Product record / Serums, Peptides
SerumThe Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- $19.90
- retail price
- $0.67
- per mL
- 3.9 ★
- 102 ratings
- Data source
- Ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed The Ordinary confirms multiple peptides in formula; exact concentrations not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
- Best for
- Anti-aging & firmness · Hydration
- How it feels
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing serum
- Value
- $19.90 for 30 mL · $0.67/mL
Bottom line The peptide serum that sounds more impressive than it performs — a legitimate formula at a fair price, but the 3.9-star Ulta rating tells a more honest story than the hype.
Editorial verdict / Social intelligence
The peptide serum that sounds more impressive than it performs — a legitimate formula at a fair price, but the 3.9-star Ulta rating tells a more honest story than the hype. 1
- Beauty benefit
- A multi-peptide + hyaluronic acid serum targeting early skin aging: fine lines, firmness loss, and crepiness. Combines five studied peptide complexes (Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl Synthe'6, SYN-AKE, ARGIRELOX / Leuphasyl, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate) with crosslinked sodium hyaluronate, amino acids, and a probiotic lysate. The mechanisms are biologically plausible — signal peptides prompt fibroblast collagen production; neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides reduce SNARE-driven muscle contraction; HA forms provide surface hydration and barrier support. In practice, effects are subtle and slow (4-8 weeks minimum), and the penetration barrier that limits all cosmetic peptides applies fully here.
- Does it work
- Modestly, for some users, with consistent 8+ week use. The 3.9/5 Ulta rating across 102 reviews is notably lower than most The Ordinary products (which typically score 4.4-4.7 stars) and reflects a real split: users with dry or mature skin often see gradual firmness and hydration improvement; users hoping for visible wrinkle reduction or anti-acne effects frequently find it underwhelming. The peptide science grounding this formula is real but contested — the best independent clinical evidence for any single peptide (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, 12-week RCT, PMID:18492182) showed modest results, was industry-affiliated, and most cosmetic peptides exceed the 500 Da passive penetration threshold. DermApproved aggregates ~10,000 reviews at 4.2/5, but that dataset likely skews toward committed long-term users. For $19.90, it is a reasonable low-risk bet for peptide skeptics; it is not a transformative product and should not be prioritised over retinol or vitamin C for anti-aging. See the verified data below →
Consensus strength
MixedUlta Beauty 3.9/5 (102 reviews) — notably below typical TO product scores; DermApproved 4.2/5 (~10,000 aggregated reviews); INCIDecoder LOADED — characterises efficacy as modest 'quick fix' for expression wrinkles rather than structural anti-aging; A Beauty Edit LOADED — positive verdict after consistent use ('skin feels firmer, texture improved') but flags no immediate results and sticky texture; dermapproved.com LOADED — cites manufacturer data (Matrixyl Synthe'6 31% forehead wrinkle volume reduction, SYN-AKE smoothing in 80% of volunteers at 28 days), both from brand-sponsored studies. Scientific consensus from peptide literature (PMID:18492182, PMID:25143811, PMID:40565185) confirms plausible mechanisms with limited independent clinical proof and unresolved penetration barriers.
01 / The key active
Peptides
Peptides is present in the formula; the brand does not disclose the exact concentration.
Ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed. The Ordinary confirms multiple peptides in formula; exact concentrations not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
Other products with Peptides:
02 / The full ingredient list
Every ingredient, in label order
Exactly as printed, each token matched to the EU CosIng register and flagged where a CIR safety assessment exists. Highlighted rows are the key actives.
| # | Ingredient, as printed | CosIng functions | CIR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aqua (water) CosIng: AQUA |
| — |
| 02 | Glycerin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 03 | Lactococcus Ferment Lysate |
| — |
| 04 | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 05 | Pentapeptide-18 |
| — |
| 06 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 07 | Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 08 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 |
| — |
| 09 | Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate |
| — |
| 10 | Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine |
| — |
| 11 | Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 12 | Sodium Hyaluronate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 13 | Allantoin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 14 | Glycine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 15 | Alanine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 16 | Serine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 17 | Valine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 18 | Isoleucine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 19 | Proline |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 20 | Threonine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 21 | Histidine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 22 | Phenylalanine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 23 | Arginine |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 24 | Aspartic Acid |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 25 | Trehalose |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 26 | Fructose |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 27 | Glucose |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 28 | Maltose |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 29 | Urea |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 30 | Sodium Pca |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 31 | Pca |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 32 | Sodium Lactate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 33 | Citric Acid |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 34 | Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 35 | Sodium Chloride |
| — |
| 36 | Sodium Hydroxide |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 37 | Butylene Glycol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 38 | Pentylene Glycol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 39 | Acacia Senegal Gum |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 40 | Xanthan Gum |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 41 | Carbomer |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 42 | Polysorbate 20 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 43 | PPG-26-buteth-26 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 44 | PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 45 | Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 46 | Ethoxydiglycol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 47 | Sodium Benzoate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 48 | Caprylyl Glycol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 49 | Ethylhexylglycerin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 50 | Phenoxyethanol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 51 | Chlorphenesin |
| ✓ reviewed |
51 ingredients as printed · 50 exact CosIng matches · 1 normalized spellings · source: ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed
03 / Where to buy
Where to buy Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Some links on this page earn us a commission. It never changes our analysis — the methodology is public.
04 / What people say
What buyers actually say
Aggregated from 10,102 verified reviews across 2 sources.
What works
- Common Exceptional ingredient density for the price — five distinct peptide complexes plus HA, amino acids, and a probiotic lysate at $19.90 34
The most ambitious peptide serum under $20 — four proprietary anti-aging complexes brands charging $80+ should find embarrassing Editorial
- Common Gentle and well-tolerated across skin types including sensitive skin — no photosensitivity, no purging, no known irritation risk 19
Suitable for all skin types Reviews
- Some Consistent long-term users report improved skin firmness, smoother texture, and better barrier feel after 2-4 months 53
After using this serum consistently for a few months, my skin feels firmer, my skin texture is improved, and my skin barrier feels renewed Editorial
- Some Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and silicone-free — stacks cleanly without sensitisation risk and suits minimalist routines 41
alcohol-free and fragrance and essential oil-free Editorial
What to know
- Common Results are underwhelming for many users — the 3.9/5 Ulta rating reflects a large minority finding minimal visible change even after consistent use 23
3.9/5 across 102 Ulta Beauty reviews — below The Ordinary's typical 4.4-4.7 product average Reviews
- Common Sticky, tacky texture before moisturizer absorption — can feel uncomfortable layering and may transfer 53
Can feel slightly sticky upon application, which might be inconvenient for layering Editorial
- Common Cannot be layered with vitamin C, direct acids, or retinol — significant routine conflict for users who rely on those actives 51
Conflicts with vitamin C, exfoliating acids, and certain other actives Editorial
- Some Less effective than retinol or AHAs for visible anti-aging — peptides sit below gold-standard actives in clinical evidence depth 94
larger RCTs with standardized outcomes and histopathologic assessment are warranted Study
- Some Penetration uncertainty undermines confidence — most peptides in this formula exceed the 500 Da passive skin penetration threshold; whether they reach dermal fibroblasts in cosmetic doses is unproven 78
pal-KTTKS was not detected in the receptor compartment, indicating that penetration to the dermis under passive diffusion conditions is not established Study
What you'd only know from the reviews
-
The Ulta 3.9/5 is a real signal, not noise. Most The Ordinary products score 4.4-4.7 stars at Ulta. This product at 3.9 across 102 reviews suggests a meaningfully higher rate of disappointed buyers than the brand's usual offerings — likely users who bought into the 'Buffet of actives' name expecting dramatic results and got a subtle serum that requires months of patience. If you need visible results within 4-6 weeks, this is not the right product. 2
-
The multi-peptide formulation contains both SYN-AKE (a synthetic WAGLF peptide mimicking waglerin-1, targeting neuromuscular junctions) and argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8, a SNARE inhibitor). Both require penetration past the stratum corneum to reach neuromuscular junctions — the point most contested in the penetration literature. The 2025 permeability review (PMID:40565185) confirms AH-8's delivery barriers are real. The manufacturer's claim of 'reducing crow's feet' draws on mechanism, not independent in-vivo delivery proof. 81
-
The amino acid and sodium hyaluronate components likely contribute meaningfully to any perceived improvement — barrier reinforcement, surface hydration, and plumping from HA are well-established and do not require dermal penetration. Some of what users notice as 'peptides working' may partly be surface-level hydration effects from the non-peptide ingredients. That is not a fraud claim — it just means the peptide contribution is layered on top of a genuinely hydrating formula, making it hard to attribute improvement to peptides specifically. 410
-
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis (PMID:41924746) found oral collagen peptides showed stronger benefit signals than topical peptides for skin aging outcomes. Skincare editorial almost never surfaces this distinction. If you are serious about collagen support, a well-dosed oral collagen supplement (10g hydrolysed collagen/day) has stronger independent RCT backing than any topical peptide serum — including this one. 9
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05 / Questions
Frequently asked
- What's in The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum lists 51 ingredients. Key active: Peptides (concentration undisclosed). The Ordinary confirms multiple peptides in formula; exact concentrations not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page. The full ingredient list, matched to EU CosIng, is on this page.
- Does The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum work?
- Modestly, for some users, with consistent 8+ week use. The 3.9/5 Ulta rating across 102 reviews is notably lower than most The Ordinary products (which typically score 4.4-4.7 stars) and reflects a real split: users with dry or mature skin often see gradual firmness and hydration improvement; users hoping for visible wrinkle reduction or anti-acne effects frequently find it underwhelming. The peptide science grounding this formula is real but contested — the best independent clinical evidence for any single peptide (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, 12-week RCT, PMID:18492182) showed modest results, was industry-affiliated, and most cosmetic peptides exceed the 500 Da passive penetration threshold. DermApproved aggregates ~10,000 reviews at 4.2/5, but that dataset likely skews toward committed long-term users. For $19.90, it is a reasonable low-risk bet for peptide skeptics; it is not a transformative product and should not be prioritised over retinol or vitamin C for anti-aging.
- How much Peptides is in The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?
- The Ordinary does not publicly disclose the exact concentration. Peptides appears in the INCI list; the amount is undisclosed. The Ordinary confirms multiple peptides in formula; exact concentrations not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.
- Where can I buy The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?
- $19.90 on Amazon (price recorded as of the date shown). The Ordinary confirms multiple peptides in formula; exact concentrations not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page.