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Long admired by dermatologists and backed by decades of cosmetic science, this multitasking ingredient is finally stepping into the spotlight, and rightly so.
If it wasn’t obvious, we’re big fans of copper peptides. They’ve been widely used in anti-ageing products, and work as both an antioxidant and a peptide at the same time. Copper peptides help replenish amino acids in the skin and, therefore, help boost your skin’s natural collagen production.Â
Copper peptides are a popular ingredient to include in a range of skincare products, from creams to patches, through to microneedles. However, using copper peptides in a serum is one of our favourite ways to incorporate this magical ingredient into our existing skincare regimen.
Do Copper Peptide Serums Work?
Before we discuss whether or not these serums actually work, let’s get into the science behind this magical ingredient.Â
Copper peptides are small protein fragments (peptides) that are naturally bound to copper ions. The most well-known copper peptide (and the one generally found in skincare) is GHK-Cu, which consists of a tripeptide and a copper ion. GHK-Cu is abundant in youthful skin and stimulates collagen and elastin production. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and boosts the natural production of antioxidants.Â
As we age, GHK-Cu naturally depletes, which results in signs of ageing in the skin. Therefore, when applied topically, copper peptides can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and hyperpigmentation – all the things we love to see. Many dermatologists and beauticians recommend using copper peptide serums after microneedling sessions or chemical peels at a skin clinic to help with the healing and recovery process.Â
What Should You Not Mix With Copper Peptides?
When introducing actives to any skincare routine, thorough research is a must. Especially when you’re already using a few actives at once within your regimen, using some actives together may destabilise the peptide, irritate your skin, or reduce effectiveness.Â
If you’re using copper peptides in your routine, it’s best to avoid vitamin C, retinoids like retinol and tretinoin, as well as AHA/BHA chemical exfoliants. However, if you do want to use these together in your routine, use them on alternate nights instead. Or, you could use Vitamin C in the morning, and a copper peptide serum in the evening, for example. Â
The Best Copper Peptide Serums 2025
Ready to add copper peptides to your skincare routine? Below are some of our favourite picks that are well worth considering.
Related Read: 11 of the Best Peptide Serums for the ‘Glazed Doughnut’ Glow
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
This hardworking, lightweight, multi-peptide serum from none other than The Ordinary is designed to target multiple signs of ageing. The addition of 1% of pure copper peptides helps support overall skin health, while the multi-peptide complexes help reduce the appearance of fine lines.Â
These peptide complexes are suspended in a base of skin-friendly amino acids that assist in stimulating collagen production and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin. It’s like a buffet of skin-loving ingredients for your skin.Â
Key Ingredients: Multi-peptide complexes (Matrixyl-3000, Matrixyl synthe’6, SYN-AKE and ARGIRELOX), 1% pure copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids.
Why We Love It: It’s like a buffet filled with all your skincare favourites. It’s a hardworking serum that is lightweight and easy to incorporate into your existing skincare routine.Â
Biossance Squalene + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
For instant and lasting hydration while targeting fine lines and wrinkles, the Biossance Squalene + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum is one of our favourites. Ideal for dehydrated skin, this powerful hydrating serum visibly plumps the skin within seconds (it’s in the name after all). Plus, its vegan copper peptides support collagen production to ensure your skin is juicy, firm, and bouncy at all times.Â
Key Ingredients: Copper peptides to support collagen production, paracress extract to instantly lift and firm the skin, extoin to defend against external aggressors, a rapid plumping complex consisting of a trio of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and sugarcane squalene, and squalene to support and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier.
Why We Love It:Â Its super-hydrating formula makes it unbeatable for seriously dehydrated skin.Â
Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum
Good Molecules’ Super Peptide Serum is a delicious blend of peptides and copper tripeptides that smoothens, plumps and firms the skin. With a short yet effective ingredient list, many praise this serum for its no-fuss formula that provides visible results. It’s also particularly great for sensitive skin types. Just add a drop of Good Molecules’ Super Peptide Serum to your skin after toner in the morning and night and watch as it smooths, plumps, and tones your skin.
Key Ingredients: Copper tripeptides, peptides including Acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl octapeptide-3.
Why We Love It: Its simple yet effective ingredient list makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.Â
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1
Respecting the foundation of skin health, the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum is a collagen-boosting serum that targets visible signs of ageing while optimising healthy-looking skin.Â
Lightweight yet potent, NIOD’s third generation of the Copper Amino Isolate Serum features 1% GHK-Cu, which gives it its vibrant blue hue and improves the look of skin elasticity and reduces the look of fine lines. Combined with 1% GHK, Tripeptide-29, which functions to restore skin structure, and Plant Glycogen that helps maintain hydration levels by supporting hyaluronic acid production, you’ll be left with plump, hydrated, and a youthful glow like no other.
Key Ingredients:Â 1% GHK-Cu, 1% GHK, Tripeptide-29, Plant Glycogen.
Why We Love It: This formula goes beyond anti-ageing by harnessing the powerful benefits of copper peptides to support the skin’s structural components. Plus, its lightweight formula works hard to enhance texture, radiance, and smoothness. Two words: We’re obsessed.
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
With visible results in just seven days, think: faded fine lines, minimised wrinkles, refined skin texture, hydrated skin, and skin elasticity rejuvenated. The Medik8 Liquid Peptides serum is the all-in-one youth-boosting 30% peptide cocktail you’ve been searching for.Â
Designed to target the appearance of expression lines and deeper set wrinkles, this lightweight serum visibly plumps, firms, and refines uneven skin texture. Plus, with the help of hyaluronic acid, your skin will be left feeling deeply hydrated, too.Â
“Recognising that peptides do so much more for the skin than simply boost collagen production, Medik8 has taken traditional peptide technology to the next level. Formulated with a unique, multi-beneficial blend of ten different peptides at 30%, Liquid Peptides uses drone-targeted technology to ensure that each powerful peptide can dive deep into the skin to where it’s needed most, for maximum youth-boosting results,” explains Daniel Isaacs, Chief Product Officer at Medik8.Â
Key Ingredients: Matrixyl 3000 to support collagen production, drone-targeted copper peptide to specifically support collagen-producing cells, expression line peptide that blocks the pathway that leads to facial muscle contraction, Carnosine to block skin-damaging sugars from binding to collagen in the skin, and multi-weight hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture into multiple layers of the skin.Â
Why We Love It: Although a bottle of Medik8’s peptide cocktail is pricey at AU$100+, the results speak for themselves. So, if your budget allows, it’s definitely worth adding Medik8’s Liquid Peptides to your top shelf skincare collection.Â
COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Keen to achieve plump and bouncy skin? We may have just found your match. Packed with a dynamic six-peptide complex, including Copper Tripeptide‑1, this COSRX serum might just be K-beauty’s best-kept secret. Designed to stimulate collagen production and brighten your complexion, each pump will leave you with an undeniable glow. This serum also features the addition of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and allantoin to ensure your skin will look radiant and feel hydrated, too.Â
Key Ingredients: 6-peptide complex, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, allointoin.
Why We Love It: We’re obsessed with its lightweight and water-y texture of this serum. Your skin will drink it right up, leaving you with a hydrated and plump complexion.
Clear Skincare Restoring Serum With 1% Copper Peptide
Perfect to use after a microneedling session or an in-clinic chemical peel, Clear Skincare’s Restoring Serum with 1% Copper Peptide helps stimulate collagen and elastin production to improve skin texture, tone, as well as visible signs of ageing.Â
This serum helps to accelerate dermal regeneration and leaves your skin stronger and healthier – a true post-treatment hero. Plus, for those of us with acne, this serum helps reduce inflammation (that’s caused by acne).Â
A little goes a long way with this serum – apply two to three drops to the face, neck, and decolletage after you’ve cleansed your skin. Once the serum has been absorbed, follow up with a hydrating moisturiser and SPF (if it’s part of your morning skincare routine).Â
Key Ingredients: 1% copper peptide.
Why We Love It: If there’s one thing we love about skincare, it’s a simple ingredient list. This is the no-fuss copper peptide serum that we always gravitate towards, especially post-treatment. Â
Allies Of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum
While this serum definitely leans on the pricier side, at AU$300+ for 30ml, the Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Serum promises complete skin recovery in just one month.Â
It’s an ultra-concentrated repair formula (hence the hefty price tag), supercharged with 2% Ecotoin, 2% Copper Lysinate Complex, 2% Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Complex, and 1% Copper Tripeptide Complex to protect the skin, soothe, reduce redness and help reverse multiple visible signs of ageing.
Filled with a high percentage of actives and clinically supported results, this potent formulation is best-suited to those who are experienced with advanced skincare routines. Â
Key Ingredients:2% Ecotoin, 2% Copper Lysinate Complex, 2% Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Complex, and 1% Copper Tripeptide Complex.
Why We Love It: As skincare enthusiasts, finding a copper peptide that is built on well-studied actives makes our hearts sing. Plus, while it has high concentrations of actives within the formula, it is still suitable for sensitive skin.Â













