Peptides are all of the rage right now, especially when it comes to skincare but, sadly, most of the brands using them are not clean, full of other irritating ingredients that may be behind the irritations or redness your skin is experiencing. We offer our customer FREE custom skin care consultations and more and more, we are seeing our customers end up with red or irritated skin after using celebrity skincare brands like Rhode. While we get the hype, it’s hard to resist some of their items, they seem so amazing, the truth is, it’s not the best skin care line for those with truly reactive or sensitive skin. In the big picture, I do want to reassure you that it’s a decent brand for being clean, you can tell they tried to make it cleaner, however, to my standards, it still does not make the cut, here’s why!
What are Peptides!?
Peptides are tiny chains of amino acids, which are like the “building blocks” your skin uses to make proteins like collagen and elastin! These proteins are what keep our skin firm, smooth, and strong, but as we age, we make less of them. So, what’s a girl to do!? Well, using skincare with peptides helps to remind your skin to repair itself, to boost collagen, and to stay healthier, which can improve texture, reduce fine lines, and keep skin looking fresh and strong so, peptides are our friend.
Why We Avoid Rhode Skincare-
But, like most everything else, when it comes to skincare, not all “peptide creams” are created equal. While the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream peptide oisturizer does include effective actives like multiple peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it also contains ingredients that can be problematic for sensitive skin! Like most of their other products!
High levels of niacinamide can sometimes lead to redness or flushing in reactive skin types, and the inclusion of a lactic/glycolic acid copolymer, while great for mild resurfacing, can increase sensitivity if the skin barrier isn’t strong. Additionally, Rhode relies on synthetic stabilizers and preservatives like phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 60, and sorbic acid, which may trigger irritation for those prone to reactivity. I do not allow most of these ingredients in my store because of their irritating side effects!
Rhode Skincare Cleaner Dupes-
Rhode Pineapple Refresh swap for ➳ Good Flower Farm Cleanser or Agent Lactic Cleanser
Both cleansers are designed to gently cleanse, hydrate, and improve skin texture, but Agent’s formula is better for the skin’s health long-term! It uses lactic acid, a naturally derived exfoliant that works like an enzyme to dissolve dead skin cells gently without stripping, while also helping maintain the skin’s natural pH. Agent also relies on plant-based surfactants, aloe, peony extract, and natural preservatives, making it softer on the barrier, less irritating, and more nourishing than the Rhode formula that uses synthetic polymers and heavier cleansing agents.
Both cleansers are designed to gently clean, hydrate, and support the skin barrier, but they take very different approaches. The cleaner formula relies on plant-based surfactants, lavender water, aloe, peony extract, and natural preservatives instead of synthetic polymers and harsher cleansing agents. You get the same effective cleansing but with fewer irritants, safer preservatives, and more soothing botanicals, making the cleaner option better for sensitive and long-term skin health.
Rhode Glazing Mist swap for ➳ Earth Harbor Mystic Waters Mist
Both formulas aim to hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin barrier using humectants, antioxidants, and skin-repairing ingredients. However, the cleaner formula swaps out synthetics like phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, and silicones for plant-based extracts, sea minerals, probiotics, and natural preservatives, making it gentler and safer for sensitive skin. You’re getting the same performance benefits but with cleaner, non-toxic ingredients that better support overall skin health! A no brainer swap to us!
Rhode Glazing Milk swap for ➳ Earth Harbor Ceramide Serum
Both formulas are designed to hydrate, plump, and strengthen the skin barrier with ceramides, beta-glucan, sterols, and emollients. However, our dupe achieves the same results using plant-derived ceramides, squalane, probiotics, rice lipids, and natural antioxidants while avoiding harsher synthetics like phenoxyethanol, PEGs, and chlorphenesin found in the Glazing Milk. You get equal barrier support and hydration, but the cleaner option nourishes skin with botanical actives and safer preservatives, making it better for long-term skin health!
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid swap for ➳ Om Organics Facial Elixir
Both formulas are designed to hydrate, smooth, and support skin health using humectants, peptides, and antioxidants. However, the Om Organics formula relies on botanical extracts, probiotics, tamarind seed polysaccharides, and collagen-supporting Tripeptide-29 while avoiding harsher synthetics like acrylates, PEG derivatives, and phenoxyethanol. You get the same plumping and firming benefits, but the cleaner option nourishes the skin barrier with plant-based actives, natural antioxidants, and gentle preservatives, making it better for sensitive and long-term skin health. Another no brainer!
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What To Use Instead?
If you want to start using a peptide moisturizer, you are wise to! However, you will want to ensure you use a formula that is not only effective but gentle and non-toxic as well. My favorite swap for the Rhode moisturizer is the Henné Organics Peptide Face Cream as it combines gentle, naturally derived pea peptides with antioxidant-rich botanicals like watermelon, bilberry, avocado, jojoba, and apricot oils to deliver hydration, nourishment, and long-term support for firmness and elasticity! Frankincense and Michelia Alba flower oil then provide soothing benefits, helping to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier, making it especially suitable for those prone to sensitivity. Instead of harsh, synthetic preservatives, Henné uses radish root ferment, which is gentler on the skin while maintaining the product’s stability. The result is a lightweight yet deeply hydrating cream that supports a healthy, glowing complexion without overloading the skin with harsh actives!
Best For-
We love reaching for the Henna Peptide Face Cream when we want a moisturizer that hydrates, repairs, and strengthens the skin while also soothing redness and irritation. It’s a perfect choice for daily use, especially for those with sensitive, dry, or reactive skin, yet still powerful enough for anyone looking to address fine lines and maintain long-term skin health. So, if you’re in need of a cleaner swap for your Rhode moisturizer or just want to give peptides a cream, we hope this blog was helpful!
Other Products That Use Peptides-
Want to check out all of the Organic Bunny approved products that use peptides?! Here are all of the options to consider!
Agent Nateur Holi (Bright) Resurface Glass Face Mask– We love the Holi (Bright) mask because it delivers a gentle yet effective resurfacing treatment, using lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, gentle peptides, and soothing aloe, all while hydrating, brightening, and calming the skin in one indulgent step! It reveals a radiant, glass-like glow without irritation, making it ideal for sensitive or inflamed skin in need of a hydration-first exfoliate. Our customers call this the Botox in a bottle because the results are so insane! A must.
Jack Henry Cleanse+ Hair Shampoo– Peptides for your hair and scalp? Yes, please! This ultra-nourishing shampoo stands out with its botanical-rich, sulfate-free formula, including honey, biotin, and pro-vitamin B5 to cleanse without stripping, balance the scalp’s microbiome, and leave hair feeling stronger, shinier, and healthy. Perfect for daily use and safe for all hair types, it feels luxurious while promoting lasting scalp wellness.
Om Organics Gotu Kola + Squalane Hyaluronic Nourishing Cream– We adore this cream for being deeply hydrating and repairing, with powerful actives like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and centella (Gotu Kola) that lock in moisture, soothe dryness, and support skin texture and fine lines, making it a must-have in drier climates or when skin needs extra calming and hydration. I use this year round, especially come Winter! It’s my go to, literally.
Henné Organics Peptide Face Cream– We adore this cream for its clean, plant-based formula packed with organic oils like watermelon seed, bilberry, avocado, and soothing botanicals like frankincense. It’s perfect for those looking for a nourishing moisturizer that boosts hydration, gently firms with pea peptides, and calms redness ideal for daily use on sensitive or reactive skin!
Earth Harbor Celestine Hydra-Peptide Serum– This lightweight serum is a hydration powerhouse, delivering sea-derived extracts, hyaluronic acid, and peptides for a plump, refined complexion. It’s fantastic for anyone wanting a glowing, dewy finish without heaviness, especially if you’re targeting dry patches, dullness, or subtle firmness.
Leaf People Peptide & Pearl Brightening Eye Gel– This featherlight eye gel glides on smoothly with camouflaging pearls, peptides, gotu kola, and hyaluronic acid to brighten, hydrate, and smooth under-eye skin. Perfect for those needing a fresh, bright look under makeup or for soothing tired eyes. Peptide eye cream? Yes, please!
Leaf People Peptide Eye Area Toner (Saffron & Green Tea)– Formulated with rare ingredients like saffron, baobab, and kigelia fruit extracts, plus peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this toner visibly brightens, firms, and reduces puffiness around the delicate eye area. It’s a great start to an eye care routine for anyone seeking visible brightening and gentle support.
The Skinny Confidential Brow Peptide– This non-toxic brow serum uses nutrient-rich peptides and castor oil to condition, strengthen, and encourage thicker, fuller brow growth while gently sculpting in place. A win for anyone wanting stronger, more defined brows and it doubles as a nourishing overnight brow treatment.
These are just a few of the products we carry with peptides. Be sure to check out the entire peptide category here for all of our faves. Not sure which products are best for your skin goals?! Book a FREE consult with our team of holistic Estheticians today!
