Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22

Research Of Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22 falls under the biomimetic peptide family – the acetylated form being the focus of much of the more recent research. Enhancing skin barrier function and all related forms of environmental resilience are key reasons for its classification as an active ingredient, ‘skin repair’ being one of the more common requested end uses. Similar acetylated peptides (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 if memory serves me correctly) share this same structural purpose; stability and permeability being the end points achieved through the acetylation process.

The primary biological function of Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22 is strengthening the intrinsic defense system of skin cells. Regulating Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) is the near constant focus of its mechanism.

Research into the precise mechanism has led to the current understanding that Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22 acts as a signaling molecule. Keratinocytes (and to a point all skin cells) upregulate the synthesis of HSP70 in response to the peptide. HSP70 itself maintains protein homeostasis; recognizing damaged proteins, using the energy of its ATPase cycle to either refold them or send them to be degraded. Prevention of aggregation and full cell death from severe stress is the end result of all of this.

Skin cells (and all cells to some degree) will always be in a constant, low-level ‘defense’ state. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22, and all similar peptides, are and always will be, protective to some level of stress.

Leveraging its unique biological functions, acetyl tetrapeptide-22 serves as a high-tech functional ingredient within cosmetic formulations. Widely incorporated into anti-stress and soothing repair products, it shields the skin from various daily environmental aggressors – sun exposure, pollution, extreme weather being prime examples.

Sensitive skin repair, post-sun care, and routine stability maintenance are all well suited to its use. Simultaneously a more preventive type of anti-aging product will include this ingredient. Shielding cells from premature apoptosis and subsequent functional decline, preservation of both physical and near-ideal youthfulness of the skin is the end goal; environmental and to a point physiological stressors are what aging represents.

Specialized care areas (‘rescue’ products if you will, frequent travelers, night owls, irregular schedules all fit here) see rapid recovery of at least temporarily diminished skin conditions as a positive outcome.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22 is a promising cosmetic peptide; skin repair and all related stress protection being its core value. Current published literature offers very limited disclosure of any mechanism or clinical data to support these claims. Brand product descriptions push the boundaries of what we know, and similar peptides have been (and continue to be) studied.

Validating the full range of biological and clinical efficacy of this or any peptide, is the real future of cosmetic science.