Whether you’re always tired or simply experiencing the natural aging process, undereye bags are a common skin concern for many. While there are various ways to tackle puffiness, one of the best and easiest solutions is to use a good eye cream containing peptides.

For those unfamiliar with this popular skincare ingredient, peptides are short chains of amino acids that help boost and maintain skin health. They address multiple issues like fine lines, sagging, and uneven texture. When it comes to undereye bags, peptides can help you look brighter, more lifted, and refreshed.

How Peptides Help with Undereye Bags

“Peptides work at a foundational level by stimulating collagen and elastin production, which improves firmness, reduces fine lines, and supports the skin’s structure,” explains Dr. Antony Nakhla, a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eighth Day. “Certain peptides also help with dark circles by improving microcirculation and reducing hemoglobin breakdown beneath the skin. Over time, this leads to a more rested and lifted appearance.”

Dr. Helen He, director of lasers and cosmetic surgery at the Mount Sinai-Clinique Healthy Skin Dermatology Center, agrees and outlines the four main types of peptides used in skincare:

– Signaling Peptides: Instruct cells to produce more collagen and elastin.
– Carrier Peptides: Deliver trace minerals like copper and manganese to cells.
– Neurotransmitter-inhibiting Peptides: Mimic the effects of neuromodulators like Botox.
– Enzyme Inhibitor Peptides: Block pathways involved in hyperpigmentation and collagen breakdown.

As with most skincare ingredients, consistency is key. Dr. He notes that improvements in texture and color can be seen around four weeks, while increased collagen production is a gradual process that may take three to six months to become noticeable. An exception is argireline peptides, which have more immediate, Botox-like effects that last as long as the product is used.

Potential Downsides

Topical peptides are generally safe and well-tolerated, but there are a few considerations. Dr. He cautions that the undereye area is thin and more prone to irritation, so some formulations may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin. If you have conditions like eczema, it’s best to do a patch test before applying any product near your eyes.

Dr. Nakhla adds that peptides are not a replacement for addressing more significant concerns like volume loss, pronounced hollowing, or severe skin laxity, which may require in-office treatments or surgery.

Avoid Unregulated Peptide Injections for the Eyes

While injectable peptides are gaining popularity, Dr. He advises against using them for the eye area. The safety and effectiveness of injectable peptides are still not well-established, and there is no standard regulation or FDA approval for these treatments. Instead, she recommends FDA-approved options like hyaluronic acid fillers for volume loss, biostimulators for collagen production, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) for improving skin quality.

How to Use Topical Peptides Around the Eyes

To apply a topical peptide eye product, Dr. He recommends using a thin layer and gently dabbing it around the area. Avoid pulling or rubbing, as the skin there is delicate and sensitive. The effectiveness of the product depends on factors like the type of peptide, its formulation, size, stability, and delivery system.She explains, “Many products marketed as peptides simply sit on the skin’s surface, acting more like a moisturizer.”

Some of her top picks for peptide eye creams are the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye, which combines peptides and caffeine to stimulate collagen and address sagging, and the Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream, featuring a blend of four peptides, bakuchiol, and ceramides to smooth fine lines and support collagen. Dr. Nakhla recommends his own brand’s Eight Day Eye Renewal Cream, which includes peptides, kojic acid, and botanical extracts to brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness.

However, it’s key to approach eye-area concerns holistically. He emphasizes that pairing peptides with daily SPF, retinoids, and addressing the underlying causes of issues like bags, dark circles, and lines yields the best results. “Peptides are most effective within a consistent routine,” he says, “not as a standalone solution.”

Curious about a beauty or wellness trend? Let us know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Can Peptides Help Reduce Undereye Bags

Beginner Questions

1 What are peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin in your skin Think of them as messengers that tell your skin to perform specific functions like repairing itself or producing more collagen

2 What causes undereye bags
Undereye bags are typically caused by a combination of factors thinning skin and loss of collagen with age fluid retention genetics and fat pads shifting forward

3 How could peptides possibly help with undereye bags
Peptides can help by signaling your skin to boost collagen and elastin production This can thicken and strengthen the delicate undereye skin potentially making it look firmer and reducing the appearance of puffiness and sagging that contribute to bags

4 Are peptides safe to use around the eyes
Yes when formulated specifically for the eye area Always choose products labeled as eye creams or serums and do a patch test first Avoid getting the product directly in your eye

5 How long does it take to see results
Consistent use is key You might notice some initial hydration and smoothing within a few weeks but significant improvements in firmness and reduction in the appearance of bags typically take 8 to 12 weeks of daily use

Advanced Practical Questions

6 Which specific peptides are best for undereye concerns
Look for these common types
Matrixyl Boosts collagen to improve skin thickness and firmness
Argireline Often called a Botoxlike peptide it may help relax facial muscle contractions that can contribute to wrinkles but its direct effect on bags is limited
Eyeseryl Specifically targets undereye puffiness by helping reduce fluid accumulation
Copper Peptides Aid in repair and collagen production and can have antiinflammatory properties

7 Can peptides fix severe or hereditary undereye bags
Peptides have limits They are best for mild to moderate bags caused by skin laxity and aging For severe puffy