Taming peptides mainly include afamelanotide, myristoyl tetrapeptide-20, and octapeptide-5, which promote melanin production in the skin through different mechanisms and are commonly used for tanning or photoprotection.
Afamelanotide, also known as a tanning peptide, is a synthetic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analog that stimulates melanin production by activating the MC1R receptor. It is primarily used as a prescription drug to treat erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) to enhance the skin's light tolerance. While it may theoretically have an adjunctive effect on depigmentation disorders such as vitiligo, it is not a mainstream treatment.
Myristoyl tetrapeptide-20 is a melanin-stimulating peptide commonly used in cosmetics. It activates pigmentation-related genes and promotes melanin synthesis. In addition to its tanning effect, it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-photoaging, and UV-damage-resistant properties, and can be added to skincare products such as lotions and creams.
Octapeptide-5 stimulates tyrosinase synthesis by mimicking the neurotransmitter action of α-MSH, thereby increasing melanin production and achieving a "self-tanning" effect without UV exposure. Its key feature is that it can improve skin pigmentation and radiance without sun exposure.