In the world of skincare, trends come and go, and it's essential to decipher what truly works from what might be just a passing fad. Regarding Argireline, also known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, the allure of a topical solution mimicking the effects of Botox^® without injections or side effects has been discussed for years. Some swear by it but others see no effect. So we asked Dr. Hannah Sivak, the founder of Skin Actives Scientific, to give us her perspective on this protein.

What is Argireline, a.k.a. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in skincare?

Argireline, scientifically termed Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, is a synthetic peptide composed of a chain of amino acids. This compound is designed to target the dynamic wrinkles that form due to repetitive facial expressions. These wrinkles, often called expression lines, are especially prominent around the eyes, forehead, and mouth. Argireline is touted for its potential to reduce the appearance of these lines by modulating muscle contractions in a manner similar to Botox^® but without the injections.

What is Skin Actives’ Position on Argireline?

Dr. Sivak's skepticism about Argireline is founded on solid principles. She questions the validity of research coming from the very lab that sells the product, highlighting the potential for bias. Moreover, she raises concerns about the stability of the peptide in the solution it was offered. Her skepticism is fueled by the understanding that proteins are intricate structures, often too large and fragile to be as effective as their more complex counterparts.

In her enlightening blog post, Dr. Sivak highlights the proven effectiveness of proteins like epidermal growth factor and superoxide dismutase, each possessing the power to truly rejuvenate the skin. Proteins fold and interact in ways that simple peptides can't replicate, allowing them to bind to receptors and substrates with precision.

But what about Argireline?

Dr. Sivak steers us toward a pivotal study (Lungu et al, 2012) that tested topical Argireline on patients with blepharospasm, a condition involving uncontrollable blinking or eye spasms. The results were clear: Argireline did not replace Botox in this scenario. It became evident that a short peptide applied topically couldn't match the potency of an injected neurotoxin.

For this reason and because there are no other studies that reveal the efficacy of acetyl hexapeptide-8, Skin Actives prefers to focus on proteins that are proven to work. However, we know that some people do see results when using acetyl hexapeptide in their skincare products.

Why Does Skin Actives Sell DIY Acetyl Hexapeptide?

So the question is, why do we sell the DIY Acetyl Hexapeptide? Although we have chosen not to use it in any of our skincare formulations, we acknowledge that some of our customers want to try it or like using it. Since it is not harmful to the skin, we know we can offer a DIY solution that our customers are looking for. Here is a recipe and tip on how to add it to your routine.

Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 – 4oz of Canvas Base Cream
• 1 – 1/8 tube of Pullulan
• 1 – Vial of Acetyl Hexapeptide
• 1 – Vial of Epidermal Growth Factor

Directions:

• Step 1: Empty the entire 4oz of Canvas Base Cream into a Sterilized bowl
• Step 2: Mix in approximately 1/8 tube of Pullulan into the Canvas Base Cream
• Step 3: Gently fold in both the Acetyl Hexapeptide and Epidermal Growth Factor
• Step 4: Scoop or pour back into the jar and use every morning during the moisturizing step of your routine.

Argireline Hack

If you are not into mixing your own skincare products, simply take our Skin Firming Serum in the 4oz bottle and pour in 1 vial of Acetyl Hexapeptide, put the dropper cap back on, and shake very gently until it is mixed. The Skin Firming Serum has all of the ingredients of our Collagen Serum plus Pullulan for that temporary smoothing effect and the Argireline will be an added boost to temporarily smooth the lines.

That's A Wrap

We hope that you found the information in today’s blog useful. At Skin Actives Scientific, we believe that the more educated and informed you are, the better choices you can make about your skincare and health needs. We commit to always giving you the straight answer, not necessarily the one that will sell the most products. We want you and your skin to be both happy and healthy.

Check back in weekly for more informative and educational blogs from Skin Actives Scientific. And if you liked learning what Dr. Sivak had to say, she maintains a personal blog where she discusses hard science and the real-deal facts about what goes on behind the scenes in the skincare industry. You can read it here.