What it is
This ingredient is a short synthetic peptide built from amino-acid-derived units (including aminobutyric acid and valine residues) attached to a tetradecyl fatty chain, supplied as a trifluoroacetate salt. The fatty chain improves the peptide's affinity for the skin surface, and it is marketed as a signal-type conditioning peptide intended to support a smooth, well-conditioned appearance. It is used at very low concentrations as a functional additive rather than as a bulk ingredient.
Safety & warnings
Synthetic conditioning peptides of this type are used at trace levels and are generally well tolerated, with low expected potential for irritation or sensitization. It is not considered comedogenic.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic. It is manufactured by peptide synthesis and conjugation to a fatty (tetradecyl) chain.
Questions everyone asks
What is this long-named ingredient?
It is a synthetic lipopeptide, a short peptide attached to a fatty chain, used as a skin-conditioning agent at very low levels.
Why is it in a sunscreen?
It is added as a conditioning peptide to support the look and feel of the skin alongside the product's UV protection.