Have you heard? Niod CAIS and The Ordinary Buffet had a baby: The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%.
I’m a total NIOD CAIS fan girl. It makes my skin a little firmer and keeps it working as it should.
I’ve never cared about TO Buffet. I’m not convinced most of its peptides work. #sorrynotsorry
Still, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to try their baby. I love me some copper peptides so if everything else works, that’s just a bonus.
If they don’t work, you’ve still got a steal. A 30ml bottle of CAIS is £60.00. The same amount of The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% “only” £28.99.
Yes, it’s way more expensive than your ordinary The Ordinary product (see what I did there? 😉 ) but those peptides are expensive. If you can’t justify it, don’t worry: peptides are NOT a must for skin.
If you can justify it, read on:
- What’s In The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% VS NIOD CAIS 2:1: Which One Is Best?
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This NOT For?
- Packaging
- Does The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%?
COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1 TO BOOST COLLAGEN
This is the copper peptide in The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%. It’s a peptide found in human plasma that activates a lot of functions in the body, including wound healing, collagen production, and anti-inflammatory responses.
In other words, it makes sure that your skin stays healthy and does all its jobs properly even as it gets older.
Most of the studies on copper peptides aren’t reliable. They’re done in vitro, on cells in a dish. But I’ve found a study done on real skin.
71 women applied a copper peptide cream on their sun-damaged skin. After 12 weeks, the cream “improved skin laxity, clarity, and appearance, reduced fine lines and the depth of wrinkles, and increased skin density and thickness.”
To sum it up, copper peptides do 3 things really well:
- Soothe irritations
- Help wounds heal faster
- Stimulate collagen production, firming skin
FYI, too much copper in the skin may have the opposite effect and cause free radicals. Don’t use copper peptides every day. Two or three times a week is enough.
Related: Are Copper Peptides Better Than Retinoids For Sun-Damaged Skin?
“BUFFET” PEPTIDES TO BOOST SKIN FUNCTIONS
I.e. all the other peptides in The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%:
- Argirelox Peptide Complex: Made up of Argireline + Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl), it relaxes the muscles so they can’t move as well and, overtime, leave wrinkles behind. It’s said to reduce wrinkles depth by up 30%, but works only on thin skin. I don’t care for it: if it were a real alternative to Botox, no one would use the needle anymore. Save your money on this one.
- Palmitoyl tripeptide-1: It may boost collagen production. I haven’t found much proof it works on human skin yet.
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: The manufacturer swears it makes skin firmer and smoother. I’m still waiting for independent studies that confirm this.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38: The manufacturer says it increases the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin. Again, I couldn’t find any evidence supporting this.
- Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate: You probably know this as Syn™-Ake, a peptide that relaxes muscles. As you know by now, I think these relaxing peptides are just a waste of your money and time.
- Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine: Known as Restilase, it’s supposed to boost collagen production. Again, the only studies are from the manufacturer.
I know this part of the review sounds very negative and I don’t mean to say they’re useless but…
Peptides are kinda new in skincare. If a manufacturer has studies that a peptide boosts collagen/fights wrinkles/relaxes muscles on a few cells in a Petri dish, a brand is gonna run with it.
They’ll put it in their serums and moisturisers and use the manufacturer’s studies in their marketing copies. They’re in the business of making money, I get it.
I’m in the business of reviewing products so I’ll tell you this: if a serum or moisturiser has antioxidants/hyaluronic acid/AHAs/anything-really-proven-to-work + peptides, go for it.
If peptides turn out to work as the manufacturer claims, that’s a bonus. If not, no harm done. You’re still getting a product that works. But don’t waste $100+ on a peptide serum alone. Not yet anyway.
Related: What Type Of Peptides Work Best To Repair Skin?
HUMECTANTS TO HYDRATE SKIN
Humectants is a fancy way of calling ingredients that attract moisture from the air into the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is king here. It holds up to 1000 times its weight in water. The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% uses TWO forms of hyaluronic acid + glycerin so it packs a super hydrating punch.
When skin has all the moisture it needs, it just looks and works better:
- Plumping: Moisture plumps up your skin, making your fine lines and wrinkles look smaller.
- Glowing: Well-hydrated skin has a natural dewy glow to it.
- Softening: Moisture makes skin soft and smooth.
Forget about peptides. Plenty of extra moisture is enough to make your skin look younger and healthier.
Related: What The Heck Are Humectants And Why Are They In My Skincare Products?
Struggling to put together an anti-aging skincare routine that really reduces the look of wrinkles and gives your skin a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Blue in colour, The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% has a lightweight, gel-like texture that takes a few minutes to absorb. Until it does, it feels a little tacky.
Texture-wise, NIOD CAIS wins hands down. It’s lightweight to the point of runny, but absorbs immediately. I don’t have to wait to do the rest of my skincare routine.
Fragrance
It smells. Bad. That’s the ingredients. The Ordinary didn’t add any extra fragrance.
How To Use It
AM or PM, after cleansing. I don’t recommend using copper peptides too often because too much may have the opposite effect and accelerate aging.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Remember when I told you I saw a difference with NIOD CAIS after I stopped using it? Copper peptides keep skin in a constant state of repair. They’re like supervisors who make sure every skin cell works as it should.
If your skin is still young and doesn’t have a lot of damage, it’s unlikely you’ll see any visible results. It’s when you stop using it that you’re like, “mmm, I swear my skin looked better last week?”
What I’ve noticed straight away is that The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% hydrates skin, helps any blemish heal faster, and soothes irritations. I don’t get blemishes often – I know what works for my skin by now.
But, as a skincare blogger, I try lots of different products. Sometimes, one of them leaves an unwanted present behind. When that happens, I can rely on this serum to make it go away faster.
It also helps skin tolerate harsh ingredients better. If you’re ready to go prescription with retinoids but are scared of the side effects, adding The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% helps reduce the irritation.
The serum is also hydrating. If you’re skin is on the dry side and needs all the hylauronic acid it can get, you’ll appreciate this.
Instead, I didn’t really see any reduction in fine lines. But hey, you win some, you lose some.
Related: NIOD Copper Amino Isolate 2:1 Full Review
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% VS NIOD CAIS 2:1: Which One Is Best?
For me, NIOD CAIS wins hands down. Out of the two serums, it works faster and makes my skin look better. I didn’t see much of an improvement with The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%.
I’m not saying it doesn’t work. I’m saying it doesn’t work as well for ME. Still, there are a few reasons why YOU may prefer The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%:
- You’re already loving The Ordinary Buffet and want the added benefits of copper peptides.
- You have dry skin and need something more hydrating than NIOD CAIS.
- You’re looking for a cheaper version of NIOD CAIS.
- You don’t want to mix your skincare (NIOD CAIS comes in two bottles you need to mix together).
Who Is This For?
No one needs this. But if you want to try copper peptide on a budget, this is your best option.
Who Is This NOT For?
As I said, no one needs this. But it’s particularly not suitable for women with fuzz on their skin. Copper peptides aggravate that.
Packaging
A dark bottle with a dropper applicator. Sleek and practical.
Does The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This formula combines a comprehensive array of studied technologies to target multiple signs of aging at once. The technologies are direct Copper Peptides, also known as GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1), Matrixyl™ 3000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7), Matrixyl™ synthe’6™ peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38), SYN™-AKE peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate), ARGIRELOX™ peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18) and a Probiotic complex (with Lactococcus lactis lysate), solubilized in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid. | It’s true it contains all these technologies with the aim to target multiple signs of aging. Doesn’t mean they work. Most of the studies supporting these claims come from their manufacturers. |
| The “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% formula differs from our original “Buffet” as this formula includes a 1% concentration of pure Copper Peptides, increasing its focus on overall skin health. 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. The inclusion of Copper Peptides offers a natural blue tint to the formula. The total concentration of active technologies in this formula is 26.1%. | True. |
Price & Availability
£28.99 at Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Do You Need It?
I’m not convinced anyone needs peptides in their skincare routine. But if you want to try them anyway, this is a good way to do so without breaking the bank.
Dupes & Alternatives
- NIOD Copper Amino Serum 2:1 (£38.00-£60.00)
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
I used the whole bottle, didn’t see any improvement on my skin. I’ll try CAIS and see how it works for me.
Tatiana, sadly it’s hard to tell if peptides work. If your skin is in good condition to begin with, copper peptides just maintain the status quo. It’s when you stop using them that you realise your skin was behaving better when you were using them. Even then, I saw better results on CAIS than this. As for the other peptides here, there really isn’t much proof they do anything for you. 🙁
I am checking all the reviews about this product, I wanted to try and love The Ordinary. Very helpful tips, thanks! <3
Fernanda, glad you enjoyed the review. The Ordinary has many great product, but this was a bit of a disappointment for me.
Does copper peptides conflict with any ingredients? Where would I add it:
AM: Cleanse, Vit C, Serum for discoluration (Kojic, Tranexamic, Niacinamide), Sunscreen Lotion
PM: Double cleanse, retinol (4x a week) OR acid peel (2x a week), serum for discoluration (same as AM), oil free moisturizer
Thanks!
Is it suggested to use a lotion of some kind after the “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% or is this the final step? Thanks!
Jack, definitely use a moisturiser afterwards.
Hi!
Thank you so much for all the info. I was wondering what the best products to use with copper peptides and the products that you shouldnt use…retinol (?)
Thank you!
Jodi
Jodi, wait 15 or so minutes in between application if you want to use it with vitamin C or retinol. Or use them at different times of the day.
Drat; think I’ve been using way too much of the Copper; I didn’t realise it should be just a few drops! I’d noticed it felt like it was still on my skin in the morning, unlike other products which sink in.. Havn’t noticed any scent, tho’ I wouldn’t mind as it’s the effects I care about. I used to enjoy using Medik8 Copper [it mixed via 2 pumps in 1 container] It left my skin so smooth, but that’s probably just a surface, silicone? effect. I’ve found The Ordinary just as, if not more, effective than far more pricey brands, tho’ I havn’t gauged if the Copper Buffet works or not.