Common Name(s): Hexapeptide-12,hexapeptide-12,six-residue signal peptide,anti-aging collagen active

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Stimulates fibroblast collagen i, iii, iv synthesis and inhibits mmp-1 collagen degradation — providing clinically measurable wrinkle reduction and skin firmness at 1–5000 ppm.

Why It's Used: Six and seven-residue peptides provide the optimal sequence length-activity balance — long enough for full receptor docking geometry, short enough for sc penetration without lipid anchoring (with exceptions for palmitoyl-anchored forms).

How It Works: Peptide receptor binding → map kinase or smad cascade → col1a1/col3a1 upregulation + mmp-1/mmp-3 inhibition. spps synthesis provides >98% sequence purity for reproducible pharmacological response.

Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,collagen products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – peptide

Secondary Functions: Collagen synthesis,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 1–5000 ppm

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetically produced via solid-phase peptide synthesis (spps).

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating at recommended concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Retinoids,niacinamide,vitamin c,hyaluronic acid

Avoid Combining With: Strong acids below ph 3.5; oxidising agents

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Hexapeptide/heptapeptide inci numbering follows cosing registry sequence assignment — each number designates a unique amino acid sequence targeting different receptor subtypes for complementary anti-aging mechanisms. hexapeptide-8 (argireline) is the benchmark acetyl hexapeptide for achr-mediated expression-line reduction.

Last Verified: 2026-03-22

Primary Sources: Cosing database,hexapeptide-12 signal peptide anti-aging review