased collagen and elastin production: Peptides can signal skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and firmness.
- Reduced wrinkles and fine lines: Peptides can help to plump up skin and even help to soften the look of expression lines, resulting in more youthful-looking skin.
- Improved skin tone and texture: By promoting protein production, peptides can help improve the overall appearance of skin, leading to a more even tone and smoother texture.
- Skin repair: Some peptides can also help to soothe skin and protect it from environmental damage, further enhancing their benefits.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Certain peptides have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for reducing skin redness and irritation.
The most common types of peptides consist of signal peptides, carrier peptides, enzyme-inhibitor peptides, and neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides, depending on how they work. For example, copper peptides activate wound healing, which, in turn, stimulates collagen production.
The best peptide serums listed below not only utilize multiple forms of peptides in order to maximize the collagen-boosting benefits but also include other beneficial ingredients like antioxidants, niacinamide or ceramides that help support a healthy skin barrier. These serums are suitable for all skin types and are a great addition to any skincare routine to help stop fine lines and wrinkles in their tracks.
And the good news is, these peptide serums are all under $50 so you won’t have to spend a zillion dollars to reap their benefits! Of course, as with any skincare product, results come from consistent use over time.
Pro tip: Peptides can be used in the same routine with any other active ingredients (including acids and retinoids), either in the AM and/or PM.
Ahead, you will find the best peptide serums (under $50) that combat fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness while helping your skin get its bounce back!
Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum ($49)
Packed with 12 high-performance peptides and a potent dose of 0.2% copper peptide (which gives the blue tint), this serum visibly softens the appearance of fine lines, crow’s feet and deep wrinkles for skin that looks firm and youthful. The silky, fragrance-free formula also contains hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and squalane to deliver a burst of hydration for smoother, supple skin. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory chicory root and shiitake mushroom extract that calms skin and protects against environmental stressors. Fragrance-free. I also listed this serum in my favorite beauty finds of 2023.
COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum ($25 for 5.07 fl oz)
As the name indicates, this serum contains 6 powerhouse peptides that boost collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve uneven skin tone, smooth skin texture and increase overall firmness. It has a lightweight, non-sticky texture that absorbs quickly and layers easily under your moisturizer. The formula also contains various amino acids and niacinamide to support the skin barrier, soothing Allantoin, plus sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid for hydration – making this serum a well-rounded formula. Fragrance-free.
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Serum ($46)
Loaded with a powerful lineup of six peptides and collagen amino acids, this serum visibly firms, tightens and improves skin elasticity to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains ceramides, vegan growth factors and vegan mucin from wild yam to plump and deeply hydrate while supporting skin’s natural moisture barrier. With a satisfying snail serum texture (in a vegan formula), this product is non-comedogenic, and safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum ($32)
This serum contains a slew of skin-firming peptides that target multiple signs of aging at once and improve the skin’s overall elasticity, smoothness and firmness. The formula incorporates five different forms of peptide chains to deliver wrinkle-smoothing results at different levels of the skin—along with anti-inflammatory copper peptide, which doubles as an antioxidant to fight skin-damaging free radicals. This serum also contains several amino acids and multiple weights of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin. Fragrance-free. Also available at Amazon.com
Geek & Gorgeous Power Peptides Serum ($19.83)
Made with a powerful blend of four advanced collagen & extracellular matrix boosting peptides, this milky hydrating serum firms the skin and brings its bounce back. The star ingredient here is 3% Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), one of the most proven & well-known duos to reduce wrinkle density and depth, while improving roughness and elasticity. The formula also includes 2% Matrixyl synthe’6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38) and 4% Tetrapeptide-21 that really help boost collagen production to increase skin elasticity & smoothness. Fragrance-free. I also listed this serum in my favorite beauty finds of 2024
LOOPS Peptide Serum Pads ($32 for 60 ct)
These peptide-serum infused pads tackle fine lines and dullness while firming the skin for a radiant complexion. The key ingredient of the formula is a miracle peptide complex with 6 potent peptides that target fine lines, loss of firmness, hyperpigmentation and dehydration. Plus, there is antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn fruit oil, glycerin and polyglutamic acid for long-lasting hydration. Each biodegradable pad is embossed to maximize the transfer of serum to your skin, ensuring proper absorption and reducing product waste. Also available at Amazon.com
Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum ($25)
This serum is formulated with an advanced multi-peptide blend, including encapsulated copper peptides and Argireline® amplified peptide to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while smoothing skin texture. Plus, encapsulated ferulic acid and hydrolyzed collagen help firm skin for a more youthful-looking complexion. The formula also contains squalane, shea butter, rice bran extract, glycerin and vitamin E to hydrate and soothe skin. Fragrance-free.
The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum ($16)
Using the Matrixyl 3000™ peptide, this firming and smoothing serum mimics the effect of what natural collagen would do to your skin, helping it appear plumper and healthier. Plus, it contains Syn-Tacks™ dual peptide that also provides collagen-boosting benefits to soften fine lines and wrinkles. Fragrance-free. Also available at Amazon.com
Maelove Peptide Squad Collagen Renewal Serum ($48)
Peptide Squad is formulated with all four types of clinically-proven peptides to combat signs of aging from every angle: Copper tripeptide delivers vital copper for collagen synthesis, while Matrixyl 3000 stimulates collagen production. Argireline reduces expression lines, and rice peptides slow collagen breakdown. This naturally blue serum also contains hydrating & soothing ingredients including niacinamide, ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and red algae, plus anti-inflammatory botanicals like allantoin, aloe, green tea, turmeric, madecassoside and bisabolol to further support the skin’s barrier. Also available at Amazon.com
Although not a serum, there are 2 affordable yet effective peptide-packed moisturizers that deserve a mention in this roundup!
Stratia Interface Peptide Cream ($27)
Enriched with 7 different firming and wrinkle-reducing peptides, this moisturizer has a lightweight gel-cream formula that melts into skin for a quick absorbing, comfortable finish. It also contains licorice root extract and allantoin to gently brighten and even skin tone while hyaluronic acid, panthenol and rosehip seed oil hydrate and nourish. Fragrance-free. Also available at Amazon.com
Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer ($26)
Packed with a peptide complex, ceramide complex and amino acids, this is a lightweight liquid emulsion that helps improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier. Besides peptides, it also contains an amino acid blend to nourish the skin and produce a plumping and anti-wrinkle effect. The thin fluid formula feels almost as light as a toner or essence and absorbs easily without leaving any residue. It leaves skin feeling softer, smoother, and more supple. Fragrance-free. Not to mention, it comes with an affordable price tag – $26 for a 5.7 fl oz bottle which is a generous size and will last a long time (most of the moisturizers are usually 1.7 fl oz)
So, these are the best budget-friendly peptide serums for fine lines & wrinkles that deserve a spot in your anti-aging routine. Which of these are you going to grab first?
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