Peptides just beat collagen, and this serum explains why everyone’s switching

If your skincare shelf could talk, it would tell you that peptides are having their main-character moment —and this serum is the reason why.

After more than five years of testing beauty products on repeat, from hyped launches to quiet under-the-radar formulas, I’ve developed a pretty strong gut instinct for what’s actually worth your time and money.

So when I saw that more than 2,000 shoppers purchased the Maelove Peptide Squad Collagen Renewal Serum in the past month alone, I wasn’t shocked. In fact, I was nodding along.

The timing is perfect, too, because the skincare conversation has officially shifted. Since September, peptide search interest has surpassed that of collagen, and in the past month, peptide has been searched even more in every state, per Google Trends. That surge also includes searches that pair peptides with hyaluronic, which tells you exactly where people’s priorities are right now: firm, hydrated, healthy-looking skin.

This serum is incredibly elegant on the skin. It’s lightweight but not watery, hydrating without being sticky, and absorbs fast enough that you can layer it seamlessly under sunscreen or makeup.

As someone who has tested more serums than I can count, I can confidently say that texture is half the battle. If something feels heavy, greasy or fussy, it won’t make it into your daily routine. This one feels like a small luxury moment every time you use it, which makes consistency easy — and consistency is where results actually happen.

The formula itself leans hard into peptides, and that’s exactly what you want right now. Peptides are essentially tiny messengers that tell your skin to behave like its younger, more productive self by supporting collagen and elastin and softening the look of fine lines. This serum uses multiple types of peptides to tackle firmness, smoothness, and elasticity from different angles, rather than relying on a single hero ingredient.

And while peptides are the star, they’re supported beautifully by hyaluronic acid, which floods the skin with hydration and gives that immediate plump, healthy glow. The inclusion of soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol makes this serum feel calming and strengthening rather than aggressive.

There’s also something very telling about how consumer interest has evolved. For years, collagen dominated skincare marketing, but people are now realizing that applying collagen topically isn’t the same as encouraging your skin to function better. That’s why peptides have taken over search interest nationwide, and why products like this are flying off digital shelves.

In short: People want smarter skincare, not just louder promises, and this serum fits squarely into that new mindset.

From personal experience, this is the kind of product that delivers. Skin looks smoother, feels more hydrated and gradually appears firmer and more even. It doesn’t irritate, doesn’t pill and doesn’t demand that you overhaul your entire routine to make it work. It’s truly a serum worth adding to your routine — reporter’s honor.

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.