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The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% for skin with dark spots

The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%

High

  • SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your normal skin is provided by Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, which offer humectant action and support barrier repair. The high concentrations of Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 effectively address your concerns with pigmentation and fine lines by promoting skin regeneration and reducing the appearance of dark spots.
  • The inclusion of Allantoin further enhances the soothing properties of the formula, contributing to overall skin comfort and health.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
  • Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
  • Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its "well-aging" benefits, reporting significant improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, and radiance. Many users also appreciate its ability to refine skin texture and pores, leading to a smoother complexion. While the unique blue color and metallic scent are polarizing, the majority find the plumping and smoothing effects justify the higher price point. Some users note that the serum can be difficult to incorporate into routines with other active ingredients and a small number experienced breakouts or texture issues.

Highlights

  • Firming and plumping Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels bouncier”
    • “face looks snatched”
    • “noticeably plumper cheeks”
    • “restored elasticity”
  • Radiance and glow Often Mentioned
    • “instant healthy glow”
    • “skin looks brighter”
    • “removed dullness”
    • “radiant complexion”
  • Smoother texture Often Mentioned
    • “glass skin texture”
    • “softened forehead lines”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “makeup glides on”
  • Unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “smells like vinegar”
    • “strong metallic scent”
    • “smells like rust”
    • “unpleasant copper odor”
  • Healing properties Sometimes Noted
    • “healed picking scars”
    • “calmed redness quickly”
    • “faded post-acne marks”
    • “soothed irritation”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly”
    • “layers well”
    • “not greasy”
    • “lightweight gel texture”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “priciest TO item”
    • “expensive for the size”
    • “bottle runs out fast”
    • “pricey but worth it”
  • Usage conflicts Sometimes Noted
    • “hard to layer”
    • “conflicts with everything”
    • “can't use with Vitamin C”
    • “complicated routine”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne”
    • “broke me out”
    • “gave me whiteheads”
    • “clogged my pores”
  • Texture issues Rarely Noted
    • “leaves sticky residue”
    • “too runny”
    • “blue color is weird”
    • “feels tacky”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, lookfantastic.ie, theordinary.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% a great fit for skin with dark spots?

This product is a great fit for skin with dark spots because it contains high concentrations of Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which help promote skin regeneration and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer also provide great support for skin hydration and barrier repair, while Allantoin helps keep the skin calm and comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?

Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 make this serum a great fit for skin with dark spots by promoting skin regeneration and reducing dark spots.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

What do Copper Peptides do for skin with dark spots?

Copper Tripeptide-1 helps improve skin firmness and supports regeneration, but it is not typically known for directly fading dark spots. To effectively address dark spots, this type of product works best when combined with targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.

BioMed Research International, 2015

What does Argireline do for skin with dark spots?

Argireline is not known to do anything for dark spots on the skin. It is used to help smooth lines and reduce skin roughness by targeting facial wrinkles.

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps application simple and safe around sun exposure. The formula is a great fit for your skin because copper peptides and acetyl hexapeptide-8 help fade dark spots while gentle ingredients soothe the area.

Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this serum with vitamin C, but it is best to apply them at different times of day or wait a few minutes between them to keep your skin calm. Using copper peptides and vitamin C separately helps avoid any potential clashes and ensures each ingredient works effectively on your dark spots.

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment is a great fit for your skin with dark spots and is used in the evening. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing ingredients.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts or purging, as it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. It helps soothe the skin while working to reduce the look of dark spots.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013
  • Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • Topical application of Bifida Ferment Lysate strengthens the skin barrier function by upregulating barrier and antimicrobial peptide genes, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, and decreasing inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin caused no significant reduction in erythema or objective improvement in wrinkles compared to controls, but significantly increased patient satisfaction regarding overall skin quality.

    Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2006
  • A novel regimen combining a hydroxy acid-based scrub and copper tripeptide serum significantly reduced adherent scalp flaking by 61.24%, increased hair density by 12.48%, increased hair thickness by 25.36%, and improved scalp skin hydration by 76.24% in adults with mild to moderate dandruff over 15 days.

    Cureus, 2024
  • The combination of Thermus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis mixed-culture ferment extract and copper tripeptide-1 GHK-Cu reduced inflammatory cytokines, protected skin explants from UV-induced damage, and improved wrinkles and skin barrier conditions compared to individual components or controls.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2026
  • Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.

    Annals of Dermatology, 2019
  • Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
  • Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.

    European Journal of Neurology, 2013
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Lactococcus Lysate Ferment, 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

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.