Are peptides effective for skincare?

Everything you need to know about the tiny skin messengers

- SKINVESTING DR. KAYCEE REYES

Open any beauty app, scroll through skincare reels, or peek into a friend's vanity—chances are, you'll spot the word “peptides” somewhere. It's become almost synonymous with smart skincare, the kind that promises that coveted “glass skin” finish we've all been chasing.

But here's the thing: peptides sound far more intimidating than they actually are. At their core, they're simply short chains of amino acids— the same building blocks that make up proteins like collagen and elas-tin. Think of them less as collagen replacements and more as tiny messengers, gently nudging your skin cells to do what they're supposed to do, only better.

This is precisely why peptides align so well with preventive skincare. Rather than scrambling to fix damage after the fact, they support the systems that keep your skin resilient—especially important when you're dealing with daily UV exposure and the not-so-glamorous realities of city living.