Peptide creams are used in routines focused on the look of fine lines and firmness; what you can expect from the cream depends on its place in the routine and on regular use. The word “peptide” on a label does not tell you enough on its own: which peptide is present, at what concentration and how the cream is layered with serums also matter.
In short: Peptide cream is the last step of the evening routine: after cleansing and serums, massage it into the face, neck and décolletage with upward movements, and do not apply it around the eyes. Firm Baby Firm is a 30 ml tube cream with 4% Argireline™ and 3% Matrixyl™ 3000; it is used every evening and can also be applied in a thin layer under make-up during the day. In the morning, the last step is sunscreen.
How do you use a peptide cream? Step by step
Peptide cream is applied to clean skin, after serums, as the last layer of the routine. The evening order for Firm Baby Firm is as follows:
- Cleanse. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
- Apply your serum. If you use a face serum, apply it first and let it absorb.
- Keep the eye area separate. If you use an eye serum, apply it at this step, before the cream.
- Massage in the cream. Spread Firm Baby Firm Firming Peptide Cream over the face, neck and décolletage with upward movements; avoid contact with the eyes.
- Do not add anything on top. The cream is the last layer of your night-time care.
Should you use peptide cream in the morning or in the evening?
Firm Baby Firm is primarily an evening cream; if you want to use it in the morning, a thin layer under make-up is enough. The evening application is the fixed step; the morning application is optional.
| Step | Evening | Morning (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle cleanser | Gentle cleanser |
| 2 | Love In Blue This Time (face and neck) | The morning serum you use |
| 3 | Power De-Puff Girls (eye area) | A thin layer of Firm Baby Firm |
| 4 | Firm Baby Firm (last layer) | Sunscreen, then make-up |
The order does not change in the morning: once the cream has absorbed, sunscreen goes on, and make-up comes last.
In the s'hevec routine, the product for the sunscreen step is Just Protected From Sun Hybrid Sunscreen, with hybrid filters, a fluid texture and SPF 50+.
Can you use peptide cream every day?
Yes, Firm Baby Firm is designed to be used every evening and should not be judged on a single application or on occasional use. The formula contains no exfoliating acids, so nightly use is not limited to a few evenings a week, as it is with an acid toner. How to start on sensitive skin is covered in the “Who should take care?” section below.
What is the difference between a peptide cream and a peptide serum?
The difference lies in texture and place in the routine: a serum is fluid and goes on first, while a cream is richer and is the last layer that finishes the routine. Whether the peptide is a key active or a supporting ingredient is also decisive when choosing a product. In the s'hevec range, two products answer this question in concrete terms:
| Feature | Firm Baby Firm | Love In Blue This Time |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Cream, 30 ml tube | Serum, 30 ml |
| Role of the peptide | Key active | Supporting: copper tripeptide-1 |
| Key concentrations | 4% Argireline™ + 3% Matrixyl™ 3000 | 2% ceramide complex, 2% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
| Place in the routine | Evening, last layer | Evening, before the cream |
The two can be used on the same evening: first Love In Blue This Time Ceramide and Copper Peptide Serum, then, once it has absorbed, Firm Baby Firm. How copper peptide differs from the peptides in Firm Baby Firm is explained in our article what is copper peptide (GHK-Cu).
Can Argireline and Matrixyl 3000 be used together?
Yes; Firm Baby Firm contains both in the same formula, so you do not need to layer two separate products. The trade names (Argireline™, Matrixyl™ 3000) do not appear in the ingredient list on the packaging; there, the peptides are listed by their INCI names: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Tripeptide-2. If you also use a peptide serum, apply the serum first and the cream last.
What do the peptides in Firm Baby Firm do, and what don't they do?
Argireline™ (acetyl hexapeptide-8) is included in the formula to help with the look of expression lines, and Matrixyl™ 3000 to help support the look of firmness; baobab extract, 8D hyaluronic acid and panthenol support the hydration side. There is also a limit that shapes expectations: a recent review of acetyl hexapeptide-8 states that, because of its water-loving structure and relatively large molecule, this peptide passes through the outermost layer of the skin only to a limited extent, and that it is unclear whether, when applied to the skin, it reaches the points where nerve and muscle meet. This is why what you can expect from Firm Baby Firm is help with the look of fine lines and support for the look of firmness. Our article what are peptides explains peptide types and how these two peptides work.
- It does not smooth away deep wrinkles that remain visible even when the face is at rest.
- It does not correct volume loss or sagging in the face.
- It does not replace sunscreen. A review of sunscreens summarises evidence that, as well as protecting against sunburn, these products are effective against photoageing and uneven pigmentation; a peptide cream does not take on this role.
For a complete evening and morning routine with serum, eye-area and sunscreen steps, see our care routine for the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The cream, barrier serum and eye serum from this routine are grouped together in our products for the look of fine lines.
Can you apply peptide cream around the eyes?
Firm Baby Firm is not applied around the eyes; avoid contact with the eyes as you spread the cream. For this area, use Power De-Puff Girls Eye Serum, which is formulated separately: pat in 1–2 drops with your ring finger and, once it has absorbed, continue with the cream. The eye serum focuses on the look of puffiness and a tired look; it does not replace a face cream, and a face cream does not replace it either.
Who should take care?
Use on sensitive or irritated skin calls for care; the question of pregnancy and breastfeeding is covered in the FAQ section.
- Sensitive skin: a study examining peptides in products for sensitive skin notes that most of the data supporting this use come from patents and supplier brochures rather than from randomised, placebo-controlled studies; evidence for the effect of peptides on sensitive skin is limited. Before first use, do a patch test on the inner forearm. Apply the cream less often at first and increase the frequency gradually.
- Irritated skin: do not apply to cracked, broken or irritated skin. Because Firm Baby Firm is the last layer and stays on the skin overnight, if you notice redness, itching or bumps on the face, neck or décolletage where you applied it, wash the cream off straight away with lukewarm water and do not apply it on the following evenings. If you also used a serum that evening, do not restart both together, so that you can tell which product the reaction came from.
Frequently asked questions
Which skin type is Firm Baby Firm suitable for?
The formula is designed for dry and normal skin; combination and oily skin are not among its intended skin types.
Can peptide cream be used on the same morning as a vitamin C serum?
Yes. In the morning, apply Glow Me Like You Do to clean skin and let it absorb; you can then apply a thin layer of Firm Baby Firm instead of moisturiser, followed by sunscreen.
Can an Argireline cream replace injections?
No. A peptide cream applied to the skin does not replace injections given by a doctor. The review of acetyl hexapeptide-8 also stresses that more research on formulations and delivery systems is needed to confirm the use of the peptide for this purpose.
Can Firm Baby Firm be used during pregnancy?
Firm Baby Firm contains no exfoliating acids; its key actives are peptides (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-2). Our sources do not include data assessing the use of these peptides during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use.
Sources
- Zdrada-Nowak J et al. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals-A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci. 2025.
- Resende DISP et al. Usage of Synthetic Peptides in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021.
- Guan LL et al. Sunscreens and Photoaging: A Review of Current Literature. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
