Skin & TopicalGuide
Copper Peptides in Skincare: How to Read the Evidence
What GHK-Cu is, which skin claims have been tested in people, which rest on cell and animal work, and how to read a copper peptide claim.
Early human evidenceChecked
Product review · Skin & Topical · Documentation review
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum: Documentation Review
A documentation review of the label, product page and policies of The Ordinary's copper peptide serum. We did not analyze a product sample.
Commercial relationship
No commercial relationship
We have no commercial relationship with products on this page.
How this was evaluated
Documentation reviewNo product sample analyzed
We reviewed the brand's public US product page, returns policy, shipping FAQ and contact page on Oct 18, 2026. We did not independently analyze a product sample.
Scope: Label transparency and supplier policies only. This review does not judge whether the serum works or whether it suits any individual, and it does not cover purchases made through other retailers.
The short answer
The brand's US product page publishes a full ingredient list, a pH range and clear return terms, and it lists copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) fourth among 49 ingredients. It does not explain what the "1%" in the name measures, does not state amounts for the other peptides, and does not cite a study of this formula. Published human research on topical copper peptides is small and used other products. This review covers documentation only; it does not judge whether the serum works.
Why we looked at it
This copper peptide serum is sold on the brand's US site, publishes a full ingredient list and puts a percentage in its name, which makes it a useful example of what a label does and does not tell you.
What we found
Confirmed
- A full ingredient list (INCI) is published on the US product page49 ingredients are listed. The page notes that formulas are updated from time to time and that the online list may differ from the box depending on time and region of purchase.
- Copper tripeptide-1, the label name for GHK-Cu, is in the formulaIt is listed fourth, after water, glycerin and Lactococcus ferment lysate. The product description also names GHK-Cu.
- Format and pH are disclosedWater-based serum with a stated pH of 6.00–7.00, described as alcohol-, oil- and silicone-free.
- Returns, shipping and support terms are publishedReturns are accepted within 365 days for products at least 50% full, with the buyer covering return postage. The FAQ lists the US shipping fee and free-shipping threshold, and the contact page lists a toll-free number and contact forms.
Partly confirmed
- The copper peptide concentration is disclosedThe product name and a page graphic state 1% copper peptides, but the page does not say whether the figure refers to pure copper tripeptide-1 or to an ingredient solution (as of Oct 18, 2026).
Not confirmed
- Amounts of the other peptides are disclosedNo amounts are given for the other peptide ingredients or for the trade-named technologies the page lists (SYN-AKE, Matrixyl synthe'6, Matrixyl 3000 and ARGIRELOX).
- Study results for this formula are published on the product pageThe page makes appearance claims about fine lines, elasticity, smoothness and firmness but did not cite a clinical or consumer study of this product as of Oct 18, 2026.
Criteria
● met · ◐ partly met · ○ not met or not provided. “Not provided” is not a score of zero.
| Official domain | Product, policy and contact pages checked on one brand domain | Met: theordinary.com |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient list | Full INCI list on the US product page | Met: Published (49 ingredients) |
| Copper peptide named | INCI name in the ingredient list | Met: Copper tripeptide-1, listed 4th |
| Copper peptide amount | Product name, page text and page graphics | Partly met: "1%" stated; basis not explained |
| Other peptide amounts | Product page | Not met: Not stated |
| Study of this formula | Product page claims and any linked data | Not met: None cited |
| pH and base | Product page highlights | Met: pH 6.00–7.00, water-based |
| Returns policy | Brand returns page | Met: 365 days, product at least 50% full |
| Support channels | Brand contact page | Met: Toll-free phone and contact forms |
| Ships to US | Shipping table in the brand FAQ | Met: Yes; $4.99, free from $25 |
All criteria checked .
Worth knowing
- US labeling rules let ingredients at 1% or less follow the rest in any order, so a peptide's position in the list says little about its amount.
- Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) are different ingredients built on the same amino acid sequence; this serum lists both.
- The product page lists product types it should not be used with, including direct acids, direct vitamin C and retinoids, and it advises a patch test before use.
- Published human studies of topical copper peptides are small and used other formulas, so they do not show how this serum performs.
- The price was read on the brand's US site on Oct 18, 2026 ($32.00 for 30 mL). Prices and promotions change, and purchases from other retailers follow those retailers' return terms.
Alternatives in the same category
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA SerumThe brand's other multi-peptide serum. The same product page describes it as targeting early signs of aging and this serum as targeting advanced signs; its name does not mention copper peptides. We have not reviewed its documentation.
Questions people ask
Does this review say whether the serum works?
No. It checks what the brand publishes about the formula and its policies. We did not analyze the product, and the published human studies of copper peptides did not use this formula.
What does the 1% in the name mean?
The product page does not say. It could refer to pure copper tripeptide-1 or to an ingredient solution; only the brand can answer that.
Is the ingredient list online the same as the one on the box?
Not necessarily. The page says formulas are updated from time to time and the list may vary by time and region of purchase, so check the box you receive.
Sources
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (US product page) The Ordinary (DECIEM), 2026.
Our 365-Day Return Policy The Ordinary (DECIEM), 2026.
FAQ (shipping and delivery) The Ordinary (DECIEM), 2026.
Contact Us The Ordinary (DECIEM), 2026.
21 CFR 701.3 - Designation of ingredients Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective BioImpacts, 2025.
Mateescu DM, Gavrilescu DM, Mincioaga RI, et al.. GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational Roadmap Pharmaceutics, 2026.
Update log
- CheckedFirst published.
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