Peptides Are Having a Moment, But This Medik8 Serum Has Been the Talk of the Town for Years

Peptides have been talked about like some groundbreaking discovery these past couple of years, but as an Allure beauty editor points out in their review, this ingredient has actually been debated in skincare circles for decades—it's just that now it's Medik8's Liquid Peptides Serum getting a fresh look.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act like messengers between cells, signaling skin to retain moisture and maintain elasticity, which in turn kickstarts collagen production. They won't make signs of aging vanish into thin air, but they can slow down how fast those signs show up. This serum packs in a whole lineup of peptides—hexapeptide-8, copper palmitoyl heptapeptide-14, palmitoyl tripeptide-38—paired with hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisture-locking glycerin, all aimed at smoothing out fine lines and giving skin a firmer, more supported look.

It sounds like a clinic-grade formula, but it feels surprisingly gentle in use. The Allure editor's go-to routine is applying a few drops after cleansing, smoothing it over the face and neck, with extra attention on areas like the forehead where fine lines tend to show up first. The texture is thin and almost silky, absorbing quickly enough that layering moisturizer afterward feels effortless, and it doesn't pill or interfere with sunscreen application during the day—a rare "hits all three marks" moment in the editor's routine.

The Medik8 Liquid Peptides Serum retails for $68 on Medik8's website and is also included in Allure's August Beauty Box.