Peptide LibraryDecapeptide-12
Decapeptide-12 is a cosmetic tyrosinase-inhibiting peptide. Decapeptide-12 was identified by screening for peptides that inhibit tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. By reducing tyrosinase activity it is intended to slow melanin production over successive skin turnover cycles, which is why visible change in cosmetic studies is reported over weeks rather than days.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 137665-91-9
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 1395.5 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Evidence level
- Limited Human Evidence
- Human dose established
- No
- Administration Route
- Not established in humans
- Frequency
- Not established in humans
- Last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- Reviewed
- Nov 7, 2026
Research summary
Synthetic decapeptide used topically in pigmentation products as a non-hydroquinone alternative. Regulated as a cosmetic ingredient; not FDA-approved as a drug.
Research evidence
- Regulatory review (FDA label)None in reviewed sources
- Controlled human trials1 reviewed source
- Early or uncontrolled human studies2 reviewed sources
- Lab & animal studiesNone in reviewed sources
How it works
Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess.
Peptide Library's Decapeptide-12 profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Decapeptide-12 dosage: no established human dose
Decapeptide-12 has no established human dosage. It is a cosmetic skin-brightening peptide studied in creams at 0.01%. In a small split-face placebo-controlled pilot, five women with melasma applied it twice daily for 16 weeks. Larger open-label studies tested it as part of a regimen with glycolic acid and sunscreen.
No established human dosage.
Human clinical evidence: None identified.
Preclinical research: Decapeptide-12 is a ten-amino-acid peptide described as a tyrosinase inhibitor and used in brightening creams. Its human studies are small and mostly open-label, and most test it alongside glycolic acid and sunscreen. No study has given it by injection, so no injectable amount, route or interval is established.
Animal dosing is not converted into a human dose anywhere on this page. Where research figures appear below, they are reported as studied, not recommended.
| Human dosing established | No |
|---|---|
| Route | Topical (in all human studies) |
| Frequency | Twice daily in the controlled pilot |
| Duration studied | 16 to 24 weeks in the published studies |
| Evidence level | Limited Human Evidence |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-07 |
Human research reported
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split-face, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot — recalcitrant melasma (Hantash & Jimenez, 2009)Clinical trial · Pilot randomised placebo-controlled trial of a topical product | 5 women with Fitzpatrick phototype IV and moderate recalcitrant melasma | 0.01% w/w oligopeptide in a cream (a formulation strength, not a dose) | Topical (face) | Twice daily | 16 weeks | All five showed statistically significant improvement in melasma and overall facial appearance; no irritation or allergy | Hantash BM, Jimenez F. A split-face, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled pilot evaluation of a novel oligopeptide for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009. |
| Open-label multicentre study — melasma in Hispanic women (Ramírez et al., 2013)Clinical trial · Open-label study of a multi-product regimen | 33 Hispanic women with mild to moderate melasma | 0.01% decapeptide-12 cream used with an antioxidant cleanser, 20% buffered glycolic acid lotion and SPF 30 sunscreen | Topical (face) | — | 16 weeks | Mean MASI score fell 36%, 46%, 54% and 60% at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16; no adverse events reported | Ramírez SP et al. Open-label evaluation of a novel skin brightening system containing 0.01% decapeptide-12 in combination with 20% buffered glycolic acid for the treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013. |
| Open-label study — photodamage hyperpigmentation (Kassim et al., 2012)Clinical trial · Open-label study of a multi-product regimen | 15 women with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV and photodamage (13 completed) | Strength not stated in the indexed abstract; used with an antioxidant cleanser, glycolic acid moisturiser and sunscreen | Topical (face) | — | 24 weeks | 38.5% went from moderate photodamage to completely cleared, and most others improved by at least one grade; treatments were well tolerated | Kassim AT et al. Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2012. |
Where sources disagree
- A percentage or ppm in a cream is a formulation strength, not a dose, and cannot be converted into an amount for injection.
- In the open-label studies the peptide was one part of a regimen with glycolic acid and sunscreen, so the results cannot be credited to decapeptide-12 alone.
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C65H90N18O17 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 1395.5 g/mol |
| CAS number | 137665-91-9 |
| PubChem CID | 25087629 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Decapeptide-12 was identified by screening for peptides that inhibit tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. By reducing tyrosinase activity it is intended to slow melanin production over successive skin turnover cycles, which is why visible change in cosmetic studies is reported over weeks rather than days.
Studies
- Open-label evaluation of a novel skin brightening system containing 0.01% decapeptide-12 in combination with 20% buffered glycolic acid for the treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma
- Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12
- A split-face, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled pilot evaluation of a novel oligopeptide for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma
- Combined topical delivery and dermalinfusion of decapeptide-12 accelerates resolution of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of color
- Treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma with the Lumixyl topical brightening system
Research statistics
6 PubMed publications · 80.0% human clinical research · 0 registered trials
Counts of published research through 2026-11-01, not evidence that it works. Publications by year, study types and trials · How publications are counted
Regulatory & research status
Decapeptide-12 is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Research-only compound; no approval pathway listed |
| Availability | OTC / Supplement |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
How FDA approval, compounding and research-only status differ
Benefits
—
Decapeptide-12 side effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
This compound is not supplied as a powder to be mixed, so the freeze-dried powder and reconstitution handling described for research peptides does not apply. Storage conditions are product-specific: follow the label or packaging of the product itself.
Decapeptide-12: frequently asked questions
What is Decapeptide-12?
Synthetic decapeptide used topically in pigmentation products as a non-hydroquinone alternative. Regulated as a cosmetic ingredient; not FDA-approved as a drug.
How does Decapeptide-12 work?
Decapeptide-12 was identified by screening for peptides that inhibit tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. By reducing tyrosinase activity it is intended to slow melanin production over successive skin turnover cycles, which is why visible change in cosmetic studies is reported over weeks rather than days.
Is Decapeptide-12 FDA approved?
No. Decapeptide-12 is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as otc / supplement. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What peptides are similar to Decapeptide-12?
Compounds most often compared with Decapeptide-12 include Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Open-label evaluation of a novel skin brightening system containing 0.01% decapeptide-12 in combination with 20% buffered glycolic acid for the treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma — J Drugs Dermatol, 2013External reference
- Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12 — J Cosmet Laser Ther, 2012External reference
- A split-face, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled pilot evaluation of a novel oligopeptide for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma — J Drugs Dermatol, 2009External reference
- Combined topical delivery and dermalinfusion of decapeptide-12 accelerates resolution of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of color — J Drugs Dermatol, 2014External reference
- Treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma with the Lumixyl topical brightening system — J Drugs Dermatol, 2012External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Nov 7, 2026 · Version 2
This Decapeptide-12 profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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