Research Desk · Peptide Encyclopedia

Skincare peptides, graded by the studies.

Search 12 peptides by name, trade name, goal or what they do. Each entry says what the peptide is, how it is thought to work, every study we checked, how it is used, and its safety notes, with a link to each record.

Vanu Health Research Team · Updated October 2026

Search by peptide, trade name, goal or effect

Popular: , , , , , ,

What it does

Strength of evidence

Grades describe the strongest evidence for a skin effect in the studies checked.

All 12 peptides

Expression lines
Acetyl hexapeptide-3
INCI: Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
A synthetic hexapeptide patterned on part of the SNAP-25 protein, tested in randomised trials for lines around the eyes.
Evidence: Clinical trial
Antioxidant
Carnosine
A natural dipeptide studied for protection against glycation (sugar-linked ageing) and melanin. Most data come from cells, animals and combination products.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Wound repair
Copper tripeptide-1
INCI: Copper Tripeptide-1
A copper-bound peptide, GHK-Cu, studied mainly for wound healing in animals and for how it stays stable in formulations.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Elastin
Elastin-derived peptide (VGVAPG)
A short elastin-derived sequence, VGVAPG, that cell studies link to making new elastin fibres. Its evidence is from cells and skin explants.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Antioxidant
Glutathione
A tripeptide made of glycine, cysteine and glutamate, and one of the body’s main antioxidants. One 10-week trial of a topical lotion found lower melanin and better skin measures.
Evidence: Clinical trial
Hydration and barrier
Hydrolyzed collagen
INCI: Hydrolyzed Collagen
Collagen broken into smaller peptides. A 2020 review covers oral and topical use; topical human trials are few or mixed, so evidence for skin effects is limited.
Evidence: Review
Collagen and matrix
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
INCI: Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
A fatty-acid-tailed peptide sold as Matrixyl. Cell studies link it to collagen production; human trials of it alone were not found.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Collagen and matrix
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
INCI: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
A two-peptide blend sold as Matrixyl 3000. A 2026 study tracked both peptides through the outer skin of volunteers, but did not test wrinkles.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Expression lines
Pentapeptide-18
A five-amino-acid peptide sold as Leuphasyl and described as a neuromodulator. The records checked include modelling and cell studies, plus a volunteer study of a combination product.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Collagen and matrix
Tetrapeptide-21
A four-amino-acid peptide, GEKG, studied in cell work for its effect on collagen-related gene activity. No human trial of it alone was found.
Evidence: Lab and animal
Elastin
Trifunctional elastin-derived peptide (TFP)
A three-part research peptide built from an elastin sequence, an MMP-1-blocking sequence and a linker. A 28-day split-face trial in 22 volunteers found firmer skin on the treated side.
Evidence: Clinical trial
Collagen and matrix
Tripeptide-10 citrulline
INCI: Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
A synthetic peptide designed to mimic part of decorin, a protein that organises collagen fibres. One small human trial tested it alone.
Evidence: Clinical trial

Clear glass vials of fine white powder, a pipette and a glass dish on a cream marble laboratory bench (AI-generated illustration)

Not listed yet

Names we have not verified yet.

Acetyl hexapeptide-8: No study of this exact INCI name was found in the records checked. The best-known trial is of argireline, which is usually listed as acetyl hexapeptide-3.
Acetyl tetrapeptide-5: No verified human or lab study was found in the records checked.
Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (Syn-Ake): No verified controlled study was found in the records checked.
Oligopeptide-68: The link between this INCI name and a specific compound has not been confirmed yet.
Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12: The link between this INCI name and a specific compound has not been confirmed yet.

How we grade

Three grades, no hype.

Clinical trial: Supported by at least one controlled human trial of the topical ingredient.
Review: Described in scientific reviews; human trials of the topical ingredient are few or mixed.
Lab and animal: Evidence comes mainly from cell, laboratory or animal studies, not human trials.

General information, not medical advice. Read our terms.

Search peptides

Names we have not verified yet.

Three grades, no hype.