Peptide skincare

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%

by The Ordinary · Our pick

Ranked #1$28.90

1% copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu), the most-studied cosmetic peptide in the literature, in the same multi-peptide base as the HA serum.

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Our assessment

One percent copper tripeptide-1, the copper-bound form of GHK, which has the deepest literature of any cosmetic peptide: decades of wound-healing and skin-remodeling work summarized in Pickart's reviews, plus small controlled facial studies reporting improved density and reduced fine lines. The base adds Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl synthe'6 and Argireline. The blue serum oxidizes if stored carelessly and the texture is slightly tacky; neither changes the evidence math. The strongest formula-per-dollar in the category.

What the evidence supports

Cosmetic peptides are the best-credentialed corner of the anti-aging aisle, which is faint praise worth decoding: two ingredients carry real published support (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 from a 12-week double-blind facial trial, and copper tripeptide-1/GHK-Cu from decades of wound-healing literature), while the rest run on supplier-sponsored testing. Expect modest fine-line and texture improvement over 8 to 12 weeks, not a procedural result, and read our peptides-in-skincare review for the full class-by-class grading.

Use, as reported in the trials

Peptide serums layer without conflict alongside retinoids, niacinamide and sunscreen, the better-evidenced backbone of any routine. The one documented caution: avoid applying copper peptides and strong ascorbic-acid (vitamin C) formulas in the same session, since copper can destabilize the vitamin; splitting them between morning and evening resolves it. Judge any peptide product at 12 weeks against a day-zero photo, because the published studies measured at 4 to 12 weeks and supplier claims of overnight change describe hydration, not structure.

Where it ranks