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Classes

Cosmetic & topical

Topically applied peptides for skin ageing, pigmentation and expression lines.

6 compounds in this class. 0 approved by the FDA for at least one indication. 0 have no published human trial data.

Guides in this class

All 6 cosmetic & topical compared

CompoundEvidenceReported rangeHalf-lifeStatus
Argireline
A hexapeptide marketed as topical botulinum toxin, working on the same SNARE machinery by a much weaker mechanism.
 Clinical trials 5-10 mg Topical; not systemically absorbed in meaningful quantity Unapproved
Decapeptide-12
A tyrosinase-inhibiting peptide used for hyperpigmentation, positioned as a gentler alternative to hydroquinone.
 Clinical trials 1 mg Topical Unapproved
Matrixyl
A palmitoylated collagen fragment and one of the few cosmetic peptides with credible controlled human data.
 Clinical trials 3-8 mg Topical Unapproved
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
An anti-inflammatory cosmetic peptide that targets glycation and cytokine-driven skin ageing, best known as one half of Matrixyl 3000.
 Preliminary human 1-4 mg Topical Unapproved
Pentapeptide-18
An enkephalin-derived peptide that reduces muscle contraction through a different pathway than Argireline, and is usually combined with it.
 Preliminary human 2-5 mg Topical Unapproved
SNAP-8
An elongated Argireline analog with two additional residues, marketed as a more effective version of the same mechanism.
 Preliminary human 2-10 mg Topical Unapproved

Head-to-head comparisons

Argireline vs MatrixylArgireline vs SNAP-8Argireline vs GHK-CuDecapeptide-12 vs GHK-CuDecapeptide-12 vs MatrixylGHK-Cu vs MatrixylMatrixyl vs Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7GHK-Cu vs Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Argireline vs Pentapeptide-18Pentapeptide-18 vs SNAP-8

Cosmetic & topical: common questions

What are cosmetic & topical?

Topically applied peptides for skin ageing, pigmentation and expression lines. This class has 6 compounds in our directory.

Which cosmetic & topical are FDA approved?

None of the 6 compounds in this class is FDA approved for any indication.

Which cosmetic & topical have the strongest evidence?

By evidence level and number of human studies: Matrixyl (clinical trials, ~10 human studies); Argireline (clinical trials, ~8 human studies); Decapeptide-12 (clinical trials, ~5 human studies).

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and withdrawn nominations) ↗ · content current as of April 22, 2026; checked October 18, 2026
  2. FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A ↗ · how the 503A categories work
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs ↗ · status of products sold "for research use only"
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · peptide hormones and growth factors, class S2
  5. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) ↗ · source of every literature reference on this site

Published literature

  1. Chan LKW, Lee KWA, Lee CH, et al.. Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review.Skin Res Technol 2024.PubMed 39233460 · doi:10.1111/srt.13730
  2. Zdrada-Nowak J, Surgiel-Gemza A, Szatkowska M. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals-A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy.Int J Mol Sci 2025.PubMed 40565185 · doi:10.3390/ijms26125722
  3. Nagendran ST, Ali MJ, Dogru M, et al.. Complications and adverse effects of periocular aesthetic treatments.Surv Ophthalmol 2022.PubMed 33933438 · doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.04.009
  4. Wisniewski JD, Ellis DL, Lupo MP. Facial rejuvenation: combining cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures.Cutis 2014.PubMed 25279473
  5. Bruschi M, Alberici F, Moroni G, et al.. The landscape of serum autoantibodies in lupus nephritis.Autoimmun Rev 2026.PubMed 42409299 · doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2026.104128
  6. Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao S, et al.. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.Am J Clin Dermatol 2013.PubMed 23417317 · doi:10.1007/s40257-013-0009-9
  7. Bongard O, Weimer D, Lemoine R, et al.. Cyclosporine toxicity in renal transplant recipients detected by nailfold capillaroscopy with Na-fluorescein.Kidney Int 2000.PubMed 11115091 · doi:10.1046/j.1523-1755.2000.00441.x
  8. Young B, Zhao X, Cook AR, et al.. Do antibody responses to the influenza vaccine persist year-round in the elderly? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Vaccine 2017.PubMed 27939013 · doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.11.013
  9. Hantash BM, Jimenez F. A split-face, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled pilot evaluation of a novel oligopeptide for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma.J Drugs Dermatol 2009.PubMed 19663110
  10. Kassim AT, Hussain M, Goldberg DJ. Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12.J Cosmet Laser Ther 2012.PubMed 22401652 · doi:10.3109/14764172.2012.672745
  11. Ramírez SP, Carvajal AC, Salazar JC, et al.. Open-label evaluation of a novel skin brightening system containing 0.01% decapeptide-12 in combination with 20% buffered glycolic acid for the treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma.J Drugs Dermatol 2013.PubMed 23839199
  12. Röper B, Kaisig D, Auer F, et al.. Thêta-Cream versus Bepanthol lotion in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy. A new prophylactic agent in skin care?.Strahlenther Onkol 2004.PubMed 15127162 · doi:10.1007/s00066-004-1174-9
  13. Kaczvinsky JR, Griffiths CE, Schnicker MS, et al.. Efficacy of anti-aging products for periorbital wrinkles as measured by 3-D imaging.J Cosmet Dermatol 2009.PubMed 19735523 · doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00444.x
  14. Osborne R, Hakozaki T, Laughlin T, et al.. Application of genomics to breakthroughs in the cosmetic treatment of skin ageing and discoloration.Br J Dermatol 2012.PubMed 22670614 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10960.x

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.