ION BLUE RESEARCH DIRECTORY
Explore research-indexed skincare peptides with science-referenced information.
Discover mechanisms of action, benefits, evidence levels, and real-world applications for skincare professionals.
PEPTIDE
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) is a synthetic peptide used in cosmetics and marketed for the appearance of expression lines. Ex vivo studies indicate limited skin penetration, and the cited human improvement was reported using a microneedle patch combined with other actives rather than topical application alone.
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PEPTIDE
Acetyl octapeptide-3 (SNAP-8) is a synthetic peptide marketed for the appearance of expression lines. Cited human evidence comes from dissolving microneedle patches containing multiple actives, so effects cannot be attributed to acetyl octapeptide-3 or to conventional topical application alone.
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PEPTIDE
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 (trade name Eyeseryl, by Lipotec/Lubrizol) is a synthetic peptide marketed for under-eye puffiness and bags. Its official EU CosIng function is simply "Humectant." What we don't know: we could not find any independent efficacy data, and the manufacturer's own efficacy figures were not accessible on a public source we could verify.
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PEPTIDE
AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) sold as a cosmetic/research ingredient and promoted for hair. The only cited research is a single laboratory study on isolated hair follicles and cells in a dish — not on people. What we don't know: whether AHK-Cu does anything for hair or skin in living people — no human trials are cited.
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PEPTIDE
AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191) studied mainly in preclinical models of fat metabolism and, later, joint tissue.
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PEPTIDE
Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) found in muscle and brain tissue and available as a dietary supplement. Human trials to date are mixed and limited: a randomized trial reported a null result for musculoskeletal and body-composition outcomes, and a cognitive signal came only from a post-hoc secondary analysis in younger participants; broader benefit is not established.
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PEPTIDE
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) examined in a small number of human and animal studies. It is a research chemical and is not an approved therapeutic. As of June 2026 it sits in a regulatory gray zone: CJC-1295 was removed from the FDA 503A Category 2 bulk-substances list in April 2026 but not added to Category 1, and it remains not FDA-approved.
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PEPTIDE
Copper Tripeptide-1 is a naturally occurring copper peptide complex (GHK-Cu). In laboratory and cell studies, GHK-Cu has been examined for proposed roles in collagen and elastin synthesis, the activity of collagen-degrading enzymes, and antioxidant activity. It is one of the more extensively studied peptides in skin-aging and firmness research.
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PEPTIDE
Tripeptide-1 (GHK; glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide used in cosmetics. Much of the skin literature concerns its copper complex (copper tripeptide-1 / GHK-Cu, summarized separately); cited evidence for the copper-free tripeptide is largely in vitro and review-level.
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PEPTIDE
GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue (a growth-hormone-secretagogue/ghrelin receptor agonist) studied in preclinical models and early human pharmacology. It is a research peptide and is not an approved therapeutic.
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PEPTIDE
GLP-1 is a native incretin hormone that regulates insulin secretion and appetite; its analogs (not native GLP-1) are the approved GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs.
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PEPTIDE
Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue studied in human pharmacology research; it is not an approved medicine.
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PEPTIDE
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived 24-amino-acid peptide studied in preclinical models for cytoprotective and metabolic effects.
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PEPTIDE
Larazotide is an investigational 8-amino-acid tight-junction-regulating peptide studied in randomized trials for celiac disease.
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PEPTIDE
Pentapeptide-18 (trade name Leuphasyl; INCI Pentapeptide-18) is a synthetic [D-Ala2] analog of the endogenous opioid pentapeptide Leu-enkephalin (sequence H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH). It is marketed as a "neuro-cosmetic" for the appearance of expression lines via a proposed PRE-synaptic (enkephalin/opioid) mechanism — distinct from the POST-synaptic SNARE-targeting peptides Argireline and SNAP-8. Its structural basis is well-established; independent controlled human anti-wrinkle efficacy data are limited.
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PEPTIDE
LL-37 is the active fragment of the human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (hCAP18), an endogenous host-defense peptide. Research describes antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity studied mainly in vitro and in animal models. Therapeutic applications are investigational and not approved.
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PEPTIDE
Matrixyl 3000 is a cosmetic peptide blend of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. A cited 12-week human study of a multi-component formula containing both peptides reported measured skin improvements; because the formula included additional actives, effects cannot be attributed to the peptide blend alone.
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PEPTIDE
Matrixyl Synthe'6 (INCI palmitoyl tripeptide-38) is a lipidated tripeptide cosmetic ingredient. Cited human evidence comes from multi-ingredient serums that include palmitoyl tripeptide-38 among other actives, several with commercial or manufacturer affiliation, so effects cannot be attributed to this peptide alone.
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PEPTIDE
Melanotan II is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist studied in animal models and a small number of early human reports. It is an unlicensed research chemical not approved for human use, and its unregulated use has been associated with adverse effects, including changes in pigmented skin lesions.
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PEPTIDE
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived 16-amino-acid peptide studied in preclinical models for effects on metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
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PEPTIDE
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a lab-made lipopeptide used in eyelash and eyebrow products and marketed to condition lashes by stimulating keratin genes. What we don't know: we could not find any independent study or clinical trial of it — the lash claims are supplier marketing, and no sample-size data exist.
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PEPTIDE
Palmitoyl oligopeptide is a lipidated peptide cosmetic ingredient, cited within a peptide blend with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Evidence is from a multi-ingredient blend, so effects cannot be attributed to palmitoyl oligopeptide alone.
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PEPTIDE
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (pal-KTTKS, the peptide in the cosmetic ingredient Matrixyl) is a lipidated fragment of type I collagen used in skincare. Published primary evidence is largely in vitro and ex vivo (stability, skin-permeation, and fibroblast studies); independent controlled evidence for appearance benefits is limited.
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PEPTIDE
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (pal-GQPR) is a lipidated tetrapeptide cosmetic ingredient, frequently used with palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (Matrixyl 3000) or palmitoyl oligopeptide. Cited human and ex vivo evidence comes from multi-ingredient blends, so effects cannot be attributed to this peptide alone.
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PEPTIDE
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (pal-GHK) is a lipidated tripeptide cosmetic ingredient, often combined with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (the pair is marketed as Matrixyl 3000). Cited human evidence comes from a multi-ingredient formula, so effects cannot be attributed to this peptide alone.
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PEPTIDE
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (trade name Syn-Coll, by Pentapharm/DSM) is a lab-made signal peptide marketed as a collagen booster. The published literature we could verify only names it among cosmetic peptides; its collagen claims come from the manufacturer. What we don't know: we could not find independent, peer-reviewed efficacy data, and the manufacturer's collagen figures could not be traced to a verifiable source.
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PEPTIDE
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a melanocortin-receptor agonist peptide, FDA-approved as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
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PEPTIDE
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin studied mainly in Russian research for anxiety-related and immunomodulatory effects.
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PEPTIDE
Semax is a synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog heptapeptide studied mainly in Russian research for neuroprotective and nootropic effects.
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PEPTIDE
Sermorelin is a synthetic fragment corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29). It was formerly approved (as Geref) for diagnostic and pediatric growth-hormone-deficiency contexts and is now generally available through compounding pharmacies. Clinical evidence relates mainly to growth-hormone-deficiency settings; popular wellness and anti-aging applications are not well established.
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PEPTIDE
Syn-Ake is a cosmetic dipeptide (a synthetic waglerin-1 mimetic) marketed for expression lines; independent peptide-specific evidence is limited.
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PEPTIDE
TB-500 refers to a synthetic peptide related to thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), a naturally occurring regenerative peptide. Most published evidence concerns Tβ4 in preclinical (cell and animal) models of tissue repair. TB-500 is sold as a research chemical and is not approved for human use. As of June 2026 it sits in a regulatory gray zone: thymosin beta-4 / TB-500 was removed from the FDA 503A Category 2 bulk-substances list in April 2026 but not added to Category 1, and it remains not FDA-approved; it is under FDA PCAC review (July 2026).
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PEPTIDE
Thymosin Alpha-1 (thymalfasin) is a 28-amino-acid immunomodulatory peptide, approved in some countries and studied in trials for sepsis and hepatitis.
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