What it is
This ingredient is a short peptide built from the amino acids alanine, histidine, and lysine that is chelated with copper ions, supplied as a hydrochloride. It belongs to the broader family of copper peptides used in leave-on cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents. In sunscreens it appears as a supporting active intended to support the feel and condition of the skin rather than to provide UV protection.
Safety & warnings
Copper peptides are generally used at low concentrations and are typically well tolerated in leave-on products. They are not recognized fragrance allergens and are not oils, so comedogenicity is not a typical concern. As with any peptide complex, sensitive users may wish to patch test.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic. The peptide sequence is produced by peptide synthesis and then complexed with a copper salt.
Questions everyone asks
Does this peptide provide sun protection?
No. It is a skin-conditioning peptide and does not absorb or reflect UV light; the sunscreen's protection comes from its UV filters.
Why is copper included with the peptide?
The peptide is chelated with copper ions to form a stable copper-peptide complex, the form commonly used in cosmetics as a conditioning agent.