Experts Agree, This Is the "It" Skincare Ingredient for Summer, so We Tried It. The Maelove Peptide Serum is the MVP of skin barrier support.
By Alyssa Kaplan. Alyssa Kaplan is an editor at Byrdie with more than six years of beauty industry experience. She tests makeup, skincare, and haircare products to curate round-ups of the best beauty items you can buy. Alyssa is passionate about helping readers upgrade their beauty routines and make smart purchasing decisions.
Published on June 17, 2025 05:00PM
If you keep up with the latest beauty trends, you might have noticed how many new skincare launches are touting peptides in their products. Peptide-rich formulas are popping up everywhere among moisturizers, milky toners, serums, and nourishing lip balms. Allow Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, to explain the hype.
“Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins, such as collagen and elastin, which keep skin firm and healthy,” she says. “In skincare, peptides act as messengers, signaling the skin to produce more collagen, repair damage, and maintain a strong barrier. Over time, this can help improve firmness, elasticity, and overall skin resilience.” After years of over-exfoliating and disrupting my skin barrier, I’ve started testing more gentle, hydrating formulas. I’ve found that products containing peptides have significantly improved the appearance and texture of my skin. These peptide-rich skincare items, in particular, give me the softest, healthiest skin.
You've probably heard the buzz around Maelove Peptide Squad Collagen Renewal Serum, and I'm here to let you know it lives up to the hype. Formulated with four classes of peptides (yes, four), it helps boost collagen production, promotes firmer skin, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. But the powerhouse formula doesn't stop there. It's also packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and jojoba oil. The results are a peptide-packed serum that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. Plus, thanks to barrier-supporting niacinamide, panthenol, and red algae, this naturally blue serum goes the extra mile to soothe and strengthen. It's a standout that proves how peptides are a true secret skincare weapon.
A leader in the skin barrier health space, Skinfix makes several peptide-focused formulas, and this moisturizer (the brand’s hero product) is top-tier. I’ve been using it at night for over three years, and I credit it with helping my skin return to health after over-exfoliating. The texture is thick but easily spreadable, and after applying it at night, it keeps my skin moisturized well into the next day. If you’re looking for a rich moisturizer loaded with peptides, I can’t recommend this one enough.
I love lip balms full of peptides because they have a soft, pillowy texture and give my lips a smooth, super-hydrated finish. I often reach for this one from Rhode because it layers well over lip liner, creates a glass-like shine, and comes in delicious scents (watermelon slice is my favorite).
Another peptide lip balm I swear by is this gem from Ole Henriksen. I use the OG clear one at night as a lip mask and keep the tinted ones in my bag for on-the-go application. This formula does a great job of smoothing the look of lip lines and keeping my lips comfortable for hours on end.
