Pentapeptide that mimics enkephalins and is sold to smooth expression wrinkles, often alongside Argireline. The evidence published in PubMed is laboratory and computational; we have not found independent clinical trials.
Regulatory status
Cosmetic and topical
Family
Neurotransmitter peptide (enkephalin analog)
Scientific evidence
Low
Number of findings
1
Where it acts
Skin and aging
Also known as
Leuphasyl, pentapeptide-18, pentapeptide-18
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
Anti-aging targets and cell safety
improvesLowin vitro (A)animals / laboratory
Computational and keratinocyte study: Leuphasyl bound strongly to the enzyme MMP-13 in simulation and was not toxic to cells up to 1 mg/mL. It does not include people.
Mimics enkephalins, which in neurons reduce excitability and acetylcholine release. In this way, in theory, it would decrease the contraction of the expression muscles. It is proposed to add its effect to that of SNAP-25 analogs, but this has not been proven in trials.
What the evidence says
In people
There are no published trials in people.
In animals or the laboratory
Anti-aging targets and cell safety. Computational and keratinocyte study: Leuphasyl bound strongly to the MMP-13 enzyme in simulation and was not toxic to cells up to 1 mg/mL. It does not include people. PubMed 42116636