Argireline vs ACTH
Head-to-head comparison of Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) and ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (Corticotropin)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
Research Score
| Property | Argireline | ACTH |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Skin & Cosmetic | Skin & Cosmetic |
| Full Name | Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 | Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (Corticotropin) |
| Molecular Weight | 889.0 Da | 4541 Da |
| Half-Life | N/A | ~10 minutes |
| Amino Acids | 6 | 39 |
| Typical Dose | 0.005-10% in finished cosmetic products | 10–1000 nM |
| Route | Topical | In vitro / ex vivo |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 48 | 500 |
| Research Status | Clinical | Clinical/Pre-clinical |
Argireline Benefits
- ✓expression-line softening
- ✓anti-wrinkle support
- ✓cosmetic skin smoothing
- ✓topical peptide stacking
ACTH Benefits
- ✓Stimulates melanogenesis
- ✓Supports eumelanin production
- ✓Useful for pigmentation-pathway research
- ✓May model UV-response signaling
Argireline Dosing
Topical serum/cream 0.005-10%|Apply 1-2x daily to clean skin|Use consistently for 4-12 weeks
ACTH Dosing
10 nM exposure|100 nM exposure|1 uM exposure
Argireline Side Effects
- ⚠mild stinging
- ⚠redness or irritation
- ⚠allergic contact dermatitis
ACTH Side Effects
- ⚠Receptor desensitization
- ⚠Off-target melanocortin signaling
- ⚠Rapid proteolysis
Research Overview
Argireline
Acetyl hexapeptide-3 has both in vitro and small human-cosmetic studies supporting a reduction in wrinkle depth or wrinkle appearance. Its best-supported role is as a topical cosmetic peptide rather than a systemic drug.
ACTH
ACTH activates melanocortin receptors on melanocytes and can increase pigment synthesis. It is widely used as a reference peptide in studies of tanning, adrenal biology, and hyperpigmentation.
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