Cosmetic Research Peptides

30 research peptides demonstrate cosmetic properties. This collection covers their mechanisms, evidence base, and research applications.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic / Anti-Wrinkle

Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3/8) is a synthetic hexapeptide marketed as a topical "Botox alternative" for reducing facial wrinkles.

Mechanism: Argireline mimics the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, one of the three proteins forming the SNARE complex required for vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) release at the neuromuscular...

No Regulatory Activity | Healing & Recovery

Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are a mixture of small peptides (typically 2-5 kDa) produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen from animal sources (bovine, porcine, marine).

Mechanism: After oral ingestion, collagen peptides are partially digested into dipeptides and tripeptides (particularly hydroxyproline-containing peptides like Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly) that are absorbed intact into...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Pal-KTTKS) is a lipopeptide used in anti-aging skincare. It consists of the pentapeptide KTTKS (a fragment of type I procollagen) conjugated to a palmitic acid chain to enhance skin penetration.

Mechanism: The KTTKS sequence is a fragment of the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen. When collagen is synthesized, this propeptide is cleaved off, and the KTTKS fragment feeds back to fibroblasts as...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Matrixyl 3000 is a trademarked cosmetic ingredient (Sederma) consisting of a combination of two lipopeptides: palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR).

Mechanism: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a collagen-stimulating signal peptide that activates fibroblast collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Snap-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) is a cosmetic peptide developed by Lipotec as an extension of the hexapeptide Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3).

Mechanism: Snap-8 is a fragment analog of SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa), one of the SNARE complex proteins required for neurotransmitter vesicle fusion and acetylcholine release at the...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a lipopeptide consisting of the tripeptide GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) conjugated to a palmitic acid chain.

Mechanism: The GHK tripeptide sequence is a fragment of type I collagen and SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine).

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR) is a lipopeptide used in cosmetic anti-aging formulations. It is designed to reduce skin inflammation by inhibiting IL-6 secretion, targeting "inflammaging" — the chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to...

Mechanism: Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 reduces the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) from keratinocytes and other skin cells.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 (marketed as Syn-Coll by DSM) is a lipopeptide designed to mimic the action of thrombospondin-1, a natural activator of TGF-beta. By activating TGF-beta signaling, it stimulates collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts.

Mechanism: Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 mimics a sequence from thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), which naturally activates transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is the copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. Note: This entry focuses on the cosmetic/dermatological use of GHK-Cu.

Mechanism: GHK-Cu delivers copper ions to skin cells while the GHK peptide acts as a signaling molecule. Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen cross-linking), superoxide dismutase (antioxidant...

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Acetyl tetrapeptide-5 (marketed as Eyeseryl by Lipotec) is a cosmetic peptide designed to reduce under-eye puffiness (periorbital edema) and dark circles. It is proposed to work by reducing tissue water accumulation and improving microcirculation.

Mechanism: Acetyl tetrapeptide-5 is proposed to reduce edema by decreasing vascular permeability and improving lymphatic drainage around the eyes.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Tripeptide-29 (Gly-Pro-Hyp) is the most abundant repeating tripeptide unit in type I collagen, representing the fundamental building block of the collagen triple helix.

Mechanism: Collagen consists of repeating Gly-X-Y triplets, where X is frequently proline and Y is frequently hydroxyproline. Gly-Pro-Hyp is the most common of these triplets.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is a lipopeptide used in eyelash and eyebrow growth cosmetic products. It is proposed to promote hair growth by stimulating keratin gene expression in hair follicle cells.

Mechanism: Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is proposed to upregulate keratin gene expression in hair follicle keratinocytes, promoting hair shaft production and potentially increasing lash/brow thickness and length.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 is a peptide consisting of the GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) tripeptide conjugated to biotin (vitamin B7).

Mechanism: Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 combines two active moieties: the GHK tripeptide (which stimulates extracellular matrix production and tissue repair) and biotin (which is essential for keratin production and...

Phase I–II Clinical Trials | Growth Factor / Cosmetic

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a 53-amino acid protein discovered by Stanley Cohen, who shared the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this work. EGF plays a fundamental role in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation.

Mechanism: EGF binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1), a receptor tyrosine kinase, activating the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling cascades.

No Regulatory Activity | Cosmetic Peptide

Sh-polypeptide-1 is the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) designation for recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh-EGF) produced by bioengineering (typically in E. coli or yeast expression systems).

Mechanism: Sh-polypeptide-1 is biologically identical to native human EGF and binds the same EGFR receptor, activating MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling to promote keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation,...