Peptide skincare

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

by The Ordinary · Best value

Ranked #3$23.90

The serum formerly known as Buffet: Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl synthe'6, Argireline and SYN-AKE with multiple hyaluronic acid weights, at a drugstore price.

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Our assessment

The serum formerly sold as Buffet: Matrixyl 3000 (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 plus tetrapeptide-7), Matrixyl synthe'6, Argireline and SYN-AKE in one bottle with layered hyaluronic acid. Each peptide carries supplier-sponsored data rather than independent trials, which is the honest grade for most of this category. As a first peptide product, or the body of a routine that adds a copper or pal-KTTKS hero on top, it is the obvious entry point.

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