The Skin Formulary

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25 ingredients

Peptide

Explore all 25 ingredients in the Peptide category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is a synthetic cell-communicating peptide composed of four amino acids (glycine-glutamine-proline-arginine) bonded to palmitic acid, which enhances its oil solubility and penetration into the skin. It works by reducing the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory signalling molecule, thereby slowing collagen degradation and supporting a firmer, more youthful-looking complexion. It is the anti-inflammatory counterpart to palmitoyl tripeptide-1 within the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a synthetic signal peptide composed of three amino acids — glycine, histidine, and lysine (GHK) — bonded to palmitic acid to improve skin penetration. It works by mimicking the natural collagen breakdown signal, tricking fibroblasts into producing new collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans. It is one of the two peptides that make up the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex, alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.

Oligopeptide-1

Oligopeptide-1 is the INCI name for GHK (glycyl-histidyl-lysine), a naturally occurring tripeptide composed of glycine, histidine, and lysine. It was first isolated from human plasma albumin and is found endogenously in the skin, where concentrations decline with age. It works through two primary mechanisms: binding copper(II) ions to support enzymatic activity and copper transport, and regulating gene expression — with studies showing it modulates approximately 31% of human genes, upregulating pathways involved in collagen synthesis, tissue remodelling, and antioxidant defence.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 (commercially known as Matrixyl synthe'6) is a synthetic lipopeptide with the sequence Pal-Lys-Met(O2)-Lys, created by bonding palmitic acid to a three-amino-acid chain. It acts as a matrikine-mimetic signal peptide, communicating with skin cells to stimulate the production of six key extracellular matrix components: collagen types I, III, and IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and laminin-5. By supporting both the epidermis and dermis, it helps firm skin, reduce wrinkle depth, and improve texture and tone.

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine

Palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine is a synthetic lipopeptide sold under the trade name Syn-Tacks. It is a cell-communicating peptide formed from the reaction of palmitic acid and diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine with dipeptide-5. It is designed to support the dermal-epidermal junction by promoting the synthesis of key anchoring molecules such as collagen IV, collagen VII, laminin-5, and integrin, helping to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate

Palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminohydroxybutyrate is a synthetic lipopeptide formed from the reaction of palmitic acid and diaminohydroxybutyric acid with dipeptide-5. It is a companion peptide to palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine (Syn-Tacks) and works as a cell-communicating ingredient to support skin firmness and conditioning. It appears predominantly in anti-ageing serums, creams, and firming treatments.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-1

Acetyl hexapeptide-1 (trade name: Melitane) is a synthetic peptide composed of alanine, arginine, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan, acetylated with acetic acid. Unlike most cosmetic peptides which target wrinkles, this peptide promotes melanin production by interacting with the MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) on skin cells. It enhances both natural and artificial tanning, provides UV protection by supporting melanin's natural defence mechanism, and helps protect against UV-induced DNA damage and free radical damage.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-37

Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 (trade name Diffuporine™) is a synthetic signal peptide developed by Lipotec S.A. using combinatorial screening technology. Its amino acid sequence is Ac-L-Ser-L-Pro-L-Ala-Gly-Gly-L-Pro-NH2. It works primarily by upregulating the expression of Aquaporin-3 (AQP3), a water-channel protein in the skin, increasing its production by up to twice, which enhances the transport of water from deeper epidermal layers to the stratum corneum and improves overall skin hydration.

Pentapeptide-48

Pentapeptide-48 is a synthetic peptide composed of five amino acids (threonine, arginine, serine, glutamic acid, and leucine), inspired by royalactin, a protein found in royal jelly. It works by interacting with human growth factor receptors (EGF and TGF-α) to stimulate extracellular matrix production, boost dermal cell proliferation, and activate proteasome activity to clear damaged proteins from skin cells.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (formerly known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 and sold under the trade name Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide composed of arginine, methionine, and acetylated glutamic acid residues. It works by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction, reducing the intensity of repetitive facial muscle micro-contractions that cause dynamic expression lines — a topical mechanism loosely analogous to, but far less potent than, botulinum toxin injections. It also functions as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent.

Pentapeptide-18

Pentapeptide-18, sold under the trade name Leuphasyl, is a synthetic signal peptide composed of five amino acids (tyrosine, alanine, glycine, phenylalanine, and leucine). It works by mimicking the action of enkephalins — natural neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides — to reduce the intensity of muscle micro-contractions responsible for dynamic expression lines. Unlike neurotoxin injectables, it works topically at the skin surface level to soften the appearance of existing wrinkles over time.

Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate

Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (trade name SYN-AKE) is a synthetic tripeptide designed to mimic the action of Waglerin-1, a peptide found in temple viper venom. It works by acting as an antagonist at muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, temporarily inhibiting nerve-to-muscle signalling and reducing facial muscle contractions. The result is a smoothing of expression-related lines and wrinkles without injection.

Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine

Acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine (trade name Relistase) is a synthetic tetrapeptide formed from acetic acid, arginine, tryptophan, and phenylglycine. It works by inhibiting elastase, an enzyme that degrades collagen and elastin in the skin, and by stimulating type I collagen synthesis, making it an anti-ageing cell-communicating ingredient. It also has a calming effect on reactive skin by moderating the release of inflammatory mediators.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, marketed under the trade name Eyeseryl, is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide created through acetylation of tetrapeptide-5. It functions as both a cell-communicating ingredient and a humectant. It is designed to reduce under-eye puffiness through anti-oedema and anti-glycation mechanisms, targeting water accumulation that causes puffy eye bags. A manufacturer study of 20 volunteers using 10% Eyeseryl showed 70% improvement by day 15 and 95% by day 60.

Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3

Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 is a synthetic nine-amino-acid peptide conjugated with myristic acid, designed to mimic the effects of retinol without the associated irritation. Gene array screening shows it upregulates 16 genes also affected by retinoic acid, and ex-vivo testing demonstrated that a 10% cream induced a 43% increase in collagen-1 synthesis, comparable to 0.1% retinoic acid. It increases cell turnover and promotes collagen production while being significantly better tolerated than retinoids.

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a synthetic five-amino-acid peptide (Lys-Leu-Ala-Lys-Lys) conjugated with myristic acid to improve bioavailability and skin penetration. It functions as a cell-communicating ingredient that stimulates keratin gene expression, encouraging cells to produce more keratin, the structural protein essential for hair, nails, and the outermost layer of skin.

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide that combines biotin (vitamin B7) with Tripeptide-1 (GHK), a collagen fragment known for its cell-communicating properties. It is primarily used in hair and lash growth products, where it promotes keratinocyte proliferation in the hair bulb and strengthens hair anchorage by stimulating adhesion molecules such as laminin 5 and collagen IV.

Oligopeptide-2

Oligopeptide-2 is a synthetic signalling peptide composed of lysine, serine, and threonine amino acids. It functions as a skin conditioning agent and is commonly used in growth factor serums, anti-ageing treatments, and lash/brow growth products. It is believed to support cellular communication and promote healthy cell function.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide that is a key component of the trademarked Capixyl complex. It works by stimulating extracellular matrix proteins in the scalp, increasing type III collagen expression by up to 65% and laminin expression by up to 285%, which strengthens the hair follicle anchoring environment. It also inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT, a key driver of androgenetic hair loss.

EGF (Plant-Derived Epidermal Growth Factor)

A recombinant fusion peptide produced via plant biotechnology using Nicotiana benthamiana (a species of tobacco plant). The sh-Oligopeptide-1 component is a bioengineered analogue of human epidermal growth factor (EGF), containing up to 59 amino acids. It is designed for skin rejuvenation by signalling skin cells to promote renewal and repair processes.

TGF-beta2 (Plant-Derived Growth Factor)

A recombinant fusion peptide produced via plant biotechnology using Nicotiana benthamiana. The sh-Polypeptide-76 component is a bioengineered analogue of human transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-beta2). It is designed to support skin conditioning, renewal, and anti-ageing processes through growth factor signalling pathways.

IGF-1 (Plant-Derived Growth Factor)

A recombinant fusion peptide produced via plant biotechnology using Nicotiana benthamiana. The sh-Oligopeptide-2 component is a bioengineered analogue of human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It is designed to support skin conditioning, cell renewal, and hair growth through growth factor signalling. Also marketed under the trade name Scelleye for eye-area and lash treatments.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 is a four-amino-acid synthetic peptide created through acetylation of tetrapeptide-2. It mimics thymopoietin, a hormone produced by the thymus gland that declines with age. By compensating for the loss of thymic factors, it is claimed to stimulate the skin's immune defences and support skin regeneration. It is marketed under the trade name Thymulen 4.

Heptapeptide-6

Heptapeptide-6 is a synthetic peptide composed of seven amino acids: asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, leucine, and tyrosine. It functions as a skin-conditioning ingredient in anti-ageing formulations, where it is used to support skin firmness and smoothness through cell-communicating peptide signalling.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, sold under the trade name Matrixyl, is a cell-communicating peptide composed of five amino acids (lysine–threonine–threonine–lysine–serine, or KTTKS) derived from type I collagen, with palmitic acid attached to improve skin penetration and oil solubility. It works by signalling fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, mimicking the body's natural wound-healing response. Clinical studies show it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at very low concentrations (as low as 0.0003%).