Usage of Synthetic Peptides in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin
Open Access
- 21 July 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by MDPI AG in Pharmaceuticals
- Vol. 14 (8), 702
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14080702
Abstract
Sensitive skin is characterized by symptoms of discomfort when exposed to environmental factors. Peptides are used in cosmetics for sensitive skin and stand out as active ingredients for their ability to interact with skin cells by multiple mechanisms, high potency at low dosage and the ability to penetrate the stratum corneum. This study aimed to analyze the composition of 88 facial cosmetics for sensitive skin from multinational brands regarding usage of peptides, reviewing their synthetic pathways and the scientific evidence that supports their efficacy. Peptides were found in 17% of the products analyzed, namely: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, palmitoyl tripeptide-8, acetyl tetrapeptide-15, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, acetyl hexapeptide-49, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl oligopeptide. Three out of seven peptides have a neurotransmitter-inhibiting mechanism of action, while another three are signal peptides. Only five peptides present evidence supporting their use in sensitive skin, with only one clinical study including volunteers having this condition. Noteworthy, the available data is mostly found in patents and supplier brochures, and not in randomized placebo-controlled studies. Peptides are useful active ingredients in cosmetics for sensitive skin. Knowing their efficacy and synthetic pathways provides meaningful insight for the development of new and more effective ingredients.Funding Information
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT/MCTES (UID/Multi/04378/2020),, UIDB/04423/2020, UIDP/04423/2020, CHIRALBIOACTIVE-PI-3RL-IINFACTS-2019, SFRH/BD/144864/2019)
- Compete 2020 (PTDC/SAUPUB/28736/2017)
This publication has 42 references indexed in Scilit:
- What Is Sensitive Skin? A Systematic Literature Review of Objective MeasurementsSkin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014
- Sensitive skin: an overviewInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
- Distribution and Expression of Non-Neuronal Transient Receptor Potential (TRPV) Ion Channels in RosaceaJournal of Investigative Dermatology, 2012
- Cosmeceuticals and peptidesClinics in Dermatology, 2009
- The contribution of neurogenic inflammation to sensitive skin: concepts, mechanisms and cosmeceutical interventionInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2009
- Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skinInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2009
- Therapeutic peptides: technological advances driving peptides into developmentCurrent Opinion in Biotechnology, 2006
- Proopiomelanocortin (POMC): the cutaneous roles of its melanocortin products and receptorsClinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2006
- Designing peptide receptor agonists and antagonistsNature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2002
- Biologically active peptides: from a laboratory bench curiosity to a functional skin care productInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2000