I’m jumping on the copper peptides bandwagon.
I admit I was hesitant at first. Research was scant and the prices outrageous. I’m not gonna shell out 100+ for something I’m not even sure works.
But in the past year, resisting the temptation was harder and harder. For one, new studies are coming out proving that copper peptides DO something for your skin.
Plus, prices are going down (and if that’s not the way to a girl’s skincare cabinet, I don’t know what is). So I’m giving them the Beautiful with Brains stamp of approval.
The only question now is: what are the best products with copper peptides? But first, let’s rewind things a little and find out what exactly it is they do for your skin:
What Are Copper Peptides?
Peptides are proteins made up of amino acids (the building blocks of skin). Some of these peptides have an affinity for the metal copper. When they meet, they become one: a copper peptide. Duh!
It’s a match made in skincare heaven. Why? Copper peptides help your skin in so many ways:
- They boost collagen: They increase the production of collagen, the substance that keeps skin firm. Rumour has it, they do this better than vitamins A & C!
- They heal skin:Â They soothe irritations and help wounds heal faster.
- They produce antioxidant enzymes: For example, superoxide dismutase, which destroys the worst, most damaging type of free radical in your skin.
- They strengthen the skin’s protective barrier: They promote the production of elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and other building blocks of the barrier.
Pretty impressive, aren’t they?
Related: Are Copper Peptides Better Than Retinoids?
Don’t know which ingredients you can mix and match together safely and which should never be used together? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to find out now:
What Are The Best Products With Copper Peptides?
Before I tell you what the best products with copper peptides are, let me get one thing straight: I don’t think these peptides are a must for everyone. Most of you won’t need them. For now.
But if your skin is losing firmness, frequently acts up or you want to minimise retinoid irritation, adding copper peptides to your skincare routine can help.
But where to find them? Here are the best products with copper peptides (that don’t break the bank – this stuff can cost a pretty penny!):
Best For Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream ($68.00)
The name says it all: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream has every peptide you can think of. They work by signalling skin cells how to behave. Some of these peptides tell skin to produce more collagen, others to amp up its hydration levels, others still to heal and soothe skin… You get the drill. The addition of marula oil makes it more suitable for dry skin but every skin type can use it.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK
Related: Do Peptides In Skincare Really Work?
Best For Mature Skin: Niod Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 (£38.00)
Niod Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 was the product that converted me to copper peptides. It has one of the highest concentration of copper peptides I’ve seen in a skincare product – and not much else. It works by keeping skin in a constant state of repair, making sure that everything’s functioning properly. If you’re young and blessed with good skin, you’ll think it’s not doing anything for you. But if you’re a little older and need the extra help, you’ll notice your skin getting firmer, more tolerant of prescription retinoids (& other “harsh” ingredients), and healing much faster.
Available at: Cult Beauty
Related: My Full Review Of Niod Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1
Best On A Budget: The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% ($28.90)
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% is pricer than your average The Ordinary products. But it’s still your best bet if you want to see what the fuss is about without committing too much money. Plus, it has 5 more peptide complexes, including Matrixyl 3000 to boost collagen and SYN-AKE to freeze muscle movements (it was inspired by the paralysing effect of snake venom). No, it doesn’t work as well as Botox but hey, every little bit helps.
Available: Asos, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Look Fantastic
Related: What Type Of Peptides Works Best To Repair Skin?
Best For The Eye Area: Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum ($85.00)
I know, I know. I always say you don’t need an eye cream. I 100% stand by that. But I know a lot of you like to use one anyway. That’s totally cool. Your face, your choice. So, if you’re looking for one with copper peptides, go with Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum. It’s expensive, but well worth the money. It’s a cocktail of peptides (NOT just copper peptides), antioxidant and niacinamide that moisturises skin, fights wrinkles and soothes irritations.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK
Related: Niacinamide, A Skincare Do-It-All
Yes! I Copper peptides are a great addition to my 40 something year old regimen. I have used The Ordinary Buffet with Copper Peptides for several months and am tempted to upgrade to Niod. Do you think that Niod is better for anti-aging than The Ordinary’s Buffet? Thank you!
Ann, I think it depends on what you’re looking for. The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides is a more complete formula as you’ve got so many peptides in one bottle. But if you can do without the others, Niod works well too. I did see an improvement in the firming department.
Hi! Off topic- what would you recommend for the so-called sleep wrinkles on the décolletage? I’m only 20 but they’re clearly visible and are a huge confidence blow. I’ve been down the rabbit hole but can’t decide who to believe- there are so many suggestions: vitamin c, aha, bha, etc.
Thank you!
Lina, first of all, I’d try to change the position in which you sleep. Sleeping on your back can help and so can switching to silk materials. But for wrinkles, the best thing is retinol. That’ll give you the fastest results.
I heard that copper peptides do not mesh well with Vitamin C. Copper during the day? C at night with retinol?
Charlette, you’re sort of right. In-vitro (in a Petri dish) shows they don’t work well together. We don’t have studies on humans yet but people who use them together say they both work well.
In any case, until we have scientific studies on humans, the safest bet is to use vitamin C in the morning and copper peptides at night.
Hi Gio, I’m so glad to have your blog as my skincare guide. Thanks to you I finally have a routine that works on my skin. I just bought The buffet+cooper but I’m not sure how to layer.
Does it go well with C E Ferulic, retinol, Drunk Elephant Framboo and Resveratrol?
There is any product to avoid when using peptides?
Tatiana, I wouldn’t use it with vitamin C but you can use it with anything else.
I’ve been with copper peptides for maybe 8 years now, and honestly think the highest % formulations are from Dr. Loren Pickart himself [aka the dude who invented them]. Since he’s a PhD and not really into cosmetic formulations, the cosmetic elegance leaves something to be desired, but they seem to be the strongest.
One reason why I’m a little bit hesitant about using copper petides nowadays is that they can actually increase MMP activity in damaged skin [aka frequent retinoid or AHA use]. Copper peptides are awesome on undamaged skin though.
For people wondering about the vitamin C interaction, Dr. Pickart mentioned that he doesn’t think the interaction is as bad in vivo as people make it out to be, but you can use vitamin C in the AM and CPs in the PM, which seems to work well for most.
Grace, thanks so much for your informative comment. It’s a shame that Dr Pickart’s products are not that elegant. Unfortunately, that’s a deal breaker for a lot of people. But I agree with his opinion on vit C and copper peptides. I’ve used them together and still got results.
Hi Gio,
I’ve recently come across two newer products with copper peptides and am curious what you think about Revolution Skincare’s Copper Peptide Serum and Dr Roebuck’s Ningaloo Copper Peptide Firming Serum. Copper peptides are listed 12th out of 15 ingredients in the Revolution serum, which doesn’t strike me as terribly promising! Dr Roebuck’s serum has 6 ingredients, and copper peptides are listed 4th. Do you think either serum could be a decent alternative to the NIOD serum?
Kristina, copper peptides are expensive, so they’re often an afterthought in serums. There’s a reason why The Ordinary Buffer + Copper is significantly more expensive than other products in the range. Dr Roebuck’s serum sounds more promising.
Considering Drunk Elephant’s Protini as my daily anti-aging moisturizer based on this article, however this product doesn’t have ceramides….would I need to use yet another moisturizer for ceramides???
Elcy, it depends. Ceramides are already present in your skin. If you have a deficiency, your skin will get drier and easily irritated. If that’s not the case, Protini will be enough.
Hi Gio
I’m thinking about incorporating Copper Peptides into my skincare routine because of the healing properties I’ve been reading about. I have a lit of facial scars from a bad car accident I had when I was 15. Which brand & strength would you suggest to help my scars fade and heal Smoother?
Tyia 😊