Vegan Peptide Skincare 2024

By Liis Hainla. Updated: March 2024.
We may receive a commission for purchases made through the links in this post. Learn more.

Vegan Peptide Skincare

Peptides are amino acid compounds with multiple skincare benefits. Peptides improve the skin barrier, reduce wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, and even help clear out breakouts (1).

In topical skincare, peptides are usually vegan and synthetically made. Here is our favorite vegan peptide skincare for 2024. See the best vegan peptide moisturizers, serums, and more.

Best Vegan Peptide Skincare

Below, you will find our favorite vegan peptide skincare products from Drunk Elephant, Youth To The People, and other vegan and cruelty-free brands.

Best Vegan Peptide Moisturizers

These are our favorite vegan peptide face creams in 2024.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Drunk Elephant

Our favorite vegan peptide moisturizer is lightweight and it nourishes the skin for the whole day. A complex of nine signal peptides helps to improve skin texture and keeps it moisturized. We recommend this cream to all skin types, especially combination and oily skin. 

  • What we like: feels lightweight, moisturizes
  • What we don’t like: not hydrating enough for very dry skin
  • What reviews say: works great for oily types, improves skin texture, deep nourishing

Key ingredients: signal peptide complex, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, soybean folic acid ferment extract | Main benefits: plumping, calming, moisturizing | Features: vegan, essential oil-free, silicone-free, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream

Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Youth To The People

The best vegan peptide cream for dry skin is made by Youth To The People. Containing polypeptide-121 and ceramides, it nourishes the skin and helps with fine lines. This cream is also perfect for sensitive skin since the formula is fragrance-free. 

  • What we like: works great for dry skin, leaves a refreshing and light feeling 
  • What we don’t like: takes time to absorb
  • What reviews say: works well with makeup, creamy formula which nourishes, reduces fine lines

Key ingredients: polypeptide-121, plant proteins, ceramides | Main benefits: firming, moisturizing, strengthening | Features: vegan, fragrance-free, recyclable packaging, made in the USA

Shop on: Sephora, Cult Beauty

The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

The Inkey List Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of The Inkey List

This affordable vegan peptide cream from The Inkey List is made with hydrating peptide solutions and royal Epigen P5 which plumps the skin while moisturizing. We recommend this peptide cream primarily for combo and normal skin types. 

  • What we like: it’s affordable, leaves a smooth feeling on the skin, moisturizes
  • What we don’t like: takes time to see results
  • What reviews say: aging skin looks more plumped, restores moisture barriers

Key ingredients: hydrating peptide solution, royal Epigen P5 | Main benefits: plumping, moisturizing, hydrating | Features: vegan, gluten-free, recyclable packaging

Shop on: Sephora, Official site

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Acure

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream is perfect for soothing the skin during the night. Containing different vegan peptides blend, it moisturizes and improves the skin texture. We recommend this cream to all skin types but it works best for aging skin. 

  • What we like: keeps the skin moisturized, great price-value ratio
  • What we don’t like: takes time to absorb
  • What reviews say: works great for sensitive skin, helps to clear out acne

Key ingredients: multi-peptides, ferulic acid, vitamin C | Main benefits: soothing, hydrating, moisturizing | Features: vegan, artificial fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Ulta

Olehenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

Olehenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Olehenriksen

Olehenriksen’s vegan peptide moisturizer is perfect to slow down aging. This cream hydrates even very dry skin and you only need a small amount. Packed with peptides, amino acids, plant collagen, and vegan ceramides, it gives the skin a real nourishing boost. 

  • What we like: moisturizes well, no greasy feeling, quick results
  • What we don’t like: contains fragrance
  • What reviews say: makes the skin glow, a little goes a long way

Key ingredients: peptides, amino acids, ceramides, plant collagen | Main benefits: moisturizing, hydrating, firming | Features: vegan, gluten-free, recyclable packaging

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

Pacifica Beauty Dreamy Youth Day & Night Face Cream

Pacifica Beauty Dreamy Youth Day & Night Face Cream Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Pacifica Beauty

This vegan peptide day and night cream is suitable for all skin types, even for dry skin. Containing different peptides, floral stem cells, and grapeseed oil, it brightens the complexion and keeps the skin well-hydrated. This cream is affordable and easy to use. 

  • What we like: makes the skin softer and smoother, fast absorbing
  • What we don’t like: specific floral scent
  • What reviews say: works for different skin types, great price-value

Key ingredients: peptides, floral stem cells, oat beta-glucan, grapeseed oil | Main benefits: moisturizing, brightening | Features: vegan, artificial fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Ulta

Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream

Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream Vegan Peptide Moisturizer
Courtesy of Skinfix

Skinfix vegan peptide face cream is suitable for all skin types. The fragrance-free formula is created with a nutripeptide blend and seaweed hyaluronate to firm, plump, and hydrate the skin. This is an excellent cream to repair skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. 

  • What we like: deep moisturization, thick but does not leave the skin greasy
  • What we don’t like: it’s expensive
  • What reviews say: works great for sensitive skin, repairs skin barrier

Key ingredients: nutripeptide blend, triple lipid complex, seaweed hyaluronate blend | Main benefits: hydrating, firming, plumping | Features: vegan, gluten-free, fragrance-free, made in Canada

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

Best Vegan Peptide Serums

Here are the best vegan peptide face serums.

Youth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum

Youth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Vegan Peptide Serum
Courtesy of Youth To The People

Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum is our favorite vegan serum in the world. Containing different peptides and hyaluronic acids this vegan serum hydrates and smoothes the skin beautifully. The fragrance-free formula is also safe for sensitive skin.

  • What we like: fast absorbing, no sticky feeling, improves skin texture
  • What we don’t like: it’s expensive
  • What reviews say: reduces fine lines and wrinkles, helps to heal acne and damaged skin

Key ingredients: triple bio-peptide blend, hyaluronic acid, cactus peel, rambutan peel | Main benefits: smoothing, hydrating, plumping | Features: vegan, fragrance-free, recyclable packaging, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Vegan Serum
Courtesy of Biossance

Biossance’s vegan peptide serum is perfect for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and redness. Containing copper peptides and Paracress extract, it plumps and firms the skin well. We like how soft this serum makes the skin.

  • What we like: softens the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles
  • What we don’t like: not hydrating enough for very dry skin
  • What reviews say: works great for different skin types, deep hydration, reduces redness

Key ingredients: copper peptide, Paracress extract | Main benefits: plumping, firming, smoothing | Features: vegan, recyclable packaging, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%

The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides Vegan Serum
Courtesy of The Ordinary

“Buffet” with copper peptides is a highly effective vegan serum. It’s a great solution to get rid of acne scars, reduce fine lines and make the skin overall healthier. We recommend this serum for normal, combination, and oily skin types. It can be a little drying for dry skin. 

  • What we like: makes the skin more radiant and plumped
  • What we don’t like: too strong for dry skin
  • What reviews say: fast results, soothes the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles

Key ingredients: copper peptides, matrixyl, argirelox | Main benefits: smoothing, firming | Features: vegan, silicone-free, gluten-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free, made in Canada

Shop on: Amazon, Sephora

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Vegan Serum
Courtesy of Bliss

This vegan peptide serum with vitamin C is excellent for brightening the skin. Tri-peptide blend with vitamin C gives a healthy glow and hydrates the skin. If you love citrus, you will enjoy the fresh smell and benefit from reducing dark spots.

  • What we like: reduces dark spots, leaves a healthy glow
  • What we don’t like: contains fragrance
  • What reviews say: hydrates, non-irritating, brightens and smoothes the skin

Key ingredients: tri-peptides, vitamin C, licorice root extract, glycerin | Main benefits: brightening, smoothing, soothing | Features: vegan, non-comedogenic, made in the USA

Shop on: Amazon, Ulta

Other Vegan Peptide Skincare Products

See also our selection for the best vegan peptide cleanser, toner, and more.

Are Peptides Vegan?

Are Peptides Vegan
Courtesy of The Ordinary

Peptides used in skincare are often vegan but not always.  There are two sources for peptides in skincare – natural (derived from plants or animals) or synthetic.

Most skincare brands prefer synthetic vegan peptides since natural peptides are not stable in water solutions. Synthetic peptides are also more affordable to produce.

To make sure that your peptide skincare is vegan, always look for a vegan certification or purchase from fully vegan brands.

What To Look For In Vegan Peptide Skincare?

What To Look For In Vegan Peptide Skincare
Courtesy of Youth To The People

When shopping for vegan peptide skincare, it’s important to understand the different types of peptides. There are hundreds of peptides but there are four primary class types:

  • Carrier peptides help to boost collagen and firm the skin. They also help to heal wounds and reduce the depth and length of wrinkles. This peptide’s name comes from carrying trace minerals like copper and magnesium to the skin. 
  • Enzyme-inhibitor peptides have the goal of slowing down the breakdown of collagen. This helps the skin to age slower and keeps the skin moisturized. 
  • Signal peptides aka palmitoyl pentapeptides are the most common peptides in skincare. They help to create collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins that make the skin firmer. On the skin, they can tingle a bit.
  • Neurotransmitter peptides block the release of a chemical neurotransmitter. This helps to relax facial muscles so they would not have to work that much. They reduce wrinkles and fine lines. These peptides are usually found in injectables and also in Argireline. 

Peptides are listed on the ingredients list using a variety of different names. Some of the most famous peptides are:

  • Copper peptides are known to improve skin firmness and smoothness. They also help to reduce fine lines. Copper peptides are usually vegan-friendly and synthetic.
  • Hexapeptide is usually listed on the label as acetyl hexapeptide-3. This peptide helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 
  • Palmitoyl oligopeptides are beneficial in anti-aging skincare. They help to stimulate collagen production and to promote cells to function healthily.
  • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 consists of a 4-chain acid and palmitic acid. This peptide helps to reduce skin inflammation and stimulates the production of new collagen cells, and inhibits collagen degradation. The visible effects are improved skin firmness and elasticity.

Prefixes like di, tri, hexa, and oligo describe how many amino acids are needed to create the peptide. A polypeptide can contain even more than 50 amino acid molecules.

Peptides work best with other ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acids. Peptides with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) work less effectively.

FAQ About Vegan Peptide Skincare

Are peptides vegan?

Peptides can be both – vegan and animal-derived. Most commonly, the peptides used in skincare are vegan.

What is the best vegan peptide moisturizer?

The best vegan peptide moisturizer is the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Where to buy vegan peptide skincare?

You will find the best selection of vegan peptide skincare online, especially on Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora.

Is  Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster vegan?

No, their Peptide Booster includes hydrolyzed silk from silkworms.

Summary

Peptides have become one of the most favored anti-aging ingredients out there. Luckily, most peptide skincare products are also vegan-friendly and animal-free.

We hope you found the right vegan peptide skincare products for your skin from our list. As we try out new vegan peptide products, we’ll be sure to update this article accordingly.

See also: Vegan Ceramide Skincare

Update on May 04 (2023): Fact checked and medically reviewed by MD Shimona Garg
Update on February 19 (2023): Added more references

My name is Liis. I've been a vegan for a long time and advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Through Vegan Avenue, I write about the latest vegan news, trends, events, and all things related to the vegan lifestyle.