The Ordinary Peptides Guide: Which to Use and How to Layer Them

Peptides are one of the most talked-about ingredient categories in modern skincare — and The Ordinary has one of the most comprehensive (and accessible) peptide ranges available. But with several different products targeting different concerns, it's easy to wonder which one you actually need, whether you can use more than one, and how they fit into a broader routine.

This guide covers everything: what peptides are and how they work, The Ordinary's full peptide product lineup, how to layer them correctly, which combinations to avoid, and how the Skincare Routine app keeps it all organised for you automatically.

What are peptides and why do they matter?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins. In the context of skincare, the proteins we care about most are collagen, elastin, and keratin: the structural proteins that give skin its firmness, elasticity, and smoothness.

As skin ages, collagen and elastin production naturally declines. Topical peptides work by signalling to the skin that it needs to produce more of these structural proteins. Different types of peptides signal differently:

Signal peptides — directly stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis
Carrier peptides — deliver trace minerals (like copper) to the skin that support wound healing and collagen production
Neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides (neuropeptides) — temporarily reduce muscle contractions at the skin's surface, softening the appearance of expression lines
Enzyme-inhibiting peptides — slow the breakdown of existing collagen in the skin

Unlike retinoids or acids, peptides are generally well-tolerated and carry very few irritation risks. They work best as a long-term daily addition to a routine, not as a quick-fix treatment — but the research supporting their efficacy is solid and growing.

The Ordinary's peptide products: a complete breakdown

The Ordinary offers several distinct peptide products, each with a different focus. Here's how they differ.

"Buffet" — Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

Best for: Anti-ageing, general skin support, all skin types

This is The Ordinary's flagship multi-peptide serum and one of the most popular products in their entire range. "Buffet" combines multiple peptide technologies in a single water-based formula:

Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) — a star signal peptide complex with clinical evidence for stimulating collagen synthesis and reducing the appearance of wrinkles
Matrixyl synthe'6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38) — targets the major proteins of the skin matrix, including collagen I, III, IV and fibronectin
Leuphasyl — a neuropeptide that works synergistically with Argireline to target expression lines
Syn-Ake — a dipeptide derived from Temple Viper venom that mimics the effect of Waglerin-1 (a neuropeptide) to reduce expression-line depth
Hyaluronic Acid — provides hydration alongside the peptide complex

"Buffet" is suitable for AM or PM, layers well early in the serum step, and is appropriate for all skin types. It's one of the most versatile, do-everything peptide serums available at any price point.

Key conflict: Do not use "Buffet" in the same routine as pure/direct Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, Vitamin C Suspension). Pure Vitamin C oxidises peptide ingredients and reduces their effectiveness. If you use both, keep Vitamin C in your PM routine and "Buffet" in your AM routine.

Argireline Solution 10%

Best for: Expression lines, forehead lines, crow's feet

Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) is a neuropeptide — a topical analogue to the mechanism behind Botox, though far less potent. It works by mildly inhibiting the neurotransmitter signals that cause facial muscles to contract, which over time softens the appearance of dynamic expression lines (lines that form when you move your face).

At 10%, this is a high concentration for Argireline. It is effective as a standalone serum for targeting the forehead and eye area, and can be layered on top of "Buffet" for a more comprehensive peptide approach.

When to use: AM or PM. Apply in the serum step, after water-based serums and before any oils.

Compatible with: "Buffet", niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, most moisturisers.

Tip: Some users apply Argireline Solution specifically to targeted areas (forehead, crow's feet) rather than all over the face, given its neuropeptide mechanism.

Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%

Best for: Advanced anti-ageing, firming, skin barrier repair

This is the enhanced version of "Buffet", adding GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) — a carrier peptide that not only signals collagen and elastin production but actively delivers copper to the skin. Copper is essential for the enzymes that cross-link collagen and elastin fibres, making this a meaningfully different product to the original "Buffet".

GHK-Cu has robust clinical evidence for:

Stimulating collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis
Improving skin firmness and density
Supporting wound healing
Reducing fine lines and improving skin texture

Important — copper peptides have significantly more conflicts than regular peptides:

Do not use with direct acids (AHAs, BHAs, the Peeling Solution)
Do not use with pure/direct Vitamin C
Do not use with retinoids (Retinol, Granactive Retinoid)

These restrictions are more limiting than the original "Buffet". If you already use acids and retinoids frequently, integrating Buffet + Copper Peptides requires careful scheduling — use it on the evenings when you're not using retinoids or acids.

When to use: AM or PM. But given the conflicts with retinoids and acids, many users find it works best in the AM routine.

Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

Best for: Eye area — fine lines, puffiness, dark circles

A targeted peptide serum specifically formulated for the delicate eye area. It combines peptides with additional actives to address the three main eye concerns simultaneously:

Peptides for fine lines and skin density
Caffeine for puffiness and dark circles
HA for hydration

Apply using your ring finger (which naturally applies the least pressure) in gentle tapping motions around the orbital bone. This sits at the serum step and should be applied before heavier moisturisers or eye creams.

Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Best for: Under-eye puffiness, dark circles

While not exclusively a peptide product, the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is closely related to the eye serum above and is often compared to it. It uses caffeine as its primary active (a vasoconstrictor that reduces dark circles and puffiness) alongside EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), a potent antioxidant from green tea.

This is a simpler, single-focus treatment compared to the Multi-Peptide Eye Serum. If puffiness and dark circles are your only eye concern, this is the more targeted option. If you want to address fine lines and density in addition to puffiness, the Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is the more comprehensive choice.

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

Best for: Scalp — visible hair thickness and fullness

A scalp-specific peptide serum that targets the appearance of hair density and fullness. Applied directly to the scalp (not the hair shaft), it uses a peptide complex to support the appearance of thicker, fuller-looking hair over time.

This sits outside the face care routine and is listed separately in the Skincare Routine app under hair products.

Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum

Best for: Lash and brow appearance

A peptide serum for the lash line and brow area, designed to support the appearance of fuller, denser lashes and brows. Applied with the built-in applicator to the lash line each evening, similarly to how you'd apply an eyeliner.

How to layer The Ordinary peptides correctly

Peptides are water-based serums (with the exception of Copper Peptides which contain some anhydrous elements). They belong in the serum step of your routine — after cleansing and toning, but before oils and moisturisers.

Here's how to order multiple peptide products within the serum step:

If using "Buffet" and Argireline Solution together:

"Buffet" first (more watery)
Argireline Solution second

If using "Buffet" and Buffet + Copper Peptides separately (on different days): Don't use both in the same routine — there's no benefit to doubling up and it counts against your three-serum limit.

The three-serum rule: DECIEM recommend using a maximum of three serums in any single routine. The Skincare Routine app enforces this and will warn you if you exceed it.

Where peptides sit in a full routine

Step	Products
1. Cleanser	Any cleanser
2. Toner/Essence	Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Marine Hyaluronics
3. Water-based serums	Niacinamide 10%, Alpha Arbutin 2%, "Buffet", Argireline Solution 10%
4. Eye treatment	Multi-Peptide Eye Serum or Caffeine Solution 5%
5. Anhydrous serums	Retinol / Granactive Retinoid (PM only)
6. Oils	Squalane, Rose Hip Seed Oil
7. Moisturiser	NMF + HA, etc.
8. SPF	AM only

AM or PM? When to use each peptide product

Peptides are unusual in that most of them work well in either the AM or PM — they don't increase photosensitivity the way retinoids or acids do. That said, the conflicts with Vitamin C mean you need to plan carefully if you're using both.

Product	Recommended time	Notes
"Buffet" Multi-Peptide + HA	AM preferred	Conflicts with pure Vitamin C — keep VC in PM
Argireline Solution 10%	AM or PM	Compatible with most products
Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%	AM preferred	Conflicts with retinoids (PM) and acids
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum	AM or PM	No significant time preference
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG	AM	Vasoconstriction most useful after overnight puffiness

The complete conflict guide for peptides

Peptides are one of the gentler ingredient categories — but they're not entirely conflict-free.

Pure Vitamin C vs. all peptides

This is the most important conflict to know. Pure, direct Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, Vitamin C Suspension 23%, Vitamin C Suspension 30%) should not be used in the same routine as any peptide-containing product.

Pure L-Ascorbic Acid is highly acidic. At a low pH, it can degrade peptide bonds, reducing the effectiveness of both the peptides and the Vitamin C simultaneously. Keep pure Vitamin C in your PM routine and peptides in your AM routine, or use them on alternate days.

Good news: Vitamin C derivatives (Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate 20%) are far more stable and do not conflict with peptides. If you want to use Vitamin C and peptides in the same routine, a derivative form is the solution.

Direct acids vs. Copper Peptides specifically

Regular peptides ("Buffet", Argireline) don't conflict with AHAs and BHAs. But Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% does. Direct acids destabilise the copper complex, so keep this product away from the Peeling Solution, Glycolic Acid Toner, Lactic Acid, and Salicyclic Acid.

Retinoids vs. Copper Peptides specifically

Same caveat: regular peptides are generally fine alongside retinoids. But Buffet + Copper Peptides should not be used on the same evening as any retinoid. Schedule them on alternating nights.

Can you use multiple peptide products together?

Yes — but with some caveats.

"Buffet" + Argireline Solution 10% is a well-documented, conflict-free combination. Many users layer these two in the AM routine for comprehensive peptide coverage. Together they use up two of your three serum slots, leaving room for one more serum (such as Niacinamide or Alpha Arbutin).

"Buffet" and Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%: There is no meaningful benefit to using both in the same routine. They share significant ingredient overlap. Instead, treat them as alternatives — use one or the other, or alternate them across different days.

Peptides + Niacinamide: Compatible, no conflicts. A very common and well-tolerated pairing.

Peptides + Hyaluronic Acid: Fully compatible. They address different concerns (structural proteins vs. surface hydration) and are frequently found in the same formula.

Building a The Ordinary routine around peptides

AM routine focused on peptides and brightening

Cleanser
Marine Hyaluronics (or Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5)
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
"Buffet" Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Argireline Solution 10% (optional; target expression lines)
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
SPF

AM routine with Copper Peptides (no Vitamin C, no retinoids)

Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
SPF

PM routine with retinoids (no Copper Peptides needed)

Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
"Buffet" Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (or Retinol 0.2%)
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Note: Do not use Buffet + Copper Peptides on the same evening as retinoids. Use plain "Buffet" instead on those nights.

How the Skincare Routine app manages peptides automatically

All of The Ordinary's peptide products are pre-loaded in the Skincare Routine app with their full conflict rules, recommended layering positions, and time-of-day settings. You don't need to remember any of the above — the app manages it for you.

Real-time conflict detection

If you tick "Buffet" in your AM routine and also have pure Vitamin C in that routine, the Vitamin C product will immediately show a red checkbox — a hard conflict warning telling you to skip it in this session. The same applies to Buffet + Copper Peptides when a retinoid or acid is ticked on the same day.

Auto-sorted layering order

When you add peptide serums to your routine, the app automatically places them in the correct position — after toners and before oils. If you add both "Buffet" and Argireline Solution, the app places "Buffet" first. You can drag to reorder manually if you prefer a different arrangement.

Alternating treatments made easy

For users who rotate Buffet + Copper Peptides with retinoid nights, the 6-day usage bar shown beneath each product in the routine view lets you see at a glance when you last used each product — no mental tracking required.

The three-serum limit

The app counts serums and will warn you if you've added more than three to a single routine, following DECIEM's own recommendation.

Track whether peptides are making a difference

After completing your AM or PM routine, you can rate your skin (from Awful to Great) and log notes. Over time, this builds a diary that helps you see whether your peptide routine is moving the needle on your skin concerns — whether that's texture, firmness, or expression lines.

The app is available at skincareroutine.app and on the App Store and Google Play.

Summary: The Ordinary peptide products at a glance

Product	Key peptides	Best for	Time	Main conflicts
"Buffet" Multi-Peptide + HA	Matrixyl 3000, synthe'6, Leuphasyl, Syn-Ake	General anti-ageing, collagen support	AM or PM	Pure Vitamin C
Argireline Solution 10%	Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argireline)	Expression lines	AM or PM	Pure Vitamin C
Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%	All of the above + GHK-Cu	Advanced anti-ageing, firming	AM preferred	Direct acids, retinoids, pure Vitamin C
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum	Peptide complex + caffeine	Fine lines, puffiness, dark circles	AM or PM	None significant
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG	Caffeine + EGCG (not strictly a peptide)	Under-eye puffiness and dark circles	AM	None significant

Peptides are the closest thing skincare has to a universal essential — effective, well-tolerated, and compatible with almost every other ingredient category (with the notable exception of pure Vitamin C). For anyone building a The Ordinary routine, "Buffet" in particular is one of the best-value, most evidence-backed additions regardless of skin type or age. Get the conflicts right, keep your serum count to three, and let the Skincare Routine app handle the rest.