the research deskevery row graded in a published reportreviewed 24 aug 2026not medical advice
The answer, first
The answer, first. This is the goal where the gap between what is sold and what is proven is widest. The top of the ladder is occupied by sunscreen, prescription retinoids and not smoking.
Two topical peptides hold a single vehicle-controlled trial each. Every injectable peptide marketed for skin has no randomised human trial with a skin endpoint at all.
How we graded
One ladder for the whole field. A peptide sits on it beside a habit, a procedure and an approved drug, and is graded on the same terms.
gradewhat it means
ARandomized human evidence with the endpoint in question, replicated or regulator-accepted
BRandomized human evidence with a related or intermediate endpoint
CHuman evidence that is uncontrolled, underpowered, or in a population that does not transfer
DAnimal, mechanistic or community evidence only
ENo human outcome data exists yet
The ranked field
Every grade below was assigned in a report already published on this site, and every row links to it. No grade is created on this page.
#intervention · type · gradewhat the best evidence actually shows
01Daily broad-spectrum sunscreenTopical, habit · collagen, elastingradeANambour, 903 adults, 4.5 years: daily use showed no detectable increase in skin aging. A separate 24-month vehicle-controlled trial with punch biopsies found a significant difference in solar elastosis. Read the report →
02Topical tretinoin 0.02 to 0.1%Topical · collagen, poresgradeACollagen I formation rose 80% against a 14% decrease on vehicle, on punch biopsy after 10 to 12 months. Read the report →
03Not smokingHabit · collagen, elastingradeA-equivalentType I and III collagen synthesis rates were 18% and 22% lower in smokers, MMP-8 100% higher, measured directly in suction blister fluid. Read the report →
04Topical niacinamide 4 to 5%Topical · poresgradeARandomised, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-face in 52 subjects: significant reduction in pore and evenness counts at week 8. Read the report →
05Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 [Matrixyl]Topical peptide · collagengradeBOne vehicle-controlled trial. The single biopsy that exists across the entire topical peptide category. Read the report →
06Topical GHK-Cu, copper peptideTopical peptide · collagen, elastingradeB, negativeThe one randomised facial trial was null, and FDA excluded the injectable route by name. Read the report →
07Polynucleotides / PDRNInjectable · collagen, poresgradeRetractedThe crow’s-feet study is flagged in the literature as a Retracted Publication. A second randomised trial in 218 participants was also retracted. Read the report →
08GHK-Cu injected · BPC-157 · TB-500 · CJC-1295 · ipamorelin · tesamorelin · sermorelin · epitalon · MOTS-c · KPVInjectable · research peptidesgradeNoneNot one of these has a randomised human trial with a skin endpoint. The single systemic compound that does is recombinant growth hormone, tested as replacement therapy in deficient patients. Read the report →
What this page is
A doorway, not a recommendation.
Most people arrive at this market with a goal rather than a compound name. This page exists so that arriving with a goal does not mean arriving at a sales page.
Everything on it is ranked by what the published human record supports for that goal specifically, which is why habits and approved drugs finish above research peptides on most of these lists.
Nothing here is a recommendation to obtain or use any compound, and no dose appears anywhere on this site. Where a grade is low it is because the file is thin, and a thin file is a reason to be careful rather than a reason to try harder.
This page is for research and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified clinician before making any decision about your health.