Octapeptide-2 is a synthetic peptide primarily used in cosmetic products for skin and hair care. This ingredient is known for its anti-aging properties and hair growth stimulation, acting on cellular mechanisms to promote the health and regeneration of the skin and hair follicles. Octapeptide-2 consists of a chain of eight amino acids. The precise sequence and structure of this peptide are designed to mimic specific biological functions, such as stimulating growth factors or inhibiting processes related to aging.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

Octapeptide indicates that the compound consists of a chain of eight amino acids. Octapeptides are peptides composed of eight amino acid units.

-2 indicates the position of the amino acid within the peptide sequence, which in this case is the second amino acid.

Chemical Industrial Synthesis Process

The production of Octapeptide-2, a synthetic peptide used in cosmetics to promote hair growth and strengthen follicles, follows a peptide synthesis process that requires precision and specificity. This peptide is known for its ability to stimulate growth factors in the scalp. Here is a detailed overview of the process.

• Peptide Sequence Design. Production begins with the design of the Octapeptide-2 peptide sequence, determining the specific order of amino acids that make up the peptide.
• Peptide Synthesis. The peptide is synthesized using methods such as solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), which allows for the construction of the peptide amino acid by amino acid on a solid support, facilitating the separation of the synthesized peptide from the reaction reagents.
• Chain Elongation. During synthesis, the peptide chain is elongated by sequentially adding the required amino acids, through repeated cycles of deprotection and amino acid coupling.
• Purification. After synthesis, the peptide is removed from the solid support and purified to eliminate any impurities or incompletely formed peptides. Purification can be carried out using techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• Quality Control. The purified Octapeptide-2 peptide undergoes quality control checks to verify purity, composition, and biological activity. These tests can include mass spectrometry, HPLC, and in vitro functional tests to confirm efficacy in stimulating hair growth.

Form and Color. Octapeptide-2 is a synthetic peptide that typically comes in the form of a white or slightly yellow powder, water-soluble and soluble in aqueous solutions.

What it is for and where

In skin care, Octapeptide-2 is used for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity by stimulating the production of collagen and other important components of the extracellular matrix. In hair care products, this peptide can help promote hair growth and prevent loss (1) by interacting with hair follicle growth factors. Octapeptide-2 is found in a variety of formulations, including serums, creams, lotions, and specific treatments for skin and hair care, where it is valued for its rejuvenating and restructuring effects.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Carlos, R. M. D., & Sarruf, F. D. (2023). Comparative study of the effectiveness of intradermotherapy associated or not with microneedling and topical solution in reducing hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia. Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology, 15, e20230197.

Abstract. Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia impacts patients psychologically. Androgenetic alopecia is an androgen-dependent condition characterized by hair follicles miniaturization, shortened anagen phase, and prolonged telogen phase. The increasing search for hair therapies to improve this condition leads to the need for robust methods to compare the effectiveness of treatments, such as standardized photographs and clinical evaluation.  Objective: This study comparatively assessed the efficacy of intradermotherapy associated or not with microneedling and application of sterile topical solution whose active components are Octapeptide-2, Copper tripeptide-1, Chondrus crispus extract, and Silanediol salicylate. ...Conclusion: The therapeutic association of intradermotherapy with microneedling followed by topic treatment was significantly more effective in improving male hair loss compared to control.