Decapeptide-12

Skin & Hair

aka Lumixyl · P4 oligopeptide · Tyr-Arg-Ser-Arg-Lys-Tyr-Ser-Ser-Trp-Tyr

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Formula

MW (Da)

Half-life

topical (negligible systemic absorption)

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Overview

Decapeptide-12 is a synthetic 10-amino-acid skin-brightening peptide (commercialized as Lumixyl) that acts as a competitive tyrosinase inhibitor with low melanocyte cytotoxicity in reported assays. Small uncontrolled or split-face clinical studies in melasma and photodamage show modest brightening with a favorable irritation profile relative to hydroquinone.

Mechanism

The best-supported mechanism is competitive tyrosinase inhibition. A 2009 screen of nonapeptides identified peptide P4 (later named Decapeptide-12) with an IC50 of 40 μM against mushroom tyrosinase versus 680 μM for hydroquinone in the same assay. At 100 μM the peptide inhibited human tyrosinase by 25–35% and showed no melanocyte cytotoxicity in the screening context. PubChem lists the compound as C65H90N18O17. Subsequent clinical work consistently frames its activity as melanin-synthesis reduction through tyrosinase inhibition, with no systemic activity claimed.

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Reported benefits

Tyrosinase inhibition (in vitro)

IC50 of 40 μM against mushroom tyrosinase versus 680 μM for hydroquinone; 25–35% inhibition of human tyrosinase at 100 μM with no cytotoxicity in the screening assay.

[hantash-decapeptide12-jid-2009]

preclinical

Improvement in recalcitrant melasma (small split-face pilot)

A split-face randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot in 5 women with recalcitrant melasma used 0.01% w/w peptide twice daily for 16 weeks and reported improvement with good tolerability.

[decapeptide12-melasma-pilot]

clinical

Improvement in facial hyperpigmentation from photodamage

A 2012 prospective open-label study (15 enrolled, 13 completers) found that by week 24 all completers improved; 38.5% moved from moderate photodamage to complete clearance on the study scale.

[decapeptide12-photodamage]

clinical

Mean MASI reduction in mild-to-moderate melasma (open-label combination regimen)

A 2013 open-label combination of 0.01% decapeptide-12, an antioxidant cleanser, 20% buffered glycolic acid, and sunscreen produced mean MASI reductions of 36%, 46%, 54%, and 60% at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16.

[decapeptide12-lumixyl-melasma]

clinical

Reported side effects

Good topical tolerability in clinical studies
clinical
The melasma split-face pilot reported no visible signs of irritation or allergy. The 2012 photodamage study stated all study-related treatments were well tolerated. Literature repeatedly emphasizes lower cytotoxicity and lower irritation than hydroquinone.
Small sample sizes limit rare-event detection
anecdotal
Clinical studies involved 5–15 participants and often included combination regimens. Rare adverse reactions would not be captured at these sample sizes.

Dosing notes

The peptide is used topically, not systemically. Most consistent regimen is 0.01% cream applied twice daily, often combined with sunscreen and glycolic acid. One procedural report on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation delivered a 0.01% solution during four SilkPeel dermalinfusion treatments two weeks apart, with twice-daily cream between visits. Systemic-use safety margins are not established.

Research use only. Information on this page is editorial reference, not medical or dosing advice. Always consult qualified medical guidance before use.

Storage

Storage guidance is supplier-specific. MedChemExpress lists sealed dry storage with powder at -80 °C for 2 years or -20 °C for 1 year. A cosmetic raw-material sheet from ExperChem lists 4 °C, dark and clean storage with a 6-month shelf life. Manufacturer-specific instructions should govern actual laboratory handling.

Vendors carrying Decapeptide-12

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Discussion

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References

[hantash-decapeptide12-jid-2009]
A novel oligopeptide P4 (Decapeptide-12) inhibits tyrosinase activity
Hantash BM et al. · 2009 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Source
[decapeptide12-review-edv]
Decapeptide-12 dermatology review
Authors per Experimental Dermatology entry · Experimental Dermatology
Source
[decapeptide12-melasma-pilot]
A split-face, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot of a novel oligopeptide for recalcitrant melasma
Hantash BM et al. · ResearchGate
Source
[decapeptide12-photodamage]
Decapeptide-12 for facial hyperpigmentation from photodamage (prospective open-label study)
Study authors per source · 2012 · ResearchGate
Source
[decapeptide12-lumixyl-melasma]
Treatment of mild-to-moderate facial melasma with the Lumixyl topical brightening system
Authors per JDD entry · 2013 · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
Source
[decapeptide12-mchem]
Decapeptide-12 product datasheet (HY-P0096)
MedChemExpress · MedChemExpress datasheet
Source

Reported benefits

Tyrosinase inhibition (in vitro)

Improvement in recalcitrant melasma (small split-face pilot)

Improvement in facial hyperpigmentation from photodamage

Mean MASI reduction in mild-to-moderate melasma (open-label combination regimen)

Good topical tolerability in clinical studies

Small sample sizes limit rare-event detection

Discussion