Tetrapeptide advertised to reduce eye bags and puffiness under the eyes. We have not found published clinical trials in PubMed; the claims come mainly from the manufacturer.
FDA (US): Not approved as a drug (sold as a cosmetic ingredient)
EMA (EU): Not authorized as a drug (cosmetic ingredient in the EU)
Dose
There is no established dose in humans.
Safety
In topical cosmetics it is usually well tolerated; it may cause local irritation or redness. There are no long-term safety data or data in pregnancy. Do a patch test on a small area before using it.
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Aging of fibroblasts in culture
improvesLowin vitro (A)animals / laboratory
In human fibroblasts aged with hydrogen peroxide, a mixture of acetyl tetrapeptide-5 with carnosine, hexapeptide-11, and acetyl hexapeptide-3 reduced markers of oxidative damage and increased elastin. Isolated acetyl tetrapeptide-5 was tested for its activity on ACE-1.
According to laboratory studies, it inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-1), which in theory would reduce fluid leakage from vessels and swelling. An antiglycation effect is also attributed to it. None of these mechanisms has been confirmed in trials in people.
What the evidence says
In people
There are no published trials in people.
In animals or the laboratory
Aging of fibroblasts in culture. In human fibroblasts aged with hydrogen peroxide, a mixture of acetyl tetrapeptide-5 with carnosine, hexapeptide-11, and acetyl hexapeptide-3 reduced markers of oxidative damage and increased elastin. Acetyl tetrapeptide-5 on its own was tested for its activity on ACE-1. PubMed 33849044