Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a short synthetic peptide used primarily in cosmetic hair-care and scalp-care formulations. It is best known as a conditioning and hair-strengthening active and is commonly marketed for supporting the appearance of thicker, fuller, healthier-looking hair.
Basic information
- INCI name: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
- Type: Acetylated tetrapeptide
- Category: Cosmetic peptide / hair-care active
- Structure: A four-amino-acid peptide with an N-terminal acetyl group
- Primary applications: Scalp serums, hair-growth-support products, anti-hair-loss cosmetic formulations, and hair-strengthening treatments
- Main cosmetic positioning: Hair anchoring, follicle/scalp support, and improvement of hair appearance
How does it work?
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is generally described as acting on the extracellular matrix surrounding the hair follicle. Cosmetic suppliers commonly associate it with:
- Supporting the dermal environment around hair follicles.
- Supporting extracellular-matrix proteins, which are important for tissue structure and follicular anchoring.
- Helping improve the attachment and structural support of hair follicles within the scalp.
- Potentially promoting a healthier environment for the hair-growth cycle.
It is important to distinguish these cosmetic claims from pharmaceutical hair-regrowth treatments: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is not an FDA-approved drug for treating androgenetic alopecia, and evidence for actual increases in hair density is considerably less established than for approved pharmacological treatments.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 vs. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Despite their similar names, they are different peptides with different cosmetic positioning.
| Feature | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 |
| Peptide type | Acetylated tetrapeptide | Acetylated tetrapeptide |
| Main cosmetic focus | Hair/scalp | Primarily skin/anti-aging applications |
| Typical positioning | Hair anchoring, follicle support | Skin firmness, elasticity and structural support |
| Typical products | Scalp serums, hair treatments | Facial creams, serums, anti-aging products |
Important formulation point
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is often encountered not as a pure raw peptide but as part of commercial peptide complexes/blends containing other active ingredients. Therefore, the recommended concentration, solvent system, pH range, and processing temperature depend strongly on the specific supplier grade.
In short: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a cosmetic bioactive peptide mainly associated with scalp and hair-follicle support, particularly formulations designed to improve the appearance of hair density, strength, and anchoring. It should be viewed as a cosmetic hair-support ingredient rather than a proven pharmaceutical hair-growth drug.