Peptides in skincare: the do’s and don’t of mixing

You may have heard the word “peptides” popping up a lot in conversations about skincare. It’s a powerful skincare ingredient that’s growing in popularity, featuring in many new skincare products. It’s no wonder why – peptides are full of skincare benefits. They help promote collagen production, help to protect and repair the skin barrier, and it has anti-aging benefits – it prevents wrinkles and fine lines.

In this article, we’ll explain what peptides are and why they should be in your skincare routine. Then we’ll teach you how to layer peptides in your skincare routine, especially in combination with other common ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

What are peptides?

Peptides are amino acids, which are building blocks of proteins. Your skin (and body) needs protein to function well. The skin barrier specifically needs protein, which peptides help to build. These amino acids draw moisture to the skin, protect against environmental pollution, and help to build collagen (which keeps skin bouncy and firm).

Peptides are a popular skincare ingredient because of their proven efficacy for all of these skin concerns:

• Boosting hydration
• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Protecting the skin barrier
• Improve elasticity and firmness

For these reasons, peptides are a versatile skincare ingredient that’s suitable for all skin types – dry or dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, normal or combination skin, and mature skin.

Peptides are usually found in skincare treatments, such as moisturizers, creams, eye creams, and serums. They are not typically found in products that wash away immediately, such as cleansers, since they work best soaking into the skin.

Mixing peptides

While they’re so versatile in skincare, there are some peptides do’s and don’ts to consider when adding peptides to your skincare routine. They play nicely with most other skincare ingredients, but it’s important to consider peptide compatibility with your current routine. Keep reading to learn about mixing peptides, including skincare ingredients to avoid with peptides.

Peptides and retinol

You may be wondering: can you mix peptides with retinol?

The answer is yes – peptides and retinol work well together. Retinol works by promoting cell turnover – it’s a powerful anti-aging skincare ingredient used in many products to reduce wrinkles and prevent skin aging. It’s recommended to use peptides and retinol together in your overall skincare routine. Why? Since retinol can be harsh on the skin, depending on its strength, the soothing power of peptides can help save the skin from irritation.

Use both at night for the best results, since retinol is recommended for night-time use only. Start with a retinol serum or pro-retinol treatment, such as Biotherm Blue Retinol Night Serum. Then follow up with a peptide cream, such as Blue Peptides Uplift Night Cream, to soothe the skin and lock in moisture while you sleep.

Peptides and vitamin C

Are peptides safe to use with Vitamin C?

While it’s safe to use both ingredients in your overall skincare routine, it’s not recommended to use them together. Therefore, you should use Vitamin C in the morning and peptides in the evening. Why? Vitamin C is acidic and peptides are neutral – using them together will weaken or cancel out the positive benefit.

You may still use Vitamin C in your morning skincare routine to get its skin brightening benefits.

Peptides and niacinamide

Peptides and niacinamide play nicely together. Niacinamide is an excellent skin care ingredient for oily or normal-to-combination skin to control oil and add radiance. Peptides work to boost collagen production, so it’s a complimentary benefit.

They’re both gentle ingredients that can be used together, and are suitable for most skin types. For the most effective application, start with niacinamide-powered products first, such as a face serum. Then, follow up with a peptides moisturizer or cream, such as Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF 30.

Peptides and hyaluronic acid

Do peptides work better with hyaluronic acid?

Yes! They are two hydrating skincare ingredients that work even more magic on dry skin when combined. Hyaluronic acid works by drawing moisture to the skin. Peptides hydrate the skin by keeping that moisture locked in, and keeping the skin barrier in great shape. Those three steps help dry and dehydrated skin stay moisturized, eliminating rough patches and flaking.

Since hyaluronic acid draws moisture to the skin, start with this ingredient first in your skincare routine. After cleansing with a gentle cleanser (such as Aquasource Hydra Barrier Cleanser), follow up with a hyaluronic acid face serum while skin is still damp. Now that the moisture is drawn to the skin, you can follow up with a peptides-based moisturizer to seal it in.

Peptides and Caffein

Caffein is an energizing ingredient that promotes micro-circulation, reducing puffiness and refreshing tired-looking skin. Mixed with collagen peptides it can be an even more powerful ingredient to enhance eyes and lip contour definition, while improving skin tone.

Transform your skincare routine with the Blue Peptides Eyes & Lips Reshaper Balm, a dual-action treatment targeting under-eye wrinkles and lip contours. This innovative formula combines powerful lifting peptides, hydrating biotech plankton, and energizing green caffeine for a visibly firmer, smoother appearance.

The Blue Peptides Eyes & Lips Reshaper stands out with its innovative built-in applicator, designed to promote micro-circulation for enhanced effectiveness. This unique feature ensures better absorption of the powerful formula, maximizing its benefits for the delicate under-eye and lip areas.

Powered by advanced lifting and sculpting ingredients, this dual-action balm delivers instant visible results while working over time to lift, firm, and smooth fine lines. Its dual efficacy design not only rejuvenates but also provides an immediate refreshing and tightening effect, setting it apart as a must-have in your skincare routine.

And that’s it! Now with this skincare layering guide, you’ve learned about the benefits of peptides in skincare, how to use peptides in skincare, and the best way to layer skincare with peptides. Follow this guide consistently and you’ll have radiant, healthy skin in no time.