Peptides are trending—for good reason.

Why you need them in your skincare routine. And which ones I like best.

Hi lovelies,

If you’ve been following the podcast, you know I’ve been deep into peptides lately. Not just because they’re trending (they are), but because they work—especially when it comes to something most people aren’t talking about: senescent cells.

These cells stop doing their job but stick around anyway, quietly accelerating everything we don’t want—like inflammation, collagen breakdown, and dull, tired skin. And, frustratingly, though unsurprising this accelerates during peri/menopause.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that send signals to your skin—to repair, rebuild, and function more youthfully. Some peptides even show promise in helping reduce the impact of senescent cells or clearing them out entirely. You can use them topically, which is what we’ll get into below) or you can inject them (podcast on that coming soon!).

The nice thing is that, unlike active ingredients, peptides are well-tolerated. And they build results over time to help support your skin in doing what it already knows how to do—just better.

So let’s get into the topical peptides I love. And products to experiment with.

Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu)

This one is the real deal and my favorites. It’s been studied for decades and delivers on multiple fronts:

• Boosts collagen and elastin

• Supports healing and resilience

• Calms irritation and oxidative stress

When I was formulating VibrantBoost this was one the main ingredients I had in mind (this and Niacinamide) because it’s so incredible for the skin. The GHK-Cu, the copper peptide, hydrates, soothes, and gives your skin the push it needs to regenerate. So it improves tone, texture, firmness, and inflammation—all the things we want.

I mist it on post-cleanse, pre-serum—or anytime during the day when I want a refresh. It won Shape Magazine’s Best Facial Mist in 2024 and is a new bestseller for a reason.

Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4)

A great one for smoothing texture and softening fine lines. It’s a staple if your skin’s feeling less firm than usual or needs a hydration boost. Think of it as a collagen support system—subtle, but powerful with regular use.

Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8)

This one gets called “Botox in a bottle” and while it’s not the same, it does help relax the look of expression lines. It works especially well on forehead creases and crow’s feet. A good one if you’re looking to soften without injectables.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

More targeted than the others, this one helps restore the skin matrix—collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other key components that keep skin dense and lifted. I recommend it for deeper wrinkles or anyone noticing a shift in facial volume or firmness.

Senolytic peptides (emerging!)

It’s still early days here, research-wise, but these peptides are being studied for their ability to help clear out senescent cells entirely. If you’re into longevity skincare and staying ahead of the curve, keep an eye on this space—you know I’m here with wide eyes!

One final thing: always pay attention to how ingredients play together. Peptides tend to complement each other, so layering the right ones can really amplify your results. Not all ingredients get along, though. It’s easy to overlook how products interact, but it can make a huge difference. If your skin feels out of balance, this is often the culprit. So stay aware—and have fun with it.

Two other Peptide Product I love:

I really like this One Skin OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement Peptide Serum

And this DNA Skin Institute Zen Therapy Treatment Gel. Though I like the ingredient list in VibrantBoost is better ;)

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That’s it, lovelies. Wishing you long, supple, lovely lives.

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Love and light,

Jenny

P.S. Some links are affiliate, but as always, I only share what I use and believe in. Thank you for your support—and let me know if you try anything!