Peptides vs retinol: hero anti-ageing ingredients explained

Both peptides and retinol work beyond the surface layer of your skin.

This means they reach deeper levels where collagen – the protein that helps keep your skin firm and supported – is produced and new cells are formed. This is also where many visible changes in your skin begin, which is why peptides and retinol are considered such powerful anti-ageing skincare ingredients.

While both peptides and retinol reach the same deeper layers of the skin, what sets them apart is what they do there.

What do peptides do?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids – the building blocks your skin uses to produce proteins like collagen and elastin, and which help maintain the skin’s structure.

Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides that act as signals between cells, and which direct how your skin functions. In skincare, peptides are used to influence how your skin responds to changes in its environment, to new products, and to age-related changes such as slower skin cell turnover and reduced collagen production.

What does retinol do?

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that increases the rate of skin cell turnover.

It works by speeding up how quickly old cells are replaced with new ones: bringing fresh cells to the surface sooner, while helping prevent dead cells from accumulating. Because of this, retinol is widely used in skincare for its ability to support collagen production and improve visible changes in skin texture and tone.

Can you use peptides and retinol together?

Yes – you can use peptides and retinol together. 

Retinol increases the speed of your skin renewal cycle, which pushes cells to the surface quickly. This can bring underlying congestion forward, which is why your skin may purge or break out as it adjusts. As turnover increases, peptides help your skin retain water and keep cells connected – so cells can shed and move through the skin without collecting in pores.

How often can you use peptides and retinol?

When layering peptides and retinol, how often you use them – and when you use them – is important. Each ingredient works differently and should be used with careful consideration:

· Peptides can be used daily, both in the morning and at night.

· Retinol is best used at night only. Start with one to two times per week – especially if you’re new to retinol, or have dry or sensitive skin – then gradually increase application frequency as your skin adjusts.

Layering peptides and retinol: how to use peptides and retinol together

Retinol changes how your skin functions, while peptides help regulate how your skin responds to that change: so how you apply retinol and peptides together matters.

Below, we explain how to use peptides and retinol in tandem in the right order in your skincare routine.

Step 1: Apply the Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum (PM only)

Before bed, apply Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum to clean, dry skin. 

Using pure and gradual retinol, the Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum helps increase skin cell turnover to target visible wrinkles and uneven skin tone. It’s also formulated with Vitamin B3 to help maintain hydration as skin cell turnover increases, so your skin doesn’t lose water or feel dry as it adjusts. With continued use over an eight-week period, 96% of women we tested (across all skin types) noticed an improvement in how soft their skin felt*.

Because UV exposure breaks retinol down – which reduces how well it works, while also making your skin more sensitive to UV and raising the risk of visible sun damage – this serum is for evening application only. If you’re new to retinol, apply Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum one to two nights per week, then increase as your skin builds tolerance.

This formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

*Self-assessment on 51 women 45-65 years, all skin types. Application 1/day (evening) for 8 week

Step 2: Hydrate using the Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum (AM and PM)

This is where you begin layering peptides and retinol.

Start with our Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum in the morning, or use it after the Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum in your evening skincare routine.

The Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum contains neurosensine – a synthetic peptide – to help reduce facial redness and sensitivity, in addition to glycerin: a humectant that draws water into the skin to maintain hydration.

When you use retinol, your skin cycles through cells faster, which can make it harder to retain moisture. That’s why our Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum is formulated to help support the skin moisture barrier as skin cell turnover increases.

Apply morning and evening to slightly damp skin. Glycerin works best when it can pull in nearby water, so using it when your skin is damp will give it more moisture to bind to.

Step 3: Nourish with Toleriane Dermallergo Light Creme Hydrating Moisturiser (AM and PM)

Finish your peptides and retinol routine with our Toleriane Dermallergo Light Creme Hydrating Moisturiser.

It’s formulated with neurosensine (a synthetic peptide) to reduce visible signs of sensitivity, as well as La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water (to protect against free radicals), and Sphingobioma (which helps maintain the natural bacteria on your skin’s surface).

Suitable for allergy-prone skin, Toleriane Dermallergo Light Creme Hydrating Moisturiser delivers up to 48 hours of hydration. Simply massage into your face, eye contours, and neck every morning and night.

Neurosensine is just one type of peptide of thousands – and did you know that copper peptides and retinol can also be used together?

Learn what copper peptides do for your skin next.