Can You Use Peptides with Retinol?

We're big fans of both peptides and retinol. 

But can you use peptides with retinol? Read along to learn how to use peptides and retinol together and start incorporating the two into your routine.

What are peptides?

Peptides are chains of amino acids that are commonly found in skin care products. The main function of peptides is to operate as building blocks for protein. 

In skin care, peptides are an ingredient that helps combat visible signs of aging by supporting damaged skin cells and the production of collagen — the primary protein found in the skin that makes it supple, firm and youthful. 

Peptides are a critical component of skin care, so let’s dive a little deeper and explore the benefits of using peptides. 

What are the benefits of using peptides?

Peptides have lots of buzz in the skin care world — and for good reason. Here are the greatest benefits of using peptides:

• Peptides help the skin to rebuild and repair damaged cells by encouraging your barrier produce more collagen, the necessary protein that keeps your skin looking youthful and healthy. 
• Peptides have anti-aging properties, thanks to their support for collagen production. More collagen makes the skin more elastic, therefore minimizing the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. 
• The support and strength peptides offer your skin barrier help to keep your complexion smooth and bright. 

Dead skin cells can really impact your complexion, and peptides work to keep your skin soft and healthy. Using peptides in your skin care routine is a great way to help boost collagen and support damaged skin cells. 

What is retinol?

You’ve certainly heard about retinol, as it's one of the most talked about skin care ingredients. So, what isretinol exactly, and why do skin care enthusiasts rave about it? In short, it’s a form of vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for many bodily systems to function properly, including vision and the immune system, but we know and love retinol for its benefits in skin care. 

Retinol, commonly available in the form of serums or lotions, helps exfoliate the skin — and, much like peptides, helps support collagen production. 

What are the benefits of retinol?

Incorporating retinol into your skin care routine will help you see major improvements over time, including the following benefits: 

• Retinol reduces the look of your pores by supporting proper skin cell turnover. It helps remove excess dead skin cells and promote the healthy production of new cells, contributing to a youthful-looking complexion. 
• Retinol helps support natural collagen production, thus working to minimize the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. 
• Those who struggle with dark spots might have positive results with retinol, as it can interact with the enzyme that causes uneven skin tone, dark spots and pigmentation issues. 

With consistent use, retinol may provide major improvements to the appearance of the skin. Now knowing how great peptides and retinol can both be for the skin, let's talk about combining the two effectively. 

Can you use peptides with retinol?

Peptides and retinol can be used together — in fact, they complement each other nicely!

Though their functions might be a bit different, peptides and retinol both work to boost collagen production, remove and repair dead skin cells and ultimately help create a smooth complexion. 

Retinol sets the stage for your skin care routine: it has strong collagen-building and anti-aging properties. The downside is retinol can dry out or irritate the skin, since vitamin A can be a little intense. This is where peptides come in. 

Peptides help nourish and soothe the skin, since they help rebuild and restore the dead or dying skin cells. This helps counteract the dryness from retinol use. Since peptides also have anti-aging properties, the two ingredients combined work together to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Ultimately, peptides and retinol work very well together and help to produce and rebuild stronger skin cells to create a smooth, healthy and bright complexion. 

What retinol and peptides products should you use?

Knowing now that retinol and peptides complement each other well, let’s talk about the products you can use to incorporate both into your routine.

Peptides are commonly found in creams or serums, like our Youth Serum. This hyaluronic acid serum uses peptides to help rebuild and repair the skin cells on your face, therefore helping to aid in anti-aging. It helps keep your skin hydrated, plump and firm for a more youthful appearance.

When it comes to retinol, serums are also a great option! Our Night Watch effectively promotes cell turnover and refines the skin's surface without causing irritation. 

And remember — always moisturize after using retinol, as it can dry out your skin. 

Refine your skin care routine

Using the right ingredients is the key to a good skin care routine and overall skin health. Peptides and retinol are two ingredients that complement each other well and help support your skin barrier. Adding both to your routine can make all the difference for your skin!

This article was medically reviewed by Madeline Stoffer, MSN, NP-BC, a board-certified nurse practitioner with six years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.

Sources:

Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits | Cleveland Clinic

Vitamin A and Carotenoids - Consumer | National Institutes of Health

Topical Retinoids for Pigmented Skin | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology