Skin & Collagen
Research compounds studied for collagen synthesis, skin elasticity, wound healing, and photoprotection. Many available topically - no injection required for entry-level use.
Most researched for Skin & Collagen
GHK-Cu
The most extensively researched skin peptide with decades of published data. A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide that activates collagen and elastin gene expression. Unique because it is effective both topically (as a serum) and systemically (injected). Research shows activation of over 4,000 genes related to tissue remodeling and anti-aging. The most accessible entry point with the strongest evidence base.
Hexapeptide-10
aka Serilesine, Serilesine
How it works: Mimics laminin; promotes laminin and integrin expression at DEJ; improves skin adhesion proteins → firmness and density; Lipotec Serilesine ingredient
Skin firmness; anti-aging; dermal-epidermal junction support
Dosage range
2-5 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
BPC-157
aka Body Protection Compound-157, PL 14736
How it works: Upregulates growth factor receptors and promotes angiogenesis to accelerate soft tissue repair.
Tendon, ligament, muscle, bone healing; GI tract repair; wound healing
Dosage range
200-500 mcg, Once or twice daily
Administration
SubQ / IM / Oral / Intranasal
Timing
Morning fasted or near injury site
Cycle length
4-12 weeks
GHK-Cu
aka Copper Peptide, Copper tripeptide-1, GHK
How it works: Activates over 4,000 human genes involved in tissue remodeling, collagen synthesis, and anti-aging processes.
Skin rejuvenation; wound healing; anti-aging; hair growth stimulation
Dosage range
1-2 mg, Daily (injectable) or topical as directed
Administration
SubQ / IM / Topical / Intranasal
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–12 weeks
Argireline
aka Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2
How it works: Competes with SNAP-25 for SNARE complex formation → reduces neuromuscular junction acetylcholine release locally → reduces muscle contraction → less wrinkle formation
Reduction of facial expression wrinkles (crow's feet, forehead); non-injectable alternative to Botox
Dosage range
5-10 % (topical), 1–2×/day (topical serum/cream)
Administration
Topical (serum, cream, eye cream)
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing (cosmetic use)
Snap-8
aka Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
How it works: Competes with SNARE complex via SNAP-25 N-terminal mimicry; longer peptide chain potentially more stable and better-binding than Argireline; reduces muscle microcontraction
Reduction of expression wrinkles; anti-aging; 'topical Botox' (enhanced vs Argireline)
Dosage range
3-8 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
aka Matrixyl, Matrixyl, Pal-KTTKS
How it works: Matrikine — binds collagen receptors; stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen I, III, fibronectin; palmitic acid modification for skin penetration
Collagen type I, III, IV synthesis stimulation; skin firmness; wrinkle reduction
Dosage range
2-8 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Syn-Ake
aka Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Tripeptide-3
How it works: Mimics waglerin-1; binds nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at muscle NMJ; reduces microcontraction → less wrinkle formation. Different mechanism from Argireline (SNARE vs nAChR) — additive
Reduction of expression wrinkles; eye area; forehead; frown lines
Dosage range
2-4 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Leuphasyl
aka Pentapeptide-18, Pentapeptide-18
How it works: Binds opioid receptors at NMJ; modulates enkephalin-mediated ACh release; distinct and complementary to Argireline; marketed by Lipotec
Reduction of expression wrinkles; synergy with Argireline
Dosage range
2-5 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
aka Biopeptide EL, Pal-GHK, Biopeptide EL
How it works: Palmitoylated GHK stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen I and fibronectin via TGF-β; palmitic acid for skin penetration (note: different from injectable GHK-Cu which includes copper)
Collagen I synthesis; skin firmness; anti-aging; wrinkle reduction
Dosage range
2-8 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
GHK-Cu Topical Serum
aka GHK-Cu topical, Copper Peptide serum
How it works: Penetrates stratum corneum; stimulates collagen/elastin in dermis; activates metalloproteinases; promotes wound healing; anti-aging multiple pathways
Skin rejuvenation; wound healing; collagen; hair growth (scalp)
Dosage range
0.05-1 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
aka Collalift, Collalift
How it works: Stimulates lumican expression in dermal fibroblasts; lumican organizes collagen fibrils into structured dermis; addresses collagen organization not just synthesis — distinct from Matrixyl
Skin firmness; collagen fibril organization; dermal density; anti-aging
Dosage range
3-6 % (topical), 1–2×/day
Administration
Topical
Timing
Morning and/or evening
Cycle length
Ongoing
Epitalon
aka Epithalon, Epithalon, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
How it works: Activates telomerase enzyme to support telomere length maintenance and stimulates pineal melatonin production.
Anti-aging; telomere elongation; circadian rhythm regulation
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10–20 day cycle
Administration
SC / IM / Intranasal
Timing
AM or PM (no strong data)
Cycle length
10–20 days; 2× per year
Thymosin Beta-4 Full Length
aka TB4 full, Thymosin Beta-4, TB4, full 43-aa
How it works: The naturally occurring source protein of TB-500; promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory signaling throughout the body.
Wound healing; cardiovascular protection; neural repair; systemic tissue healing
Dosage range
1-5 mg, 2×/week
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Melanotan II
aka MT-2, MT-II
How it works: Activates melanocortin receptors to stimulate melanin production, providing UV-induced pigmentation and some photoprotection.
Skin tanning/pigmentation; libido enhancement; erectile function
Dosage range
250-1000 mcg, Daily (loading) then maintenance 2–3×/week
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Evening (nausea management)
Cycle length
Loading 1–2 wks; maintenance ongoing (with UV exposure for tanning)
Collagen Peptides
aka Hydrolyzed, Hydrolyzed Collagen, CH-Alpha, Peptan
How it works: Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly absorbed intact; accumulate in skin/joints; stimulate fibroblast collagen I/III production; pro-collagen precursor signaling
Skin elasticity; wrinkle reduction; joint health; tendon/ligament support
Dosage range
5-15 g, Once daily
Administration
Oral
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
12 wks (skin); 24 wks (joints)
Epitalon Oral
aka Oral Epitalon, Oral Epithalon capsules
How it works: Same mechanism as injectable Epitalon; small tetrapeptide may survive GI digestion partially; oral bioavailability claimed by manufacturers; FDA PCAC review (same compound)
Telomere support; circadian regulation; anti-aging — oral route convenience
Dosage range
20-30 mg, Daily (oral)
Administration
Oral
Timing
Morning
Cycle length
10–20 day course; 2× per year
Example stacks
Skin & Collagen - Beginner
Topical GHK-Cu serum is the most accessible entry point - no injections, widely available, and decades of evidence behind it.
- • Apply to clean dry skin after cleansing
- • Use AM and PM consistently
- • Choose a serum with GHK-Cu listed as a primary active
Skin & Collagen - Intermediate
Systemic GHK-Cu via injection delivers peptide throughout the whole body. Combined with Epithalon it addresses skin aging from both structural and cellular angles.
- • Rotate injection sites for daily GHK-Cu
- • Take before and after photos at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12
- • Combine systemic with topical GHK-Cu
Community outcome data
Collected from users researching this goal. Not a clinical database - for general reference only.
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