The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum blends peptides with hyaluronic acid to target fine lines and hydration. Here's how to use it and what it costs.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is a lightweight, water-based face serum that combines several peptide complexes with hyaluronic acid to support hydration and the appearance of firmer, smoother skin. It is the product The Ordinary used to sell as "Buffet," and a 30 mL bottle generally costs about $15 to $20. The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum is a cosmetic formula, not a drug, so it is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
What Is The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum?
The formula is built around peptides — short chains of amino acids — suspended in a water-based gel with hyaluronic acid and skin-identical amino acids. Peptides are popular in cosmetics because they are generally well tolerated and layer easily with most other products.
Quick facts about the product:
- Size and format: 30 mL dropper bottle, leave-on water-based serum
- Texture: Thin and slippery while wet, slightly tacky as it dries, no added fragrance
- Free from: Added fragrance, denatured alcohol, silicones, and oils
- Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
- Typical price: About $15 to $20 per bottle
Key Ingredients and What Each One Does
The ingredient list reads like a tour of the best-known cosmetic peptides. Here is what the headline actives are used for.
| Ingredient | Type | Why it's in the formula |
|---|---|---|
| Matrixyl 3000 (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7) | Peptide blend | One of the most common peptide blends in anti-aging cosmetics |
| Matrixyl synthe'6 (palmitoyl tripeptide-38) | Peptide | Used in products marketed for surface smoothing |
| Acetyl hexapeptide-8 | Peptide | Often sold with "botox-like" language; cosmetic effect only |
| Pentapeptide-18 and SYN-AKE | Peptides | Common in "expression line" marketing claims |
| Sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer | Humectants | Draw in and hold water at the skin surface |
| Glycine, proline, serine, and other amino acids | Skin-identical ingredients | Support the formula's moisturizing feel |
Two points are worth stating plainly. A topical peptide does not paralyze muscles, no matter how the marketing reads. And cosmetic peptides are studied for how skin looks, not for treating disease.
What Results to Expect and How Long They Take
Hydration is the change most people notice first, and it usually shows up within a few days. Effects on the look of fine lines and firmness, if they happen at all, are typically judged after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use.
- Days 1–7: Skin feels softer and more hydrated, and dry, crinkly lines look less obvious.
- Weeks 2–4: Skin may appear slightly plumper, largely from the hyaluronic acid.
- Weeks 8–12: This is the realistic window for judging any cosmetic peptide benefit.
The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum will not erase deep wrinkles, lift sagging skin, or replace in-office treatments. Think of it as an inexpensive, low-risk hydrating serum with a peptide story attached.
How to Use It in a Skincare Routine
- Cleanse, then apply to slightly damp skin.
- Press 2 to 3 drops over the face and neck; avoid pulling or rubbing.
- Let it absorb for about a minute before the next step.
- Follow with moisturizer, and use sunscreen every morning.
- Start once daily if your skin is reactive, then move to twice daily if it tolerates well.
Because the base is watery, a peptide serum like this one goes on before thicker creams, face oils, and retinoids. If you use vitamin C in the morning, apply the vitamin C first and this serum after it. For the under-eye area, some people layer it with the cosrx the peptide collagen hydrogel eye patch on days when they want extra hydration.
Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours if you have sensitive skin or a history of reacting to new products.
How It Compares to Other Peptide Products
| Product | Format | Main focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum | Leave-on face serum | Peptides + hyaluronic acid | Budget hydration and fine-line appearance |
| The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density | Scalp serum | Peptides for hair and scalp | Scalp routines — a completely different product |
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | Face serum | PDRN + peptides | Glow-focused K-beauty routines |
| Strivectin Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Plump Line Filling Bounce Serum | Premium face serum | Peptides + plumping ingredients | Shoppers who want a richer, pricier texture |
One common mix-up: the ordinary multi-peptide serum for hair density is a scalp product, and it is not the same formula as the facial serum.
K-beauty shoppers often compare this formula with the medicube pdrn pink peptide serum, which pairs peptides with PDRN and is usually reviewed for glow and post-procedure care rather than for fine lines. If you prefer a heavier texture, the strivectin anti wrinkle peptide plump line filling bounce serum sits at the premium end of the same category.
Safety, Skin Types, and Who Should Skip It
The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, because it contains no oils or added fragrance. Some users report mild stinging on compromised or over-exfoliated skin.
The formula does not contain retinol, so it is often considered a reasonable option during pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a diagnosed skin condition should confirm with a healthcare professional first.
It also helps to know what this product is not. Research peptides such as bpc-157 peptide for inflammation are frequently discussed online, but they are a separate category of compound studied for entirely different purposes, and BPC-157 is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States. None of that research applies to a topical cosmetic serum.
Stop using the serum and speak with a dermatologist if you develop persistent redness, swelling, or itching. For most people, the realistic expectation is simple: a pleasant, affordable, hydrating serum that may gradually soften the look of fine lines. Buy it for hydration and consistency, not for dramatic change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum the same as Buffet?
Yes. The Ordinary renamed its Buffet serum to Multi-Peptide + HA Serum in 2022, and the formula stayed essentially the same. If you see older reviews calling the product Buffet, they are describing the same serum.
How long does it take for The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum to work?
Most people notice better hydration within a few days of starting it. Any visible change in the look of fine lines or firmness is usually judged after 8 to 12 weeks of daily use. Results vary, and the product is cosmetic rather than medical.
Can I use The Ordinary Multi Peptide HA Serum with retinol or vitamin C?
Yes, it layers with both. Apply it before thicker creams, face oils, and retinoids, and use vitamin C earlier in the routine because it has a lower pH. If your skin stings or flakes, alternate the products instead of applying them back to back.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.