Peptides are the powerhouses behind any good anti-aging routine. These amino acids work to boost your body’s natural production of collagen, and the effects of this process show up on your face in the form of firmer skin and less visible wrinkles. Given how effective the ingredient is, it’s no wonder it’s made its way into a lot of products on the market… some of which are a whole lot better than others. One of our new favorites? Naturium’s Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum ($25). The Serum, which is a part of the brand’s larger peptide-based skin-care line, promises to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and help firm the skin’s appearance.

Naturium, Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum — $25.00

Benefits: 

• Improvement in texture of the skin, leaving it looking smoother and feeling softer
• Reduction in the look of fine lines and wrinkles
• Hydrates and plumps the skin
• Supports overall firmer-looking skin

All about Naturium’s Multi-Peptide Serum

“Peptides can have many functions but are largely used for their ability to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Peptides can also reduce redness and inflammation in the skin as well as hydrate the skin,” explains Ryan B. Turner, MD, a board-certified, Harvard-trained NYC dermatologist, Assistant Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and co-founder of TRNR Skin.

What makes Naturium’s peptide serum stand out from other similar serums on the market is that it contains multiple different types of peptides that are designed to dive deep into the skin to deliver maximum impact.

“There are plenty of peptide products on the market, but many of those peptides will only hydrate your skin because most of the time they don’t penetrate deep enough to do what they’re supposed to in your skin,” says Susan Yara, the brand’s co-founder. “We utilize encapsulation with both our copper peptides and our ferulic acid to make sure you get the right delivery, but it keeps the ingredients stable, and they can be used in conjunction with other ingredients. That way you don’t have to think too hard about when you’re using this in your routine.”

Encapsulation is a term that’s been buzzing in the beauty world of late, and essentially means the active ingredients are coated in a protective layer that slows their release. This makes them more effective, because it allows them to be delivered to exactly the right skin layers so that they can work more effectively without causing irritation.

A breakdown of the ingredients

1. Copper peptides

Copper peptides work as antioxidants that prompt collagen and elastin production to help soften fine lines and wrinkles. “Copper peptides also play a role in speeding wound healing and may also help with acne,” says Dr. Turner.

2. Argireline amplified peptide

This peptide reduces the appearance of expression lines while also boosting hydration and collagen production.

3. Encapsulated ferulic acid

“Ferulic acid is a compound found in plants and is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce the signs of cellular aging and also calm inflammation in skin. This version of ferulic acid is encapsulated, improving its stability in the formulation; it may also increase its cellular bioavailability,” says Dr. Turner.

4. Hydrolyzed collagen

In addition to the peptides that boost your skin’s natural production of collagen, the formula also contains hydrolyzed collagen of its own. “Collagen that has been hydrolyzed has been broken down into smaller units called peptides,” says Dr. Turner. “These peptides act as humectants attracting water to stay in the skin, for a more youthful and plumped skin appearance.”

Recommended use

Based on the brand’s recommendations, the serum should be applied to cleansed, toned skin every morning and night (and followed with moisturizer and, in the a.m., SPF) for at least six weeks. “Patience is a virtue— especially when it pertains to skincare payoffs. I tell my patients that peptides are similar to retinols in that it typically takes three months to have a visible difference in fine lines and wrinkles while best results may be as far out as six months. The key is consistency in usage,” says Dr. Turner.

Though it will take a few weeks to see the formula’s true impact, you’ll still get some instant gratification after you apply. “You’ll notice your skin immediately feels more nourished and hydrated,” says Yara.

When using the serum, Dr. Turner recommends avoiding retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), as they may cause certain peptides to break down and decrease their efficacy.

What happened when I tried Naturium’s Multi-Peptide Serum

I applied the serum morning and night for three weeks, and though the results weren’t necessarily dramatic (my skin was fairly smooth already, and my testing period was shorter than the six weeks the pros recommend), they were definitely there. Overall, I noticed that my skin was more radiant and didn’t feel as dry as it normally does during the summer-to-fall seasonal transition.

Yara notes that the most dramatic results of the product will be seen on dry or mature complexions, but it will even make supple skin look “juicy”—which is exactly what happened for me. For those whose skin’s barrier is healthy, “You’re most likely to use the serum preventatively,” she says.

Overall, the product encapsulates both Yara’s own beauty philosophy and what the brand stands for. “You have to enjoy the experience of your products, see real change with your skin, and also feel like you won’t break the bank when it comes time to re-purchase,” she says. “The goal isn’t to seek perfect skin, but instead to love your skin because it’s healthy and you put in time with it.”