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.
- Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
- Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream
- The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer
- Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream
- Olehenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
Best Vegan Peptide Moisturizers
These are our favorite vegan peptide face creams in 2024.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
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
Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream
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
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 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
Olehenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
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
Pacifica Beauty Dreamy Youth Day & Night Face Cream
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
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
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
Best Vegan Peptide Serums
Here are the best vegan peptide face serums.
Youth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum
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
Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
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
The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
“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
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Brightening Serum
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
Other Vegan Peptide Skincare Products
See also our selection for the best vegan peptide cleanser, toner, and more.
- Vegan Peptide Cleanser: Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water
- Vegan Peptide Toner: Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist
- Vegan Peptide Eye Cream: Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
- Vegan Peptide Face Mask: Acure Seriously Soothing Biocellulose Gel Mask
- Vegan Peptide Sunscreen: Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
- Vegan Peptide Hand Cream: Grown Alchemist Age-Repair Hand Cream
- Vegan Peptide Body Lotion: Boscia Skin Nutrition Firming Body Serum
- Vegan Peptide Skincare Set: Drunk Elephant All Protinis Great and Small
Are Peptides Vegan?
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?
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
Peptides can be both – vegan and animal-derived. Most commonly, the peptides used in skincare are vegan.
The best vegan peptide moisturizer is the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
You will find the best selection of vegan peptide skincare online, especially on Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora.
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