Should I use peptide serum in the morning or at night?

Which time should I choose?

Morning is a practical choice if you want to keep your evening routine focused on retinol. A basic routine can put a serum after cleansing in the morning and reserve the evening treatment step for a retinoid, a vitamin A derivative. This is general routine guidance, not a rule that every peptide formula belongs exclusively in the morning. A serum is an optional addition, despite the dropper's rather managerial appearance.2

Where does peptide serum go in my routine?

1. 1Cleanse first to remove dirt and makeup before applying your treatment products.
2. 2Apply your peptide serum as directed. For a thin, watery serum, the general layering rule puts it before a thicker cream.
3. 3Follow with moisturizer. Moisturizer helps hold water in the skin and reduces water loss.
4. 4In the morning, finish with sunscreen. Sunscreen belongs at the end of the skincare routine; moving the serum to nighttime does not remove the morning sunscreen step.

Can I use peptide serum with retinol at night?

Some routines allow both. The Ordinary specifically places Multi Peptide + HA Serum before Retinal 0.2% Emulsion in its evening regimen, followed by moisturizer. Follow the pairing directions for your own products rather than treating that sequence as permission to combine every peptide serum with every retinoid.1

What should I expect?

The Ordinary's Multi Peptide + HA Serum targets skin smoothness, elasticity, firmness and the appearance of crow's feet. Those are benefits of that formula, not a promise for every bottle labelled "peptide". The serum was formerly called "Buffet", which is an ambitious name for one course in a skincare routine.1

Should I start with twice daily use?

Start gradually rather than adding both applications immediately. Patch test first, introduce one new product at a time, and begin every other day before building toward the frequency your product allows. A patch test cannot rule out a later reaction. If irritation develops, stop using the product and make an appointment with a dermatologist.13