Neurotransmitter-Inhibiting Peptides — The Expression Line Erasers
These peptides modulate muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction — a topical approach to the same mechanism targeted by injectable neuromodulators:
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) — inhibits SNARE complex formation, reducing neurotransmitter release by up to 30%, visibly softening dynamic wrinkles
- Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl®) — acts on the enkephalin pathway to reduce catecholamine release, complementing Argireline's mechanism for enhanced efficacy
- Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate (Syn®-Ake) — mimics the mechanism of Waglerin-1 (temple viper peptide), acting as a competitive antagonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
- Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (SNAP-8) — an extended-chain evolution of Argireline with enhanced SNARE complex inhibition
Carrier Peptides — The Mineral Delivery Specialists
Carrier peptides transport essential trace elements to where they're needed most:
- Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu) — arguably the most studied peptide in dermatology, delivering bioavailable copper to activate superoxide dismutase (SOD), stimulate collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, promote angiogenesis, and accelerate wound healing
- Manganese Tripeptide-1 — delivers manganese to activate manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), providing potent mitochondrial antioxidant defense
Enzyme-Inhibitor Peptides — The Breakdown Blockers
These peptides protect existing collagen and elastin from enzymatic degradation:
- Tripeptide-2 — suppresses progerin (the protein linked to premature cellular aging) and inhibits MMP-1 (collagenase) activity
- Soybean Peptide (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9) — stimulates lumican synthesis, which organizes collagen fibrils and inhibits MMP-mediated degradation
