Beauty peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of skin proteins like collagen and elastin, that signal the skin to boost their production, improving firmness, elasticity, and smoothness, and reducing wrinkles, making them gentle yet effective anti-aging ingredients for most skin types. They work by providing the skin with signals to repair and strengthen, supporting skin health and barrier function, and can be found in serums and creams, often combined with hydrating ingredients for best results, while being a gentler alternative to retinol.