Stretch marks and skin elasticity concerns drive many people to search for topical peptide ingredients, and acetyl hexapeptide-8 is one that appears in cosmetic labeling. Here is what its approved labeling and registered trials actually show.
Key takeaways
- Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is labeled for use in a stretch mark cream intended to support skin elasticity and reduce the look of scars.
- It is classified on its label as a non-standardized food allergenic extract.
- Seven trials have been registered studying this compound, spanning uses from blepharospasm to skin appearance.
- A completed early-phase trial looked at its effect on blepharospasm, a condition involving involuntary eyelid spasm.
- No boxed warning appears on its label.
What Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Is
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is a synthetic peptide compound used as an active ingredient in topical skin products. It is identified under PubChem CID 71587772. Its labeled drug classification describes it as a non-standardized food allergenic extract, a formal labeling category rather than a description of how it works on skin.
What Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Is Approved For
The labeled product, Stretch Marks cream, is indicated to help remove scars, support skin repair, and enhance skin elasticity. The label directs application over the body, with emphasis on the abdomen, once in the morning and once in the evening. No boxed warning is present on this label.
What the Evidence Shows
Seven trials have been registered involving acetyl hexapeptide-8. One completed phase 1/phase 2 trial examined the compound as a treatment for blepharospasm, an eyelid muscle spasm condition. Two other completed trials looked at topical use in cosmetic contexts, including periorbital skin appearance and oily skin.
Reported Side Effects
No FAERS adverse event reports were available for acetyl hexapeptide-8 in the data reviewed.