Peptides for Skin & Anti-ageing
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Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
15
Compounds
1
Approved
0
In Trials
14
Research
6
Clinical Trials
This category has the widest gap between consumer interest and clinical evidence of any research area on PeptideTrace. Fourteen of 15 tracked compounds are research-only, with a single approval: afamelanotide (Scenesse), licensed for a rare photosensitivity condition rather than cosmetic use.
The research compounds split into two groups. Cosmetic peptides — argireline, matrixyl, matrixyl 3000, leuphasyl, SNAP-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 — are widely used in topical skincare products and backed by manufacturer-funded studies but lack independent clinical trial data of the kind regulatory agencies require. Then there are the systemic research peptides — GHK-Cu, GHK, epitalon, epithalamin, melanotan I, and FOXO4-DRI — studied in preclinical settings for wound healing, pigmentation, telomere biology, and cellular senescence.
GHK-Cu is probably the most evidence-supported compound in this tier, with published research on wound healing, collagen synthesis, and anti-inflammatory signalling, though the studies are predominantly in-vitro and animal models. Epitalon and FOXO4-DRI attract attention from the longevity research community but remain firmly preclinical.
All Compounds
15 compounds tracked in skin & anti-ageing. Sort by any column. Filter by classification.
| Compound | Classification | Evidence ↑ | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afamelanotide | Approved | AGrade A | USEUCA |
| Epitalon | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Epithalamin | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| GHK | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| GHK-Cu | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Melanotan I | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Argireline | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| FOXO4-DRI | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| Matrixyl | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| Copper Peptide AHK-Cu | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| Leuphasyl | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| Matrixyl 3000 | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| SNAP-8 | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
What the Evidence Shows
Approved Compounds
1 compound in this research area has received regulatory approval in at least one major jurisdiction. These compounds have completed the full regulatory review process, including Phase 3 clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance. Their documented benefits are referenced from licensed labelling only.
Research Compounds
14 compounds in this area exist at the research stage — studied in preclinical settings including animal models and in-vitro experiments, without formal regulatory approval or active clinical programmes. The evidence for these compounds is primarily preclinical, and claims about their effects should be evaluated accordingly.