Skin & Collagen

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 is a synthetic topical cosmetic peptide marketed as Collalift. In laboratory testing it has been reported to stimulate synthesis of lumican, a small proteoglycan that helps organize collagen fibers in the dermis. It is formulated into anti-aging and firming skincare products. Published evidence rests largely on laboratory and manufacturer studies rather than independent clinical trials.

How it works: It is reported to stimulate lumican, a collagen-organizing proteoglycan, supporting dermal matrix structure in laboratory studies.

Anti-aging serums; firming creams; eye creams; dermal density support

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed collagen fragments sold as an oral supplement under names such as Peptan. Ingested peptides are absorbed and may act as signaling molecules that stimulate fibroblast activity and matrix production. Randomized trials and meta-analyses report improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, although study quality and industry funding vary considerably.

How it works: Hydrolyzed collagen fragments are absorbed and may signal fibroblasts to increase collagen and extracellular matrix synthesis.

Skin hydration; skin elasticity; nail and hair support; joint and bone research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Leuphasyl is the trade name for pentapeptide-18, a synthetic peptide related to the natural opioid peptide leu-enkephalin. It is used in topical cosmetic products, sometimes alongside other peptides, and is marketed to soften the appearance of expression lines. Its cosmetic activity is supported mainly by manufacturer and laboratory data. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.

How it works: It acts as an enkephalin-like ligand at neuronal receptors and is proposed to modulate the signaling that drives muscle contraction.

Expression lines; forehead wrinkles; combination formulations; cosmetic anti-aging

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a synthetic lipopeptide consisting of a glycine-histidine-lysine sequence linked to a palmitic acid chain that improves skin penetration. It is used in topical cosmetic products, often within combination formulations, and is marketed to support the appearance of firmer skin. In laboratory studies it has been reported to stimulate fibroblast activity and matrix components. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.

How it works: It is proposed to signal dermal fibroblasts to increase production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans.

Skin firmness; fine line appearance; combination formulations; cosmetic anti-aging

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Syn-Ake is the trade name for a synthetic peptide modeled on waglerin-1, a component of temple viper venom. It is used in topical cosmetic products marketed to relax facial muscle movement and soften the look of expression lines. Reported activity comes largely from laboratory and manufacturer data rather than independent peer-reviewed clinical trials. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.

How it works: It is designed to act as an antagonist at muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing muscle contraction linked to expression lines.

Expression lines; forehead wrinkles; facial muscle relaxation; cosmetic anti-aging

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Hexapeptide-10, sold as Serilesine, is a synthetic cosmetic peptide that mimics an adhesion fragment of the laminin protein. In laboratory studies it promotes skin cell adhesion and proliferation and supports the junction between the epidermis and dermis. It is used in topical firming and anti-aging formulations. Independent clinical evidence in cosmetics is limited.

How it works: It is a laminin-derived peptide that promotes keratinocyte and fibroblast adhesion and reinforces the dermo-epidermal junction.

Firming skincare; anti-aging serums; skin density; dermo-epidermal support

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Matrixyl is the trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, a synthetic lipopeptide that joins a fragment of type I procollagen to a palmitic acid chain that aids skin penetration. It is used in topical cosmetic products marketed for the appearance of fine lines and photoaged skin. A small controlled clinical study reported improved wrinkle appearance and good skin tolerability. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient rather than a drug.

How it works: It acts as a matrikine signal proposed to prompt dermal fibroblasts to increase synthesis of collagen and other matrix proteins.

Fine line appearance; photoaged skin; skin firmness; cosmetic anti-aging

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Snap-8, known by the cosmetic ingredient names Acetyl Octapeptide-3 and Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1, is a topical peptide used in anti-wrinkle skincare. It is a fragment that mimics part of the SNAP-25 protein and is proposed to interfere with the SNARE complex that drives neurotransmitter release, so facial muscle contraction is reduced. It is studied mainly for softening expression lines on the forehead and around the eyes.

How it works: It mimics part of the SNAP-25 protein and interferes with the SNARE complex, reducing the neurotransmitter release that triggers muscle contraction.

Expression line reduction; anti-wrinkle skincare; topical cosmetic formulation

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Argireline is the trade name for acetyl hexapeptide, a synthetic peptide whose sequence corresponds to the end of the SNAP-25 protein involved in neurotransmitter release. It is used in topical cosmetic products intended to soften the appearance of expression lines. A 2002 study reported reduced wrinkle depth with a topical formulation, although independent clinical evidence remains limited. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.

How it works: It mimics the SNAP-25 protein terminus and is proposed to interfere with SNARE complex formation, reducing muscle contraction.

Expression lines; forehead wrinkles; crow's feet appearance; cosmetic anti-aging

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

OS-01 is a synthetic ten amino acid peptide developed by OneSkin and assigned the cosmetic name Decapeptide-52. It is described as a topical senotherapeutic intended to reduce markers of cellular senescence in skin. A twelve-week split-face, vehicle-controlled study reported reduced water loss and improved wrinkle appearance and texture. It is marketed as a cosmetic rather than a drug, and independent replication remains limited.

How it works: It is proposed to act as a senotherapeutic, reducing accumulation of senescent cells and their inflammatory secretions in skin.

Skin rejuvenation; wrinkle reduction; barrier support; senescence reduction

This entry describes glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper as a topical serum presentation. It is the same molecule as the existing GHK-Cu row and differs only by presentation. GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide studied for effects on collagen synthesis, matrix remodeling, and wound repair, used mainly as a topical cosmetic ingredient.

How it works: It carries copper into tissue and acts as a signaling molecule that modulates genes linked to matrix remodeling and repair.

Skin anti-aging; collagen support; wound healing research; hair research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Afamelanotide is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that activates the melanocortin-1 receptor to increase protective eumelanin pigment in the skin. Marketed as the implant Scenesse, it is FDA approved to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria. It has also been researched for other light-sensitivity and pigmentation conditions such as vitiligo.

How it works: It binds and activates the melanocortin-1 receptor, stimulating protective eumelanin pigment production in the skin.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria; skin photoprotection; pigmentation disorders; vitiligo research

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that non-selectively activates several melanocortin receptors, including MC1 and MC4. Through MC1 it darkens skin by stimulating melanin, and through MC4 it can influence sexual arousal and appetite. It is not approved for any human use and is sold only as an unregulated research chemical, and it is a different molecule from afamelanotide, which is Melanotan I.

How it works: It non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors, increasing skin melanin through MC1 and affecting sexual function through MC4.

Skin tanning; erectile function; appetite research; melanocortin studies

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Icotrokinra is an orally administered peptide that selectively blocks the interleukin-23 receptor, interrupting a signaling pathway that drives the inflammation underlying plaque psoriasis. It is a once-daily pill and is notable as the first oral agent to target this receptor. The FDA approved it in March 2026 under the brand name Icotyde for adults and adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

How it works: It is a peptide antagonist that binds the interleukin-23 receptor, blocking IL-23 signaling that promotes inflammatory responses.

Plaque psoriasis; psoriatic disease; interleukin-23 mediated inflammation

Botulinum toxin type A is a purified neurotoxin protein produced by Clostridium botulinum and marketed as Botox. It is FDA approved for a broad range of therapeutic uses, including chronic migraine, cervical dystonia, spasticity, overactive bladder, severe underarm sweating, and blepharospasm. It acts locally at the neuromuscular junction to inhibit acetylcholine release.

How it works: It cleaves SNARE proteins to inhibit acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, producing local chemodenervation.

Chronic migraine; cervical dystonia; spasticity; overactive bladder; hyperhidrosis

This entry is an oral presentation of Epitalon, the synthetic tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly modeled on a pineal preparation. It is the same molecule as the existing Epitalon row and is not a separate compound. Epitalon is studied for reported effects on melatonin, telomerase activity, and aging markers, largely in animal models and small human studies. Oral peptide bioavailability is generally low.

How it works: It is reported to influence pineal and neuroendocrine signaling and telomerase activity in preclinical work.

Longevity research; telomere biology; aging studies

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.