Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
Copper Peptide Powerhouse
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +1% GHK-Cu copper peptide backed by substantial independent published research
- +Eight total peptides including Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl Synthe'6, Argireline, and SYN-AKE
- +Complete NMF-replicating hydration system with amino acids, sugars, and dual hyaluronic acid
- +Probiotic ferment lysate strengthens barrier function alongside the peptide complex
- +Extraordinary value for the ingredient density at $32 for 30mL
- +Oil-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, and vegan-friendly
- +Fungal acne safe formula despite the complex ingredient list
- −Extensive product conflicts — cannot be used with direct acids, pure vitamin C, or other copper peptides
- −Blue color can temporarily tint skin and stain white fabric
- −Mild stinging upon first application for some users, especially on compromised skin
- −Sticky texture takes several minutes to fully absorb
- −Expensive by The Ordinary standards at $32, though exceptional value objectively
The full review.
The Ordinary’s highest single-product price is thirty-two dollars, and that context matters. Other brands charge over a hundred dollars for a serum with 1% GHK-Cu copper peptide, seven extra peptides, a probiotic ferment, a complete amino acid complex, and dual-weight hyaluronic acid. The Ordinary’s version costs less than most competitors charge for a basic vitamin C serum. The blue liquid in this dropper bottle is one of the most audacious value propositions in skincare.
The star ingredient is copper tripeptide-1, or GHK-Cu — a naturally occurring peptide complex with impressive published research. While many peptides rely on manufacturer-sponsored studies and cell culture models, GHK-Cu has substantial independent peer-reviewed literature. This research shows it stimulates collagen and elastin production, promotes wound healing, attracts immune cells for tissue remodeling, and acts as an antioxidant. At 1% concentration, this formula provides GHK-Cu at a dose consistent with the published research.
A seven-member supporting cast surrounds the copper peptide. Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 form the commercial Matrixyl 3000 combination, which stimulates collagen production. Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 (Matrixyl Synthe’6) targets six components of the skin matrix. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) targets expression lines through neurotransmitter modulation. Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (SYN-AKE) mimics waglerin-1 peptide from temple viper venom to relax muscle tension. This ingredient list is ambitious for a thirty-two-dollar product.
Lactococcus ferment lysate, listed third, provides a probiotic dimension most peptide serums lack. Ferment lysates strengthen the skin barrier and support skin immune function — creating a healthier cellular environment for peptide signaling. It prepares the ground before planting.
The hydration system is equally thorough. Eleven amino acids mirror the skin’s natural moisturizing factor. Five sugars (trehalose, fructose, glucose, maltose, and trehalose again) provide osmotic hydration. Urea, sodium PCA, PCA, and sodium lactate add more NMF components. Dual-weight hyaluronic acid — standard sodium hyaluronate and the crosslinked polymer version — hydrates the surface and the stratum corneum. This serum does not require another hydrating product underneath. It is a comprehensive hydration system with peptides built in.
The experience starts with the color. This serum is blue — noticeably blue — from the copper peptide complex. The first application is a psychological adventure. You put blue liquid on your face and trust it absorbs without leaving you looking like you lost a fight with a Smurf. It absorbs, and the blue tint disappears within minutes on most skin tones, but applying too much or not allowing absorption time before bed can mark pillowcases.
The texture is thicker and stickier than The Ordinary’s lighter water serums. It takes a few minutes to absorb and feels slightly tacky first. This is a realistic expectation: copper peptide formulations are more viscous than basic hyaluronic acid serums, and the amino acid and sugar complex adds density. Once absorbed, the finish is dewy and hydrated without being greasy.
The conflicts list is the product’s main practical limitation. The Ordinary advises against using this with direct acids (AHA, BHA, azelaic acid at high concentrations), pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and ethylated ascorbic acid), and other strong actives. Copper ions can oxidize vitamin C. Acidic environments destabilize copper peptides. Using this twice daily means you cannot use several popular active categories in the same routine. The workaround — using copper peptides in one routine and acids/vitamin C in the other — is simple but requires planning.
Some users report mild stinging on first application, especially on compromised or freshly exfoliated skin. This is a known characteristic of copper peptide products, not an adverse reaction. It typically resolves within seconds and diminishes with use. However, those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin should patch test carefully, as copper peptides can exacerbate sensitivity in some individuals.
Results follow the peptide timeline — gradual, cumulative, and dependent on consistent use. Hydration benefits are immediate. Skin texture improvements appear within two to four weeks. The deeper structural effects of GHK-Cu’s collagen-stimulating and tissue-remodeling activity appear at eight to twelve weeks. This is not a quick-fix product. It rewards patience and consistency.
The value is strong. A prestige brand’s competing copper peptide serum might cost one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars for the same volume with fewer peptides. The Ordinary delivers GHK-Cu at 1% alongside seven additional peptides, a probiotic ferment, and a complete NMF complex for a fifth of that price. Even within The Ordinary’s lineup, the regular Buffet (Multi-Peptide Serum without copper) costs seventeen dollars and ninety cents — the fourteen-dollar premium for the copper peptide version is small for the most researched signaling peptide in dermatology.
Formula
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Trehalose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Urea, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a top-tier signaling peptide in dermatology. Loren Pickart isolated GHK-Cu from human plasma in the 1970s. Over 150 published studies now document its biological activities.
A 2015 review in BioMed Research International detailed GHK-Cu's functions: it stimulates collagen production in fibroblasts, increases integrin expression for tissue remodeling, attracts macrophages and mast cells for wound healing, and acts as a potent antioxidant. The review calls GHK-Cu one of the most biologically active naturally occurring peptide complexes known.
GHK-Cu's collagen-stimulating effects are well-documented. Research in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology shows GHK-Cu upregulates collagen types I and III, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and other extracellular matrix components. GHK-Cu acts as a master regulator, resetting cellular gene expression patterns toward a healthier state instead of just boosting one pathway.
Companion peptides add complementary mechanisms. A study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2009) showed Matrixyl 3000 (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7) stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces wrinkle depth in clinical trials. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) targets a different aging mechanism—it modulates SNARE complex formation to reduce neurotransmitter release, which relaxes facial muscles and softens expression lines.
Lactococcus ferment lysate adds a probiotic dimension. Research in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology shows probiotic-derived ingredients strengthen the skin barrier, modulate the skin microbiome, and reduce inflammation markers, creating a better environment for peptide repair signaling.
References
- GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration — BioMed Research International (2015)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists view GHK-Cu as one of the most evidence-backed peptides in consumer skincare, with a research history few others match. Board-certified dermatologists note this product provides a clinically relevant 1% concentration of GHK-Cu—a rarity in consumer products where copper peptide levels are often trace. The multi-peptide approach is scientifically sound, targeting collagen stimulation, expression line relaxation, and barrier support through complementary mechanisms. Dermatologists often advise patients to use copper peptide products separately from acids and vitamin C, and to start gradually if they have sensitive or reactive skin. The value at this price point is often noted as exceptional.
Guidance
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply 3-4 drops to clean skin every morning and/or evening. Press the serum into your face and neck with fingertips. Follow with moisturizer or facial oil. Do NOT use copper peptides in the same routine as direct acids (AHA, BHA), pure vitamin C, or other copper peptide products. If you use these actives, use copper peptides in one routine (e.g., PM) and acids/vitamin C in the other (e.g., AM). Wait 2-3 minutes for the blue serum to absorb before applying other products or lying on a pillowcase.
At thirty-two dollars for 30mL, this product costs five to ten times less than prestige peptide brands. The 1% GHK-Cu is an expensive raw material. Seven additional peptides, probiotic ferment, and a complete NMF complex also increase formulation costs. Within The Ordinary's lineup, the fourteen-dollar premium over the regular Buffet provides the most researched signaling peptide in dermatology. For serious anti-aging seekers who manage product conflicts, this is one of the strongest value propositions in the peptide serum category at any price point.
Anti-aging enthusiasts seeking the most ingredient-dense peptide serum at an accessible price. Copper peptide science fans who want to spend less than one hundred dollars compared to competing products. Skincare routine builders who organize AM/PM schedules around product conflicts to maximize active ingredient diversity.
People with very sensitive or rosacea-prone skin who react to copper peptides. Minimalists who want to avoid product conflicts — the regular Buffet (without copper) is easier to use. Anyone who dislikes the blue tint or slightly sticky texture. If your routine uses daily vitamin C and acids, the conflicts make this product impractical.
Product details.
This medium-weight, slightly viscous serum has a blue hue from the copper peptide. It feels slightly sticky when applied but absorbs within a few minutes. It is not as lightweight as a typical water serum.
The copper peptide has a faint metallic note. There is no added fragrance. Most users do not find this objectionable.
A glass dropper bottle uses a pipette dispenser. The blue-tinted serum shows through the glass. This is standard 30mL Ordinary packaging.
The blue color is immediately noticeable. Some users feel mild tingling or stinging on first application, especially on sensitized or compromised skin — this usually stops within seconds and decreases with continued use. Skin feels hydrated and slightly plumped immediately. The blue tint may temporarily stain the skin if you apply too much, but it disappears upon absorption.
2-3 months with twice-daily use
6 months
All Year
The backstory.
Originally launched in 2018 as 'Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%' and later renamed to 'Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%' as part of The Ordinary's rebrand, this serum represents the brand's most ambitious anti-aging formula. GHK-Cu is an expensive peptide to source and stabilize, which explains why this is one of The Ordinary's pricier offerings at thirty-two dollars — still a fraction of what competing copper peptide products charge.
About The Ordinary
Established Brand (5–20 years)The Ordinary launched in 2016 under parent company DECIEM. It changed the skincare industry with a transparency model that names products after active ingredients and concentrations while pricing them much lower than competitors. The brand builds consumer trust through this no-nonsense approach.
Common myths.
The blue color means this product stains your skin permanently.
The copper peptide complex causes the blue hue, which is purely cosmetic. It absorbs into the skin within minutes and does not stain permanently. Use 3-4 drops to minimize the temporary blue tint. White pillowcases may show faint blue marks if you apply it immediately before bed — wait a few minutes for absorption.
You can use copper peptides with any other active ingredient.
Copper peptides are reactive. The Ordinary advises against using this product with direct acids, pure vitamin C, or other strong actives in one routine. Copper oxidizes vitamin C and lowers its efficacy, while acidic pH destabilizes the peptide complex. Use copper peptides in one routine and acids/vitamin C in another (AM/PM split).
FAQ.
What is the difference between The Ordinary Buffet and Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%?
Both use the same seven-peptide complex, amino acid blend, and dual hyaluronic acid system. The Copper Peptides version adds 1% copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) to stimulate collagen and remodel tissue, benefits the regular Buffet lacks. This version costs more ($32 vs $17.90) and has more product conflicts—copper peptides do not work with direct acids or pure vitamin C.
Why can't I use this with vitamin C or acids?
Copper ions can oxidize L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), rendering it ineffective. Acidic environments (below pH 3.5) can also destabilize the copper peptide complex. To use both, apply copper peptides in your PM routine and vitamin C/acids in your AM routine, or alternate days.
Why does this serum sting when I apply it?
Copper peptide products often cause mild tingling upon initial application, which usually resolves within seconds. This is not an adverse reaction unless you see persistent redness or swelling. The tingling typically stops after the first few days as skin adjusts. If stinging is severe, use fewer drops or buffer with a moisturizer.
Is 1% copper peptides a good concentration?
One percent is a meaningful concentration for copper tripeptide-1. Most published research on GHK-Cu uses concentrations in this range to balance efficacy and tolerability. Higher concentrations increase irritation risk without increasing benefits proportionally. At 1%, this is one of the more generously dosed copper peptide products available at any price point.
Will this product stain my pillowcase?
Apply it immediately before bed. The copper peptide's blue color may stain white fabric while the serum is wet. Wait 5-10 minutes for full absorption before touching pillowcases. Any stains wash out easily.
Has this product been renamed?
Yes — The Ordinary renamed 'Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%' to 'Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%' during a brand rebrand. The formulation is the same. Both names describe the identical product.
What the community says.
"Skin looks noticeably firmer and more radiant over time"
"Incredible ingredient list for the price point"
"The blue color makes application fun and easy to track"
"Works well as a standalone anti-aging step"
"Hydrating enough to use without additional serum"
"Blue tint can temporarily stain skin and fabric"
"Stings or tingles on first application for some users"
"Many product conflicts limit what it can be paired with"
"Expensive by The Ordinary standards at $32"
"Sticky texture takes time to absorb"
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