Label decoding
How to read INCI peptide names
Decode the tongue-twisters on the back of your serum—prefixes, numbers, and what they usually mean.
Prefixes matter
Acetyl- often means an acetyl group was added for stability or penetration. Palmitoyl- means a fatty tail was attached so the peptide can anchor in the skin’s lipid layer—common in anti-aging serums. Myristoyl- shows up in lash and brow peptides.
The number suffix
Dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, hexapeptide—the word tells you chain length. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 is four amino acids with an acetyl cap. Oligopeptide and polypeptide mean longer chains; brands sometimes use these for growth-factor-style ingredients.
Practical tip
Search our directory with either the nickname (Argireline) or the INCI fragment (Hexapeptide-8). If a product lists “peptide complex” without specifics, treat it as marketing until you find the actual INCI breakdown.