Ingredient

PALMITOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-4

Substance information

The name component "palmitoyl" means that the ingredient contains, as fatty acid component, amongst others, palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) (mostly introduced via an acylation reaction). Peptides are linking products of some (oligopeptides, eg 6 = hexapeptide) or many amino acids (then referred to as polypeptides or proteins).

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

SKIN CONDITIONING

Maintains the skin in good condition

Background information on use in cosmetics

Endogenous protein building blocks, so-called peptides, play a central role in the metabolism of the body. They signal to the body to activate the endogenous repair mechanism of the skin. This finding is used by cosmetics and peptides are frequently used in anti-ageing products (INCI: as word component peptides). Peptides are also used in haircare, eg in shampoos, conditioners and cures. They can penetrate into the inner hair structure (cortex) and strengthen the hair. In face care special active ingredient complexes are, for instance, used, in which peptides can be combined with different vitamins such as Vitamin B3, Provitamin B5 and Vitamin E as well as other care substances. These active ingredient complexes stimulate the slower regeneration of the mature skin, strengthen its structure and hence contribute towards visibly reducing wrinkles. Another peptide group is likewise used for the care of mature skin: polycollagen peptides. They consist of different peptides and collagen fragments which take over the behaviour of natural collagen fragments occurring in the skin which play an important role in the natural repair process of the skin. In care products this process is imitated. The result is a mitigation of lines and wrinkles. The complexion and the elasticity of the skin are improved.

Belongs to the following substance groups

Ingredients for skincare

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

Search the Database