The Ordinary Peptides: A Complete Guide

Today, we’re breaking down all you need to know about The Ordinary peptide products. Whether you’re after hydration, fine line reduction, or an overall skin boost, this complete guide to The Ordinary peptides will help you find the perfect match for your skin concerns.

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Peptides in Skincare

A quick primer on peptides. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in our bodies. They are critical in many biological processes, including cell signaling, tissue repair, and immunity.

Why use peptides? Peptides offer a wide range of benefits for the skin:

• Boost collagen to firm skin and reduce wrinkles.
• Hydrate and plump your complexion.
• Improve skin texture and tone.
• Specific peptides, like copper-derived peptides, help reduce skin inflammation.
• Peptides enhance ingredient absorption, maximizing skincare benefits.

For a quick overview of each The Ordinary peptide product, I note what skin concerns it targets, who it’s for, other ingredients it conflicts with (see my complete The Ordinary Conflicts Guide here), and the current product price.

The Ordinary Peptide Prices

The Ordinary Peptide Serum	Price	Size
Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (“Buffet”)	$17.50	1 oz.
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum	$30.90	1 oz.
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum	$25.00	0.5 oz.
Argireline Solution 10%	$9.40	1 oz.
Matrixyl 10% + HA	$10.50	1 oz.
Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum	$14.50	0.17 oz.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density	$21.70	2 oz.

Let’s start with the most well-known The Ordinary peptide serum: Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (and its supercharged version with copper peptides):

The water-based serum contains four peptide complexes, moisturizing amino acids, and multiple hydrating hyaluronic acid complexes to target the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet, and loss of firmness and skin elasticity.

• SYN-AKE: SYN-AKE is a peptide that mimics the effects of snake venom, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing facial muscles.
• Matrixyl 3000: Matrixyl 3000 is a peptide complex that helps to stimulate collagen production, resulting in firmer and more youthful-looking skin. The complex contains two peptides: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
• Matrixyl Synthe’6: Also known as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, works by stimulating the production of six major skin components: collagen I, III, IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and laminin 5. These components play a crucial role in maintaining skin’s youthful appearance.
• ARGIRELOX peptide: Also known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, works by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters responsible for muscle contractions. By doing so, it helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines caused by repetitive facial movements.

Pros

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum addresses the signs of aging with a low-irritation formula, unlike other anti-aging ingredients like retinol and acids.
• I especially like this serum for younger skin looking to ward off the signs of aging. It can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming in the first place by stimulating collagen production and improving skin elasticity.

Cons

• You won’t see results overnight, and it could take several months before you notice a significant difference in the appearance of your skin.
• This gradual approach benefits those with sensitive skin or those who can’t tolerate stronger retinol or retinoid products.

Copper peptides are powerful anti-aging ingredients shown in clinical studies to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, smooth roughness, and even help with wound healing.

The addition of copper peptides in Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum serum makes it even more effective at fighting the signs of aging. Copper peptides are also what give the serum its signature blue shade.

Pros

• This is one of the best The Ordinary serums for wrinkles and aging/mature skin.
• It helps support the healing of damaged skin.

Cons

• You won’t see overnight results with this serum, so you must be consistent and have patience to get the results you’re looking for.
• One important note is price. The serum is almost twice the price of Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum and the most expensive The Ordinary product, so only you can decide if the investment is worth it for your skin concerns.
• Shelf life tends to be shorter (under 6 months) than Multi-Peptide + HA Serum due to copper peptides in the serum.

The formula contains a unique blend of peptides, brightening niacinamide, caffeine, and Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture and elasticity, reduce the look of puffiness, eye bags, and dark circles, and increase circulation.

The eye serum also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your skin, making it look smoother and more youthful.

Pros

• This eye serum is lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it suitable for both day and night use.
• It is less irritating than retinol eye creams.

Cons

• One note from my own experience with the serum is that it doesn’t feel super hydrating after it absorbs, so I often need to add in a lightweight eye cream to seal in moisture.
• It’s not the cheapest eye product out there. (I think it’s still a great value due to its impressive ingredient list.)

The watery serum contains a high 10% concentration of Argireline, a trademarked peptide (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8) that works by disrupting the signals between nerves and muscles, resulting in a smoother, more relaxed appearance.

Pros

• The serum is super thin and feels weightless on the skin.
• This serum is ideal for those with deep-set expression lines or looking for a non-invasive alternative to botox injections. For the low price, it’s so much cheaper!

Cons

• Don’t expect similar results as Botox. This serum is not a replacement for professional treatments and may not work as well on deeper lines.
• Continuous use is necessary to maintain results, and it could take months to see visible improvements.

NOTE: You may get better results by combining Argireline Solution 10% with Matrixyl 10% + HA. See my The Ordinary Argireline Review post for more details on using these two serums together.

These Matrixyl peptide complexes work by stimulating collagen production and improving the production of six main skin components. The serum helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, like loss of firmness and elasticity.

The serum also contains hyaluronic acid for added hydration and plumping effects.

Pros

• This water-based serum is lightweight and non-greasy and does not irritate as retinoids and retinol does.
• Another benefit is that it’s much less expensive than Multi-Peptide + HA Serum.

Cons

• Like with other peptide serums, results may take months to appear.
• Matrixyl 10% + HA may work better when combined with Argireline Solution 10%, increasing the cost to see results.

It’s simple to use: Apply the provided brush onto clean lashes and brows morning and night. With continued use, you may see a significant improvement in the appearance of your lashes and brows.

Pros

• The lash and brow serum is very affordable compared to some other lash and brow products.
• It can be used on lashes and/or brows, so you don’t need two separate products.

Cons

• You need to use the serum twice a day, unlike some other lash and brow products that are used once a day.
• Users have mixed results. I have had great results, but others haven’t been so lucky.

Related Post: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum Review

The serum contains:

• Redensyl Complex: Targets hair loss and promotes growth.
• Procapil Peptide: Fights premature hair loss and strengthens your hair.
• Capixyl Peptide: Delivers a combination of a biomimetic peptide and red clover for thicker locks.
• Baicapil Complex: Uses a plant-based trio of ingredients to reduce hair loss and improve the hair follicle condition.
• AnaGain: Uses organic pea sprouts to boost hair growth.
• 1% High-Solubility Caffeine: Caffeine has been shown to be as effective as a 5% minoxidil solution for male pattern baldness.

Like with other The Ordinary peptide serums, you won’t see results overnight. I’ve been using this hair serum for months, and have seen in improvement of growth around my temples and forehead.

Pros

• Lightweight, non-sticky serum consistency.
• Impressive ingredient list of ingredients that target hair growth.
• Affordable price.

Cons

• It may take several months to see results. The serum may not work for everyone.
• You may need to wash your hair more often than usual if you use the serum daily.

The Ordinary Matrixyl vs Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (Buffet)

One of the most common questions regarding The Ordinary peptide products is the difference between Matrixyl 10% + HA and Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (Buffet). Both are multi-peptide serums, but here is the main difference in their formulations:

• The Ordinary Matrixyl serum contains a high concentration (10%) of Matrixyl peptides, while the Multi-Peptide + HA Serum contains a combination of different peptides, including Matrixyl.
• Multi-Peptide + HA Serum also includes additional ingredients such as hyaluronic acid complexes and amino acids for added benefits.
• Matrixyl is much more affordable than Multi-Peptide + HA Serum.

The Ordinary Argireline vs Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (Buffet)

Another popular debate is the difference between The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% and Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (Buffet).

• Multi-Peptide + HA Serum contains both Argireline and Matrixyl, making it a more comprehensive anti-aging serum.
• If you are looking to target expression lines or want a less expensive serum, The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is the better choice.
• The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is more affordable than Multi-Peptide + HA Serum.

The Ordinary Peptides

The Ordinary peptide products have gained a cult following for their affordable yet effective formulations. While you certainly don’t need all of their peptide products, incorporating one into your skincare routine can benefit your skin.

My pick is Multi-Peptide + HA Serum for its impressive ingredient list and anti-aging and hydrating benefits.

Whether you’re looking to fight wrinkles and fine lines, enhance skin hydration, or simply give your skin a healthy glow, The Ordinary’s peptide-based products can provide an effective and economical solution to addressing the signs of aging.

Thanks for reading!

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