SerumScience is an independent publication about topical peptide skincare. We exist because the peptide aisle is full of promising ingredients and even more marketing, and most people just want a straight answer: what is this, does the cosmetic research support it, and is this particular serum worth buying?
Who writes SerumScience
Mara Ellison is a cosmetic chemist (BSc, Chemistry) and beauty-science editor with over a decade spent formulating, evaluating and writing about skincare. She has worked on the development side of leave-on serums and moisturisers, which means she reads an INCI list the way other people read a menu — noticing what is actually in the bottle, at what point in the formula, and whether the claims on the front are supported by what is inside.
Mara started SerumScience to translate cosmetic literature into plain English without the two failure modes she sees everywhere: breathless hype on one side, and dismissive “it is all snake oil” cynicism on the other. Peptides are neither miracles nor nothing — they are specific cosmetic ingredients with specific, testable effects on the appearance of skin.
What we cover
- Ingredient hubs — deep, cited explainers on GHK-Cu, copper peptides, Matrixyl and Argireline.
- Tested roundups — criteria-driven picks of the serums worth your money.
- Comparisons — honest head-to-heads like Matrixyl vs retinol.
Our principles
We cover cosmetics only — nothing on SerumScience is medical advice, and we do not write about injectables or dosing. We cite published cosmetic-science literature where we can. And we disclose every affiliate relationship, because trust is the entire point. Read how we test and our affiliate disclosure.