Research Only Cosmetic & Skin

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

also known as: Uplevity, Uplevity e-Lift

Uplevity — a Lipotec firming tetrapeptide proposed to support dermal mechanotransduction by organising elastin, fibulin-5, and LOXL-family enzymes. Follow-on "skin architect" peptide marketed as alternative to pre-synaptic/post-synaptic muscle peptides; manufacturer-only efficacy data.

A synthetic acetylated tetrapeptide marketed by Lipotec (now Lubrizol) as Uplevity® (later repositioned as Uplevity® e-Lift). Claimed by the manufacturer to support dermal-epidermal junction integrity and re-organise the elastic fibre network by upregulating fibulin-5 and lysyl-oxidase-like enzymes (LOXL-1/LOXL-2). Manufacturer clinical data describe a ≈23 % increase in elastin and collagen after twice-daily 2 % application for approximately two months, with visible improvements in jawline and neck firmness. Sequence and molecular-formula data are not publicly disclosed in INCI registries — Lipotec treats the specific tetrapeptide structure as proprietary. Cosmetic ingredient; not a drug.

Mechanism of action

Proposed by the manufacturer to act as a "skin architect" peptide upregulating fibulin-5 and lysyl-oxidase-like enzymes (LOXL-1, LOXL-2), which are responsible for nucleating tropoelastin onto microfibrils and catalysing the lysine-derived cross-links that mature elastin fibres. The pathway is of interest because dermal elastin organisation — rather than bulk elastin quantity — declines with age and photoaging. Independent mechanistic replication outside Lipotec is very limited; most published efficacy evidence is manufacturer-sponsored in-vitro and clinical work.

Primary uses

Topical cosmetic anti-aging formulations (firming / lifting / jawline definition)

Typical dosing

2 % (finished formulation, as supplied solution) twice daily (topical)

Cosmetic concentrations. Manufacturer clinical study used 2 % finished-product concentration.

Regulatory status

Cosmetic ingredient; not a drug. INCI name: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2.

References

[manufacturer] Lipotec / Lubrizol. "Uplevity® (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2) and Uplevity® e-Lift peptide technical data sheet."
[review] Ferreira MS, Magalhães MC, Sousa-Lobo JM, Almeida IF. "Trending anti-aging peptides." Cosmetics, 2020;7(4):91.

Related peptides

Matrixyl

A palmitoylated pentapeptide derived from a collagen-I breakdown fragment (KTTKS) — widely used in cosmetic topicals with clinical data supporting modest reductions in fine-line depth over 12 weeks.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

Sederma's Matrixyl Synthe'6 — a palmitoyl tripeptide (Pal-KMO2K) claimed to stimulate six dermal-matrix components (collagens I / III / IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, laminin-5). Follow-on to Matrixyl and Matrixyl 3000; almost all efficacy data is manufacturer-generated.

Pal-GHK

The palmitoylated form of the GHK tripeptide (distinct from GHK-Cu) — widely used as a cosmetic ingredient in combination with Matrixyl (Matrixyl 3000 is Pal-GHK + Pal-KTTKS) for fine-line reduction.

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.