Ingredient or product comparison
Peptides for Skin Pigmentation: Comparison of Mechanism Classes
| Peptide Class | Primary Mechanism | Representative Examples | Tyrosinase Inhibition (in vitro) | Typical Concentration Range | Stability Concerns | Professional Assessment ||—|—|—|—|—|—|| Alpha-MSH Analogues | MC1R receptor antagonism | Oligopeptide-34, Nona
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- | Peptide Class | Primary Mechanism | Representative Examples | Tyrosinase Inhibition (in vitro) | Typical Concentration Range | Stability Concerns | Professional Assessment ||—|—|—|—|—|—|| Alpha-MSH Analogues | MC1R receptor antagonism | Oligopeptide-34, Nonapeptide-1 | 28–35% at 100 μM | 50–200 ppm | Moderate. Sensitive to pH >7.0 | Best for prevention of new melanin synthesis; limited effect on existing pigment. Clinical data strongest in this class. || Tyrosinase Inhibitors | Active site enzyme blockade | Oligopeptide-68, Tetrapeptide-30 | 40–50% at 100 μM | 100–300 ppm | High. Prone to oxidation in aqueous formulations | Most direct mechanism; efficacy ceiling determined by proportion of melanogenesis driven by tyrosinase alone. Requires antioxidant co-formulation. || Carrier/Transport Peptides | Facilitated penetration of actives | Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Hexapeptide-2 | N/A (non-inhibitory) | 200–500 ppm | Low. Lipophilic modification increases stability | Doesn't inhibit melani