The 9 Best Peptide Serums to Plump Winter Skin in 2025
Winter can be harsh on skin. The cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity all combine to leave your complexion feeling dry, tight, and a little lackluster. That’s why your winter skincare routine needs a hero, a product that goes beyond surface hydration and actually strengthens and plumps your skin from the inside out. Enter peptide serums.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, the very fibers that give skin structure, resilience, and that youthful bounce. Think of them as the ultimate winter armor, they protect, repair, and signal your skin to produce the essential proteins that diminish with age and seasonal stress. Unlike heavier creams, peptide serums can slip under your moisturizer effortlessly, making them ideal for layering in a winter skincare routine without feeling greasy or sticky.
We know the market is overflowing with peptide products, from budget-friendly options to luxe formulations promising miraculous results. To help you narrow it down, we tested some of the most talked-about serums and asked skincare experts for their opinions. Here are the 9 best peptide serums to plump winter skin, each chosen for its efficacy, texture, and ability to boost your complexion’s bounce even on the coldest days.
Best Picks
1. The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
The Ordinary has made a name for itself with highly effective, budget-friendly serums, and “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% is no exception. This formula combines multiple peptide complexes with copper peptides to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and overall texture. It’s particularly helpful in winter when skin can look dull and saggy due to dryness.
The serum has a lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly, leaving no sticky residue, which is perfect for layering under a heavier moisturizer or a hydrating winter cream. After consistent use, skin feels firmer, more resilient, and noticeably plumper. It’s a versatile option for all skin types, and its high concentration of active peptides makes it a favorite among skincare enthusiasts looking for a serious structural boost.
2. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream is more than just a serum; it’s a peptide powerhouse in cream form. Packed with signal peptides, growth factors, and amino acids, it not only strengthens skin but also hydrates, making it an excellent winter multitasker. It’s perfect for those who want their serum and moisturizer in one product.
The texture is rich yet lightweight, absorbing quickly into winter-dehydrated skin without leaving a greasy film. Within a few weeks, users often notice smoother skin, improved elasticity, and a lifted, more youthful appearance. While technically a cream, its concentrated peptide content rivals many serums, making it a standout for anyone looking to plump and hydrate simultaneously.
3. NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum
If you’re ready to invest in a luxury peptide serum, NIOD’s Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 is an advanced, lab-tested formula designed for maximum efficacy. Copper peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production while promoting skin repair, making this serum a powerhouse for winter-induced dullness and fine lines.
Despite its sophisticated formulation, the serum has a surprisingly light, non-sticky texture. It layers beautifully under creams or makeup and leaves the skin feeling taut, plump, and radiant. While it comes at a higher price point, its combination of stabilized copper peptides, amino acids, and antioxidants ensures noticeable improvement in firmness and texture — ideal for anyone serious about winter skin resilience.
4. The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer
For those looking to dip their toes into peptides without breaking the bank, The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer delivers targeted anti-aging benefits at a wallet-friendly price. While technically a moisturizer, it’s rich in peptide complexes that help firm, smooth, and hydrate winter skin.
The formula is lightweight but nourishing, making it perfect for layering over hydrating serums or wearing solo under makeup. Over time, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and promotes a plumper, more supple texture. Its affordability and effectiveness make it a fantastic entry-level peptide product for anyone looking to maintain skin elasticity during the colder months.
5. Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir
Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir is a high-performance serum that combines peptides, algae extracts, and antioxidants to visibly firm, plump, and smooth skin. Its hydrating formulation is particularly beneficial during winter when environmental stress can leave skin dehydrated and tired-looking.
The serum has a silky texture that glides onto skin, absorbs quickly, and leaves a subtle glow, making it an excellent prep step before moisturizer or makeup. After regular use, skin appears more elastic, radiant, and firm, with a noticeable reduction in dryness and early signs of aging. Its blend of peptides and hydrating ingredients makes it a top pick for anyone seeking both anti-aging and winter hydration benefits.
6. Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster
Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster is a highly concentrated serum designed to support collagen production and smooth fine lines without overwhelming the skin. Packed with eight different peptides, including signal peptides and enzymes, it works to strengthen your skin barrier and improve elasticity — perfect for combating winter dryness and sagging. Its lightweight, silky texture absorbs quickly and layers beautifully under your favorite moisturizer.
Even with its potency, the formula is gentle enough for sensitive or reactive skin, making it suitable for daily use. Within a few weeks, you’ll notice firmer, more plump skin with improved texture and resilience. It’s a no-nonsense option for anyone serious about keeping their complexion youthful and hydrated during the harsh winter months.
7. SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 combines peptides, niacinamide (Vitamin B3), and antioxidants to tackle winter dullness while boosting firmness. The peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production, while niacinamide helps even skin tone and reduce redness caused by dry winter air. The lightweight serum absorbs quickly, leaving skin soft, smooth, and prepped for your moisturizer.
The formulation is ideal for mature or uneven skin that needs both structural support and radiance. With consistent use, your complexion will look plumper, more vibrant, and resilient against seasonal stressors. It’s a versatile serum that addresses both texture and hydration, making it a perfect winter skincare companion.
8. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum is a cult-favorite drugstore peptide serum that combines amino-peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, firm, and plump skin. Its fast-absorbing formula penetrates deeply to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines, making it a reliable choice for cold-weather dryness.
Despite its affordable price point, the serum delivers visible results, leaving skin smoother, softer, and radiant. It’s lightweight enough for layering under winter creams or heavier moisturizers and provides long-lasting hydration. This serum proves you don’t have to splurge to get effective peptide-based skincare.
9. Murad Rejuvenating Peptide Serum
Murad Rejuvenating Peptide Serum combines tri-peptides, hyaluronic acid, and algae extract to deliver intense hydration while stimulating collagen production. It’s especially effective during winter, when skin tends to lose elasticity and appear saggy or dry. The serum’s silky texture absorbs effortlessly and leaves a soft, plump finish that feels comfortable under makeup or moisturizer.
With consistent use, fine lines appear softened, skin feels firmer, and the overall complexion looks lifted and revitalized. It’s a top choice for anyone seeking a peptide serum that combines hydration, firmness, and anti-aging benefits — making it ideal for your winter skincare routine.
What are peptide serums, and how do they work?
Peptide serums are concentrated skincare formulas that contain short chains of amino acids, which act as building blocks for proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin. These proteins are essential for maintaining the skin’s structure, firmness, and elasticity. By signaling your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, peptide serums help improve elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and create a plumper, healthier complexion — exactly what winter-dried skin needs.
Unlike heavier creams, peptide serums are lightweight and easily absorbed, allowing them to deliver their active ingredients directly into the skin without feeling greasy or heavy. They work best when used consistently, ideally morning and night, as part of your winter skincare routine.
Why should I use peptide serums in winter?
Winter air is dry, and indoor heating can strip your skin of natural moisture, leaving it tight, dull, and more prone to fine lines. Peptide serums not only lock in hydration but also support your skin barrier and stimulate structural proteins that give your skin a plump, resilient appearance. Using peptides in winter helps counteract environmental stressors and maintains elasticity that can otherwise diminish in cold weather.
Additionally, because many peptide serums are lightweight, they layer easily under richer moisturizers, giving your skin both deep hydration and firming benefits without overwhelming it.
Can I combine peptide serums with other skincare products?
Yes! Peptide serums are highly versatile and can be layered with other products in your skincare routine. Start with a gentle cleanser and hydrating toner or essence, apply your peptide serum, and then follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration. You can also layer antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide serums with peptides to boost results.
However, be cautious when using products with strong acids, retinol, or vitamin C immediately before peptides, as extremely low pH formulas can sometimes reduce peptide effectiveness. A good rule of thumb is to alternate actives or layer carefully to maximize benefits.
How long does it take to see results from peptide serums?
Results can vary depending on the formula, your skin type, and the severity of dryness or fine lines. Many users notice immediate improvements in hydration and skin texture within a few days. Structural changes, like increased firmness and plumpness, typically appear after 4–6 weeks of consistent use.
For best results, use peptide serums twice daily, morning and night, and pair them with a hydrating moisturizer. Consistency is key — skipping applications can slow visible improvements, especially during winter when environmental stress can be more severe.