Routine6 min readBy Marco Buchegger
How to use a peptide serum: order matters most
The best serum does nothing in the wrong step of a routine. Here is the order, in 60 seconds.
Peptides are water soluble and need direct contact with the stratum corneum. Applied over a cream or oil, almost nothing gets through. So in every routine the rule is: thin to thick.
The evening order
Total time: approx. 6 minutes
How to apply a peptide serum at night
Cleanseapprox. 2 min
Remove sebum, make-up and sunscreen with a mild cleanser.
Optional: tonerapprox. 1 min
Apply toner and leave the skin slightly damp — it improves uptake.
Apply the peptide serumapprox. 1 min
Press 2–3 drops thinly into face and neck without rubbing.
Wait 60 secondsapprox. 1 min
Let the serum absorb fully before layering anything on top.
Moisturiserapprox. 1 min
Apply moisturiser on top — it seals the serum and supports the barrier.
Morning or evening?
Evening. Skin regeneration peaks at night, and during the day the serum competes with sunscreen and make-up. If you want an active in the morning, use vitamin C — and leave peptides to the night.
The five most common mistakes
- Too much product: more than three drops does not absorb better.
- Applying to dry, freshly exfoliated skin: let the barrier settle first.
- High-dose vitamin C straight on top: separate by time of day.
- Giving up after ten days: structure only changes from week 8.
- Irregular use: peptides work through signal consistency, not dose.
The realistic timeline
Day 1–14: smoother texture, better water binding. Week 4–8: more elasticity, more even tone. From week 8: visibly flatter lines. The LIORA GHK-Cu Korean Gold Serum is built for exactly this nightly routine.
See the GHK-Cu serumFrequently asked questions
- When should you apply a peptide serum?
- In the evening after cleansing, on slightly damp skin, before moisturiser and oil. Two to three drops are enough.
- Peptide serum before or after moisturiser?
- Always before. Peptides are water soluble and need direct skin contact; a cream underneath blocks absorption.
- How many drops of peptide serum per application?
- Two to three drops for the whole face. More product does not improve the outcome.
- How long does a peptide serum take to work?
- Texture and hydration improve in about 14 days; visibly flatter wrinkles take 8 to 12 weeks.
Topics
- Routine
- How to use
- Peptides
- Layering
Keep reading
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EDNF25070922 combines GHK-Cu, bio microneedling, the 5-peptide complex and 24K gold in a single serum.
View the serum