Description

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-71 is a synthetic peptide designed for use in cosmetic formulations, particularly in anti-aging products. It is known for its ability to enhance skin hydration and support skin barrier function, thereby contributing to a more youthful and resilient appearance.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Structure: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-71 consists of a sequence of four amino acids, with an acetyl group added to the N-terminus of the peptide chain. This modification enhances the peptide's stability and bioavailability.
Chemical Formula: The acetylation process improves the peptide’s interaction with skin cells and increases its effectiveness in topical applications.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Typically presented as a white or off-white powder or as a clear, colorless solution in its liquid form.
Odor: Generally neutral or faintly affected by other ingredients in the formulation.

Production Process

Synthesis: Produced through solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), a method that builds the peptide chain amino acid by amino acid.
Purification: Following synthesis, the peptide is purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to ensure it meets quality standards and is free of contaminants.
Formulation: The purified peptide is then incorporated into cosmetic formulations, where it maintains its stability and efficacy.

Applications

Skincare: Used in serums, creams, and lotions to improve skin texture and elasticity. It is commonly found in products targeting aging skin, sensitive areas, and overall skin rejuvenation.
Cosmetics: Included in anti-aging and hydrating products to enhance the skin's firmness and moisture levels.

Cosmetic Benefits

Anti-Aging: Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by supporting collagen synthesis and skin elasticity.
Hydration: Enhances skin hydration by improving the skin's ability to retain moisture and supporting the skin barrier function.
Skin Barrier Support: Strengthens the skin barrier, which can improve resilience against environmental stressors and reduce skin sensitivity.

Safety

This ingredient is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products when used as directed. It is important for individuals with specific allergies or very sensitive skin to review product ingredients and perform a patch test when using new products.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sustainability: As a synthetic ingredient, it does not have a direct impact on natural resources and can be produced with controlled environmental impact.
Regulation: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-71 must comply with relevant cosmetic safety regulations, ensuring it is safe for use in topical applications.

INCI Functions:


Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
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