*BEST* Copper Peptide Serum? The Ordinary Vs NIOD
A skincare creator compares The Ordinary's multipeptide copper serum with NIOD's copper amino isolate serum, covering price, the extra peptides in each, and a personal verdict.
Key moments
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- 0:00Price gap sets up comparisonDr Dray introduces the two serums and gives the prices: $62 for 15 ml of NIOD versus $32 for 30 ml of The Ordinary.
- 1:02Recap of copper peptide claimsShe summarizes what copper peptides are said to offer, including antioxidant effects and skin thickness and elasticity in volunteers, while noting the evidence is not robust.
- 1:48Extra peptides in The OrdinaryShe walks through the added peptides in The Ordinary's formula and the manufacturer wrinkle and elasticity figures she cites for each.
- 5:19What NIOD leaves outShe says NIOD's serum lacks all of those added peptides and focuses on a narrower set, at a higher price.
- 6:13Big unknown on formulationShe questions whether a simpler formula could be better engineered, and says no head-to-head study exists to settle it.
- 7:52Her own use of bothShe describes finishing a bottle of The Ordinary's serum and testing NIOD's, preferring the texture and feel of The Ordinary's.
- 9:44Copper peptides are optionalShe says copper peptides are a choice made for enjoyment and possible visible changes, and that both products performed the same on her skin.
- 10:52Who should pick NIODShe gives reasons to try NIOD instead, such as irritation from the other peptides or curiosity after liking The Ordinary, and suggests a small bottle first.
- 11:22Wait for a November saleShe suggests holding off until November, when she expects both products to go on sale.
What the video says
Dr Dray compares two topical copper peptide serums: The Ordinary's Multipeptide Plus Copper Peptides 1% serum and NIOD's copper amino isolate serum. She opens with price. She says NIOD costs $62 for a 15 ml bottle, while The Ordinary costs $32 for 30 ml.
She briefly recaps what she says is known about copper peptides. They are small, may penetrate the skin reasonably well, and are associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. She says clinical work in human volunteers has reported thicker epidermis and dermis and better elasticity. She is open that the research is not robust and does not include randomized controlled trials. Many people simply like using them.
The longest section covers what else is in The Ordinary's formula. She lists an Argireline-type peptide, a pentapeptide combination she calls Argireline plus Lufosil, a Matrixyl 3000 pairing, Syn-Ake, and a peptide thought to inhibit elastase. She quotes manufacturer studies for each, for example a wrinkle reduction of about 11% with 5% Lufosil alone versus at least 25% when 5% Argireline is added. She says NIOD's serum has none of these, so buying it means paying more for fewer ingredients. Whether that makes for a better formulation is, in her words, a big unknown. She suspects the copper performance is similar, because both brands share the same ownership and R&D.
She then gives her own experience. She finished a whole bottle of The Ordinary's serum and likes its texture and results. She finds the NIOD one fine but less enjoyable to use. Her advice is to try The Ordinary first. She suggests NIOD only if someone reacted badly to the other peptides, or already likes copper peptides and is curious. She also suggests waiting for a possible November sale. She stresses throughout that copper peptides are optional and that her results are on her own skin.
On each compound
GHK-Cu1:02
Dr Dray describes copper peptides as small molecules with a decent chance of penetrating skin. She says volunteer studies have shown thicker epidermis and dermis and better elasticity, though she calls the research not super robust.
See how your DNA reads GHK-Cu“copper peptides are not required reading”
What this video doesn’t settle
- No head-to-head study compares the two serums, and Dr Dray says such a study is unlikely to happen.
- The wrinkle and elasticity figures she cites come from manufacturer studies of individual ingredients, not from either finished serum.
- Her verdict rests on her own skin and one bottle-length trial, with no control group.
Questions this video answers
What is the difference between The Ordinary and NIOD copper peptide serums?
Dr Dray says The Ordinary's serum adds several other peptides, such as an Argireline-type peptide and a Matrixyl 3000 pairing. NIOD's serum has none of those and focuses on copper. NIOD is also pricier, at $62 for 15 ml versus $32 for 30 ml.
Is NIOD's copper peptide serum worth the extra money?
Dr Dray says she has no strong reason to recommend it over The Ordinary. She found both worked about the same on her own skin. She suspects similar copper performance because the brands share ownership and R&D.
What clinical evidence does Dr Dray cite for copper peptides?
She says there is some research, including volunteer work on skin thickness and elasticity, but it is not robust and is not randomized controlled trials. She adds that many people simply find their skin looks better.
When does Dr Dray say to buy the NIOD serum?
She suggests it for people who reacted badly to the other peptides in The Ordinary, or who like copper peptides and are curious. She recommends a smaller bottle first and thinks a November sale is likely.
Video by Dr Dray on YouTube, embedded as published. The summary is written by PeptidesDNA from the video; every claim in it is the speaker’s. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the creator. Not medical advice.
