Peptides vs. Retinol: Which Is Better for Wrinkles?
Updated November 2026
Peptides or retinol: which should I use? Neither is better for everyone. Choose peptides if you want to target the look of expression lines and firmness with a gentle step you can use morning and night. Choose retinol if you want to target the look of tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles and you're ready to build up to a nightly step. Many people use both: peptides in the morning and at night, and retinol only at night.
Peptides and retinol are two of the most talked-about ingredients for the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and they're often compared as if you have to pick one. At Peter Thomas Roth, we use both, and each has its own job. Here's what each one does, how we put them to work in our formulas, and how to choose.
“Since day one, I've always formulated with the most effective active ingredients at the highest percentage possible.”
Peter Thomas Roth, founder, CEO and product formulator
What are Peptides in skincare?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins such as collagen. Different peptides do different jobs. Some, like Argireline®, are known for helping reduce the look of expression lines, the ones that form when you frown, squint or raise your eyebrows. Others, like Matrixyl®, help skin look firmer and smoother. Peptides are generally gentle, so they can be used morning and night.
Expression lines are the ones peptides are best known for. As Peter Thomas Roth puts it, smiling, squinting and knitting your brows are things we all do, and over time those expressions can leave fine lines behind.
For more on the ingredient, see our guide to peptides in skincare.
What does Retinol do for skin?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It helps improve the look of tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles and helps skin look renewed over time. Because retinol can cause dryness or irritation when you first start, it's applied at night and introduced gradually. Retinol can also make skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day.
“We all want younger-looking skin. But while Retinol has always offered superior anti-aging benefits, it hasn't always been well tolerated by all skin types. Recent skin care innovations, however, have changed all that.”
Peter Thomas Roth, founder, CEO and product formulator
Peptides vs. retinol at a glance
| Peptides | Retinol | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Short chains of amino acids | A form of vitamin A |
| Targets the look of | Expression lines, fine lines and wrinkles, firmness and elasticity | Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone, texture and radiance |
| When to use | Morning and night | At night, with sunscreen during the day |
| Getting started | Gentle enough to start twice daily | If mild irritation occurs, use every other night, then build to nightly |
| Our pick | Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum | Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum |
Which should you choose? Start with your main concern
| If your main concern is the look of… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Frown lines, "11" lines and forehead lines | Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum | Argireline® and Matrixyl® Peptides target the look of expression lines |
| Lines you want to smooth overnight | Peptide Skinjection™ Peptide Infused Face + Eye Tape | Oval pieces for forehead, "11" and smile lines; wing pieces for under-eye lines and crow's feet |
| Uneven tone and rough texture | Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum | 1.5% Retinol helps improve the look of tone and texture overnight |
| Fine lines on the face and neck, in one step | Retinol Fusion PM Plus+ Face & Neck Moisturizer | 1% Retinol in a moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP and Shea Butter |
| Under-eye hollowness and fine lines | Peptide Skinjection™ Fill + Fix Under-Eye Cream | 4% Peptilift and Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres for the under-eye area |
| All of the above | Peptides morning and night, retinol at night | The two work in different ways, so they fit in the same routine |
Do Peptides actually work for wrinkles?
Results depend on the formula, the peptides it uses and how consistently you apply it. That's why we don't rely on a single peptide. Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum is a non-invasive, dual-purpose treatment that visibly helps reduce the appearance of expression lines and prevent the look of future wrinkles. Here's what's inside:
- 2% Matrixyl® Morphomics™, 5% Argireline® Amplified and 2% Matrixyl® Synthe'6®, amplified peptide solutions that visibly help reduce and prevent the look of expression lines
- 10% Argirelox™, which helps prolong the need for your next injectable treatment by up to six months*
*Based on an in vivo study on 22 women (51 years average age) who received one-time neurotoxin (boNT-A) injections followed by application of 10% Argirelox™ peptide solution twice daily for six months.
“Even though the benefits of cosmetic injectables have broad appeal, needles aren't for everyone. Thankfully, advances in ingredient technology have been incredible and non-invasive skin care solutions like my Peptide Skinjection™ products are on the rise.”
Peter Thomas Roth, founder, CEO and product formulator
After just 1 week, the formula is clinically proven to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity and firmness, and skin barrier strength.† In a 6-week consumer perception study, 93% agree no new lines had formed with continued use.‡
†Based on a 4-week clinically measured study on 53 women, ages 37 to 64. ‡Based on a 6-week consumer perception study on 28 women, ages 37 to 64.
Apply the serum to a cleansed face twice daily, then follow with Peptide Skinjection™ Moisture Infusion Cream. Packed with 21 peptides and neuropeptides, it helps fine lines and wrinkles appear diminished, with an overall decrease in the look of eleven lines, marionette lines and pout lines after just one week.§ Both come in refill pods, so you can keep the original bottle and jar.
§Based on a 1-week consumer perception study on 30 women ranging in age from 35 to 65.
Is Retinol Fusion PM good for beginners?
Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum is made for maximum results with minimal irritation. The key is how the retinol is delivered. Its 1.5% Time-Released Microencapsulated Retinol is enclosed in tiny capsules that release continuously through the night, rather than all at once, to help skin look renewed and help improve the appearance of tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles.
“My goal was to develop Retinol products that everyone could use no matter their skin type. I work with my chemists to develop powerful Retinol products that are pure and potent, yet gentle and non-irritating.”
Peter Thomas Roth, founder, CEO and product formulator
Vitamins C and E provide antioxidant benefits, and Squalane helps moisturize and reduce the potential for dryness. The formula suits all skin types.
To start, apply it to a cleansed face at night. If mild irritation or redness occurs, use it every other night until your skin adjusts, then build to nightly use. Wear sunscreen during the day.
Prefer retinol in a moisturizer? Retinol Fusion PM Plus+ Face & Neck Moisturizer pairs 1% Time-Released Microencapsulated Retinol with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Shea Butter and Avocado Oil to moisturize overnight, plus Colloidal Oatmeal, Allantoin and Aloe to help calm the look of skin.
Can you use Peptides and Retinol together?
Yes. Peptides and Retinol target the look of lines in different ways, so many people use both. Here's a simple routine with peptides and retinol together.
- Morning. Cleanse, apply Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum, follow with Peptide Skinjection™ Moisture Infusion Cream, then finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Water Drench® Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer.
- Night. Cleanse, apply Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum and let it absorb, then apply Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum and Moisture Infusion Cream.
For the eye area, Peptide Skinjection™ Fill + Fix Under-Eye Cream brings peptides to the under-eye area and is clinically tested to improve the look of volume and fine lines.¶
¶Based on a 1-week clinical and consumer perception study on 45 women ages 29 to 65.
Your first four weeks with peptides and retinol
New to both? You can start them together. Use peptides morning and night from day one, and build up to nightly retinol so your skin can adjust.
| When | Morning | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 and 2 | Peptide Serum, Moisture Infusion Cream, sunscreen | Retinol Fusion PM every other night, then the peptide serum and cream |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | Same as above | Retinol Fusion PM nightly if your skin is comfortable, then the peptide serum and cream |
| Week 5 on | Same as above | Keep the same routine. If mild irritation or redness occurs, go back to every other night until your skin adjusts. |
Tips from Peter Thomas Roth
- Shake Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum well before each use.
- Let each layer absorb before you apply the next.
- Using Peptide Skinjection™ Face + Eye Tape? Apply it to clean, dry skin. If you've used moisturizer or eye cream, let it absorb fully first, since moisture on the skin can stop the tape from sticking. Gently hold skin taut as you apply, leave it on for at least 2 hours, and wear it overnight for the best results.
- Apply Peptide Skinjection™ Fill + Fix Under-Eye Cream with its cooling metal tip, then pat any excess into the skin with your ring finger. It can be worn alone or under concealer.
- Wear sunscreen every morning while you use retinol, and apply it to your chest, neck and hands too.
“Aside from having a consistent skin care routine that includes sunscreen and retinol, you've got to get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated! Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help your skin look healthy and refreshed.”
Peter Thomas Roth, founder, CEO and product formulator
What's the best retinol alternative?
Peptides don't work the same way as retinol, but a peptide serum is a strong non-retinol option if your focus is the look of expression lines and firmness. Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum is a good fit if you'd like to skip retinol for now or want a step you can use morning and night.
For targeted overnight care on forehead lines, "11" lines and crow's feet, add Peptide Skinjection™ Peptide Infused Face + Eye Tape, which is clinically tested to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles after just one use.#
#Based on a 2-hour clinically measured study on 35 women ages 32 to 60.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for wrinkles, Peptides or Retinol?
Neither is better for everyone. Peptides suit the look of expression lines and firmness and can be used twice a day. Retinol suits the look of tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles and is used at night. Many routines include both.
Should I apply Peptides before or after Retinol?
At night, apply Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum first and let it absorb, then apply Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum and Moisture Infusion Cream.
Do peptide serums work like Botox?
No. A peptide serum is a non-invasive option for the look of expression lines, not an injectable. Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum is boosted with 10% Argirelox™ to help prolong the need for your next injectable treatment by up to six months.*
*Based on an in vivo study on 22 women (51 years average age) who received one-time neurotoxin (boNT-A) injections followed by application of 10% Argirelox™ peptide solution twice daily for six months.
Can I use peptides every day?
Yes. Peptide Skinjection™ Amplified Wrinkle-Fix Serum is applied twice daily, morning and night, followed by Moisture Infusion Cream.
How often should I use Retinol when I'm starting out?
Apply Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum at night. If you notice mild irritation or redness, use it every other night until your skin adjusts, then build up to nightly use. Wear sunscreen every day.
Can I use retinol while pregnant?
If you're pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using retinol.
Not sure where to start? See when to start using anti-aging skincare for a guide by decade.