Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum for dry sensitive skin
Complex Of 21 Peptides
Neuropeptides
Squalane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ascorbic Acid
Retinyl Palmitate
Average
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for dry skin due to humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, alongside emollient Squalane, which support hydration and skin barrier function. The serum also contains multiple peptides that effectively target wrinkle reduction and improve skin texture.
- While the formula provides general hydration and anti-aging benefits, it lacks specific ingredients to directly address your primary concern of flakiness.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it contains no harsh or irritating ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers frequently praise this serum for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that effectively hydrates and plumps the skin, leading to a visible reduction in fine lines on the forehead and neck. Some users find the product expensive and complain about a sticky residue or a metallic scent.
Highlights
Hydrates and plumps Often Mentioned
- “skin feels instantly hydrated”
- “plumps aging skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “restores bounce”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “lines between eyes diminished”
- “forehead wrinkles getting better”
- “neck lines reduced”
- “softened deep crevices”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “price is depressing”
- “expensive for the amount”
- “waiting for a sale”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks smoother”
- “improves elasticity”
- “radiant glow”
- “evened out tone”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight serum”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “layers well under makeup”
Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
- “feels sticky and slimy”
- “leaves skin tacky”
- “feels gross on skin”
- “texture is heavy”
Metallic scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like iron”
- “metallic smell”
- “weird vitamin E scent”
- “scent is off-putting”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “hard to get last bit”
- “pump stopped working”
- “bottle design is wasteful”
- “can't see product level”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, dermstore.com, peterthomasroth.com, lovelyskin.com, sephora.ph, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum work for dry sensitive skin?
This serum works moderately well for dry sensitive skin because it provides gentle hydration and anti-aging benefits, though it lacks ingredients to target flakiness. A product of this type needs rich moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that provide deep hydration and skin barrier support without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Squalane make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin by helping with hydration and skin barrier function. A product for this skin needs nourishing ingredients and ceramides that deliver maximum hydration, protect against dryness and flakiness, and enhance skin resilience without any risk of irritation.
What does Peptide Complex do for dry sensitive skin?
A peptide complex helps smooth wrinkles and improve firmness, but for dry sensitive skin, it also needs soothing ingredients like ceramides and centella asiatica to calm irritation and repair the moisture barrier.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
What do Neuropeptides do for dry sensitive skin?
Neuropeptides help calm dry, sensitive skin by easing discomfort and soothing irritation when the skin barrier feels stressed. They help reduce the urge to scratch while improving moisture and keeping the skin feeling soft and smooth.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
Apply this treatment serum in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. This helps keep things simple and adds extra safety around sun exposure, while a product for dry and sensitive skin also needs soothing and rich moisturizing ingredients to tackle flakiness.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product, as it is unlikely to irritate dry and sensitive skin. To better care for this type of skin, a product also needs dedicated flakiness-relieving ingredients.
How often should I use this serum?
You can safely use this serum in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and toning. It is unlikely to irritate your sensitive skin, but for dry skin with flakiness, it needs extra soothing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, richer oils, or heavier butters.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on dry sensitive skin, as it contains no harsh or irritating ingredients.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A vitamin A palmitate and antioxidant-containing oil-based moisturizer improved fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, tone, texture, dryness, firmness, and clarity across various body sites compared to a no-treatment group over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Why other serums fit dry sensitive skin better
Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel increased skin deposition, stability, moisture, and mechanical properties in 13 human subjects compared to a control gel over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026Hydrogels containing vitamin E-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers exhibited better occlusive properties and long-lasting effects, while vitamin E-loaded nanoemulsions performed a faster skin hydration effect and were selected as more attractive for skin application.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Squalane, Mannitol, Butylene Glycol, Natto Gum, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hexapeptide-11, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lecithin, Pseudoalteromonas Extract Ferment, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Disodium Phosphate, Carbomer, Dextran, Sodium Lactate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Sodium Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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