Translation: 10 Common Beauty Peptides Used in Skincare

Copper Peptide
Widely used in skincare, copper peptide delivers excellent effects in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-aging and anti-glycation. It is a mainstream ingredient for anti-aging and skin-repair products of high-end skincare brands. Beyond cosmetics, it is also applied in human disease research. With technological integration into skincare and medical aesthetics, copper peptide boasts broad application prospects.
Brands using it: The Ordinary, Winona, KANS etc.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Also known as Argireline, it is developed based on skin biochemical mechanisms. It relieves muscle contraction, fades dynamic wrinkles and fine lines, rebuilds collagen elasticity and tightens skin. Its anti-wrinkle effect is comparable to Botox without injection risks and high costs, making it a popular anti-wrinkle cosmetic raw material.
Brands using it: Estée Lauder, La Mer, Clinique, Winona, KANS, UNSHAKE etc.
Conotoxin Peptide
It features complex spatial structure with multiple disulfide bonds. Complicated production processes and low yield lead to high costs, yet its outstanding instant wrinkle-removing effect wins wide attention from major brands. Thanks to new technological breakthroughs and mass production, its cost keeps decreasing, and it will be more widely used in anti-wrinkle skincare products in the future.
Snake Venom-like Peptide
A leading anti-wrinkle peptide in the new era with verified safety and compliant usage dosage stated in the 2021 Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Ingredients. It is the core registered ingredient of snake venom-themed cosmetics filed with NMPA. It effectively fades and prevents wrinkles with safe and reversible effects, destined for wider application in skincare.
Brands using it: Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Shiseido etc.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
An early and widely adopted signaling peptide. It boosts synthesis of type I, II and IV collagen and extracellular matrix proteins, enhances skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, activates cell vitality, boosts skin moisture, brightens complexion and evens skin tone.
Brands using it: Estée Lauder, Chanel, Avon etc.
Carnosine
Composed of alanine and histidine, carosine eliminates free radicals, fights oxidation and glycation, protects collagen and delays skin aging. It works remarkably well in improving dull aged skin, serving as a core ingredient in anti-aging and brightening products of mainstream skincare brands.
Brands using it: Estée Lauder, PROYA, OSM, Haa etc.
Nonapeptide-1
A bionic peptide also called whitening peptide, consisting of nine amino acids. It inhibits excessive melanin production at the source before pigmentation occurs by blocking melanocyte signal transmission and restraining tyrosinase activity. It effectively brightens skin, fades spots and balances uneven skin tone, occupying a vital position in whitening skincare.
Brands using it: QuadHA, PROYA, MARUBI, Fanwenhua etc.
Biotin Tripeptide-1
It maintains extracellular matrix stability, stimulates protein synthesis to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss. It also activates tissue repair genes and promotes cell proliferation and differentiation. Combined with Vitamin H and GHK, its compound formulas further optimize scalp care effects.
Brands using it: MEDICEUTICALS, Bellahut Skin Care, Seboradin.
Glutathione
A well-known powerful antioxidant in skincare. It neutralizes free radicals to protect skin cells, inhibits tyrosinase for whitening, repairs damaged skin cells and refines skin texture.
Brands using it: Lancôme, Shiseido, L’Oréal etc.
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Also named Pal-KTTKS (formerly Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 before 2006). Launched in 2000, it is a classic long-selling peptide and won the IFSCC 25-Year Most Influential Cosmetic Ingredient Innovation Award.
Brands using it: L’Oréal, Avon etc.