Copper is a skin care ingredient that has had me curious for quite some time. I had read a couple articles about the long term skin care benefits of this mysterious ingredient and had my sights set on the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum. However, I decided to try the much more affordable Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% from The Ordinary first to see how my skin agreed with it before splurging.
So why use a copper peptide? Where do you use this copper peptide serum in your skin care routine? What does The Ordinary Copper Peptide conflict with? I’ll be answering all these questions and sharing my personal review of this gorgeously blue serum below.
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What Is A Peptide?
Peptides are small proteins that are made up of amino acids. While different peptides have varying functions in the body, some of them are active in the skin. Skin peptides communicate with receptors in the skin cells and can change the way the skin cell acts in positive ways, such as boosting collagen production, making them a great anti-aging ingredient in skin care.
What Is The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% & What Does It Do?
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% serum is the brand’s original “Buffet” serum (a bestseller for the brand!) with the added benefit of copper peptide. Copper peptide is an ingredient that improves overall skin health rather than targeting specific skin care concerns.
Benefits of copper peptides? Studies have shown that copper peptide promotes the production of collagen and elastin in skin (the bonds that keep skin plump and youthful) and targets various visible signs of aging. Copper peptides also help to soothe and heal skin and produce antioxidant enzymes that destroy free radicals that can damage skin. These peptides also promote the production of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and other building blocks of the skin’s natural barrier.
Deciem explains that…“The natural role of these peptides as found in human plasma includes supporting a wide range of skin health functions like maintaining normal immune function, collagen synthesis, fibroblast production and anti-inflammatory responses.”
Ingredients List of the Buffet + Copper Peptides and what’s not in it:
This serum is free from oil, alcohol, silicone, nuts, gluten and is cruelty free and vegan.
Ingredients: 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.
Who Should User Copper Peptides?
Copper peptides can be used on any skin type and should definitely be considered if you your skin is looking less firm and/or has been experiencing more redness and irritation. Like niacinamide, copper peptides are great for overall long term skin health and have a low risk of irritation.
RELATED READING: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Review
How & When To Use The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides In Your Routine
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides can be used in your morning or night time skin care routine, assuming it is not being used at the same time as other conflicting ingredients, which are listed further below. You can use this serum twice per week. Personally, I enjoy using this serum in the morning: the gel-based formula spreads and absorbs easily without any greasiness or pilling. It also works well under my moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup.
TIP: For an extra skin care boost, I enjoy mixing a 1/4 scoop of The Ordinary Niacinamide Powder with a couple drops of the Buffet + Copper Peptides serum!
BUY IT: SEPHORA
Which Products Conflict With The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides?
As per Deciem, The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides shouldn’t be used in the same routine as the following products:
-Direct Acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs)
-Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid and Ethylated Ascorbic Acid)
-Strong Anti-oxidants
-Retinol & Retinoids
Texture and Packaging
I love the texture and look of the Copper Peptides serum! It has a natural blue colour that is truly gorgeous and comes in the form of a runny, water-based formula that spreads and absorbs easily. The packaging of this product is the usual dark glass bottle with a dropper/pipette dispenser, similar to many of the brand’s other serums.
There is no added fragrance, but it does have a natural “funky” smell to it. You can see the lovely blue colour and texture of the serum in my Instagram reel below:
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How Long Can It Take To See Results?
Like any other skin care serum, you should use this serum consistently for at least 3 months before you can begin to see results. Copper peptides provide long term benefits to the skin, so using this serum as a long term staple in your skin care is recommended to achieve maximum benefits.
How It Works For Me
I’ve really enjoyed this serum and after using it for 6+ months I can say that I definitely think my skin has been looking better than it ever has. Not only are my fines lines diminishing, my pores look minimized and my skin feels soft and smooth. This is a big deal for me, since I turned 40 this past March! Honestly, I have no complaints to lodge about this serum and wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase it. Given that my skin has been loving the copper, I do want to try the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate serum next though.
Other Peptide Products From The Ordinary
–The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA – uses 3 peptides to firm skin (I use this daily and love it!)
–The Ordinary Argirelene 10% – a peptide serum targeting dynamic fine lines, it works on facial muscles to limit movement.
–The Ordinary Buffet – contains 25.1% active peptides, including Matrixyl, muscle relaxing peptides and an additional skin firming peptide.
Other Products That Contain Copper Peptides
–Drunk Elephant Protini Peptide Cream
Shop my favourites from The Ordinary!
Will be you be trying out The Ordinary Copper Peptides serum any time soon?
