How the Best Peptides Skincare Can Deliver Botox-Like Results
If you've been clued into the peptides conversation, you might also be wonder what the best peptide skin-care products can do for you. This 'silent powerhouse' (there are in fact various types of peptides) is a derm favorite for healing skin, slowing aging, and stimulating collagen and elastic production. At their most basic, peptides are short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin. These proteins are essential for firm, youthful-looking skin.
Below, we asked experts to explain what peptides are, whether they recommend them in a skincare routine, and what to look for when shopping the best peptide skin-care products, from creams and serums to essences. We also rounded up our favorite peptide products for both the face and body in the guide ahead.
Vogue's Favorite Peptide Skin-Care Products
In This Story
Best Drugstore: Olay Collagen Peptide Face Moisturizer
Why We Love It : This fragrance-free moisturizer is a top pick for sensitive skin types. It feels great on the skin and layers nicely under sunscreen or makeup. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth, it's packed with palmitoyl pentapeptide, a peptide known for helping to stimulate collagen and elastin production. 'It works by mimicking the skin's own repair signals, essentially signaling the skin to renew itself, which makes it effective for improving fine lines, firmness, and overall skin texture,' she explains. Because it's small and lipid-linked due to the palmitoyl group, she notes that it penetrates the skin more easily than some other peptides, allowing it to deliver anti-aging benefits deeper into the dermis.
: This fragrance-free moisturizer is a top pick for sensitive skin types. It feels great on the skin and layers nicely under sunscreen or makeup. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth, it's packed with palmitoyl pentapeptide, a peptide known for helping to stimulate collagen and elastin production. 'It works by mimicking the skin's own repair signals, essentially signaling the skin to renew itself, which makes it effective for improving fine lines, firmness, and overall skin texture,' she explains. Because it's small and lipid-linked due to the palmitoyl group, she notes that it penetrates the skin more easily than some other peptides, allowing it to deliver anti-aging benefits deeper into the dermis. Key Ingredients : Collagen peptide, niacinamide, pro vitamin b5
: Collagen peptide, niacinamide, pro vitamin b5 Best for: Dry, aging, textured skin
Dry, aging, textured skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Wrinkles: Skinceuticals P-TIOX
Why We Love It : A new favorite in the skin-care community—Vogue contributor Deanna Pai described it in her review as 'the next best thing to a needle'—this formula contains biomimetic peptides and 10% argireline to target expression lines while smoothing and refining skin texture over time. While Dr. Ruth doesn't like to compare any topical product to Botox, she says the results are promising and that it can help soften fine lines. 'Argireline helps inhibit neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, which can soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.'
: A new favorite in the skin-care community—Vogue contributor Deanna Pai described it in her review as 'the next best thing to a needle'—this formula contains biomimetic peptides and 10% argireline to target expression lines while smoothing and refining skin texture over time. While Dr. Ruth doesn't like to compare any topical product to Botox, she says the results are promising and that it can help soften fine lines. 'Argireline helps inhibit neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, which can soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.' Key Ingredients : Hexapeptide, dipeptide, 5% PHA, niacinamide, laminaria
: Hexapeptide, dipeptide, 5% PHA, niacinamide, laminaria Best For : Mature skin
: Mature skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1 fl oz
Best Serum: Medik8 Liquid Peptides
Why We Love It : If you want to supercharge your skin=care routine, Dr. Ruth says, 'this is a more high-tech serum featuring a 30% peptide complex that is formulated with micro molecules to better penetrate into the skin.' While it's on the pricier side, she explains that it's a great option for patients looking to smooth fine lines while also hydrating the skin and adding a healthy glow. Unlike some skin-care products that take time to show results, this one delivers noticeably plumper, more hydrated skin within a week.
: If you want to supercharge your skin=care routine, Dr. Ruth says, 'this is a more high-tech serum featuring a 30% peptide complex that is formulated with micro molecules to better penetrate into the skin.' While it's on the pricier side, she explains that it's a great option for patients looking to smooth fine lines while also hydrating the skin and adding a healthy glow. Unlike some skin-care products that take time to show results, this one delivers noticeably plumper, more hydrated skin within a week. Key Ingredients : Lactic acid, glycolic acid
: Lactic acid, glycolic acid Best For : Mature skin
: Mature skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1 fl oz
Best for Beginners: The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum
Why We Love It : 'The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum is great for people who are just starting their skincare journey or anyone looking to keep their routine minimal,' says holistic esthetician Amity Murray. She recommends it to clients who want a clean, effective formulation that 'provides hydration, smooths lines, and is safe for sensitive skin.' It's also priced under $20, so you won't wince every time you use it, and you can generously apply it to your face, neck, and décolletage (as we all should be doing).
: 'The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum is great for people who are just starting their skincare journey or anyone looking to keep their routine minimal,' says holistic esthetician Amity Murray. She recommends it to clients who want a clean, effective formulation that 'provides hydration, smooths lines, and is safe for sensitive skin.' It's also priced under $20, so you won't wince every time you use it, and you can generously apply it to your face, neck, and décolletage (as we all should be doing). Key Ingredients : Collagen peptides
: Collagen peptides Best For : Dry, dull skin
: Dry, dull skin Fragrance-Free : No
: No Size: 1.01 fl oz
Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Why We Love It : Murray explains that the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is a strong option for dry or mature skin. However, it's safe for all skin types and helps improve the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and texture. While it errs on the pricier side, she says it's ideal for anyone looking for a cosmeceutical-level product that delivers visible results. Clinical tests have shown improvements in as little as two weeks, provided it's used consistently.
: Murray explains that the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is a strong option for dry or mature skin. However, it's safe for all skin types and helps improve the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and texture. While it errs on the pricier side, she says it's ideal for anyone looking for a cosmeceutical-level product that delivers visible results. Clinical tests have shown improvements in as little as two weeks, provided it's used consistently. Key Ingredients : TNS-MR, renaissance (RSC) advances
: TNS-MR, renaissance (RSC) advances Best For : Mature skin
: Mature skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1 oz
Best Viral: Rhode Skin Peptide Glazing Fluid
Rhode Skin
Peptide Glazing Fluid
$32
RHODE SKIN
Why We Love It : If you're already a Belieber in Hailey Bieber's Rhode lineup, then you're probably familiar with the Glazing Serum. If not, it's an easy addition to your existing routine and doesn't require much adjusting. It really depends on what you're looking for, but if you want a minimalist serum with a dewy finish and barrier-boosting peptides, Dr. Ruth says this one is a favorite for patients aiming to achieve that hydrated, glass-skin glow without irritation.
: If you're already a Belieber in Hailey Bieber's Rhode lineup, then you're probably familiar with the Glazing Serum. If not, it's an easy addition to your existing routine and doesn't require much adjusting. It really depends on what you're looking for, but if you want a minimalist serum with a dewy finish and barrier-boosting peptides, Dr. Ruth says this one is a favorite for patients aiming to achieve that hydrated, glass-skin glow without irritation. Key Ingredients : Niacinamide, peptices, hyaluronic acid, marula oil
: Niacinamide, peptices, hyaluronic acid, marula oil Best For : All skin types
: All skin types Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best French Pharmacy: Filorga Time-Filler 5XP Cream Clean
Filorga
Time-Filler 5XP Cream Clean
$98
DERMSTORE
Why We Love It : At times, we're convinced the French know something we don't when it comes to skincare, which is why every time we're abroad, we stock up on French pharmacy staples. Thankfully, many of them are now available stateside, like the Filorga Time-Filler 5XP Cream Clean. Murray says, 'It combines French research with luxury. This hydrating cream leaves skin looking and feeling plump.' With its creamy-gel texture, it's especially well-suited for oily skin types, helping to hydrate while gently mattifying the complexion.
: At times, we're convinced the French know something we don't when it comes to skincare, which is why every time we're abroad, we stock up on French pharmacy staples. Thankfully, many of them are now available stateside, like the Filorga Time-Filler 5XP Cream Clean. Murray says, 'It combines French research with luxury. This hydrating cream leaves skin looking and feeling plump.' With its creamy-gel texture, it's especially well-suited for oily skin types, helping to hydrate while gently mattifying the complexion. Key Ingredients : Peptides, hyaluronic acid, sea fennel extract
: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, sea fennel extract Best For : Oily skin
: Oily skin Fragrance-Free : No
: No Size: 1.7 oz
Best Copper Peptides: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
The Ordinary
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
$32
AMAZON
Why We Love It : Think of copper peptides as multitasking repair agents for your skin. Dr. Ruth explains that this serum helps boost collagen and elastin while also calming inflammation and supporting healing, making it a must-have for restoring bounce and glow, especially in aging or compromised skin. Like all of The Ordinary's products, this serum is relatively affordable and easy to add into your routine. However, the research is still evolving, and Dr. Ruth notes that more studies are underway to fully understand the role of copper peptides in dermatology.
: Think of copper peptides as multitasking repair agents for your skin. Dr. Ruth explains that this serum helps boost collagen and elastin while also calming inflammation and supporting healing, making it a must-have for restoring bounce and glow, especially in aging or compromised skin. Like all of The Ordinary's products, this serum is relatively affordable and easy to add into your routine. However, the research is still evolving, and Dr. Ruth notes that more studies are underway to fully understand the role of copper peptides in dermatology. Key Ingredients : Hyaluronic acid, peptides
: Hyaluronic acid, peptides Best For : All skin types
: All skin types Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1 fl oz
Best Cream: InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream
InnBeauty Project
Project Extreme Cream
$48
INNBEAUTY PROJECT
Why We Love It : Touted as one of the best peptide creams, InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream is an affordable option for anyone in search of a clean, effective formula. 'It provides profound hydration while minimizing lines and wrinkles,' says Murray. If you're used to lighter water creams, this one might feel slightly heavier at first, but it doesn't cause breakouts or leave behind a tacky residue. With consistent use (it's safe to use both morning and night, despite containing retinol), it helps skin appear firmer and leaves behind a healthy, radiant sheen.
: Touted as one of the best peptide creams, InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream is an affordable option for anyone in search of a clean, effective formula. 'It provides profound hydration while minimizing lines and wrinkles,' says Murray. If you're used to lighter water creams, this one might feel slightly heavier at first, but it doesn't cause breakouts or leave behind a tacky residue. With consistent use (it's safe to use both morning and night, despite containing retinol), it helps skin appear firmer and leaves behind a healthy, radiant sheen. Key Ingredients : Bio retinol, lifting peptides, ceramides, unique reverse emulsion technology
: Bio retinol, lifting peptides, ceramides, unique reverse emulsion technology Best For : Dry skin, mature skin
: Dry skin, mature skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 1.7 oz
Best With Growth Factors: Eighth Day Regenerative Serum
Eighth Day
Regenerative Serum
$195
NORDSTROM
Why We Love It : Developed by a dermatologic surgeon, the Eighth Day Regenerative Serum is 'a results-driven product for clients who have a more advanced regimen,' says Murray. It's formulated with all the essentials: GABA, an active neuropeptide that supports healing and repair; moisturizing hyaluronic acid; niacinamide to reduce inflammation; and glycolic acid to improve texture. As for peptides, it features a complex composed of 24 bio-identical peptides designed to leave the skin visibly renewed.
: Developed by a dermatologic surgeon, the Eighth Day Regenerative Serum is 'a results-driven product for clients who have a more advanced regimen,' says Murray. It's formulated with all the essentials: GABA, an active neuropeptide that supports healing and repair; moisturizing hyaluronic acid; niacinamide to reduce inflammation; and glycolic acid to improve texture. As for peptides, it features a complex composed of 24 bio-identical peptides designed to leave the skin visibly renewed. Key Ingredients : Growth factors, peptides, amino acids
: Growth factors, peptides, amino acids Best For : Mature, sensitive skin
: Mature, sensitive skin Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 0.5 oz
Best for Body: U Beauty The Super Body Hydrator
Why We Love It : Peptides aren't just great for the skin on your face—they benefit the entire body. If you're already a fan of U Beauty's facial products, you're in luck because the same high-performance formulas are also available in body care. Murray says the Body Hydrator is an excellent option for anyone struggling with dry or dehydrated skin. 'This body moisturizer delivers smoothness,' she says. It's also super lightweight, so you don't need to worry about spending extra elbow grease rubbing it in, and it leaves behind a subtle glow.
: Peptides aren't just great for the skin on your face—they benefit the entire body. If you're already a fan of U Beauty's facial products, you're in luck because the same high-performance formulas are also available in body care. Murray says the Body Hydrator is an excellent option for anyone struggling with dry or dehydrated skin. 'This body moisturizer delivers smoothness,' she says. It's also super lightweight, so you don't need to worry about spending extra elbow grease rubbing it in, and it leaves behind a subtle glow. Key Ingredients : Vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid
: Vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid Best For : All skin types
: All skin types Fragrance-Free :
: Size: 6.8 oz
Best Essence: Mara Algae + Beta-Glucan Pearl Peptide Glaze Hydrating Facial Essence
Why We Love It : Mara—the algae-based skincare line that feels quintessentially Los Angeles—sources its clinically-tested algae through wild collection in France and Ireland, making each formula as thoughtful as it is effective. As Dr. Ruth puts it, 'Think of this as your skin's pre-serum smoothie. Beta-glucan calms inflammation, algae hydrates, and peptides help maintain a healthy and hydrated skin barrier.'
: Mara—the algae-based skincare line that feels quintessentially Los Angeles—sources its clinically-tested algae through wild collection in France and Ireland, making each formula as thoughtful as it is effective. As Dr. Ruth puts it, 'Think of this as your skin's pre-serum smoothie. Beta-glucan calms inflammation, algae hydrates, and peptides help maintain a healthy and hydrated skin barrier.' Key Ingredients : Pearl powder, algae, marine collagen peptides
: Pearl powder, algae, marine collagen peptides Best For : All skin types
: All skin types Fragrance-Free : Yes
: Yes Size: 3.4 oz
Everything You Need to Know
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ohio's Hospice to hold Always My Child - Parent Grief bereavement workshop July 14
Ohio's Hospice invites community members to participate in the Always My Child-Parent Grief bereavement workshop 5:30-6:45 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Ohio's Hospice Marilyn B. and Mark E. Gustafson Center for Supportive Care, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster. The workshop will address the unique challenges faced by parents and families experiencing grief. Participants will learn about keys to family reorganization after loss and elements that promote healing within the family unit. David Hargrave, LSW, CCTP, CGCS, bereavement counseling professional with Ohio's Hospice, will lead the workshop. Hargrave brings experience and expertise in supporting children, adolescents and adults through their grief journeys. "Losing a child is one of life's most profound losses," Hargrave said. "This workshop provides a supportive environment where grieving parents and families can learn practical strategies for navigating their grief while honoring their child's memory." The workshop is offered through Pathways of Hope, Ohio's Hospice's grief counseling program. Through community support, Ohio's Hospice provides this and other grief support programs free of charge to anyone in the community, regardless of whether they have received hospice services. Registration is required. To register, call 800.884.6547, Opiont 6, or email PathwaysOfHope@ Include name, the workshop name and date, and phone more information about Pathways of Hope and bereavement workshops, visit This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Ohio's Hospice holding bereavement workshop for parents who lost child
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Respiratory Training Shows Modest Benefits in ALS
TOPLINE: Respiratory muscle training moderately improved lung function, especially respiratory muscle strength, in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared with no intervention or sham training. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of respiratory muscle training on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with ALS. They gathered data from five randomized controlled trials including 170 patients with ALS (mean age range, 53-63 years; 58.8%-69.2% men), majority of whom had spinal onset of the disease (72.9%-84.6%). Researchers assessed the role of standalone respiratory muscle training and compared it with control conditions — physical exercise, usual care, or no intervention — to gauge its unique impact. The outcomes included assessments of lung function, respiratory muscle strength, survival, functional capacity, and adverse events. TAKEAWAY: According to a meta-analysis of three trials, maximum expiratory pressure was superior in the group that underwent respiratory muscle training compared with control conditions (standardized mean difference [SMD], 19.53; P = .02). Similarly, respiratory muscle training significantly improved the maximum inspiratory pressure compared with control conditions (SMD, 13.96; P = .010). A meta-analysis of four trials found no significant difference in the forced vital capacity between the groups (SMD, 0.90; P = .14). No studies reported serious adverse effects, supporting respiratory muscle training as a safe intervention for patients with ALS. IN PRACTICE: 'RMT [respiratory muscle training] shows potential as an adjuvant intervention for patients with ALS,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by María Jesús Benzo-Iglesias, Health Research Centre, Humanidades-498 Research Group, University of Almería, Almería, Spain. It was published online on June 09, 2025, in Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease. LIMITATIONS: This study had a small sample size, which limited the generalizability of the findings. It comprised only five trials, which may have affected the findings' robustness and restricted the ability to perform sensitivity analyses. The wide CIs in the heterogeneity analysis indicated substantial heterogeneity. DISCLOSURES: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
A Texas boy needed protection from measles. The vaccine cost $1,400.
In the early days of the West Texas measles outbreak, Thang Nguyen eyed the rising number of cases and worried. His 4-year-old son was at risk because he had received only the first of the vaccine's two doses. So, in mid-March, he took his family to a primary care clinic at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. By the end of the visit, his son, Anh Hoang, had received one shot protecting against four illnesses — measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox. He also received a second shot against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, as well as a flu shot. His twin daughters, who had already had their measles vaccinations, got other immunizations. Nguyen, who is a UTMB postdoctoral fellow in public health and infectious disease, said he asked clinic staff whether his family's insurance would cover the checkups and immunizations. He said he was assured that it would. Then the bills came. The first measles vaccine was licensed in 1963 and became part of the combination measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine in 1971. Today the vaccine against chicken pox, or varicella, is sometimes combined into what is known as the MMRV vaccine. A first dose of the MMR or MMRV vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months, with a second between ages 4 and 6. Experts may recommend vaccinating children at younger ages during an outbreak — like the ongoing U.S. measles outbreak, which has led to more than 1,200 cases, 750 of them in Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95 percent of the cases have occurred in unvaccinated people or those whose vaccine status is unknown. Recommendations affecting administration and insurance coverage are made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In June, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the committee, adding vaccine skeptics. The new panel, which met last week, is expected to scrutinize past recommendations, including for the MMR vaccine. UTMB billed $2,532 for the boy's office visit and three shots. The MMRV shot alone was billed at $1,422, plus $161 for administering it. There are guardrails in the U.S. health system intended to prevent recommended vaccines from being prohibitively expensive. They did not help the Nguyen family. Their health plan, purchased from insurance broker TaiAn for Nguyen's wife and children and administered by the International Medical Group, does not cover immunizations. And, initially, the family was not offered assistance under the Vaccines for Children Program, a federally funded effort created after a measles outbreak more than 30 years ago, that provides free immunizations for uninsured and underinsured children. So the family was exposed to the sticker shock of U.S. medical care without insurance, with providers setting prices. In this case, UTMB's price for the child's MMRV shot was about $1,400, more than five times what the CDC says it costs in the private sector. Nguyen was surprised when their insurer did not pay anything, leaving bills for his three children's checkups that, combined, were close to $5,000. He said the family's income from his job in UTMB's labs is less than $57,000 a year. Nguyen's job provides him health insurance, but he balked at the $615 per month it would cost to cover his family, too, and instead purchased the one-year policy from TaiAn, which totaled $1,841. The policy covers certain types of office visits, emergency room care, hospitalization and chemotherapy, but not immunizations or checkups. Nguyen and his wife, who are from Vietnam, are living in the country on temporary visas while he completes his studies. In Vietnam, Nguyen said, the total cost of the preventive care his family received at the clinic would probably be no more than $300. He was concerned about the high prices set by the clinic for the vaccines, particularly during a measles outbreak. 'It's insane,' he said. Carly Kessler, spokesperson for the International Medical Group, confirmed in an email to KFF Health News that the family's plan does not cover preventive care, including immunizations. After UTMB was contacted by KFF Health News, its vice president of clinical contracting strategies, Kent Pickering, looked into the matter. 'This situation should not have happened' but did so because of 'a series of errors,' he said in an interview. Most insurance offered in the United States must cover, without co-pays, a variety of preventive care services — including the measles vaccine — under rules in the Affordable Care Act. But some plans are exempt from those rules, including short-term plans or travel insurance. International students on temporary visas do not have to buy an ACA-compliant plan during their first five years in the country. But what about the cost of the vaccines? Hospitals and other providers may set their own prices for services, creating price lists called chargemasters. Insurers negotiate discounts for services they agree to cover. People with no insurance coverage are generally on the hook for the full amount. 'One of the most frustrating parts of our health care system is that people who don't have health insurance coverage have to pay far more than even a health insurance company would pay,' said Stacie Dusetzina, a professor of health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. While prices can vary, the CDC's Vaccines for Children Program price list shows the MMRV vaccine — also known by the brand name ProQuad — costs about $278 in the private sector. Consumer prices for ProQuad at Galveston-area pharmacies range from about $285 to $326, according to the prescription cost-tracking website GoodRx. UTMB's Pickering told KFF Health News that, initially, the Nguyen family's insurance was entered incorrectly by the clinic staff, so they did not pick up that his plan didn't cover vaccines. If they had, UTMB probably would have checked whether the Texas Vaccines for Children Program would cover the cost of the shots, charging only the program's small administration fee. A second error was uncovered when Pickering looked into the bill. He said UTMB's chargemaster had been updated a few months earlier and the vaccine prices for those who do not receive shots through the children's vaccine program were listed at incorrectly high amounts, resulting in the price Nguyen's son was charged. Pickering said the prices had been corrected, though he declined to cite exact figures. In addition to contacting the insurer, Nguyen approached the financial offices at UTMB, asking for a reduction or waiver of the fees. In mid-May, UTMB sent Nguyen a revised bill for his son's office visit. It applied a 50 percent self-pay discount, which its website says is offered to those who are uninsured. His revised total was $1,266, $711 of which was for the MMRV vaccination. 'I expected them to waive the vaccination cost for my children or at least reduce it more, especially for MMRV vaccine,' said Nguyen, noting that his family would still be strapped trying to pay their bills. After Pickering spoke with KFF Health News, a customer service representative contacted Nguyen, waiving the cost of the vaccines. His new bill was $202.75 for his son's office visit, as well as similarly smaller amounts for his daughters' medical care. Medical billing experts say it's always a good idea to check with your insurer before elective treatments such as checkups or vaccinations to find out what is covered and how much you might owe. International students and others who purchase non-ACA-compliant plans, such as short-term coverage, should carefully review their benefits, because there are often limitations. For some services, including vaccinations, there may be lower-cost options. Constance Almendarez, the immunization manager for the Galveston County Health District, said in an email that many public health departments, including Galveston's, offer free vaccinations through the children's vaccine program to those 18 and under who are eligible, including people without insurance or whose insurance does not cover vaccines. But those programs are potentially threatened as the Trump administration institutes layoffs of federal workers and moves to cancel grants to health departments. Finally, you can ask for a discount. Medical providers may offer self-pay discounts for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, or charity care policies to those who meet specified income requirements. Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it's been cited in statehouses, the U.S. Capitol and at the White House. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it!
