[Review]: Geek & Gorgeous 101 – Power Peptides Serum

Where to purchase: Geek & Gorgeous 101: LINK

Price: £15.25

Volume: 30ml

Made in: Hungary

What is it?: A potent, milky and moisturising peptide serum designed for smart-aging. It contains a blend of four clinically proven peptides [see below] to smooth the skin’s texture and restore bounce.

What is it meant to do?

• Stimulate collagen and elastin production.
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Improve skin’s elasticity and firmness.
• Hydrate, plump, and smooth skin.
• Calm inflammation and support skin healing.

• Emphasises collagen stimulation and skin elasticity + hydration + barrier support.
• Ideal for multi-layered wrinkle reduction.

Focuses on: Well-aging, wrinkle reduction, and barrier strengthening.

Supposedly good for: All Skin Types.

What I think: I would agree. But Oily skins may prefer this in the winter, and Dry skins can use this all-year round. Sensitive skins could use this.

Review: Excellent Oily + Combination Skin Sunblocks

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

EU-Allergen Free?: Yes

Malesezzia Suitable?: No

Oily-free + Silicone Free; Yes

How long does it last after opening?: 2 years unopened, 6 months after opening (PAO).

pH: 5-6 pH

Packaging: Glass bottle with a dropper (basic packaging).

Directions: ”Apply 3-5 drops to the face after cleansing or after liquid products (but before creams). It can be used around the eyes and alongside actives (like acids or retinoids) in both your AM and/or PM routine.” (From the Website).

Note: Particularly for Oily skins: Power Peptides has a hydrating texture, so you may not need an additional hydrating serum.

How I use it: I apply this in the PM (especially as the weather is getting warmer, due to the moisturising aspects of this serum, I prefer to use it at night). I apply this both on the face and neck for well-ageing care (I apply after toning). I don’t need to use another hydrating serum after this. And when it’s hot, I don’t apply a cream as I find this moisturising enough (but it depends how my skin feels).

What are the Key Peptides and what do they do?:

• It uses Matrixyl 3000 peptides (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), which work to reduce wrinkle depth and smooth skin by boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid production.
• The Copper peptides in this formula (Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14) are paired with palmitoyl groups, enhancing skin barrier function and hydration rather than focusing solely on repair and regeneration.

In more detail:

• 3% Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) – Helps reduce wrinkles + improves elasticity by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Together, they help to lift and smooth the skin. [Studies showed a significant reduction in deep wrinkles]. Reference: LINK.

• 2% Matrixyl Synthe’6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38) – Increases the production of things like collagen, hyaluronic acid and fibronectin – to help smooth fine lines and plump the skin. [Studies showed a reduction in wrinkles, particularly around the forehead and crow’s feet]. Reference: LINK.

• 4% TEGO® PEP 4-17 (Tetrapeptide-21) – Also increases collagen, hyaluronic acid and fibronectin production in the skin: increasing skin smoothness, volume and elasticity. [Visible wrinkle reduction around the eyes after 8 weeks]. Reference: LINK

• Encapsulated Copper Peptide – Stimulates collagen production (elasticity) and helps with skin repair and reduces inflammation. The encapsulated delivery system increases its effectiveness [showing visible improvement in wrinkles and skin elasticity]. Reference: LINK.

So overall: These work together to help lift, smooth, reduce deep wrinkles, plump the skin and reduce fine lines and help restore volume (needs at least 8 weeks of use and should be continued to maintain results).

Other key Ingredients: Panthenol + Allantoin (Soothing).

Emollient (Smooths & Softens): Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol – These emollients provide the serum with its smooth, silky texture, helping it to glide on the skin easily while also providing nourishment.

Moisturisers/Humectants (Hydration): Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate – These ingredients help attract moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump throughout the day.

Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tetrapeptide-21, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Tapioca Starch, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This has a milky texture to it. It’s almost a gel, but still has an emollient base/nature to it which makes it slightly more moisturising than a gel. It does make the skin feel hydrated and smooth (not a silicone texture).

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: Almost, but it’s not. It is emollient, but there is some water to balance it out, so it doesn’t feel too greasy, it’s moreso milky (almost a liquid-cream).

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see, this has a milky look, and is light enough to start running down the hand.

• You can see this looks hydrating. This is easy to spread along the skin (not sticky or tacky). See swatch video below.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No. This contains Panthenol and Allantoin to help soothe the skin.

Summer or Winter?: Oily and Oily-Combination: Moreso the Winter months, however it could be used in the summer evenings (perhaps forego a moisturiser if it’s too much). Dry Skins: all-year.

Layerable?: Yes (doesn’t ball up). [It can layer with actives like Retinol and Niacinamide as well].

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is a lightweight, milky-serum. It runs down the hand, but you are left with some moisturisation (liquid gel-milk).

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free.

Good Under Makeup?: Yes, it’s fine. I think dry skins may prefer this as a makeup base over oilier skins (slightly more emollient). This doesn’t seem to ball up.

How long have I been using this?: 3-4 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: ~2-3 months (if I don’t use too much!).

The Effect?: Short term: Quite moisturising and hydrating (no irritation). Long term: I’ve noticed a more plump appearance (elasticity). I do not have deep wrinkles, but I can see that the skin looks more plump and resilient.

Note: Peptides take at least 4–8 weeks to show visible results, with fuller effects after 3–6 months. It’s a slow and steady process, but consistency is key.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Doesn’t just contain one peptide, contains a multitude of potent (investigated) peptides to add to its well-ageing effects (elasticity and fine-line reduction)
• Gentle (didn’t irritate my skin)
• I can see an improvement in my skin’s plumpness and texture (must be consistent)
• Moisturising and Hydrating

What I don’t like:

• Can be slightly uncomfortable on my oily-combination skin during warmer weather (emollient)
• Takes weeks to months for visible changes. (requires consistent use to see visible results in skin texture, hence why this is good to add to a well-ageing routine i.e. Retinol and/or Niacinamide and/or Vitamin C in the week
• Dry skins may still not find this enough hydration, particularly during the winter months

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.3 (nearly 4.4)/5: I appreciate the informed choices made when selecting the peptides for this serum, and that not just 1 peptide or peptide complex was used. This serum focuses on collagen and elasticity, but in a gentle way, while making it easier on sensitive skins to use (which I appreciate), and that it doesn’t interfere with other actives (like Retinol etc). It’s a good option for those looking into adding well-ageing, collagen-stimulating peptides into their skincare routine (I would also recommend the Paula’s Choice Peptide serum, which I discuss below), particularly sensitive skins. I do wish it was slightly less emollient/milky, as it would be a little more comfortable during the warmer weather for my oily-combination skin.

Would I repurchase?: Yes, mainly because I like the peptides included in here, and that this serum isn’t too oily or too thick (although I would have preferred it to be even more gel-like than milky, for the hotter weather.

Dupe?: The Ordinary’s “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%: [Swatches + Review HERE]. This serum combines multiple peptide complexes (with Copper Tripeptide-1) to target multiple signs of aging.

Available at: The Ordinary: LINK

Both serums share Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl Synthe’6, which help reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity. However, The Ordinary’s serum includes Argireline, Copper Tripeptide-1, and 3 additional peptides that target muscle contractions and skin healing, while Geek & Gorgeous focuses on peptides that work on elasticity and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

The Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster contains 6 peptide complexes that focus on firming the skin, boosting collagen, and targeting wrinkles and skin structure. Its advanced peptide blend (including synthetic growth factor mimics) aims for a more comprehensive anti-aging effect.

Available at: Paula’s Choice: LINK

• In comparison, the Geek & Gorgeous Power Peptides serum offers a gentler approach, focusing on collagen boosting with added soothing and barrier support properties.

• Whereas, the Paula’s Choice serum has a stronger anti-aging focus.

The NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3): [Swatches + Review HERE]. Focuses on skin health and anti-aging, this serum offers a high concentration of copper tripeptide-1, aiming to improve the skin’s overall appearance.

Available at: Niod: LINK

• The NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum (CAIS3) targets skin regeneration, repair, and collagen maintenance, with Copper Tripeptide-1 for healing and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it ideal for overall skin health.

• In contrast, the Geek & Gorgeous Power Peptides Serum focuses on wrinkle reduction, collagen production, and barrier support, with a wider peptide blend to improve skin firmness.

• Both are peptide-rich, but NIOD is best for skin repair and copper peptide benefits, while Geek & Gorgeous excels in anti-aging and barrier support.

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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