With the arrival of winter and colder, drier air, your skin’s needs change. Dry air and chilly winds can sap moisture, making skin feel tight and dull. That’s where peptides come in. Peptides, tiny chains of amino acids, help lock in moisture, boost firmness, and support a radiant complexion, even when temperatures drop. Here, Dr. Christina Rahm, founder of DRC Ventures and Ella Pure Beauty, shares how adding peptides to your skincare can keep your glow all winter long.
“Peptides work by sending signals to your skin cells, telling them to produce more collagen,” Dr. Rahm explains. “In winter, when the air gets drier, collagen keeps skin looking smooth and plump.” Unlike stronger anti-aging ingredients, peptides are gentle, making them a great option for most skin types, even sensitive ones.
The Benefits of Peptides in Winter
- Hydration and Firmness: Skin can lose firmness and elasticity with age and winter dryness. Peptides encourage collagen production, which helps firm and hydrate the skin.
- Strengthening the Skin Barrier: “Peptides also strengthen your skin’s barrier, which locks in moisture and protects against environmental stressors,” says Dr. Rahm. This is especially important when skin is prone to dryness and sensitivity.
- Soothing and Calming: Some peptides have anti-inflammatory properties that calm redness and irritation, making them perfect for winter.
How to Add Peptides to Your Routine
If you’re new to peptides, here’s how to start incorporating them for winter:
- Morning Routine: Cleanse, hydrate with a hyaluronic acid serum, apply a peptide serum, and finish with moisturizer and sunscreen.
- Evening Routine: After cleansing, apply a peptide serum and follow with a rich, hydrating cream to seal in moisture overnight.
“Peptides are gentle and can be layered with other hydrating products,” Dr. Rahm advises. She suggests pairing them with a vitamin C serum in the morning to brighten and protect or a moisturizing cream at night for extra hydration.
Peptide Products to Try
To help your skin weather the winter, here are some examples of peptide-infused products:
- Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream: A peptide-rich cream that firms and hydrates skin.
- The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%: A serum that supports skin repair and collagen production.
- Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream: A nourishing cream that combines peptides and amino acids to lock in moisture and firmness.
For a comprehensive winter skincare routine, Dr. Rahm’s Ella Pure Beauty line also offers a range of peptide-based products, including a Three-Step Peptide Pack.
Tips for Avoiding Winter Skincare Mistakes
Winter can be challenging for your skin, with dry air and colder temperatures leading to common skincare pitfalls. Here are the top winter skincare mistakes and how to avoid them with a gentle, peptide-based routine:
- Over-exfoliating: It’s tempting to exfoliate more often to combat dry patches in winter. However, over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier, causing irritation and sensitivity. Dr. Rahm recommends cutting back on exfoliation to once a week and choosing a gentler exfoliant if needed.
- Skipping Sunscreen: Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t affecting your skin. “UV rays can still penetrate cloud cover and contribute to premature aging,” says Dr. Rahm. Applying sunscreen daily, even in winter, helps protect collagen and prevents peptide breakdown. A lightweight SPF layered over a peptide serum will add both protection and hydration.
- Using Harsh Cleansers: Many cleansers strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation, especially in winter. Instead, use a cream-based or hydrating cleanser.
- Neglecting Hydration: As indoor heating and cold winds zap moisture, skin often feels tight and flaky. Dr. Rahm suggests applying hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid before using peptides. This combination will boost moisture retention without irritating sensitive winter skin.
Your Peptide Routine at a Glance
- Limit exfoliation to once a week, and avoid using strong acids on the same day as peptides.
- Use a gentle cleanser and follow with a peptide-based serum or moisturizer to reinforce your skin’s natural barrier.
- Incorporate hydrating products to ensure peptides work effectively, locking in moisture and enhancing skin resilience.
- Layering is critical to maximizing the benefits of your skincare routine, especially in winter when your skin needs extra nourishment. A well-layered approach can ensure peptides, ceramides, and other essentials work together for optimal hydration and protection.
Layering ensures that each product is effectively absorbed. “Applying peptides before a heavier cream or moisturizer allows the peptides to penetrate and deliver their full benefits,” Dr. Rahm advises. This method also helps prevent irritation, as each layer works together to reinforce and hydrate the skin barrier.
Keep Your Skin Resilient This Winter
For winter-ready skin, peptides can be a game-changer. Peptides offer a unique solution, helping to hydrate, strengthen, and protect the skin when it’s most vulnerable to dryness and environmental stress. “Peptides are more than just an anti-aging tool; they’re a crucial component for overall skin health,” says Dr. Rahm.
Whether you’re layering for maximum hydration or avoiding common winter skincare pitfalls, peptides provide a foundation for beautiful, resilient skin that will carry you confidently through the coldest days and beyond.
