Which Is Better for Aging Skin: Peptides vs. Retinol vs. Ceramides?
Introduction
Aging is inevitable, but how we age and how our skin ages will vary wildly from person to person. Some people start noticing fine lines in their 30s, while others see shifts in texture, firmness, or hydration in their 40s and 50s. And with so many ingredients like ceramides, retinol, peptides, and growth factors, it’s no surprise that clients are continuously trying to figure out which combinations to use.
When considering your options, the best choice depends on what your skin actually needs, your lifestyle, and your goals. And since Scottsdale’s desert climate already puts skin under extra stress, knowing how these ingredients work (and how to layer them) can make a difference.
Let’s break it all down in a clear, practical way.
What Each Ingredient Does: In Realistic Terms
Before we dive into “which is better,” we need to look at what each of these ingredients does.
Retinol: The Cell-Turnover Powerhouse
Retinol is one of the most researched skincare ingredients for supporting smooth, younger-looking skin. It encourages healthy skin cell turnover and supports collagen pathways, which is why it’s often recommended for improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles, firmness, and uneven texture, as we describe in our Youthful Skin Roadmap for BabyFace clients. [PubMed]
Retinol can be a little bossy with your skin; it works hard, and it sometimes pushes too fast, which is why some people experience dryness or irritation. Retinoids’ benefits vary based on their structure and how skin handles them. In Scottsdale’s dry weather, gentle retinoid options like ISDIN Retinal Advanced (available at BabyFace LLC in Scottsdale) can be more comfortable than prescription-strength formulas.
Peptides: The Communicators
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act like tiny messengers. They don’t “force” the skin to do anything the way retinol can; instead, they support normal signaling processes involved in firmness, skin barrier resilience, and hydration. [PubMed]
Some peptides in topical skincare support the appearance of smoother, plumper skin over time. Others, like PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), which we offer at BabyFace in the form of pure Arriescence PDGF+, are used in regenerative aesthetics because they play a role in normal repair pathways.
Peptides vary by type, but many people like them because they’re generally well tolerated.
Note: PDGF+ is technically a “polypeptide,” otherwise known as a protein. It has more amino acids than a peptide, which are fragments of proteins that consist of about 2-50 amino acids.
Ceramides: The Barrier Builders
If retinol is the skin coach and peptides are the communicators, ceramides are the construction crew.
Ceramides are waxy lipids that make up about half of the skin barrier. When your skin barrier is strong, it looks smoother, feels more hydrated, and is less reactive to environmental stressors. When it’s weak, irritation, dryness, redness, and fine-line visibility intensify, especially in a city like Scottsdale, where humidity sits around 10–20% year-round.
Ceramides don’t reduce wrinkles directly, but they help the skin function optimally, which can reduce some of the signs of skin aging over time. [PubMed]
Which Ingredient Is Best for Aging Skin? It Depends on Your Priority
You don’t have to choose between the cosmeceuticals mentioned in this article; they are all working toward the end goal of improving your skin's health and appearance and can be used together. However:
1. If you want a smoother texture and a glow-up → Retinol
Retinol seems to do it all, but excels at:
improving the appearance of fine lines
smoothing uneven texture
brightening dull skin
supporting collagen pathways
reducing the look of sun-related discoloration
If your main concerns are “my skin looks tired” or “my texture changed overnight,” retinol usually delivers the most noticeable improvements.
BabyFace Recommended Product:
ISDIN Retinal Advanced – an in-house dermatologist-loved formula that offers strong results with less irritation.
2. If you're focused on firmness → Peptides
Peptides can support:
improved skin elasticity
the appearance of firmness
hydration and suppleness
recovery after procedures (depending on peptide type, e.g., BP-157 or NAD+)
and much more…
Topical peptide products, like peptide patches, are great for clients who prefer a gentler approach or who want to complement their retinoid routine.
Peptide patches are now offered at BabyFace.
✔ BPC-157 (pain, injury recovery)
✔ NAD+ (energy, performance, longevity, metabolism support)
Unlike traditional peptide therapy, our patches require no needles — just apply and go. If you’re curious whether peptides could help with performance, recovery, or inflammation, we’re here to guide you.
3. If your skin is dry, irritated, or reactive → Ceramides
Ceramides are useful in any skincare regimen, but especially if you experience:
flaky skin
redness or stinging when applying skincare
irritation from retinol
barrier disruption after aesthetic treatments
Many people think their skin is “sensitive” when it’s more likely dehydrated and under-protected. Ceramides help hold skin together by forming a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects against visible damage from pollution and other environmental stressors. [PubMed]
Ceramide-rich moisturizers pair beautifully with products such as ISDIN’s Glicoisdin Soft.
How to Combine Retinol, Peptides, and Ceramides Safely
Can you use retinol + peptides together?
Yes. Many clients see better results using both. Retinol supports turnover; peptides support firmness and hydration.
Can you use ceramides with both?
Absolutely. Ceramides work with most skincare products and help prevent dryness and irritation, making them ideal companions to peptide and retinol-based routines.
Who should avoid combining everything at once?
If your skin barrier is impaired
If you’re new to retinol
If you’re recovering from a recent procedure
Sometimes less really is more.
If you are unsure which is right for you, don’t worry! Our expert BabyFace practitioners will guide you on our in-office ISDIN products as well as your professional treatment options.
Schedule with us today, and we will take care of you from start to finish!
A Simple, Realistic Routine for Aging Skin
You don’t need 12 steps. Consider this routine instead:
Morning Routine
1. Gentle Cleanser (ISDINCEUTICS Essential Purifier Foam Cleanser)
2. Antioxidant serum (ISDIN’s Flavo-C serum)
3. Moisturizer (ISDINCEUTICS Age Contour with peptides and crosslinked hyaluronic acid)
4. Sunscreen (if outdoors, sunny Scottsdale requires daily SPF like Eryfotona Ageless)
Evening Routine
1. Cleanser
2. Eye treatment (optional — ISDIN’s K-Ox Eyes works well for puffiness and pigmentation)
3. Retinal or retinol
4. Moisturizer
Toner is an optional step after step 1, morning and evening.
A Few Soft Reminders
Aging is normal; your skincare should support your goals, not stress you out.
You don’t need every trending ingredient, just the right ones for your skin.
Consistency beats intensity every single time.
The desert climate works against your skin barrier; moisturizers and sunscreen are not optional. Just this combination alone will do most of the heavy lifting for your skin over time.
And if your routine feels confusing, our team at BabyFace LLC can help you build a simple, sustainable plan that works.
Do you know if you are taking the right supplements to support your skin from the inside out? Take our free Assessment. Personalized Nutrition, Perfected by Babyface with Supplements designed just for you:
➡ Assessment Link: https://babyfacellc.personanutritionpro.com
Powered by a clinician-designed assessment featuring the only drug-nutrient interaction tool of its kind to deliver safe, personalized supplement protocols you can trust.
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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, especially when combining with medical spa treatments. Individual results may vary.