ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-31 AMIDE

📋 Quick facts

Description: ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-31 AMIDE — SKIN CONDITIONING.

All Functions: SKIN CONDITIONING

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• A small peptide ingredient shown to reduce inflammatory molecules in skin
• Demonstrated to boost collagen, elastin, and other skin-support structures in lab studies
• Clinical testing over 12–16 weeks showed improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and uneven tone
• No significant irritation reported in safety assessments
• Positioned as useful for early signs of skin aging, starting in the 20s–30s

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Acetyl dipeptide-31 amide (AP31) is a small peptide—a chain of amino acids—designed to address multiple aging concerns at once. Here’s what the research shows:

#1: Anti-inflammatory effects. In lab work, AP31 reduced the release of several inflammatory molecules (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-alpha) compared to untreated controls, all at statistically significant levels (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025). Chronic inflammation is thought to accelerate skin aging, so lowering these markers is theoretically beneficial. #2: Extracellular matrix support. The ingredient increased levels of structural proteins in skin—procollagen (a precursor to collagen), elastin, decorin, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid—both in cell cultures and in human skin tissue samples after 8 days (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025).

These molecules are responsible for skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration, so boosting them may help address sagging and wrinkles. #3: Gene expression effects. In human skin models, AP31 favorably influenced genes related to skin barrier function, hydration, skin plumping, and cell metabolism (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025). #4: Clinical outcomes. A 16-week study of a finished product containing AP31 showed improvements in jawline sagging, overall facial lift, nasolabial folds (lines around the mouth), fine lines, wrinkles, skin smoothness, skin tone, and hyperpigmentation. Subjects’ own assessments matched the clinical ratings (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025). A separate 12-week study in 46 people with mild to moderate sun damage found that a regimen containing AP31, sunscreen, and bakuchiol improved early aging signs and reduced skin glycation—a marker of sugar-related damage (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025).

#5: Tolerability. No statistically significant increases in irritation (edema, redness, dryness, burning, stinging, itching, or tightness) were reported in safety testing (J Drugs Dermatol, 2025). Limitations: The research is recent (2025) and published in the same journal across both sources. The clinical studies are relatively modest in size and duration. The ingredient was tested as part of multi-ingredient formulations rather than in isolation, so it’s unclear how much benefit comes from AP31 alone versus the whole product. More independent studies would strengthen confidence in these findings.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Edison BL et al. (2025). Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide: A Novel Cosmetic Anti-Inflammatory Peptide That Demonstrates Anti-Aging, Firming, and Lifting Benefits. J Drugs Dermatol.
• Unknown authors (2025). Defining and Treating Pre-Aging With a Novel Multi-Functional Cosmetic Peptide, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide. J Drugs Dermatol.
• Farris P et al. (2025). INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: A Scientific Approach to Defining, Evaluating, and Treating Pre-Aging With a Cosmetic Regimen Containing a Novel Cosmetic Peptide, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide (AP31). J Drugs Dermatol.

🧴 Products Containing ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-31 AMIDE