Published: October 30, 2025
Peptides are arguably one of the most popular skincare ingredients around. They’re recommended for so many different things, can safely be used by all skin types, and are relatively easy to find in skincare products – it’s hardly surprising that more and more people are adding the ingredient to their skincare routines.
If you aren’t using peptides yet, there’s a good chance that these ingredients would give your complexion a boost too. However, it’s never a good idea to add a new ingredient to your skincare routine without first understanding a little more about how it works. So, read on as CBGärdN explores the role of peptides in modern skincare to help you decide whether or not you need to buy into the ingredient as well!
What are Peptides?
Peptides, which are also referred to as polypeptides, are short chains of amino acids. They’re produced naturally in the human body, where they’re used as building blocks for the creation of proteins. Collagen, for example, which is the main structural protein that gives the skin its firmness and smoothness, is made up of three specific peptide chains that twist together to form a triple helix.
Although the body produces plenty of peptides in its youth, peptide production declines with age. This then has a knock-on effect on the production of other proteins, such as collagen and elastin, contributing to the wrinkles and loose skin that develop as a person grows older.
What Do Peptides Do for the Skin?
One way to try to compensate for the natural decline in peptide production with age is to apply peptides topically. This way, your skin cells still have access to those amino acid chains, which can help the complexion in a number of ways:
Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
One of the reasons why peptides are such popular skincare ingredients is that they’re so effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They work to counter the visible signs of collagen loss, giving the skin what it needs to restore the look of volume and firmness. With regular use, peptides can leave the skin looking significantly younger.
Leave the Skin Barrier Feeling More Resilient
In today’s world, it’s so easy for the skin barrier to end up damaged. Everything from harsh skincare ingredients to air pollution can cause havoc, leaving that precious barrier weak and unable to function properly. This can then lead to dehydration, sensitivities, and more.
In order for your skin cells to repair the appearance of environmental damage, they need access to certain amino acids, which peptides provide. They leave the skin barrier feeling stronger and more resilient. Not only do they repair existing visible damage, but they’ll also help to prevent the appearance of future barrier damage.
Boost Hydration
Hydration is everything when it comes to skincare, and peptides provide plenty of this. Many don’t realize that peptides function as humectants. Just like some of the more famous humectants out there, such as hyaluronic acid, peptides bind moisture to the skin. They provide immediate hydration, with the added bonus of leaving the skin feeling softer, plumper, and more supple.
Soothe the Feeling of Inflammation
Peptides can be superstars when it comes to lowering the feeling of inflammation in the skin. They can calm the appearance of redness and sensitivities while soothing the uncomfortable and itchy sensation that inflammation often causes.
With that said, the extent to which peptides will help with the inflamed-looking skin depends on the specific peptide you use…
The Different Types of Peptides in Skincare
As we mentioned earlier, peptides are made up of chains of amino acids. These chains aren’t all the same – different amino acids can be combined to create a number of peptides, which is why you’ll notice that there is such an array of peptide ingredients in skincare products.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular types:
Signal Peptides
Signal peptides are known for how they tackle the appearance of wrinkles and give the skin a firmer finish. These are the peptides to turn to if you’re hoping to see a long-term reduction in the visible signs of skin aging.
Some of the most popular signal peptides are palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and palmitoyl oligopeptide. The ‘palmitoyl’ part of the name indicates that the peptides have been linked to a fatty acid. This enhances both ingredient stability and absorption.
Neurotransmitter Peptides
Neurotransmitter peptides are pretty impressive. These peptides work by leaving the facial muscles underneath the skin feeling relaxed. This, in turn, relaxes the appearance of the skin above, enabling it to take on a smoother and less creased finish.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is one of the most popular neurotransmitter peptides, largely because it starts working so quickly. This peptide is one of the reasons why the CB Göld Timeless Lift from CBGärdN is able to instantly soften the look of facial lines and wrinkles. It owes its fast-acting nature to acetyl hexapeptide-8, along with a few other special ingredients.
Carrier Peptides
Although carrier peptides also help to improve the look of skin firmness and elasticity, they’re most loved for how they keep the skin barrier feeling supported. Carrier peptides also work well at lightening the visibility of dark spots.
Copper peptides are the most popular carrier peptides used in skincare. They earn their name because of how they provide trace elements of copper to the skin.
Ingredients That Work Synergistically With Peptides
As good as peptides may be, their visible impact can be made even bigger by combining them with the right ingredients. If you’re on the hunt for some new peptide skincare, here are a few ingredients that work synergistically with peptides:
All Forms of Hyaluronic Acid
As we mentioned above, peptides have humectant properties. They’re able to bind moisture to the skin in the same way as hyaluronic acid, meaning that the two together create a super-hydrating duo.
Like peptides, hyaluronic acid comes in many different forms, such as sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer. You’ll find six of them in our String Lift Sculpting System! Each one has a slightly different molecular weight, enabling this product to leave the skin feeling hydrated on multiple levels. The addition of three different peptides enhances that hydrating effect while also leaving the skin barrier feeling deeply fortified.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is renowned for how it can address the appearance of multiple skin concerns. Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and more can all be made visible with the use of niacinamide. As you know, peptides do the same, meaning that the two work extremely well together.
If you’re looking for an easy way to add both to your skincare routine, check out our Collagen Cooling Set. There are three topical products in this set, with the HydroCollagen Lift Mask boasting niacinamide and three different peptides. The other products in this collection contain several superstar ingredients too, from sodium hyaluronate to collagen to various botanical extracts, making them a worthy addition to any skincare routine.
Antioxidants
You’re probably aware of how antioxidants are crucial if you’re hoping to prevent and repair the appearance of environmental damage. Pairing these powerful compounds with peptides can enhance those results even more while also contributing to skin that looks brighter and more radiant.
For the most part, any antioxidant will work well with any peptide. The exception is vitamin C and copper peptides, since vitamin C can oxidize the copper. Other than that, go all out when it comes to combining peptides and antioxidants. The CBGärdN CB Replenishing Serum contains a trio of peptides, along with several antioxidant-rich extracts. From grape stem cells to hawthorn berry extract, these ingredients will work wonders on your complexion.
Retinoids
If you’re hoping to see some big changes in your complexion, retinoids are the way to go. There’s no shortage of studies out there that point to how beneficial vitamin A can be, especially when it comes to tackling the visible signs of aging and environmental damage. With peptides doing the same, the two go hand-in-hand.
You’ll find peptides and retinoids together in a few CBGärdN products, including the CB Midnight Melting Mask. This formula also brings plenty of antioxidants into the mix, thanks to an infusion of several superfood extracts. Apply this leave-on mask before bed, and your skin will look much healthier the next morning.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a popular ingredient in skincare products designed to de-puff the look of the skin. It has a constricting effect on the complexion, which not only smooths and firms the appearance but also gives it a brighter finish. When combined with peptides, which also have a firming effect on the complexion, the skin takes on a more youthful look.
That’s why we’ve brought the two together in the CB Phyto Satin Finish Cream. There are a number of other noteworthy ingredients in this moisturizer too. Collagen, green tea extract, algae extract, and vitamin A all join the peptides and caffeine to create a blend that quickly revives the look of the skin.
Plant Oils
Many people turn to peptides when their skin barrier feels damaged. Peptides can really help with this, as can plant oils. With plant oils forming a seal over the skin’s surface, they lock the peptides in, enabling their effects to last even longer.
In the CB Göld Collection, you’ll find a moisturizer called the CB Göld Velvet Silk Crème. It combines peptides with hemp seed oil, an ingredient that not only keeps the skin barrier feeling strong but also has an intense moisturizing effect on the skin. It’s a great duo for helping troubled skin feel more resilient.
Summary
As you can see, peptides are a worthy ingredient to have in your skincare routine. No matter your skin type or the skin concerns you’re facing, peptides will likely bring about some improvements in your complexion.
Click here to boost your skincare routine with more bestsellers from CBGärdN.