Peptides in Skincare: What They Are and Why You Need Them

Think of peptides as your skin's little helpers. These tiny chains of amino acids are natural compounds that work wonders in your skincare routine.

But what do peptides actually do? They encourage your skin to produce more collagen (that's the stuff that keeps it plump and bouncy), helping to smooth out fine lines and make it feel firmer.

The beauty of peptides is that they're suitable for most skin types and work well with other skincare ingredients. Whether you're dealing with the early signs of ageing, loss of firmness or just want to maintain your skin's natural glow, peptide-infused products can be a worthwhile addition to your daily routine.

If you've got sensitive skin, you'll love how gentle and effective Pai’s Bonne Nuit Biopeptide Renewal Night Cream is for overnight rejuvenation. If your sensitivity is linked to the menopause, PRAI’s MenoGlow Collagen-Boosting Creme-Gel Moisturiser gives you targeted collagen support and calms redness.

For those with dry skin, Lumene’s Nordic Ageless Ajaton Radiant Youth Day Cream is a real treat. It combines hydrating peptides with SPF 30 for essential sun protection. Or, if you're looking for a more intensive treatment for night-time, Elizabeth Arden’s Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream works wonders to visibly lift and firm while you sleep.

Peptides are also brilliant for bringing back a glow to dull skin. They kickstart collagen and elastin production, which improves your skin's texture and keeps it hydrated, leaving you with a brighter, more radiant complexion. Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a great choice here, plus is oil-free, so is ideal if you have combination skin.

Look for an eye cream that combines peptides with other skin-loving ingredients. Think hyaluronic acid for all-important hydration plus antioxidants to shield your delicate eye area from environmental nasties.

If you're focused on smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, Elizabeth Arden’s Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Eye Cream is a great choice. It works wonders to visibly lift, firm and brighten the delicate skin, helping to reduce the look of crow's feet and puffiness.

Need a quick pick-me-up? Pixi’s Dream-Y-Eye eye patches are a mini spa treatment for your eyes. They make you look like you've had a full eight hours, even if you haven't. And, for tackling dark circles and puffiness, Morning Expert Open Eyes by This Works is another good choice. It contains cocoa seed peptides, which also help to protect your skin from the effects of blue light: ideal if you're working at a computer screen every day.