Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the messengers that tell skin to make more collagen. Unlike topical collagen, which sits on the surface, peptides are small enough to get somewhere useful.

They are the patient option. No purge, no peeling, no sun sensitivity, which makes them the sensible firming route if retinal is too much for your skin or you are pregnant and cannot use vitamin A at all. The trade-off is time: expect three months, not three weeks.

Matrixyl and copper peptides are the ones with the most research behind them. Layer under a moisturiser, morning or night. Works well alongside PDRN.