Anti-Ageing Peptides: Do They Really Work for Wrinkles After 45?
Quick summary
Anti-ageing peptides in skincare are short chains of amino acids that act as messages to skin cells. Some have modest evidence for softening fine lines and improving firmness over 8–12 weeks, with less irritation than retinol.
They will not fill deep wrinkles or replace lost volume. Injectable "anti-ageing peptides" sold online are a different thing entirely: they are not approved for cosmetic use in Australia and carry real risks.
At Genova Skincare we make peptide-based skincare, so our own products are mentioned in this guide. Results vary from person to person.
Peptides are on almost every anti-ageing label now, often called the gentle alternative to retinol. If you have tried products that promised a lot and delivered little, it is fair to wonder whether peptides are any different.
At Genova Skincare, women over 45 ask us about peptides more than any other anti-ageing ingredient. This guide explains what they are, which types have evidence, what they can realistically do for wrinkles, and why the injectable peptide trend is something else altogether.
What are anti-ageing peptides, and do they work after 45?
At Genova Skincare, we describe peptides as messengers. They are small pieces of protein that, in skincare, are designed to signal skin cells, for example to support collagen or calm muscle movement. They are not collagen in a bottle.
The evidence is real but modest. A trial in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science by Robinson and colleagues found a palmitoyl pentapeptide cream improved the look of fine lines and wrinkles on sun-damaged facial skin over 12 weeks compared with a plain cream. A 2025 review by Pintea and colleagues concluded that cosmetic peptides can reduce wrinkles through several mechanisms, while noting that results vary by peptide and formula.
After 45, falling oestrogen is linked with faster collagen loss, as a review in Dermato-Endocrinology by Thornton describes, and skin often becomes more sensitive. That is where peptides fit well: steady support with a low risk of irritation. Our article on why wrinkles deepen after 45 explains the collagen side.
Types of anti-ageing peptides compared
| Type | Example | What it may do | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal peptides | Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 | Support collagen, soften fine lines | Small trials, modest benefit |
| Carrier peptides | Copper peptide (GHK-Cu) | Deliver copper, support skin repair | Limited in humans for topical use |
| Neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides | Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) | Soften expression lines | Small studies, effects mild |
| Enzyme-inhibiting peptides | Various plant-derived peptides | Slow collagen breakdown | Mostly laboratory studies |
| Injectable peptides | BPC-157, TB-500 | Marketed for skin and repair | Not approved for cosmetic use; very little human evidence |
Formulas that combine several peptide types, in a moisturising base, tend to make the most sense for mature skin.
Are injectable anti-ageing peptides safe or legal in Australia?
This is a growing worry. Peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 are sold online as injections for skin and ageing. Researchers from UNSW Sydney, writing in April 2026, warned that injectable peptides for anti-ageing are not approved, are often sold as "research chemicals", and have very little human evidence. They noted BPC-157 is a Schedule 4 (prescription-only) substance, and flagged risks from contaminated or mislabelled products, infections and tissue damage.
Topical peptides in skincare are a completely different category. They are cosmetic ingredients applied to the skin, sold legally, and generally well tolerated. If you are offered peptide injections for ageing, talk to your GP first.
What peptides can and cannot do for wrinkles after 45
What they may do: with twice-daily use over 8–12 weeks, skin may feel smoother, hold moisture better and look a little firmer. Fine lines and early expression lines, such as crow's feet, tend to respond best.
What they cannot do: fill deep static wrinkles, replace lost volume in the cheeks, lift jowls or match injectables, lasers or radiofrequency. Peptides are maintenance, not correction.
They also work better with other basics. Daily SPF 50+ protects the collagen you have, and retinol at night, if tolerated, has stronger evidence for wrinkles. Our comparison of peptides vs retinol for menopausal skin explains how to use them together.
Genova Anti-Wrinkle Serum and Firming Cream: peptide options after 45
Genova Anti-Wrinkle Serum is a 50ml serum with three active peptide ingredients, designed for fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin. Genova Firming Cream is a peptide-based moisturiser for face and neck. Both are made in Australia and cost $69.95.
Pros and cons of peptide skincare
Pros:
- Gentle, suits sensitive and hormonally changing skin
- Can be used morning and night, alongside SPF
- Pairs well with retinol, vitamin C and moisturisers
Cons:
- Modest, gradual results
- Evidence varies a lot between peptides and formulas
- Will not change deep wrinkles or volume loss
Who it is for, and who it is not for
It may suit you if you have fine lines or early loss of firmness, your skin does not tolerate retinol well, and you want a steady, low-irritation routine.
It is not for you if your main concern is deep folds, sagging or volume loss (a clinic is the better option), or you expect visible change within a few weeks. Stop using any product that causes a rash.
Realistic expectations
Skin texture often feels smoother within 4–6 weeks. Softer fine lines and better firmness build over 8–12 weeks of twice-daily use.
Peptides will not remove wrinkles or replace volume. Results vary from person to person.
How to use peptide skincare after 45: step by step
- Cleanse gently. Pat skin dry.
- Apply a peptide serum. A few drops on face and neck, before heavier creams.
- Morning: add SPF 50+. UV breaks down collagen faster than any serum can support it.
- Evening: moisturise. A peptide cream can go on top of the serum.
- Add retinol slowly, if you use it. Two or three nights a week at first, on different nights if your skin is sensitive.
- Judge at 12 weeks. Compare photos taken in the same light.
Anti-ageing peptide questions women over 45 ask most
Which peptide is best for anti-ageing?
There is no single best one. Signal peptides such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 have the most study for fine lines. Formulas combining several peptide types are a sensible choice.
What peptide acts like Botox?
Acetyl hexapeptide-8, often sold as Argireline, is designed to soften expression lines. Its effect is mild and nothing like injectable wrinkle relaxers.
Are peptides legal in Australia?
Peptides in skincare creams and serums are legal cosmetic ingredients. Injectable peptides marketed for anti-ageing, such as BPC-157, are not approved for that use and some are prescription-only.
Is GHK-Cu good for saggy skin?
Copper peptide is popular, but human evidence for topical use on sagging skin is limited. It will not lift sagging skin; clinic treatments do more for that.
How long do peptides take to work?
Expect 8–12 weeks of twice-daily use before judging, and longer after 45 as skin renews more slowly.
Peptides are a sensible, gentle part of an anti-ageing routine after 45, as long as you expect slow, gradual change. Pair them with daily SPF, add retinol if your skin allows, and give them three months. For more, read about collagen loss in menopause or compare moisturisers in our best face moisturiser for mature skin guide.
Peptide skincare made for skin after 45
Australian-made, with a 30 day money back trial.
Made in Australia. Results vary from person to person.
Individual results vary. Genova Anti-Wrinkle Serum and Firming Cream are cosmetic products designed to help the appearance of fine lines and firmness. They do not replace lost volume or lift sagging skin, and they are not a substitute for advice from your GP or dermatologist.
Sources:
- Robinson LR, et al. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2005;27(3):155-160.
- Pintea A, et al. Peptides: emerging candidates for the prevention and treatment of skin senescence. Review, 2025. PMC11762834.
- Piatkowski T, Ahmadinejad B, Cornell S. Injectable peptides are the new anti-ageing trend. But what evidence do we have they're safe for humans? UNSW Sydney Newsroom, 9 April 2026.
- Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):264-270.
1 comment
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