Hexapeptide-11
Hexapeptide-11 (Peptamide-6) is a yeast fermentate-derived hexapeptide that stimulates fibroblast production of collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, and upregulates desmosome proteins involved in skin barrier integrity.
⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. Hexapeptide-11 is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.
- Stimulates fibroblast synthesis of collagen, fibronectin, and laminin — structural ECM proteins critical for skin firmness
- Upregulates desmosome proteins (DSP, DSG) — reinforces cell-cell adhesion in the epidermis
- Improves skin mechanical properties and resistance to deformation — measured by cutometry in clinical studies
- Hexapeptide-11 is not FDA-approved for human use. Cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Hexapeptide-11). Regulated as a cosmetic active ingredient globally.
Research At a Glance
- Stimulates fibroblast synthesis of collagen, fibronectin, and laminin — structural ECM proteins critical for skin firmness
- Upregulates desmosome proteins (DSP, DSG) — reinforces cell-cell adhesion in the epidermis
- Improves skin mechanical properties and resistance to deformation — measured by cutometry in clinical studies
- Anti-aging activity via multiple ECM stimulatory pathways simultaneously (vs peptides targeting a single protein)
What is Hexapeptide-11?
Hexapeptide-11 (INCI: Hexapeptide-11; commercial name: Peptamide-6, from Unipex/Lucas Meyer Cosmetics) is a hexapeptide (Pro-Phe-Phe-Leu-Met-Gln) derived from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermentation. It was developed as a multi-pathway ECM stimulatory ingredient, distinguished from most cosmetic peptides by its effects on both dermal (collagen/fibronectin/laminin) and epidermal (desmosome) structures simultaneously.
**Mechanism of action:** In fibroblast cell culture studies, Hexapeptide-11 has been shown to increase gene and protein expression of: - **Collagen type I**: The primary structural collagen of dermis - **Fibronectin**: An adhesive glycoprotein that mediates cell-matrix attachment and wound healing - **Laminin**: A basement membrane glycoprotein critical for dermal-epidermal junction integrity
In keratinocyte cultures, it upregulates
- **Desmoplakin (DSP)** and **desmoglein (DSG)**: Components of desmosomes — specialized cell-cell junctions that provide mechanical cohesion to the epidermis
**Clinical cosmetic evidence:** A double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical study of 0.5% Hexapeptide-11 applied twice daily for 8 weeks showed statistically significant improvements in skin firmness (cutometer measurement) and skin texture scores vs placebo group. Additional consumer studies showed subjective improvement in skin smoothness and density.
**Comparison to other ECM peptides:** Unlike palmitoyl peptides (Matrixyl, GHK-Cu) which primarily target TGF-β and TIMP pathways, Hexapeptide-11 appears to work through distinct pathways (not primarily TGF-β dependent), making it potentially additive when combined with palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 or GHK-Cu in multi-peptide formulations.
Key Research Benefits
Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on Hexapeptide-11. See all Skin & Anti-Aging peptides for comparison.
Side Effects & Risks
Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports.
Dosing Data from the Literature
Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.
Cosmetic formulation concentrations:
Standard range: 0.01-0.5% (active is potent — lower concentrations are often effective) Anti-aging formulations: 0.1-0.5% in serums and moisturizers Clinical studies: 0.5% demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin firmness vs placebo at 4 and 8 weeks
Administration in Research Settings
Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.
Applied topically in serums, moisturizers, or treatment creams. Compatible with most cosmetic active ingredients. Stable in formulations at pH 5-7.
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Quick Reference
Research Use Only
This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.