Nonapeptide-1

Cosmetic / Skin Lightening

Also known as: Melanostatine-5

Cosmetic PeptidesResearch phase: Cosmetic ingredientRegulatory: Cosmetic ingredient. Not a drug. Not evaluated by FDA.

Mechanism

Nonapeptide-1 is a cosmetic peptide that reduces melanin production by antagonizing alpha-MSH at the MC1R receptor, used in skin-brightening products.

Technical detail

Nonapeptide-1 is a synthetic alpha-MSH antagonist that competitively blocks MC1R receptor activation on melanocytes, reducing cAMP-mediated MITF transcription and downstream tyrosinase expression. This decreases melanin synthesis without cytotoxic effects on melanocytes. Used in cosmetic depigmentation formulations.

Evidence

  • A randomized controlled pilot study of a proprietary combination versus sunscreen in melasma maintenance.

    Chatterjee M, et al. (2021) — Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology — PMID: 34379946

    In a prospective double-blind parallel-group pilot study, 46 melasma patients were randomized after initial triple-combination treatment to a maintenance regimen containing phenyl ethyl resorcinol, nonapeptide-1, aminoethyl phosphinic acid, antioxidants, and sunscreen versus sunscreen alone. The active-combination group showed sustained reductions in melasma area and severity index and melanin index trends versus control, with acceptable tolerability, supporting nonapeptide-1 as part of an emerging topical depigmenting maintenance strategy rather than as stand-alone proof.

    emerging
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