Just having the right ingredients in your skincare routine isn’t enough. Applying the wrong products at the wrong times can be an unnecessary headache. When it comes to understanding how to layer peptides in a skincare routine, the basic order is simple enough. Basically, in order, you cleanse, apply treatment serums, apply moisturizer and finish up your routine with broad spectrum SPF in the morning.

The order of your skincare routines both AM and PM does not have to be complicated when it comes to knowing where to place peptides. Skin Deva UK advises to follow the instructions of each product, individually, but understand their formula, the active ingredients, and where you should place the serum in your routine based on their recommendations.

When Should You Apply Peptide Serum? 

Typically, peptide serums are applied just after cleansing and before moisturizing, but if you are still trying to figure out the order of application, use the following order as a base:

• Cleansing: Make sure to start with clean skin to allow the products to penetrate fully.
• Treatment Serums: Apply peptide serum according to the instructions on the product.
• Toner (if you Are Using One): Use as your last step prior to moisturizer if you use a toner.
• Moisturizing: This is your last step prior to SPF.
• A final tip: More products doesn’t mean greater results.

For more in depth knowledge into the differences of each type of peptides and their functions, read our article The Complete Guide to Peptides.

The Correct AM Peptide Routine 

Proper technique for using Peptides in the AM requires a simple, structured approach with each product in the routine playing its own individual role. The order for other serums may differ depending on the formulation and directions, however, the method for using Peptide serums should be consistent.

• Start with a cleanse: Clear your skin of excess buildup and oil.
• Apply the treatment serum: If you are using a treatment serum, apply it according to the instructions after considering the overall routine.
• Apply Peptide serum: Use the directed serum amount.
• Apply moisturizer: Hydrate and add protective barrier.
• Apply broad spectrum SPF: The last step is mineral screen to protect from UV exposure.

Do not consider the thinnest to thickest approach as a rigid technique where some products give direction to be used in a different order.

The Correct PM Peptide Routine 

Evening and morning routines do not have to be absolutely identical. Your evening routine can contain other targeted actives, however, it is best not to overdo it with your routine.

• Cleanse: Remove all of your daily build up and excess oil, sunscreen, and makeup.
• Use Treatment Serum: Apply according to the instructions after considering the entire routine.
• Apply Peptide Serum: Use directed amount.
• Moisturize: Complete your routine with hydration and protective barrier.

There is no need for screen at night. If your routine is multiple steps and beginning to cause irritation, use targeted actives periodically on an as needed basis for a controlled routine instead of forcing everything into a single active day routine.

Can You Layer Peptides with Hyaluronic Acid? 

While the instructions for each product will dictate whether you can layer them, many peptide and hyaluronic acid products can work together in the same routine. Hyaluronic acid works on the surface of the skin to retain moisture and plump the skin, peptides are used to work on fine lines, texture and overall firmness.

Most peptide formulas, including many of the Skin Deva peptides blended with Matrixyl, already contain hyaluronic acid, so a standalone hyaluronic acid serum likely wouldn’t be necessary. A moisturizer will still serve a lot of purpose in the routine to help hydrate the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. 

Can You Use Peptides and Niacinamide Together? 

In most cases, routines that use these two involved will not have any issues. Each of these ingredients support the skin barrier and hydration, which is why they both alone work wonderfully when the goal is to support hydration for anti-aging.

While many ingredients can be used together, the overall product formula and concentration will still need to be considered, and so will the tolerance of the user. If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable to introduce products one at a time so you can see if your skin reacts the way you would expect. Skin Deva also says these ingredients are fully safe to use together. For more help, see our guide to peptides and niacinamide.

Can You Layer Peptides with Vitamin C? 

Peptides and vitamin C need to be treated on a product basis to see if they are compatible rather than assuming they are incompatible. Many vitamin C products use different pH systems and different forms of the actual vitamin C, so you want to follow the directions for each specific product rather than generalized rules.

If you are uncertain about the compatibility or skin tolerance of your products, separate them between AM and PM to simplify your routine. This doesn’t mean you must separate every combination of peptides and Vitamin C. 

Can You Use Peptides with Retinol? 

Many people are able to incorporate peptides and retinol into the same routine, but skin tolerance comes into play, and so do the instructions. Retinol is a very potent active that is well researched for its anti-aging effects, but it is important to remember that with first use, retinol is very drying and irritating to the skin.

When it comes to peptides, we are looking at skin supporting and firming effects, and so for many, a separate routine is best until they get used to retinol. Additionally, for first time routine users, adding too many new products can increase irritation. 

Common Peptide Layering Mistakes 

Many good peptides are often unwittingly part of unnecessary overly complex routines. You should avoid:

• Using too many serums: Massive serum nights (using many or all of your serums at the same time) may be associated with quicker results, but this assumption has no scientific basis.
• Ignoring instructions: Always follow the instructions on product labels as they may counteract the rules of layering you learned on social media.
• The Serum-Only User: Some tend to believe that using a serum in place of a moisturizer is sufficient.
• Don’t  Skip Your SPF: The key to great skin and avoiding premature aging is using sunscreen everyday.
• Using multiple actives can make tolerance and the source of skin problems tricky to pin down.
• More serum does not mean more improvement, so there is no benefit to excessively using a serum.

Where Does Skin Deva Peptide Power Blend Serum Fit?

Skin Deva’s Peptide Power Blend Serum should be used in the targeted serum step. It contains Copper Peptide and both Matrixyl and Argireline to fewer the appearance of fine lines and to improve skin firmness. For this serum, follow the instructions on the product packaging in terms of frequency of use. Do not use the serum excessively in an attempt to speed up the results.

In the AM/PM peptide routine, remember that a peptide serum should have its own specific spot in your routine with the placement of the other steps remaining the same.

Do You Need to Wait Between Skincare Layers? 

Each skincare step doesn’t always require you to wait a certain amount of time. Follow the instructions on each skincare step and let each skincare step fully absorb before the next. Adding a long time between steps will just slow down your skincare routine if the instructed time is not enough. If your routine has any pilling issues, it is most likely caused from over usage or layering products that do not agree with your skin texture. However, it will be best to adjust the order before you rely on a waiting time between skincare steps.

Final Thoughts 

If you want to build a peptide routine, simplicity is the way to go. Cleansing and treating your skin with a peptide serum based on the product directions before following up with moisturizer is really all you need to do in the morning. Less really is more. Consistency will carry you to your goals of having smoother and healthier skin.

FAQs

Do Peptides Go on Before or After Moisturiser?

For most cases, peptides are better used after cleansing and before moisturizer, so apply your peptide serum based on the product instructions, then moisturize. However, different formulas can lend themselves to different orders of application.

When Should I Use Peptides in My Skincare Routine?

Like most products, peptides go on after cleansing and before moisturizer. However, you can incorporate them into the morning or evening routine depending on the product and use instructions, as well as your overall skincare goals. Peptides should be the last thing you use in your morning skincare routine.

Do Retinol or Peptides Go on First?

Again, it depends on the product instructions, as some people like peptides and some prefer retinol. If you’re flexible with the order you’re applying treatment products, they typically go after cleansing and before moisturizing. If you’re using strong actives then you may want to space out your routines to improve tolerance for sensitive skin.

How Often Should I Use Peptides in My Skincare Routine?

How often you should use peptides depends on the serum you’re using and its instructions. You can use peptide serums multiple times a day, sensitive skin should use them sparingly and introduce new products gradually. It’s better to stick to a consistent simple routine than using multiple products with peptides multiple times a day.