✨ Skin & Hair peptides

A 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analog, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, approved as a 16 mg subcutaneous implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria that raises eumelanin through MC1R; the same molecule sold on the research market as melanotan I.

A synthetic all-D-amino-acid tetrapeptide that selectively activates peripheral kappa-opioid receptors, FDA approved since 2021 as Korsuva, an intravenous injection given at the end of hemodialysis for moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease-associated itch.

A melanocortin peptide analogue tied to pigmentation and photoprotection research, and closely related to the approved drug afamelanotide.

Trade name for acetyl hexapeptide-8, a synthetic six-residue mimic of the SNAP-25 N-terminus used as a topical cosmetic ingredient and marketed as a non-toxic, botulinum-toxin-like approach to expression wrinkles.

The native 53-amino-acid human growth factor that drives epithelial cell proliferation through the EGF receptor, marketed outside the United States as an intralesional diabetic foot ulcer treatment and used in cosmetics as sh-Oligopeptide-1.

A 155-amino-acid human growth factor that activates every FGF receptor in a heparin-dependent manner, studied in angiogenesis, wound-healing, and nerve-repair trials that never reached approval and sold almost exclusively as a laboratory reagent.

A copper-binding peptide used in cosmetic and wound-healing discussions, especially around skin appearance and tissue signaling.

The native human growth factor FGF-7, secreted by fibroblasts to drive epithelial repair through the FGFR2b receptor; its N-truncated recombinant form palifermin is FDA approved for severe oral mucositis, while KGF-1 itself remains a research reagent.

A host-defense peptide associated with innate immunity and tissue-response discussions.

A melanocortin analogue commonly discussed for tanning and cosmetic interest but not approved as an FDA drug.

A mixture of DNA fragments extracted from salmonid fish sperm and studied as an adenosine A2A receptor agonist for wound healing, with prescription products in Italy and South Korea, no US approval, and no peptide structure.

A synthetic version of the active region of thymosin beta-4, commonly discussed for soft-tissue recovery and injury support.

A copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys-Cu) studied for hair follicle stimulation and wound healing, structurally related to GHK-Cu but with a different amino acid sequence.

Native 13-amino-acid melanocortin hormone cleaved from proopiomelanocortin that activates MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, driving pigmentation, appetite suppression, and anti-inflammatory signaling; it is the parent molecule of melanotan I, melanotan II, and KPV.

A synthetic ten-residue peptide (Tyr-Arg-Ser-Arg-Lys-Tyr-Ser-Ser-Trp-Tyr) identified in a tyrosinase-inhibitor screen and sold from 2009 as the cosmetic brightening ingredient Lumixyl, with human evidence limited to a five-person split-face pilot and small open-label regimen studies.

A short peptide fragment associated with gut-barrier, inflammatory, and tissue-soothing discussions in the peptide market.

Lipotec's (now Lubrizol's) trade name for pentapeptide-18 (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH), a metabolically stabilized leu-enkephalin analog sold as a topical cosmetic ingredient and studied for softening expression lines by damping neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction.

Sederma's trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (pal-KTTKS), a fatty-acid-conjugated fragment of type I procollagen used in topical cosmetic formulations and studied for collagen-signaling and wrinkle-reduction effects in skin.

A synthetic lipopeptide pairing the collagen-derived matrikine GHK with a palmitic-acid chain for skin penetration, used in topical cosmetics and best known as the collagen-signaling half of the Matrixyl 3000 blend.

A synthetic fusion peptide pairing a cell-penetrating protein transduction domain with the Dishevelled-binding motif of CXXC5, studied topically in mice for hair regrowth and wound healing via Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activation.

Sederma's trade name for palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR, CAS 221227-05-0), a palmitoylated fragment of human immunoglobulin G used in topical cosmetics for reported IL-6-modulating, skin-soothing effects and best known as half of the Matrixyl 3000 blend.

A synthetic cosmetic peptidomimetic (INCI: dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate) designed to imitate waglerin-1 from temple viper venom, marketed for topical expression-line smoothing on a manufacturer-described mechanism of reversible antagonism at the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The seven-amino-acid actin-binding segment of thymosin beta-4 (residues 17-23, LKKTETQ), sold on the research market in N-acetylated form as a smaller synthetic stand-in for the full 43-amino-acid parent peptide.

A synthetic acetylated tetrapeptide (Ac-beta-Ala-His-Ser-His-OH) developed by Lipotec as the cosmetic ingredient Eyeseryl for under-eye puffiness, with a proposed angiotensin-converting-enzyme and anti-glycation mechanism supported almost entirely by supplier in vitro data and small uncontrolled cosmetic studies.

A cosmetic-facing peptide often discussed in topical anti-wrinkle and expression-line products.