MARY & MAY 6 Peptide Complex Serum for oily skin
Copper Tripeptide-1
Hexapeptide-11
Hexapeptide-9
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 moderate suitability for oily skin as peptides like Copper Tripeptide-1 and Hexapeptide-11 can support skin health and potentially aid in seboregulation, though Glycerin primarily offers general hydration irrelevant to your oily shine concerns.
- The serum contains multiple peptides such as copper tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 which provide significant plumping and firming benefits.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with diverse skin types consistently praise this serum for its lightweight hydration and ability to plump the skin without irritation. While it is not a miracle cure for deep wrinkles, the majority of users report smoother skin texture, improved elasticity, and a reduction in fine lines after consistent use.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly without stickiness”
- “watery texture sinks right in”
- “perfect for layering”
- “leaves no greasy residue”
Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “great for my sensitive skin”
- “no stinging or redness”
- “fragrance-free and soothing”
- “didn't break me out”
Hydrating & plumping Often Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncy and soft”
- “plumps up fine lines”
- “provides a nice glow”
- “keeps skin moist all day”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “better than expensive brands”
- “great price point”
- “affordable peptide option”
- “high quality for the cost”
Subtle or slow results Sometimes Noted
- “didn't see drastic changes”
- “takes months to notice difference”
- “good for maintenance but not a facelift”
- “no miracle for deep wrinkles”
Consumed quickly Rarely Noted
- “bottle finished in 3 weeks”
- “skin drinks it up so I use a lot”
- “small bottle for the amount needed”
Rare skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused tiny red bumps”
- “broke me out on forehead”
- “slight itching after application”
- “triggered fungal acne”
Texture too watery Rarely Noted
- “runs down my face quickly”
- “hard to control the dropper”
- “wish it was slightly thicker”
- “feels like water”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mary & May 6 Peptide Complex Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin, offering firming benefits and a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation. However, a treatment for oily skin works better when it includes ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Copper Tripeptide-1 and Hexapeptide-11 help support skin health and may aid in managing oil production for your oily skin. To be a better fit for oily skin, a treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and reduce pores, along with light hydrators that keep skin comfortable without causing breakouts.
What does Copper Tripeptide-1 do for oily skin?
Copper Tripeptide-1 helps calm oily skin while improving overall skin barrier conditions and reducing the appearance of fine lines. This ingredient supports skin repair and provides protective benefits that are well-suited for keeping balanced, smooth skin.
What does Hexapeptide-11 do for oily skin?
Hexapeptide-11 helps support skin firmness and protect against everyday stress. It is unlikely to make oily skin greasy, but an oily skin routine also needs ingredients that help balance shine and keep pores clear.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening as part of your routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, though oily skin of this type needs balancing ingredients like niacinamide or lightweight hydrators to properly control shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product to help keep your skin firm. This product is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but an ideal product for this skin type also needs oil-balancing ingredients to manage shine.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. This serum offers moderate suitability for your oily skin, so an ideal product for this skin type needs ingredients that support skin health and aid in controlling shine without relying heavily on general hydration.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging for oily skin. It has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, though oily skin of this type needs lightweight ingredients that specifically target excess shine and balance oil rather than general hydration.
Is it 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, 2017Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide (pal-KTTKS) provided significant improvement versus placebo control in the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines in Caucasian female subjects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Combined therapy using a topical hyaluronic acid-niacinamide-Matrixyl serum and a multimodal facial device decreased TruSkin age by five years and reduced wrinkles more effectively than the serum alone in a 41-year-old woman with moderate facial aging over 12 weeks.
Cureus, 2026Treatment with Jet-M and GHR formulation greatly decreased wrinkles around the eye and increased collagen production in a 59-year-old male.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2016Topical 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, 2006A 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, 2024The 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, 2026Hexapeptide-11 activated proteasome, autophagy, chaperones, and antioxidant response genes, protected fibroblasts against oxidative-stress-mediated premature cellular senescence, and improved skin elasticity in human subjects.
Redox Biology, 2015Hexapeptide-11 reversibly downregulated ATM and p53 protein expression in intrinsically aged fibroblasts, extrinsically aged fibroblasts, and extrinsically aged dermal papillae cells at concentrations between 0.1% and 1.0% in vitro, thereby influencing the onset of cellular senescence.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2013Topical treatment with cyclized hexapeptide-9 significantly reduced wrinkles and roughness in crow's feet and forehead compared to vehicle, and generally outperformed retinol in healthy volunteers with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A chemically synthesized homotrimeric collagen peptide exhibited high purity, a stable triple-helical conformation, and excellent thermal stability, while safely enhancing collagen and elastin synthesis in fibroblasts in vitro and increasing skin collagen content, improving skin structure, and enhancing microvessel density in BALB/c mice in vivo.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2025The addition of soybean peptide and collagen peptide to normal human dermal fibroblasts increased collagen synthesis and gene expression related to collagen formation, with the highest collagen levels observed when both peptides were added together compared to individual additions.
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 2012A 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, 2015Chronomodulated 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, 2026Palmitoyl 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
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Adenosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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