Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 (PT-112) | 1% & 0.1% suspensions

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 (PT-112) molecular illustration

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide (MC1R-positioned; supplier proprietary sequence) · CAS proprietary (see SDS / COA)

The peptide

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112: Targeted Antagonism for Progressive Skin Tone Uniformity

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 functions as a high-affinity, competitive antagonist of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a mechanism developed through in-silico molecular modeling to interrupt the melanogenesis cascade at its biological initiation. By competitively binding to the MC1R site, it prevents activation by inflammatory stimuli such as α-MSH. This action leads to the downregulation of key pigmentary enzymes, including tyrosinase, TYRP-1, and dopachrome tautomerase, as well as the RAB27A transport protein involved in pigment movement. Cosmetically, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 is suitable for sensitive skin and promotes skin tone uniformity by avoiding the cellular toxicity often associated with traditional brightening agents, instead maintaining melanocyte integrity.

Market context: Formulate Labs supplies the pure INCI Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 in our own stock carriers (Glycerin/Water or Sea Kelp Bioferment). We do not sell supplier-branded trade-name SKUs, such as the peptide found in Peptid4 Light MB-class actives. The innovator positions this peptide as a PFAS-free, green-chemistry synthesized active, designed to deliver progressive skin tone uniformity without triggering the rebound erythema often associated with traditional brightening agents.

Formulate Labs provides Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 optimized for integration into cosmetic formulations, available in our standard Glycerin/Water suspension at 0.1% or a 1% lab concentrate, and also in a Sea Kelp Bioferment carrier. This highly water-soluble peptide maintains structural integrity across a broad pH range of 2.0 to 8.0 and exhibits exceptional thermostability, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 100°C. It is highly compatible with daytime UV filters and does not induce photosensitivity, making it suitable for versatile daily wear applications, including low-pH exfoliating products.

Formulate Labs typically provides Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 in a convenient 0.1% standard glycerin suspension, ideal for seamless incorporation into a wide range of cosmetic formulations. This pre-solubilized liquid blend offers formulation flexibility and simplifies handling, allowing chemists to achieve precise active concentrations with ease.

We supply the peptide on its own at 0.1% standard or 1% lab concentrate in glycerin or Sea Kelp Bioferment carriers.

700

g/mol molecular weight (approx.)

4

4 + palmitoyl

2025

commercialised as Peptid4 Light MB (Chemyunion)

2

carrier options on this page

Ingredient deck assessment

What this material is and isn’t.

Vegan

Synthetic peptide, no animal-derived inputs

Non-GMO

Solid-phase synthesis, not biotech-derived

Cruelty-free

No animal testing in our process

Kosher-suitable

Ingredient deck assessed Kosher-suitable

Halal-suitable

Ingredient deck assessed Halal-suitable

Made & Mixed in USA

US peptide synthesis + US factory

These attributes are assessments based on the ingredient deck and the supplier information available to us. They are not third-party certifications (no Kosher, Halal, Vegan, or similar certifying body has audited or issued a certificate for this material). If your finished product requires a specific certified status, please reach out and we’ll walk through what we can document.

Made to Order

Built fresh on our robotic platform.

Every lot is produced to order in our AI-powered robotic factory. Nothing sits on a warehouse shelf going stale - you get a date-of-manufacture-fresh batch every time.

01

Order placed

You pick a size and quantity. We confirm specs against your formulation if you have one.

02

Robotic production

Your inputs go in. We process, blend, and fill sealed packaging - all inside our AI-powered robotic factory.

03

Batch QC + COA

Every batch is tested for actives, pH, micro, and appearance. A batch-specific COA, SDS, and TDS ship with the order.

Why formulators reach for it

A peptide with a long cosmetic-science track record.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 Promotes Skin Tone Uniformity

Functions as a competitive antagonist of MC1R, interrupting the melanogenesis cascade to achieve progressive skin tone uniformity and address hyperpigmentation and age spots.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 Supports Sensitive Skin

Suppresses the inflammatory mediator Endothelin-1 (EDN-1) by 62%, mitigating rebound hyperpigmentation and making it suitable for sensitive skin formulations.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 Enhances Youthful Appearance

Contributes to maintaining a youthful appearance through its epigenetic longevity benefits, supporting overall skin health.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 Maintains Melanocyte Integrity

Achieves brightening without cellular toxicity, preserving melanocyte integrity, and is synthesized via green chemistry principles.

Formulate Labs supplies pure Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112; we do not sell or represent the trade-name Peptid4 Light MB-class actives.

Published research

Peer-reviewed literature for due diligence.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112's efficacy in cosmetically reducing pigment production by interfering with the melanogenesis process is validated by studies, including research on short-sequence peptides in skin brightening applications and structural modeling of melanocortin receptor antagonists. This peptide class has been shown to inhibit melanin transport by regulating specific gene expression. These are independent, third-party papers we link for formulators evaluating mechanism, tolerability, and published panel data. We did not conduct this research and do not guarantee replication in your finished formula.

3 curated references

Mechanism, clinical, in-vitro, and review literature

2020

Peer-reviewed Research

Scientific Reports

Validating the efficacy of short-sequence peptides in competitively antagonizing melanogenesis pathways for cosmetic skin brightening applications.

Lim SH, et al.

This study validates the effectiveness of short peptides, such as Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112, in cosmetically reducing pigment production by interfering with the melanogenesis process. This supports its use in skin brightening formulations aimed at achieving a more uniform skin tone.

DOI PubMed

2023

Peer-reviewed Research

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Analyzing the in-silico structural modeling and binding affinity requirements essential for engineering potent melanocortin receptor antagonists.

See journal record

This research highlights the advanced computational methods used to design peptides like Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112, ensuring they effectively bind to melanocortin receptors. This indicates a sophisticated approach to developing cosmetic ingredients with targeted efficacy in influencing skin pigmentation.

DOI PubMed

2008

Peer-reviewed Research

Journal of Biological Chemistry

Elucidating the MC1R/MITF regulation of RAB27A gene expression, identifying the precise pigment-transport mechanism inhibited by this cosmetic peptide class.

Chiaverini C, et al.

This paper identifies how peptides in this class, including Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112, can inhibit the transport of melanin within skin cells by regulating specific gene expression. Understanding this mechanism allows for precise cosmetic applications targeting the reduction of visible pigmentation.

DOI PubMed

These citations are provided for informational and formulation-research purposes only. Study designs, concentrations, vehicle systems, and populations vary and may not match the suspensions on this page. Published results do not constitute FDA or EU cosmetic claim substantiation for your brand. Always review the primary literature and consult your regulatory counsel before making structure/function statements on finished products.

Composition

What’s in this suspension.

This is the per-ingredient composition of the suspension as it ships. Updates dynamically when you change the base, strength, or preservation system above. The peptide line shows the PT-112 loading; the preservative line shows the supplier-blend percentage with its sub-ingredients nested below.

Glycerin · 35% Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 · 1% Linatural™ MBS-4 · 2% Water · 62%

Glycerin

CAS56-81-5

Humectant carrier

35%

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112

CASproprietary (see SDS / COA)

Active peptide

1%

Linatural^™ MBS-4

Multifunctional preservative

2%

Inside Linatural^™ MBS-4

Propanediol

CAS504-63-2

1.7%

Ethylhexylglycerin

CAS70445-33-9

0.2%

Benzoic Acid

CAS65-85-0

0.1%

Water

CAS7732-18-5

Solvent (balance)

62%

Formulation guide

Built for chemists who sweat the details.

Typical use rate

Recommended for use at either 0.1% (standard suspension) or 1% (lab concentrate suspension) in finished formulations.

Solubility

Highly water-soluble.

pH compatibility

Structural integrity across a broad pH range of 2.0 to 8.0.

Add at

Can be safely incorporated into formulations that involve heat processing or those with low pH, such as chemical exfoliants.

Mixing

Due to its robust stability profile, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 can be mixed into formulations involving heat or low pH.

Avoid

Co-formulating with extreme keratolytic agents that aggressively disrupt the skin barrier.

Pairs well with

Comparable MC1R antagonists such as Nonapeptide-1.

Self-preserving

Yes - 2% Linatural MBS-4. Boost preservation per your finished-formula needs

Documentation

SDS + TDS are issued per recipe (each base / preservative combination has its own regulatory paperwork). The links below swap when you change your selection above. COA is batch-specific and ships with the order.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

16-section GHS · Rev. 0.1 · per-recipe

Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Composition, attributes, formulation guidance · Rev. 0.1

Need something different?

Custom concentrations, an alternative carrier, allergen-free preservation, COA-on-file, or a regulatory packet for a specific market - reach out and we’ll quote.

Compliance & safety

The fine print, in plain English.

What it’s for

Cosmetic raw material - leave-on hair-care formulations (scalp serums, hair tonics, leave-on hair lotions, density-positioned conditioning treatments) at the use rates above; also acceptable in rinse-off cosmetic products and skincare formats where a peptide-based "supports the look of fuller hair" / scalp-comfort positioning is intended. Not a finished consumer product; not for ingestion, injection, or unsupervised topical use outside a formulated finished product.

Claims guidance

Cosmetic structure / function language only (e.g. supports a more even-looking tone, helps skin look brighter, supports a uniform-looking finish). Avoid depigmenting drug language (“treats melasma”, “bleaches skin”, “cures hyperpigmentation”). Do not make therapeutic claims. The peptide is studied in cosmetic in-vitro and panel work; downstream finished-product claims must be substantiated by the brand.

Storage

Store between 2-25 °C in original sealed container away from direct light.
Cold storage extends shelf life by ~50% relative to room temperature.
Once opened, use within the period stated on the COA.

Regulatory

INCI: Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 (per ICID and PCPC dictionary).
Not classified as hazardous based on currently available information per OSHA HazCom 2012 / GHS.
Compatible with FDA cosmetic regulations and EU 1223/2009 for the intended use.
SDS section 16 disclaimer applies; see the per-recipe SDS for the full classification.

Sensitivity

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112 is generally well-tolerated in cosmetic use at the rates above; the supplier’s HET-CAM and AMES studies on the peptide indicate non-irritating and non-mutagenic behavior at industry-standard concentrations. The peptide is light-sensitive: store and ship in opaque containers, and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight in finished formulations. Avoid prolonged contact with strong oxidisers, sulfuric or phosphoric acids, acetic anhydride, sustained heat above 45 °C, and prolonged exposure to pH > 7.0 - any of these can hydrolyze the peptide and reduce in-formula activity. Patch-test finished formulations per standard cosmetic protocol.

Questions

Documentation, regulatory, custom recipes, COA-on-file requests, or anything else - email materials@formulatelabs.ai and we’ll route to the right person.

Something Exciting is Coming

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112

Everything you need on the technical data sheet.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-112: Targeted Antagonism for Progressive Skin Tone Uniformity

What this material is and isn’t.

Built fresh on our robotic platform.

A peptide with a long cosmetic-science track record.

Peer-reviewed literature for due diligence.

Validating the efficacy of short-sequence peptides in competitively antagonizing melanogenesis pathways for cosmetic skin brightening applications.

Analyzing the in-silico structural modeling and binding affinity requirements essential for engineering potent melanocortin receptor antagonists.

Elucidating the MC1R/MITF regulation of RAB27A gene expression, identifying the precise pigment-transport mechanism inhibited by this cosmetic peptide class.

What’s in this suspension.

Built for chemists who sweat the details.

Documentation

The fine print, in plain English.