Peptides for longevity and skin

Ranked by evidence

1. 1

   Melanotan I

   The tanning peptide with an approved medical form — afamelanotide (Scenesse).

   Phase 3 RCTs of the afamelanotide implant in EPP led to approval; also studied in vitiligo with light therapy. Self-injected research vials are not the studied product.

   4/5Narrow FDA approvalLab purity 99.78%
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2. 2

   GHK-Cu

   A natural copper-binding tripeptide with decades of skin research.

   Several small human topical/cosmetic studies; injection data is mainly preclinical.

   3/5Not FDA approvedLab purity 99.68%
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3. 3

   Glutathione

   The body's main antioxidant — popular for skin lightening, with thin evidence for it.

   A handful of small human trials (mostly oral, a few IV) with modest, inconsistent skin-lightening results. Well-studied as a natural molecule, but not as a cosmetic drug.

   3/5Not FDA approvedLab purity 99.58%
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4. 4

   Melanotan II

   A powerful but unapproved tanning peptide — with real safety warnings from regulators.

   Small, older human pilot studies (tanning; erectile function) plus a long list of case reports of harms. No modern trials and no approval.

   3/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.70%
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5. 5

   Epithalon

   Tetrapeptide proposed to support telomerase and circadian rhythm.

   Mostly Russian research groups; independent replication lacking.

   2/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.12%
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6. 6

   GLOW

   A three-peptide blend pairing the Wolverine stack with GHK-Cu.

   No studies of the blend itself. BPC-157 and TB-500 are mostly animal data; GHK-Cu's human data is topical.

   2/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.60%
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7. 7

   MOTS-c

   A mitochondria-derived peptide studied for metabolism and exercise capacity.

   Mostly mouse studies; very early human work (levels rise with exercise).

   2/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.68%
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8. 8

   NAD+

   A core cellular coenzyme that declines with age — popular for 'energy', thin on proof.

   Strong biology and mouse aging studies; human trials mostly test oral precursors (NR, NMN). Direct NAD+ injection/infusion has only small pharmacokinetic studies.

   2/5Not FDA approvedLab purity 99.43%
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9. 9

   AHK-Cu

   GHK-Cu's lesser-known cousin, researched mainly for hair follicles.

   Mainly in-vitro and ex-vivo hair follicle studies. Little to no controlled human data.

   1/5Not FDA approvedLab purity 99.84%
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10. 10

    Cartalax

    A Russian 'bioregulator' tripeptide aimed at cartilage — with very limited evidence.

    Mostly in-vitro and animal work from one research group. No independent controlled human trials.

    1/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.71%
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11. 11

    SNAP-8

    A cosmetic 'topical Botox-like' peptide — studied as a cream, not an injection.

    Mostly in-vitro work and manufacturer-run cosmetic tests. Very little independent, peer-reviewed human data. No injection studies.

    1/5Not FDA approvedLab purity 99.40%
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Ranked by human evidence (how we rate it), then FDA approval. Higher isn’t a recommendation to use anything.

Compare them head to head

• GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu
• Melanotan I vs Melanotan II
• MOTS-c vs NAD+
• Epithalon vs NAD+
• Epithalon vs GHK-Cu
• NAD+ vs Glutathione
• SNAP-8 vs GHK-Cu
• Epithalon vs MOTS-c
• Epithalon vs Cartalax
• GHK-Cu vs GLOW
• GLOW vs AHK-Cu
• GLOW vs SNAP-8
• SNAP-8 vs AHK-Cu
• GHK-Cu vs Glutathione
• Glutathione vs GLOW