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Best for everyday

Naturium Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer

Velvety enough to replenish lost moisture without feeling greasy on oily skin, this face cream is ideal for everyday use. Alongside plumping peptides, it contains vitamin C to brighten and panthenol to ease any irritation.

Best for evening

Sarah Chapman Icon Night Smartsome A3 X503 Moisturiser

This hard-hitting cream uses six forms of peptides to improve skin’s resilience, repair compromised cells, protect from further damage and increase cell products for better elasticity. It also contains retinol to tackle fine lines and pigmentation. Sarah Chapman is known for her cutting-edge ingredient delivery system, which promises to bring the ingredients deeper into the skin. It smells like a spa, too, which is an added bonus to our bedtime skincare routine.

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Best for active ingredients

Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment

This Singaporean brand is a hidden gem in the skincare world. Each cutting-edge formula is brimming with scientifically-driven active ingredients. This moisturiser goes above and beyond hydration, delivering radiance, plumpness, antioxidant benefits and pore-refinining effects in one fell swoop. It contains a combination of seven peptides alongside skin brighteners and biotech algae for an overall healthier, happier complexion.

Best for dry skin

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

A cocktail of probiotics and peptides not only bolsters the skin’s natural barrier, it also helps to calm any irritation. The silky, creamy texture feels nourishing on dry skin but is lightweight enough to play well under SPF and make-up. Essentially, it floods the skin with hydration without leaving it feeling heavy or sticky.

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Best for reactive skin

Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream

Whether you’re on medication that heightens skin sensitivity or have a naturally fragile complexion, Medik8’s fragrance and essential oil-free formula comes with prebiotic peptides to help minimise inflammation and support the skin’s needs. A blend of ceramides, lipids and three forms of hyaluronic acid helps to replenish lost moisture and fortify the barrier.

Best for redness

Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

After an overzealous use of exfoliants, one ELLE editor found this face cream to be incredibly effective for re-strengthening the skin and taking down sensitivity. Any flaky patches were instantly remedied thanks to nourishing plant butters and barrier-building ceramides.

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Best for mature and combination skin

Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream

Most moisturisers targeting fine lines and dark spots veer on the heavier end of the texture spectrum, but this tackles those concerns while pleasing more combination skin types. Lancôme Rénergie range is best known for its science-backed formulas, so expect to see an improvement in radiance and smoothness.

Best under £20

The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

Whenever we get asked for skincare recommendations, The Inkey List is always on the…well, list. The formulas are straightforward yet effective, and the price point is relatively accessible. This moisturiser delivers plenty of hydration to plump up dry skin and leave it feeling, soft, soothed and ready for make-up. It works for morning, evening and plays well with other ingredients, so you really get the most bang for your buck.

Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she’s not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you’ll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she’s a competitive cheerleader, too. 

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