Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same building blocks as proteins such as collagen and elastin. In serums and creams they are used to improve the appearance of tone, firmness and fine lines. They are among the gentlest actives: they suit almost all skin types, are used morning and evening and combine with the other ingredients in your routine.
Peptides are among the most common ingredients in anti-ageing face treatments, alongside better-known names such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. But what exactly are they, and what do they do on the skin? A simple guide, without complicated formulas.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the same “building blocks” that make up proteins. Collagen and elastin, the proteins that give the skin structure and elasticity, are long chains of amino acids: peptides are, in a sense, small fragments of them.
Cosmetics use peptides created for a specific task, small enough to be included in serums and creams.
How peptides work on the face
Cosmetic peptides are divided into families, based on the role they play in the formula.
- Signal peptides: the most common in treatments designed for tone and firmness.
- Carrier peptides: deliver trace elements, such as copper.
- “Relaxing” peptides: used in formulas for expression lines.
On the label, you’ll recognise them by names such as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 or Copper Tripeptide-1.
Face peptides: what they do
- They improve the appearance of tone and firmness.
- They make fine lines less visible.
- They contribute to skin that looks smoother and more even.
These are cosmetic, gradual benefits: it takes a few weeks of consistent use to assess them.
Who they are suitable for
Almost everyone. Peptides are usually well tolerated, even by sensitive skin, and they are not photosensitising. They are a good choice for anyone looking for a gentle anti-ageing treatment to use all year round.
How to use peptides in your routine
- Cleansing and toner.
- Serum with peptides.
- Cream, ideally one that also contains peptides.
- In the morning, sun protection.
They work best in products that stay on the skin, such as serums and creams, and can be used morning and evening.
Which ingredients they pair with
- Hyaluronic acid: hydration and comfort.
- Niacinamide: skin barrier and an even complexion.
- Bakuchiol or retinol: in more complete anti-ageing treatments.
If you use exfoliants with acids, as a precaution apply them at a different time of day from the peptides.
Peptides in creams and collagen peptides: not the same thing
They sometimes get mixed up. Cosmetic peptides are applied to the skin and work on the surface. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, are the hydrolysed collagen in supplements: they are taken by mouth and are part of the “from within” routine. We talk about them in the article on Verisol® and collagen peptides.
Peptides in Mialica products
In the Mialica Linea Viso, peptides are found in two products, to be used one after the other, morning and evening:
- the Face Serum, with hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol and niacinamide;
- the 24H Face Cream, with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and exosomes.
For the routine from within, Collagen PRO5 contains 5 g of Verisol® collagen peptides per vial.
Frequently asked questions
Can peptides be used every day?
Yes, morning and evening: they are among the gentlest actives in skincare.
Peptides or retinol?
They are not mutually exclusive. Retinol is more intense and needs to be introduced gradually; peptides are gentler and also suitable for people who do not tolerate retinol. Many routines use both.
At what age does it make sense to use them?
There is no set age: they are usually introduced when the first fine lines appear or when the skin looks less toned.
In summary
Peptides are small chains of amino acids, used in cosmetics to improve the appearance of tone, firmness and fine lines. They are gentle, suitable for almost all skin types and pair well with the other ingredients in your routine. As always, the formula and consistency are what count.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
