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How we build ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

ELASTIDE

The original · Obagi

ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum

$220 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)

A silky serum whose only listed active is Bi-Mineral Contour Complex: copper and zinc carbonates held with malonic acid, which Obagi says supports elastin.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

Our build 3 parts

Copper peptide serum + niacinamide and zinc

  • Illustration of The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%)

    The Ordinary

    The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%)

    Copper peptide (PM)

    ACopper in the bi-mineral complex · 20 of 40CGlycerin hydration · 15 of 20
    $32Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

    The Ordinary

    The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

    Zinc and niacinamide (AM)

    BZinc in the bi-mineral complex · 10 of 25CGlycerin hydration · 5 of 20
    ~$6Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum

    Naturium

    Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum

    Adds: Silicone smoothing finish

    ACopper in the bi-mineral complex · 14 of 40CGlycerin hydration · 10 of 20DSilicone smoothing finish · 8 of 15
    $25View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

  • ACopper in the bi-mineral complex20 of 40 pts

    The copper half of the patented complex, linked to new elastin in a biopsy study.

    No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.

    Mahoney 2009 · Exp DermatolPickart 2015 · Biomed Res Int
  • BZinc in the bi-mineral complex10 of 25 pts

    The zinc half of the complex, paired with copper for elastin support.

    No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.

    Mahoney 2009 · Exp Dermatol
  • CGlycerin hydration15 of 20 pts

    Glycerin is the second ingredient and keeps skin plump.

  • DSilicone smoothing finish8 of 15 pts

    Dimethicone and amodimethicone give the silky, smoothing feel.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

53 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.

68 is our ceiling. Copper in the bi-mineral complex has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit. Zinc in the bi-mineral complex has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the build

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Your build

  1. 01The OrdinaryThe Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%)$32

    Running total $32

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  2. 02The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%~$6

    Running total ~$38

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  3. 03NaturiumNaturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum$25

    Running total ~$63

    View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

Build total~$63
The splurge$220
Match53/100

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

How to use

  1. Patch test any new active on the inner forearm or behind the ear for 24-48 hours first. AM: niacinamide and zinc serum, then moisturizer and SPF 30+. PM: copper peptide serum on clean skin. Keep copper away from vitamin C and acids on the same night.
  2. Add Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum: A creamy peptide serum with an encapsulated copper peptide, Argireline and a little dimethicone. The copper peptide sits lower in the list than in The Ordinary's serum. It has no zinc.

Other single-product swaps

One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.

mid Closest we found

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%)

The Ordinary

Match score 35 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

$32 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Copper tripeptide-1 (copper peptide)
  • Glycerin
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Signal peptides

Misses

  • Zinc
  • Malonic acid
  • Silicone finish

Why it is close. The closest retail copper serum for under a sixth of the price. Copper peptide is a different copper form than Obagi's malonate complex, so it earns partial credit. It adds several peptides Obagi does not have.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum

Naturium

Match score 32 out of 100
$25 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Copper palmitoyl heptapeptide-14 (encapsulated copper peptide)
  • Glycerin
  • Dimethicone

Misses

  • Zinc
  • Malonic acid

Why it is close. A creamy peptide serum with an encapsulated copper peptide, Argireline and a little dimethicone. The copper peptide sits lower in the list than in The Ordinary's serum. It has no zinc.

Ingredient list source

View product (opens in new tab)

Not an affiliate link.

budget

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary

Match score 15 out of 100
$6
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Zinc (as zinc PCA, 1%)

Misses

  • Copper
  • Malonic acid
  • Glycerin
  • Silicone finish

Why it is close. Supplies zinc for about $6, plus niacinamide. Zinc PCA is a different salt used for oil control, so it is only a loose match for the zinc in the complex.

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

What the science says

  • A 0.1% copper-zinc malonate cream raised new elastin production and elastic fibre content in skin biopsies of 21 women after 6 weeks.

    Mahoney 2009 · Exp Dermatol

  • Copper peptide GHK-Cu is reported in cosmetic studies to improve firmness, elasticity and fine lines, mainly from manufacturer-linked data.

    Pickart 2015 · Biomed Res Int

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

Aqua/water/eau, glycerin, methylpropanediol, alcohol denat., dimethicone, isocetyl stearoyl stearate, coco-caprylate/caprate, isononyl isononanoate, pentylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, polyacrylate, crosspolymer-6, carbomer, malonic acid, sodium hydroxide, disodium edta, amodimethicone, zinc carbonate, copper carbonate hydroxide, t-butyl alcohol, parfum

Source

Questions

What does the 53/100 score for our ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum build mean?

We split ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 53 of a possible 68. 68 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.

What is the best dupe for ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum?

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%) by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 35 out of 100 for $32 (1 fl oz (30 ml)). It shares Copper tripeptide-1 (copper peptide), Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Signal peptides.

How much can I save on ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum?

ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum costs $220 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe costs $32, a saving of about $188. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (now sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%) exactly the same as ELASTIderm Firming Facial Serum?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Zinc, Malonic acid, Silicone finish. See our methodology for how we score.

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