A chill is creeping in, central heating is back on, and faces across Britain are feeling it first. Your bathroom shelf matters.
As temperatures dip, skin loses water fast and fine lines look deeper. Aldi’s Lacura range returns with wallet-friendly formulas that promise bounce, comfort and calm when the wind bites.
Cold weather, tight budgets: can a £7 cream keep pace?
Aldi is putting peptides front and centre this season with the Lacura Multi‑Peptide Moisturiser, priced around £7 and due back in stores from 25 September. It packs seven peptides and waterlily extract into a lightweight daily hydrator aimed at softening lines and shoring up your barrier.
Seven peptides, one pot, £7: a daily hydrator built for colder months and strapped bank accounts.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signalling molecules. On skin, they can nudge fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin, support repair and improve firmness over time. Waterlily extract adds a soothing angle, with reported benefits for redness, tight-feeling skin and visible pores. Combined, the blend targets two autumn troublemakers: dehydration and a frayed barrier.
Shoppers will spot familiar styling. Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream—a cult option—uses nine peptides and also features waterlily. The Aldi jar doesn’t mimic the entire INCI list, but it aims at a similar outcome: a smoother surface and a more resilient feel for a fraction of the outlay.
What to expect on skin
- Texture: light cream that sinks in quickly without a greasy film.
- Immediate feel: softer touch, less tightness after cleansing.
- Four-week view: finer lines look a touch shallower as water levels rise and barrier function steadies.
- Best partners: a gentle cleanser, niacinamide toner, and daily SPF 30 or higher.
Small tubes, big comfort: £2.99 peptide lip treatments
Lips suffer first when the air turns dry. Aldi’s Lacura Peptide Lip Treatments return in three versions—salted caramel, watermelon and unscented—at £2.99 each. They blend peptides with plant butters such as shea, babassu and cupuaçu, giving a cushiony glaze that clings longer than standard balms.
£2.99 a tube for a glossy seal that traps moisture and softens flakes through school runs and late trains.
Flavoured options are crowd-pleasers, but those with reactive skin may prefer unscented to avoid potential irritation. Apply a thin layer, blot lightly, then add a second pass before heading out into wind or rain.
Glow without the bake: bronzing and radiance drops
If summer warmth is now a memory, the new Lacura Bronzing Drops and Glow Drops offer a workaround. They can be mixed with moisturiser for face and body or tapped on neat for extra sheen. The draw here isn’t just tint; the formulas include niacinamide, vitamin E and marula oil—ingredients known for barrier support, antioxidant protection and lightweight nourishment.
How to blend them in
- For office lighting: one drop in moisturiser for a soft lift.
- For evening: two drops on the high points—cheekbones, temples, collarbones.
- For body: mix with body lotion for legs and arms; wash hands after to avoid palm tint.
The numbers that matter to your routine
| Product | Key actives | Price | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacura Multi‑Peptide Moisturiser | Seven peptides, waterlily extract | £7 | AM/PM after serums, before SPF |
| Lacura Peptide Lip Treatment | Peptides, shea, babassu, cupuaçu | £2.99 | As needed, especially outdoors |
| Lacura Bronzing or Glow Drops | Niacinamide, vitamin E, marula oil | Value pricing | Mix with moisturiser or apply neat |
Who will get the best results
If your skin feels tight after cleansing, drinks up moisturiser and shows fine dehydration lines by lunchtime, you sit in the sweet spot for peptide creams. Combination and dry types see the most comfort gains. Oily skin can still benefit; use a pea-sized amount and focus on cheeks and neck. Fragrance-sensitive readers should scan packs and lean towards unscented lip and face options.
How to build a simple, winter‑proof routine
- Morning: gentle cleanse, niacinamide or hydrating toner, Lacura Multi‑Peptide Moisturiser, broad‑spectrum SPF 30+.
- Evening: cleanse, optional retinoid two to three nights a week, peptide moisturiser to buffer potential dryness.
- Lips: apply the peptide treatment before bed and reapply before leaving the house.
Peptides and retinoids can live in the same week: use peptides daily and retinoids on alternate nights for balance.
How it stacks up against premium rivals
Let’s talk value. A typical high‑end peptide cream sits around £57–£65 for 50 ml. At £7, the Lacura jar lands at roughly a tenth of that. If you finish a 50 ml moisturiser every eight to ten weeks, a year’s supply could cost about £42 with Aldi versus £296–£390 with a prestige option. That difference covers winter SPF, a hydrating cleanser and still leaves change for lip care.
What peptides can and can’t do
They can improve the feel of firmness, soften fine lines linked to dehydration and support barrier function. They can’t replace procedures, erase etched folds overnight, or work if the rest of the routine undermines them. Think of peptides as the reliable midfield—steady, protective, consistent—while sunscreen plays defence and retinoids lead attack.
Practical tips, pitfalls and smart pairings
- Patch test first: apply a small amount behind the ear for two nights to check for redness or itching.
- Layer light to rich: watery serums first, then the peptide cream, then SPF in the morning.
- Mind your heating: place a bowl of water near radiators or use a humidifier to cut transepidermal water loss at night.
- Don’t skip SPF: UVA ages skin 365 days a year, even under clouds; peptides can’t compensate for unprotected daylight.
- Balance actives: niacinamide pairs well with peptides; if using acids, keep them on alternate days to limit dryness.
The bottom line for your bathroom shelf
With the Multi‑Peptide Moisturiser, £2.99 lip treatments and versatile bronzing or glow drops, Aldi aims squarely at everyday comfort and a brighter surface without painful bills. The formulas lean on sensible science—barrier support, hydration, antioxidants—rather than gimmicks. If your face feels tight by 3pm, start with the £7 jar and the unscented lip tube. Add drops later if you want warmth and sheen.
One final thought for planners: track your skin for two weeks. Note tightness after showers, makeup settling into lines, flakes around the nose and chin. If those markers ease with consistent use, you’ve likely found a routine that fits. If not, adjust the cleanser first, then increase moisturiser quantity at night, and keep SPF steady. Small tweaks, made early in the season, spare you a winter of firefighting.
Seven peptides for £7? Worth a punt tbh.
Anyone tested the Lacura Multi‑Peptide Moisturiser with niacinamide toner + SPF 30—does it pill on combo skin or stay smooth? My last “lightweight” cream turned sneaky‑greasy by lunch.