Cosmetic peptides

20 peptides tagged cosmetic. Each page carries the dosing reference, mechanism, evidence grade and references.

PeptideLab is an educational platform for learning about peptides. The information here is for educational and research purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and PeptideLab does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Many peptides discussed have not been approved for human use by the FDA or other regulatory bodies. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decision.

  • Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argireline)

    Synthetic acetylated hexapeptide (Ac-EEMQRR-NH2) modelled on the SNAP-25 N-terminus; a 2013 placebo-controlled trial (n=60) found less periorbital wrinkling after 4 weeks of topical use.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • AHK

    Tripeptide Ala-His-Lys; no published study tests the free peptide. Its copper complex AHK-Cu has ex vivo human hair follicle data and its own catalog entry.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • AHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)

    Copper(II) complex of the tripeptide Ala-His-Lys; one ex vivo study found it lengthened human hair follicles in organ culture and raised dermal papilla cell proliferation.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Decapeptide-12

    Synthetic decapeptide (YRSRKYSSWY, Lumixyl) that competitively inhibits tyrosinase in vitro; a 5-person split-face placebo-controlled pilot and open-label studies report lighter melasma.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4)

    Palmitoylated KTTKS, a fragment of the type I procollagen propeptide, applied topically; a 12-week split-face placebo-controlled trial (n=93) at 3 ppm found fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Melanostatin DM

    Synthetic hexapeptide (His-D-Arg-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2), an MSH and GHRP hybrid that blocked alpha-MSH skin darkening in frogs and lizards; it was inactive in mouse melanoma cells.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Melanotan 1

    Synthetic alpha-MSH analog (afamelanotide, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH) and MC1R agonist; a 16 mg implant is approved in the EU (2014) and US (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Melanotan II

    Synthetic cyclic alpha-MSH(4-10) analog that binds MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors; small 1990s human trials found skin darkening and erections. Never approved.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Nonapeptide-1

    Synthetic alpha-MSH(5-13) analog (Melanostatine 5) found in a 1994 library screen as a potent alpha-MSH receptor antagonist (IC50 11 nM); human data are limited to one combination-cream pilot.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • OS-01

    Topical decapeptide (ETAKHWLKGI-NH2, Peptide 14) from OneSkin that lowered senescence markers in human skin models; two small developer-run RCTs reported better skin barrier function.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Pal-AHK

    Palmitoylated, amidated tripeptide Ala-His-Lys, known only from the EU cosmetic ingredient register (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-52 Amide); no published study of this compound exists.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • Pal-GHK (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1)

    Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK), a lipidated GHK sold mainly in the Matrixyl 3000 blend; found in human stratum corneum after topical use, with no published single-ingredient efficacy trial.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Palmitoyl Dipeptide-6

    Lipidated cosmetic peptide sold under a name whose exact structure could not be confirmed; no peer-reviewed study of any kind was found.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl)

    Leucine-enkephalin analog pentapeptide (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu) sold as Leuphasyl for expression lines; evidence is manufacturer data, one small emulsion study and in vitro work.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Rigin (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7)

    Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR), a lipidated IgG fragment sold in the Matrixyl 3000 blend; IL-6 claims come from supplier data, and published human work tests only the blend.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • SNAP-8

    Acetylated octapeptide (Ac-EEMQRRAD-NH2, acetyl octapeptide-3) that extends the Argireline sequence by two residues; human data come only from multi-ingredient products such as microneedle patches.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Syn-AKE

    Small peptidomimetic (beta-Ala-Pro-Dab benzylamide, sold as the diacetate) modeled on viper waglerin-1; one manufacturer-run RCT (n=57) found less forehead frown-line area at 4 weeks.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Syn-Coll (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5)

    Palmitoylated tripeptide (Pal-Lys-Val-Lys) sold as Syn-Coll and marketed as a thrombospondin-1 mimic; evidence is supplier data and multi-ingredient products, with no single-ingredient trial.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Tripeptide-29 (Collagen Hexapeptide)

    Collagen-derived tripeptide Gly-Pro-Hyp; it preserved collagen I gene expression in stressed fibroblasts in vitro and oral dosing reduced UV skin damage in mice. No topical study exists.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Vialox (Pentapeptide-3V)

    Synthetic pentapeptide amide (Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro-Ala-NH2, pentapeptide-3) marketed as a nicotinic receptor antagonist for expression lines; published data are in silico and cell culture only.

    Evidence: Preclinical

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