Skin, Hair & Aesthetics

The endogenous 13-amino-acid melanocortin hormone cleaved from POMC. Parent molecule for the melanotan / setmelanotide / KPV cluster — acts at MC1R (pigmentation), MC3R/MC4R (appetite, energy balance), and MC5R, with well-characterized anti-inflammatory activity.

An FDA-approved selective MC1R agonist for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Stimulates protective eumelanin production without the broad side effects of Melanotan II.

The most-studied copper peptide in skincare — a naturally occurring tripeptide (GHK, Gly-His-Lys) whose active tissue form is the copper complex GHK-Cu, with extensive evidence for skin remodeling, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and anti-aging.

A cosmetic peptide that reduces wrinkles by inhibiting neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, often called 'topical Botox.'

The body's most abundant antioxidant — a tripeptide critical for detoxification, immune function, and cellular protection, and one of the most widely used systemic skin-brightening and hyperpigmentation interventions via oral, IV, SubQ/IM, and topical routes (note: IV use for skin lightening is FDA-flagged and not approved).

A collagen-stimulating cosmetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen and extracellular matrix proteins.

A collagen-boosting cosmetic peptide that mimics the body's wound-healing signal to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin.

A skin-brightening peptide that inhibits tyrosinase up to 17x more potently than hydroquinone, used for hyperpigmentation, melasma, and uneven skin tone.

A tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH with potent anti-inflammatory properties, studied for inflammatory bowel disease and skin conditions.

A synthetic melanocortin peptide studied for tanning, sexual function, and appetite suppression. Not FDA-approved; the FDA has issued public warnings against its use.

A cosmetic peptide that reduces the appearance of wrinkles by modulating neuromuscular junction signaling.

An immunomodulatory tetrapeptide derived from human IgG, used in cosmeceuticals as Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to suppress skin inflammation (IL-6) and support anti-aging skin repair.

A synthetic tripeptide that mimics Temple Pit Viper venom, blocking muscular acetylcholine receptors to reduce dynamic wrinkles. Often called 'topical Botox' — reduces muscle contractions by 82% in vitro.

A palmitoylated cosmeceutical tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys) studied for hair growth stimulation via dermal papilla cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic signaling, as well as collagen synthesis and skin rejuvenation.

A synthetic signal peptide that mimics thrombospondin-1 to activate TGF-beta signaling, stimulating type I and III collagen production in dermal fibroblasts for anti-wrinkle and skin-firming effects.

A synthetic enkephalin-mimicking pentapeptide that reduces acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, relaxing facial muscles and smoothing expression wrinkles. Reduces wrinkle depth by ~11% alone and up to 25% when combined with Argireline.

A synthetic pentapeptide inspired by Temple Pit Viper venom that competitively blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing muscle contraction and expression wrinkles by up to 49% in 28 days.

A yeast-derived cosmetic hexapeptide that activates the proteasome, autophagy, and antioxidant response pathways in skin fibroblasts — positioned as a proteostasis-based anti-aging ingredient.

A nine-amino-acid cosmetic peptide designed as an α-MSH antagonist at the MC1R receptor on melanocytes, formulated topically as a skin-brightening and anti-hyperpigmentation ingredient.

A palmitoyl-conjugated dipeptide cosmetic ingredient marketed as a retinol-like anti-aging active — positioned for fine-line reduction and skin smoothing via fibroblast and extracellular-matrix signaling rather than retinoic-acid-receptor activation.

A collagen-derived tripeptide (glycine-proline-hydroxyproline) that is the most abundant repeating motif in type I collagen — used as a cosmetic INCI ingredient in topical formulations and present in oral collagen hydrolysate supplements marketed for skin and joint support.

A synthetic decapeptide (Arg-Asp-Gly-Gln-Ile-Leu-Ser-Thr-Trp-Tyr) marketed as the active in β-WHITE™, positioned as a topical skin-brightening ingredient that suppresses MITF-driven melanogenesis rather than directly inhibiting tyrosinase.

A copper peptide — the copper-complexed tripeptide alanine-histidine-lysine (AHK-Cu, Copper Tripeptide-3) — studied for hair follicle stimulation and dermal papilla cell survival. A structural cousin of the better-known copper peptide GHK-Cu with a distinct, hair-focused research profile.

A cosmetic tetrapeptide marketed for under-eye puffiness and dark circles, developed by Lipotec (now Lubrizol Life Science) and used in topical cosmetic formulations targeting periorbital edema, glycation reduction, and capillary permeability — with the standard cosmetic-grade evidence base of in-house formulation studies rather than independently published peer-reviewed clinical trials.