Lipid peptide based on a repeated elastin sequence (VGVAPG), used in firming products. There are only laboratory studies and studies on excised skin; we have not found clinical trials of its own.
Regulatory status
Cosmetic and topical
Family
Signal peptide (elastin fragment)
Scientific evidence
Low
Number of findings
1
Where it acts
Skin and aging
Also known as
palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, Pal-VGVAPG, Biopeptide EL, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12
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.
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
Penetration and barrier reinforcement in excised skin
improvesLowpreclinical (A)animals / laboratory
In full-thickness human skin in the laboratory, the peptide crossed the stratum corneum, formed a gel with ions from the skin itself, and helped repair the barrier after its lipids were removed. Some of the authors belong to a large cosmetics company.
The VGVAPG sequence comes from elastin and, in the laboratory, acts as a signal for fibroblasts and attracts repair cells. A recent study in excised human skin showed that it penetrates the epidermis and forms a gel that could reinforce the skin barrier.
What the evidence says
In people
There are no published trials in people.
In animals or the laboratory
Penetration and barrier reinforcement in excised skin. In full-thickness human skin in the laboratory, the peptide crossed the stratum corneum, formed a gel with ions from the skin itself, and helped repair the barrier after its lipids were removed. Some of the authors belong to a large cosmetics company. PubMed 39964201