💆 Cosmetic Peptide Ingredient Profiles
Cosmetic peptides are among the fastest-growing functional ingredient categories in China's cosmetics industry. This chapter profiles the ten major cosmetic peptide ingredients dominant in the Chinese market, providing complete molecular profiles, mechanisms of action, regulatory registration information, and market application cases.
1. Core Cosmetic Peptide Ingredients at a Glance
| Ingredient Name |
INCI Name |
CAS Number |
Molecular Weight |
Peptide Type |
Primary Efficacy |
| Copper Peptide / Tripeptide-1 Copper |
Copper Tripeptide-1 |
89030-95-5 |
340.4 Da |
Carrier peptide |
Repair, antioxidant, promotes collagen synthesis |
| Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
616204-22-9 |
888.9 Da |
Neurotransmitter-inhibiting |
Botox-like anti-wrinkle (Argireline) |
| Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
214047-00-4 |
788.0 Da |
Signal peptide |
Stimulates collagen I/III synthesis |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
147732-56-7 |
552.8 Da |
Signal peptide |
Anti-aging, firming |
| Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
221227-05-0 |
782.0 Da |
Signal peptide |
Anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
77331-10-7 |
487.5 Da |
Signal peptide |
Anti-inflammatory, soothing, reduces dark circles |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
820959-17-9 |
523.6 Da |
Signal peptide |
Improves under-eye bags, reduces edema |
| Snake Venom Peptide / SYN-AKE |
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate |
870531-87-2 |
521.6 Da |
Neurotransmitter-inhibiting |
Rapid wrinkle smoothing |
| Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
868036-26-4 |
1078.3 Da |
Neurotransmitter-inhibiting |
Long-lasting anti-wrinkle (SNAP-8) |
| Blue Copper Peptide / Next-Gen GHK-Cu |
Copper Tripeptide-2 |
— |
441.6 Da |
Carrier peptide |
Enhanced repair & antioxidant |
2. Detailed Ingredient Profiles
Copper Tripeptide-1 / GHK-Cu
| Attribute |
Details |
| CAS Number |
89030-95-5 (copper complex); 49557-75-7 (Tripeptide-1 free form) |
| Molecular Structure |
1:1 chelate of Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine with Cu²⁺ ion |
| Mechanism of Action |
Acts as copper ion carrier into cells → activates fibroblasts → promotes collagen/elastin synthesis → scavenges free radicals → promotes wound healing |
| Recommended Dosage |
0.1–1.0% (typically 0.2–0.5%) |
| pH Stability |
pH 5.5–7.0 optimal (copper ions dissociate under acidic conditions) |
| Efficacy Claims |
Anti-wrinkle, firming, skin barrier repair, antioxidant |
| Registration Status |
Registered with China NMPA (last updated December 2024) |
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 / Argireline
| Attribute |
Details |
| CAS Number |
616204-22-9 |
| Molecular Structure |
Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH₂ (hexapeptide) |
| Mechanism of Action |
SNAP-25 competitive inhibitor → prevents SNARE complex formation → reduces neurotransmitter release → inhibits expression muscle contraction → reduces dynamic wrinkles |
| Recommended Dosage |
1.0–10.0% (commonly 2–5%) |
| pH Stability |
pH 4.0–7.0 |
| Efficacy Claims |
Anti-wrinkle (especially crow's feet, forehead lines), expression line reduction |
| Registration Status |
Registered with China NMPA (one of the earliest registered ingredients) |
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 / Matrixyl
| Attribute |
Details |
| CAS Number |
214047-00-4 |
| Molecular Structure |
Palmitoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (pentapeptide + palmitic acid side chain) |
| Mechanism of Action |
Mimics the C-terminal fragment of procollagen I → activates TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway → stimulates type I/III collagen and elastin synthesis |
| Recommended Dosage |
0.5–5.0% (typically 2–3%) |
| Efficacy Claims |
Anti-wrinkle, improves firmness and tightness, enhances skin texture |
| Registration Status |
Registered with China NMPA |
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 / EYESERYL
| Attribute |
Details |
| CAS Number |
820959-17-9 |
| Mechanism of Action |
Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) → reduces vascular permeability → alleviates periorbital edema and dark circles |
| Recommended Dosage |
0.5–3.0% |
| Efficacy Claims |
Improves under-eye bags, reduces edema, brightens periorbital area |
| Registration Status |
Registered with China NMPA |
Snake Venom Peptide / SYN-AKE
| Attribute |
Details |
| CAS Number |
870531-87-2 |
| Mechanism of Action |
Mimics snake venom Waglerin-1 activity → competitively binds acetylcholine receptors → inhibits muscle contraction |
| Recommended Dosage |
0.1–1.0% |
| Efficacy Claims |
Rapid wrinkle smoothing (visible effect within 30 minutes) |
| Registration Status |
Registered with China NMPA |
3. Ingredient Comparison Matrix
| Ingredient |
CAS Number |
Optimal Dosage |
MW |
pH Range |
Water Solubility |
Stability |
NMPA Registration |
| Copper Peptide |
89030-95-5 |
0.2–0.5% |
340.4 |
5.5–7.0 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
616204-22-9 |
2–5% |
888.9 |
4.0–7.0 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
214047-00-4 |
2–3% |
788.0 |
4.5–6.5 |
Moderate |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
147732-56-7 |
1–3% |
552.8 |
4.5–6.5 |
Moderate |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
221227-05-0 |
1–3% |
782.0 |
4.5–6.5 |
Moderate |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
77331-10-7 |
0.5–3% |
487.5 |
5.0–7.0 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
820959-17-9 |
0.5–3% |
523.6 |
5.0–7.0 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Snake Venom Peptide |
870531-87-2 |
0.1–1.0% |
521.6 |
4.5–6.5 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
| Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
868036-26-4 |
1–5% |
1078.3 |
4.0–7.0 |
Excellent |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Registered |
4. International INCI Name vs. China Registered Name Cross-Reference
| International INCI Name |
China Registered / Common Name |
Trade Name Example |
2021 Catalog No. |
| Copper Tripeptide-1 |
铜肽/三肽-1铜 |
GHK-Cu |
06592 |
| Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
乙酰基六肽-8 |
Argireline |
00213 |
| Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
棕榈酰五肽-4 |
Matrixyl |
06891 |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
棕榈酰三肽-1 |
Pal-KTTKS analog |
06887 |
| Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
棕榈酰四肽-7 |
Rigin |
06888 |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
乙酰基四肽-2 |
Uplevity |
00208 |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
乙酰基四肽-5 |
EYESERYL |
00209 |
| Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate |
二肽二氨基丁酰苄胺二乙酸 |
SYN-AKE |
01823 |
| Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
乙酰基八肽-3 |
SNAP-8 |
00219 |
5. Efficacy Validation Standards
| Efficacy Type |
In Vitro Test Method |
Human Test Standard |
Common Metrics |
Recommended Period |
| Anti-wrinkle |
Fibroblast collagen ELISA |
Skin rapid optical imaging (VISIA) |
Wrinkle depth/area/count |
4–12 weeks |
| Firming/Lifting |
3D skin model contraction assay |
Skin elasticity meter (Cutometer) |
R2/R5/R7 elasticity parameters |
4–8 weeks |
| Repair/Barrier |
Keratinocyte migration assay |
TEWL measurement |
TEWL reduction rate, stratum corneum hydration |
2–4 weeks |
| Anti-inflammatory/Soothing |
LPS-induced IL-6/IL-8 inhibition assay |
Skin erythema laser Doppler |
Erythema index, blood flow |
1–4 weeks |
| Antioxidant |
DPPH free radical scavenging / ORAC value |
Skin brightness/evenness |
L-value, pigmentation area |
4–8 weeks |
| Under-Eye Bags / De-puffing |
ACE inhibition enzyme activity assay |
3D periorbital imaging system |
Under-eye bag area/convexity |
2–6 weeks |
6. Brand Product Application Cases
| Brand |
Product Name |
Core Peptide Ingredients |
Concentration |
Product Positioning |
Market Feedback |
| The Ordinary |
Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum |
Copper Peptide + Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 + Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
1–2% each |
Affordable efficacy serum |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent value |
| SkinCeuticals |
AGE Anti-Glycation Cream |
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
3% |
Premium anti-glycation |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Consistent reputation |
| Proya |
Ruby Essence 2.0 |
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 + Snake Venom Peptide |
1.5% + 0.5% |
Domestic anti-wrinkle |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blockbuster item |
| Estée Lauder |
Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream |
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 + Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
2% + 1% |
Premium eye care |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classic eye cream |
| Bloomage Biotech |
QuadHA Blue Copper Peptide Serum |
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu) |
0.5% |
Professional repair |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Double 11 hit |
| Marubi |
Small Red Pen Eye Cream |
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 + Snake Venom Peptide |
2% + 0.3% |
Anti-wrinkle eye cream |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Domestic benchmark |
| Lancôme |
Absolue Premium Day Cream |
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
1% + 1% |
Ultimate anti-aging |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classic |
7. Regulatory Trends (2024–2025 New Regulations)
| Policy / Regulation |
Release Date |
Core Requirements |
Impact on Cosmetic Peptides |
Enterprise Response |
| Cosmetic Efficacy Claims Evaluation Standards Update |
2024.03 |
More detailed classification of efficacy evaluation report levels |
Anti-wrinkle/repair claims require human test reports |
Establish efficacy evaluation system in advance |
| Catalog of Used Cosmetic Ingredients 2nd Revision |
2024.07 |
Added 50+ ingredients, updated INCI cross-references |
Benefits new peptide ingredient introduction |
Verify ingredient code consistency |
| Cosmetic Safety Assessment Technical Guidelines 2025 Edition |
2025.01 |
Introduced read-across assessment |
Peptide safety assessment now has regulatory basis |
Compile homologous peptide toxicology data |
| New Ingredient Registration Management Acceleration |
2024.10 |
Expanded scope of registration system |
New peptide registration cycle shortened to 6 months |
Accelerate new peptide ingredient filings |
| Labeling Management New Regulations |
2025.06 |
Efficacy claims must match evaluation reports |
Prohibits exaggerated peptide efficacy claims |
Strictly match registered efficacy scope |
2024–2025 Compliance Key Points
Based on the latest regulatory developments, key compliance areas for cosmetic peptide products include: 1) Efficacy evaluation reports must be completed before registration (anti-wrinkle/firming require human testing); 2) New peptide ingredients should use the new ingredient registration pathway to shorten approval timelines; 3) INCI names on labels must exactly match registration information; 4) Peptide impurities (e.g., residual TFA) must be individually assessed in safety evaluations.
8. Market Heat & Growth Trends
| Ingredient |
2022 China Volume (kg) |
2024 China Volume (kg) |
CAGR |
Price Range ($/kg, 2025) |
| Copper Peptide |
1,200 |
2,100 |
32% |
3,500–6,000 |
| Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
850 |
1,800 |
46% |
2,800–4,500 |
| Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
650 |
1,200 |
36% |
1,800–3,200 |
| Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
480 |
920 |
38% |
2,000–3,500 |
| Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
320 |
680 |
46% |
2,500–4,000 |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
180 |
420 |
53% |
3,000–5,500 |
| Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
120 |
350 |
71% |
4,000–7,000 |
| Snake Venom Peptide |
200 |
550 |
66% |
5,000–9,000 |
| Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
90 |
280 |
76% |
3,500–6,000 |
| Product Type |
Core Peptide Combination |
Recommended Concentration |
Co-Formulated Actives |
Suitable Skin Types |
Reference pH |
| Anti-Wrinkle Serum |
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 + Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
2% + 2% |
Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid |
All skin types |
5.5–6.5 |
| Eye Serum |
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 + Snake Venom Peptide + Copper Peptide |
2% + 0.5% + 0.3% |
Caffeine + Horse Chestnut Extract |
Periorbital only |
5.5–6.0 |
| Repair Cream |
Copper Peptide + Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 |
0.5% + 2% |
Ceramide + Squalane |
Dry/Sensitive skin |
5.5–7.0 |
| Neck Cream |
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 + Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
1% + 1.5% |
Niacinamide + Pro-Xylane |
Neck lines |
5.0–6.0 |
| Emergency Mask |
Copper Peptide + Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
0.5% + 1% |
Centella Asiatica + Panthenol |
All skin types |
5.5–6.5 |
| Lip Serum |
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
1% + 1% |
Jojoba Oil + Vitamin E |
Lip area only |
5.0–5.5 |
Ingredient Data Notes: Usage volume figures above are estimates based on customs export data and raw material supplier shipment data. Efficacy claims for each ingredient must be based on actual evaluation reports submitted during product registration. For cosmetic peptide ingredient supply chain analysis, quality testing standards, or formulation technical support — visit our Peptide Ingredient Supply Platform for custom synthesis and quality testing services → senopeptide.com/products/