Is The Ordinary Copper Peptides Serum “Nature’s Botox”? I Tried It

We put The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Perhaps the top “it-girl” skincare ingredient right now is peptides. They keep showing up in every viral product that lands on my For You page, but because their popularity is more recent, there’s not much scientific proof behind the buzzword. But for copper peptides, the proof is in the pudding—several scientific studies have demonstrated the ingredient’s ability to help with everything from wound healing to collagen formation. They’re touted as “nature’s botox” for good reason: They can mimic your skin’s naturally occurring peptides, thereby helping with skin firmness and elasticity. 

The caveat? Copper peptides aren’t common in face serums, and when they are, they’re not cheap. So when I stumbled upon The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, I was determined to see if this relatively accessible product would show me the power of this buzzy ingredient. Read on for my no-frills review of this $32 copper peptides serum. 

THE ORDINARY MULTI-PEPTIDE + COPPER PEPTIDES 1% SERUM

BEST FOR: Most skin types

USES: A daily face serum that promotes skin elasticity and smoothness, improving the appearance of fine lines.

POTENTIAL ALLERGENS: Phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, ethylhexylglycerin, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol

HERO INGREDIENTS: Copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, matrixyl, argirelox

PRICE: $32

ABOUT THE BRAND: The Ordinary was founded in 2016 with a mission to democratize skincare with affordable but highly effective and ingredient-focused products. The brand has since become a beauty cabinet staple, with a wide range of offerings that focus on functionality and active ingredients.

About My Skin: Sensitive and acne-prone

My skin has persisted through two rounds of Accutane, which means that it’s oftentimes dull and on the drier side. Serum-wise, I’m a big believer in ingredients that target dryness, redness, and acne scarring, like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid. That said, I’m cautious with the ingredients that I use: I’m still acne-prone, and harsher actives can easily irritate my skin.

Over the span of two weeks, I replaced my go-to hyaluronic acid serum with this serum, applying it once in the morning every two days and following with sunscreen. As The Ordinary’s website instructs, I made sure not to use it in conjunction with vitamin C, salicylic acid, or retinoids (as a die-hard retinoid and vitamin C user, this was a challenge).

The Feel: Thick but fast-absorbing

The serum’s texture strikes the perfect balance between goopy and watery. It’s slightly viscous and gel-like, but also lightweight. Upon application, it feels a bit thick on the skin and takes a minute to soak in, but once it’s in, it’s in—I didn’t experience any pilling, and I found that this serum layered gracefully with my makeup routine.

The Scent: Noticeable and chemical

Perhaps the most disagreeable aspect of this serum is the scent. I can’t exactly pinpoint it, but it’s a sharp copper-y scent that may not be for everyone. If you like to avoid scents, you might want to try a different peptide serum, but it’s worth noting that there isn’t any added fragrance if that’s your main concern.

The Ingredients: A peptide powerhouse

One of the best parts of The Ordinary’s products is that the names tell you exactly what you’re getting into, and the Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum is no exception. As you’d expect, the formula features several powerhouse peptides, with a couple of the standouts detailed below.

Copper peptides: Apparently, copper peptides are like nature’s Botox. When applied topically, they have the potential to serve as antioxidants, helping with everything from softening fine lines to boosting collagen production. Several studies have looked into the efficacy of copper peptides in skincare, and one study found that when applied to skin, copper peptides helped with wound healing and regeneration, in addition to having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s important to consider the rest of your routine when using copper peptides, as certain actives can interfere with their efficacy.

Argireline: Argireline is a synthetic peptide that some experts also liken to Botox for its ability to prevent the muscle movement that causes wrinkles. It can potentially help with collagen production, moisture retention, and wrinkle formation.

The Results: Firmer, smoother skin

With The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, it’s easier to feel the results than to see them. Upon application, this product immediately snatched my skin, literally and figuratively. My complexion was noticeably firmer and smoother, which made for the perfect base for my everyday makeup. However, I don’t have mature skin, so I can’t speak to the anti-aging benefits. That said, I found the hydrating aspect of this serum to be lacking. While my skin was hydrated upon application, it didn’t provide the all-day hydration that my skin needed. You’ll probably want to pair this product with a good moisturizer, making sure that it doesn’t include any of the actives that are best to avoid with copper peptides.

The Value: Accessible for a copper peptides product

At $32, The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum is significantly pricier than the brand’s other products, falling more in line with a mid-tier or prestige price point. Keep in mind, however, that the market for copper peptides is limited, and the alternatives tend to be much more expensive. Still, at this price, I’d ideally want the formula to include more nourishing and hydrating ingredients, as well.

Similar Products: You’ve got options

Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum: Another accessible peptide-packed formula, this serum ($25) contains a similar blend of peptides, but the formula also features ingredients like shea butter and ferulic acid to nourish and refresh your skin while improving texture. 

Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid: Our editor-in-chief, Hallie Gould, swears this serum ($29) is the secret to “yummy-looking skin.” It features hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamide for Hailey Bieber’s signature glazed donut skin.

Final Verdict

Botox in a bottle might not be a real thing, but this serum achieves noticeable firming and smoothing effects. If you’re in the market for a science-backed serum that snatches up your skin, The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum might be your perfect match.