Wondering if your peptide serum should go before or after retinol?
Here’s the answer:
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Retinol first
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Peptides second
Applying them in the right order boosts results, calms irritation, and helps your skin’s barrier thrive. Here’s everything you need to know.
Apply retinol before your peptide serum. Retinol needs to penetrate the skin to be effective. If you apply peptides first, they can block the retinol from reaching deep within the layers of your skin. If you have sensitive or irritated skin, gradually introduce retinol by starting it every other night.
Can You Use Peptides And Retinol Together?
Absolutely, you can and should use peptides and retinol together. In fact, when used correctly, they’re one of skincare’s most powerful tag teams.
Retinol is your go-to for renewing the skin. It speeds up cell turnover, fades discoloration, and helps smooth fine lines over time.
But retinol doesn’t always play nice at first. It can dry out your skin, make it feel tight, and even cause some early redness or flaking. That’s where peptides step in.
Peptides are like a support crew for your skin. They signal collagen production, soothe irritation, and help rebuild the barrier, especially when it’s feeling compromised from retinol use. They don’t compete with retinol; they complement it.
That’s why we created the Nourishing HA Peptide Serum.
It’s packed with barrier-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, blended with gentle peptides that restore moisture and calm inflammation.
When you pair this with our Overnight Youth Booster, retinol can work its magic without leaving your skin stressed or stripped. You get all the benefits, less of the backlash.
Should Peptides Go Before Or After Retinol?
Let’s simplify this: actives go first. .
That’s the golden rule, and it applies to nearly every skincare routine, especially when we’re working with peptides and retinol.
If you’re using a hyaluronic acid-based peptide serum, like our Nourishing HA Peptide Serum, you’ll want to apply a pea-sized amount after your retinol.
Why? Because retinol is stronger. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and one of the most effective ingredients for addressing signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and texture. Its potency can, however, result in side effects like irritation, dryness, and redness, especially for those new to retinol or those with sensitive skin. Peptides, on the other hand, are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin. They're known for their soothing and reparative properties, making them an excellent complement to retinol in a skincare routine.
For retinol to work its magic, it needs to penetrate the skin’s outer layers and act on deeper layers, where it can stimulate collagen production and accelerate cell turnover. However, applying a peptide-based product first can create a barrier on the skin. This barrier, while great for protecting and hydrating, can interfere with retinol’s ability to reach the target layers and reduce its effectiveness. For this reason, retinol should generally be applied before peptides in your skincare routine.
After layering retinol and peptides, finish with a rich moisturizer like our Barrier Replenishing Cream (add hyperlink) to reinforce your skin’s natural barrier. This can significantly reduce dryness and irritation.
When Should You Use Them: Morning or Night?
Retinol = PM Only
Here’s a non-negotiable truth in skincare: retinol belongs in your nighttime routine.
Retinol is a powerhouse, but with great power comes great photosensitivity. It increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, which means daytime use can lead to irritation or unwanted pigmentation if not properly protected.
Always use your retinol at night when your skin is in recovery mode and free from UV exposure.
And listen, if you’re committing to retinol, daily SPF isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Protect your results, preserve your glow, and keep your skin barrier strong by finishing your morning routine with a high-quality sunscreen like the Illuminating Beauty Balm SPF 44. It’s lightweight, mineral-based, tinted, and designed to multitask, so you’re protected and radiant.
Peptides = AM Or PM
Unlike retinol, peptides are your all-day, everyday allies.
They’re gentle, barrier-friendly, and work beautifully with your skin’s natural rhythms, whether you're shielding it from environmental stress in the morning or supporting recovery overnight.
In the morning, peptides hydrate, calm, and prep your skin for the day. In the evening, they boost your skin’s repair cycle and cushion the effects of retinol.
Whether you’re just getting started with retinol or refining a long-time routine, this simple AM/PM split gives your skin exactly what it needs, without the guesswork. At Maria Kane, we believe in layering done right, not layering more.
→ Also Read: When To Use A Peptide Serum?
Layering Made Simple: Step By Step
You don’t need a dozen products, you need the right ones in the right order. The way you layer matters more than you think.
Done right, it maximizes absorption, minimizes irritation, and helps every ingredient actually do what it’s supposed to.
Here’s the simple, proven layering routine I recommend:
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Cleanse
Start with Soothing Peptide Cleanser, a gentle, sulfate-free formula designed to remove makeup, oil, and buildup without disrupting your skin barrier.
It’s infused with calming peptides, making it the perfect prep step before actives like retinol. -
Apply Retinol
A pea-sized amount of the Overnight Youth Booster. This clinically balanced retinol formula is designed to reduce fine lines and improve skin texture, without the harshness. Wait for absorption. -
Apply Peptide Serum
Next, apply 1–2 pumps of the Nourishing HA Peptide Serum. This water-based serum sinks in fast and delivers a potent blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and barrier-supporting peptides.
It’s buffered with soothing ingredients so even retinol newbies can glow without fear. -
Moisturize
Finish strong with Barrier Replenishing Cream. This rich, non-comedogenic moisturizer locks in hydration, restores the lipid layer, and helps your skin recover overnight.
🔁 Pro Tip: Don’t forget your morning routine! After cleansing and peptides, apply Illuminating Beauty Balm SPF 44 every single day, even if you’re indoors. It protects your skin from UV damage and adds the perfect tinted finish to your skincare base.
Still Struggling With Layering Peptides And Retinol?
Layering serums and actives can feel like a skincare jigsaw puzzle, and most product labels don’t exactly spell it out. If you’re feeling unsure, you’re in good company.
These are the kinds of questions that often come up, especially when you're trying to build a routine that actually works:
Can I Use Retinol And Peptides If I Leave Retinol On For Only An Hour?
Yes, you can. If you’re new to retinol or your skin is on the sensitive side, short-contact application (aka leaving retinol on for a limited time before rinsing) can help your skin adjust without triggering irritation.
Just remember to follow up with peptides and a barrier-supporting moisturizer.
Is It Safe To Layer Serums From Different Brands?
Technically, yes, but I always encourage keeping things simple and cohesive when you're using actives like retinol.
Different brands may formulate with competing pH levels or overlapping ingredients, which can stress your skin without you even realizing it. That’s why the Maria Kane system is designed to work in harmony, from our Nourishing HA Peptide Serum to the Overnight Youth Booster.
Will Peptides Deactivate Retinol?
Nope. That’s a myth that’s been floating around forever. There’s no scientific evidence that standard peptides (like the ones we use) cancel out retinol’s benefits.
In fact, they support each other beautifully when layered properly.
Do I Need A Peptide Serum And A Peptide Moisturizer?
Not necessarily. A well-formulated peptide serum, like ours, delivers actives deeper into the skin. If you’re using that daily, you don’t need to double up with a separate peptide moisturizer.
Instead, finish with a barrier-focused cream like the Barrier Replenishing Cream or our multi-vitamin moisturizer like Triple Action Antioxidant Cream to lock everything in and prevent water loss overnight.
What If You’re New To Retinol? Start Slow
Retinol can do wonders for your skin, but diving in too fast is the quickest way to end up irritated, flaky, or just plain frustrated.
If you’re new to it, here’s the general rule: start with 2–3 nights a week and slowly build from there.
Pairing retinol with peptides, every night, is the best way to ease into your routine without compromising your skin barrier. Our Nourishing HA Peptide Serum is specifically designed to do just that. With hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for calming inflammation or redness, and barrier-repairing peptides, it creates the perfect buffer between your skin and any potential irritation.
And yes, some flaking, redness, or “purging” in the first 2–4 weeks is totally normal. Your skin is adjusting, renewing, and learning to respond to retinol.
Stay consistent, keep it simple, and trust the process. This is where real transformation begins.
Why Maria Kane Skincare Works So Well Together
Mixing skincare products from different brands can lead to irritation, poor layering, and confusion, especially with actives like retinol and peptides.
That’s why I created the Maria Kane line: clean, clinical formulas that work together effortlessly. No harsh additives, no fragrance, just results.
Our Nourishing HA Peptide Serum and Overnight Youth Booster delivers stronger skin, smoother texture, and visible results with fewer steps. You don’t need more products, you need the right ones that are made to work together.
Build Your Routine With Confidence
Ready to stop guessing and start glowing? Whether you’re brand new to retinol or just looking to refine your skincare routine, I’ve designed every product in the Maria Kane collection to give you visible results, without overcomplicating your regimen.
Layering Done Right = Results You Can See
Peptides and retinol can transform your skin, but only when layered with care. When you use them in the right order and support your barrier, you’ll see brighter tone, smoother texture, and fewer lines.
So if you’ve been unsure where to start, this is your reset: choose barrier-first products, apply them intentionally, and stay consistent.
✅ Ready to Build Your Glow Routine?
Start with our bestselling duo,
💧 Nourishing HA Peptide Serum
🌙 Overnight Youth Booster
Designed to layer perfectly and deliver visible results with zero confusion.
Then explore the full Maria Kane Skincare Collection to complete your glow routine with products that are clean, clinical, and made to work together, beautifully. .
