Hexapeptide based on collagen sequences, used in firming and anti-wrinkle creams. There is a recent trial with a cyclized form, conducted by manufacturing companies.
Regulatory status
Cosmetic and topical
Family
Signal peptide (collagen fragment)
Scientific evidence
Low
Number of findings
1
Where it acts
Skin and aging
Also known as
hexapeptide-9, Collaxyl, CHP-9 (cyclized form)
Regulatory status
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. In the only trial found, a serum with 0.002% cyclized hexapeptide-9 was used twice a day for 56 days (Chang 2025).
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
Crow's feet and forehead wrinkles
reducesLow-moderateRCT (AA)in people
Better than retinol
Randomized, double-blind 56-day trial vs 0.002% retinol and a vehicle: cyclized hexapeptide-9 reduced the number, area, and roughness of wrinkles and outperformed retinol on almost all measures. All authors belong to the product's cosmetics companies and the abstract does not state the sample size.
Reproduces repeated collagen sequences (Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly-Pro-Gln) and is proposed to act as a signal for the skin to make collagen and strengthen the bond between the epidermis and dermis. The evidence for this mechanism comes from the laboratory.
What the evidence says
In people
Crow's feet and forehead wrinkles. 56-day randomized, double-blind trial against 0.002% retinol and a vehicle: cyclized hexapeptide-9 reduced wrinkle number, area, and roughness and outperformed retinol on almost all measures. All the authors belong to the cosmetic companies that make the product and the abstract does not state the sample size. PubMed 40586182
Variants and related programs
The available trial uses a cyclized form (CHP-9), which is not exactly the linear hexapeptide-9 found in most products.