Unlocks exact minute-by-minute pH buffer wait times, 4-night skin-cycling calendar & barrier-safe swaps

Routine Safety Score
62/100
1 Critical Conflict
Max pH Shock (ΔpH)
2.4 pH
Threshold > 1.8
500-Dalton Penetration
84% Pass
MW <= 500 Da Rule
Malassezia / Fungal
0 Triggers
Ester-Free Verified
🔒 pH Wait-Time & Barrier Split (24-Hr Pass: $1.99)
💬 1-Tap SMS
✅ Saved! Upgrade to the unmasked 24-Hr Flash Pass ($1.99) right now:
Home / Layering Directory / Product INCI Teardown
CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · HARMONY SCORE 86/100 · ΔpH 0.7
Shop Verified Formula at Dermstore ↗ Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative at Sephora ↗

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Conflicts: What Never to Mix with GHK-Cu

1% pure GHK-Cu + Matrixyl 3000 + Argireline at pH 6.2. Strictly incompatible with L-Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic Acid.

FORMULATION CHEMISTRY
Strictly incompatible with L-Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Kojic Acid due to histidine protonation and copper chelation.

Recommended Spacing: 5 Minutes

AM MORNING GLOW RITUAL

Apply in the AM only if paired with broad-spectrum SPF 30–50+ and separated from antagonistic pH/redox actives.

PM BARRIER REPAIR RITUAL

In the PM, Strictly incompatible with L-Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Kojic Acid due to histidine protonation and copper chelation.

1. Tap a Curated Vanity Shelf Preset COSMETIC CHEMIST ΔpH ENGINE
Critical Chemical / ΔpH Inactivation Detected Analyzed in 0.56ms
Routine Harmony
5/100
Barrier Stress
98/100
Pore-Clog Load
15/100
Silk pH Spectrum (pH 2.0 Direct Acids → pH 5.5 Skin Mantle → pH 8.0) |ΔpH| > 1.8 = Peptide / Flush Alert
Copper · pH 6.2 Palmitoyl · pH 6.2 Acetyl · pH 6.2 Sodium · pH 6.2 Ascorbic · pH 3.2
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Copper Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
Cu2+ Fenton-Like Redox Oxidation & Chelation (ΔpH 3.0)

Copper ions in GHK-Cu catalyze rapid single-electron oxidation of Ascorbic Acid while low-pH Vitamin C protonates histidine and strips Cu2+ from the tripeptide.

Esthetician Fix: Strict AM/PM Separation: Apply Vitamin C in the AM under SPF 50 and Copper Peptides in the PM.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 2.6 Copper Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Glycolic Acid (pH 3.6)
Low-pH Histidine Protonation & Copper De-Chelation (ΔpH 2.6)

Direct acids (pH < 4.0) protonate the imidazole nitrogen of histidine in Copper Tripeptide-1, breaking the copper coordination bond and hydrolyzing peptide chains.

Esthetician Fix: Apply Copper Peptides in the AM routine and reserve AHA/BHA exfoliants for dedicated PM resurfacing nights.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Copper Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
Cu2+ Fenton-Like Redox Oxidation & Chelation (ΔpH 3.0)

Copper ions in GHK-Cu catalyze rapid single-electron oxidation of Ascorbic Acid while low-pH Vitamin C protonates histidine and strips Cu2+ from the tripeptide.

Esthetician Fix: Strict AM/PM Separation: Apply Vitamin C in the AM under SPF 50 and Copper Peptides in the PM.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
+ View 17 additional secondary ingredient interaction(s)
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Tocopherol (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Ferulic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 2.6 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Glycolic Acid (pH 3.6)
ΔpH 2.6 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.6 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 2.6 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Alcohol Denat. (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Panthenol (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 2.6 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (pH 6.2) × Urea (pH 3.6)
ΔpH 2.6 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.6 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 2.6 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Tocopherol (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Ferulic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 2.6 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Glycolic Acid (pH 3.6)
ΔpH 2.6 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.6 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 2.6 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Alcohol Denat. (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 3 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Panthenol (pH 3.2)
ΔpH 3.0 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.2 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 3.0 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
CRITICAL · ΔpH 2.6 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (pH 6.2) × Urea (pH 3.6)
ΔpH 2.6 Amide-Bond Hydrolysis of Signal Peptides

Applying pH 3.6 acid alongside neutral oligopeptides (ΔpH 2.6 > 1.8 threshold) denatures peptide conformation and cleaves matrikine bonds.

Esthetician Fix: Separate into AM (Signal Peptides) vs PM (Direct Acids), or wait at least 20 minutes between layers.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
MODERATE · ΔpH 0.4 Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.2) × Glycolic Acid (pH 3.6)
Cumulative Low-pH Acid Overload (< pH 3.5)

Stacking 15%–20% L-Ascorbic Acid (pH 3.0) with AHA/BHA exfoliants (pH 3.5) overwhelms the skin’s natural buffering capacity, triggering nociceptor stinging.

Esthetician Fix: Keep L-Ascorbic Acid in your AM routine and move AHA/BHA exfoliants to PM Resurfacing Nights.
Shop Barrier-Safe Alternative (Dermstore / Sephora) ↗
Tocopherol (2/5 Pore Risk) 100% Fungal-Acne (Malassezia) Safe
AM Morning Glow & PM 4-Night Barrier Ritual
  • AM Prep: pH 5.5 Gentle Amino-Acid Cleanser or Water Rinse [pH 5.5 · Pat dry]
  • AM Antioxidant (Low pH): L-Ascorbic Acid 15%–20% + Ferulic Acid Serum [pH 3.2 · ⏱ Wait 5 min]
  • AM Barrier + Photoprotection: Physiological Ceramide Moisturizer + Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ [pH 5.8 · Mandatory final step]
Night 1 · Keratolytic Resurfacing ACTIVE ACID NIGHT
pH 5.5 Cleanser (Dry completely) → Direct AHA / BHA Exfoliant (pH 3.2–3.6) · ⏱ Wait 15 min → 3:1:1 Ceramide + Cholesterol Recovery Cream
Night 2 · Cellular Turnover (Retinoid) REPAIR NIGHT
pH 5.5 Cleanser → Multi-Peptide or Brightening Serum → Lipid Recovery Moisturizer
Night 3 · Peptide & Microbiome Repair PEPTIDE & CICA RECOVERY
pH 5.5 Cleanser + Heartleaf / Centella Toner → Copper Peptides 1% (GHK-Cu) + Hyaluronic Acid (pH 6.2) → Dieux Instant Angel / Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Night 4 · Deep Lamellar Lipid Restoration 100% BARRIER REST
Micellar Water + pH 5.5 Cleanser → Panthenol 5% + Madecassoside + Squalane → La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ or Ceramide Cream
Verified Barrier-Safe Finishers (3:1:1 Ceramide & SPF 50+) Shop Verified Ritual Kit (Sephora / Dermstore) ↗
dermlogic ritual pass 9:16 WALLET
5/100
20 Active Clash(es) · Barrier Stress 98%
AM MORNING GLOW
Prep → Antioxidant (Low pH) → Barrier + Photoprotection
PM 4-NIGHT SKIN CYCLING
N1: Exfoliate · N2: Retinoid · N3: Peptide Glaze · N4: Ceramide

Esthetician & Cosmetic Chemist FAQ

What is the formulation pH and full INCI profile of The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (Buffet + Copper)?

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (Buffet + Copper) is formulated at pH 6.2 ($32). Full INCI: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin.

Which skincare actives conflict with The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (Buffet + Copper)?

Strictly incompatible with L-Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Kojic Acid due to histidine protonation and copper chelation.

Is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (Buffet + Copper) comedogenic or fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe?

Run the pre-loaded INCI analyzer above to inspect positional comedogenicity (0–5) and C12–C24 Malassezia lipid ester triggers for every ingredient in Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum (Buffet + Copper).

Related Skincare Layering Guides

CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · ΔpH 0
AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream INCI Breakdown: DermaON Ceramide-Cholesterol-Fatty Acid Ratio
CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · ΔpH 0.2
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner INCI Analysis: Fungal-Acne Safety & Active Compatibility
CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · ΔpH 0.7
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++ INCI Teardown: UV Filters, Niacinamide & Ferments
LOW_PH_ACTIVE · ΔpH 2.5
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970 INCI & Conflict Matrix: pH 3.0 Multi-Acid Rules
CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · ΔpH 0.3
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion INCI Breakdown: Ceramides, Niacinamide & Ceteareth-20 Check
CLINICAL_TEARDOWN · ΔpH 1
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence INCI & Retinoid Sandwich Protocol
🚀 Open-Source Engine Upgrade: rdkit/rdkit (500-Dalton Cheminformatics Rule) (★ 3,622) Inspect Live JSON Telemetry ↗

Bos & Meinardi 500-Dalton Molecular Weight & LogP Lipophilicity Layering Sorter

Computes exact Dalton molecular weight (MW <= 500 Da trans-epidermal active vs MW > 500 Da surface occlusive film) and sorts your routine from thinnest low-pH aqueous serum to high-MW barrier seal.

Loading live rdkit/rdkit (500-Dalton Cheminformatics Rule) deterministic readout...

Unlock Full 7-Night Skin-Cycling Calendar, Wait-Time Timer & Safe Substitutes

⚡ Instant 24-Hr Pass: $1.99
COMPLETE STRATEGY DOSSIER
$4.99

Complete AM/PM Vanity Rescue Card ($4.99) + Exportable Executive PDF & Complete Action Playbook.

B2B PRO / COMMERCIAL TEAM
$19.99

B2B Esthetician Unlimited Shelf ($19.99/yr) + White-Label Client Exports, API Webhook Feed & Priority SLA.

Verified Ecosystem Tools & Clinical/Infra Partners (Sovrn //Commerce)

⚡ 3-Second Competitor Battlecard: Why DermLogic Wins

Capability DermLogic Legacy $299/mo SaaS Manual Spreadsheets
Execution Speed < 15ms Deterministic Math Slow 30s LLM Wrapper Hours of Manual Copy-Paste
Entry Price $0 Free / $1.99 24-Hr Pass $199–$499/mo Annual Lock High Error / Liability Risk
Open-Source Core rdkit/rdkit (500-Dalton Cheminformatics Rule) Closed Black-Box Outdated Static Formulas
🔗 Share This Baseline Scenario or Embed on Your Site:
Share on r/SkincareAddiction Post on X Email Colleague Get /embed Widget
DermLogic • Live Executive Pass
Tap for Free List ($0) or Instant $1.99 Unlock