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The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • Offers excellent skin firming and plumping for your combination skin due to multiple peptides like Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which support skin elasticity and hydration. Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer further enhance humectant action, providing basic hydration suitable for your skin type.
  • While the formula provides general skincare benefits and barrier support, it does not directly address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
  • Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviews

A notable number of reviews mention a metallic scent and some users report experiencing irritation or stickiness, particularly those with sensitive skin.

Highlights

  • Improves firmness Often Mentioned
    • “Nature's botox”
    • “snatched my skin”
    • “bouncy and plump”
    • “defined jawline”
    • “restored elasticity”
  • Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
    • “Sinks in immediately”
    • “not greasy”
    • “layers well”
    • “watery texture”
    • “no residue”
  • Smooths texture Often Mentioned
    • “Glass skin effect”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “texture is gone”
    • “smoother than usual”
    • “softens rough patches”
  • Unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar”
    • “metallic penny smell”
    • “weird rusty scent”
    • “stinks upon application”
    • “chemical odor”
  • Accelerates healing Sometimes Noted
    • “healed acne scars”
    • “reduced redness”
    • “repaired skin barrier”
  • Value for money Sometimes Noted
    • “Cheaper than NIOD”
    • “affordable copper peptide”
    • “great price point”
    • “worth every penny”
    • “accessible anti-aging”
  • Initial stickiness Sometimes Noted
    • “Tacky at first”
    • “sticky finish”
    • “feels like glue”
    • “needs time to dry”
    • “slightly tacky”
  • Product conflicts Sometimes Noted
    • “Hard to layer”
    • “pills with Vitamin C”
    • “can't use with acids”
    • “complicated routine”
    • “oxidizes with other serums”
  • Pricey for brand Rarely Noted
    • “Expensive for Ordinary”
    • “small bottle size”
    • “price went up”
    • “priciest item they sell”
    • “runs out fast”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Caused breakouts”
    • “stung my face”
    • “redness and burning”
    • “tiny bumps appeared”
    • “sensitized my skin”

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

Questions and answers

How well does The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% work for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum is an average fit for acne-prone skin because it supports hydration and barrier strength, though it does not directly target breakouts. A treatment for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis to help manage blemishes and control excess oil.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This serum works for acne-prone skin because it contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which provide basic hydration. However, an acne-prone skin type needs a product with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to target breakouts and control oiliness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Copper Tripeptide-1 do for acne-prone skin?

Copper Tripeptide-1 helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing inflammation and supporting overall skin repair. Because this is a weaker match for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators to calm irritation without clogging pores.

Skin Research and Technology, 2026International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018

What does Argireline do for acne-prone skin?

Argireline is not typically targeted for acne-prone skin, as it is primarily used to smooth fine lines and reduce wrinkles by relaxing facial movements. While it helps keep skin smooth, acne-prone skin generally needs ingredients that clear pores, calm redness, and balance oil production.

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. While it is safe for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients and blemish-fighting actives to properly target breakouts.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first, letting it absorb, and following with your retinol. This product is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation, though acne-prone skin needs a treatment with active ingredients that clear breakouts and target blemishes.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine. Acne-prone skin needs products containing targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing agents to help clear breakouts.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on acne-prone skin, but it does not directly target pimples or blemishes either. Acne-prone skin works best with products that contain targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.

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

  • 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

  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015

  • Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

  • 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

Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play