Peptide education

Oligopeptide-1

Oligopeptide-1 is an unprefixed cosmetic ingredient name. Ingredient references describe a synthetic peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine, distinct from human epidermal growth factor.

Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1

Studies of an EGF serum and combined facial treatments do not establish what the unprefixed ingredient does on its own. The exact ingredient and formulation matter when comparing products with research.

Ingredient identity PMID 42152512 PMID 31033162

By the Peptides Media Editorial Team Editorial policy3 min read

IngredientUnprefixed name

IdentityNot established as EGF

Human evidenceIngredient-specific benefit not shown

Overview

Quick answer

Sh-oligopeptide-1 is a separate ingredient name for an EGF-related peptide made by bacterial fermentation using a synthetic gene. A study that calls a serum recombinant EGF and also uses the shorter name does not establish that it tested the unprefixed ingredient.

Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1 sh-Oligopeptide-1 PMID 42152512

Is this the same as sh-oligopeptide-1?

No. The unprefixed name describes a peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine. The sh-prefixed entry describes a recombinant human EGF-related peptide produced by bacterial fermentation.

Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1 sh-Oligopeptide-1

Do these facial studies show it works?

No. One paper describes a recombinant epidermal growth factor serum; another studied skin-care regimens alongside injectable procedures. Neither establishes an effect of the unprefixed ingredient alone.

Ingredient identity PMID 42152512 PMID 31033162

Is it the same as copper tripeptide-1?

Copper tripeptide-1 is a copper complex of Gly-His-Lys. The unprefixed ingredient description names the same three amino-acid types but does not specify one exact sequence. Do not assume the products are identical.

Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1 PubChem

Evidence

Evidence snapshot

Ingredient identityThree amino-acid types

A regulator distinguishes the unprefixed ingredient from human EGF.

Ingredient identity

EGF serum pilotRecombinant EGF described

In 20 women, ratings for improvement in texture and firmness favored a recombinant EGF serum at later visits over a conditioned-media serum. The paper does not establish that it tested the unprefixed ingredient.

PMID 42152512 Ingredient identity

GHK cell studyLaboratory context

A defined tripeptide and its copper complex were studied in cultured cells.

PMID 25745767

Claims

Common claims vs evidence

Claim	Human evidence	Mechanistic evidence	Verdict
Oligopeptide-1 is the same ingredient as EGF.	The serum study describes recombinant EGF, not a verified unprefixed ingredient.	Ingredient references distinguish the unprefixed and sh-prefixed names.	The names and study results should not be merged. Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1 sh-Oligopeptide-1 PMID 42152512
The ingredient has a proven independent effect on facial skin.	One study compared EGF serums; the other combined skin care with injections.		Neither study establishes an effect of the unprefixed ingredient on its own. PMID 42152512 PMID 31033162 Ingredient identity

Bottom line

Main takeaway

Check the name

The sh prefix changes which ingredient is being described.

Match the material

Confirm sequence, copper status, and formulation before applying a study result.

Identity

What it is

The unprefixed ingredient is described as a synthetic peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine. These descriptions do not specify one exact sequence for every product using the name.

Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1

The sh-prefixed entry describes a recombinant human peptide made by bacterial fermentation using a synthetic EGF gene, with up to 53 amino acids.

sh-Oligopeptide-1

Research

Research evidence

In a small trial, ratings for improvement in texture and firmness favored an EGF serum at later visits over a human-cell-conditioned-media serum, while wrinkle ratings changed little in both groups. A separate study reported improvement in both groups using skin care alongside filler and a botulinum toxin. Neither study isolates the unprefixed ingredient, and the EGF paper does not establish that its shorter ingredient name matches the unprefixed entry.

PMID 42152512 PMID 31033162 Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1

Study / evidence area	Population	Design	Product context	Main outcome	Limitations	Weight
Recombinant EGF serum comparison PMID 42152512 Ingredient identity Oligopeptide-1	Twenty women aged 50 to 65 with facial photoaging	Randomized, double-blind comparison of two serums over 12 weeks	Recombinant EGF serum compared with a human-fibroblast-conditioned-media serum. Both groups also used a cleanser and sunscreen.	Investigator ratings favored the recombinant EGF serum for texture and firmness at later visits; overall wrinkle ratings changed little in both groups.	Small, short study of finished serums, not an isolated ingredient. The paper uses the shorter name but does not verify that it matches the unprefixed ingredient. The maker of one serum supported the study; the authors report that the funder had no role in its design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or publication decision.	Preliminary comparison of two EGF-related formulations
Facial skin-care regimens with injections PMID 31033162	Twenty people receiving facial rejuvenation treatments	Comparison of two skin-care regimens alongside filler and botulinum toxin	Both groups received hyaluronic acid filler and abobotulinumtoxinA; one regimen also included chemical peels and antioxidant formulations.	Both groups improved on selected skin-quality and wrinkle assessments, as well as self-esteem and first-impression measures.	Several treatments were combined, and the abstract does not identify an isolated unprefixed Oligopeptide-1 intervention. PubMed lists PCA Skin as a funding source.	Multi-treatment comparison, not an ingredient-specific result

Use context

Reported use context

The serum trial describes a routine for the EGF formulation it tested, not a regimen established for unprefixed Oligopeptide-1.

Study and label context

Recombinant EGF serum comparisonTopical

Participants applied their assigned serum to the face twice daily for 12 weeks. Both groups also used a cleanser and sunscreen.

This describes the study products, not a recommendation or evidence for the unprefixed ingredient.

PMID 42152512

Cautions

Safety and unknowns

The cited studies do not establish long-term safety for a specific finished product containing the unprefixed ingredient.
Other ingredients, concentration, and the condition of the skin may affect a product's tolerability.

Product quality

Product identity and quality

Similar ingredient names do not by themselves establish that two products contain the same peptide.

Full ingredient name

The sh prefix identifies a different ingredient entry.

Sequence and copper status

A tripeptide, a copper complex, and an EGF preparation should not be assumed equivalent.

Complete formulation

Other ingredients and the amount of active material affect comparisons between products.

Mechanism

How it is proposed to work

A laboratory study tested Gly-His-Lys, a peptide made from the same three amino-acid types, in cultured human skin fibroblasts. It did not test a finished product identified as Oligopeptide-1.

Ingredient identity PMID 25745767

Gly-His-Lys, its copper complex, and copper ions each reduced IGF-2-stimulated TGF-beta1 secretion in cultured fibroblasts. Cell measurements do not establish a clinical effect or the identity of a commercial product.

PMID 25745767

Details

Technical details

Oligopeptide-1 technical details

Ingredient name

Oligopeptide-1, without a prefix

Composition

Glycine, histidine, and lysine described by the regulator

Exact sequence

Not established for every product by the name alone

Distinct entry

sh-Oligopeptide-1, a recombinant human EGF-related peptide

Sources

References

1.
Beijing Medical Products Administration. Cosmetics supervision questions and answers: oligopeptide-1 and epidermal growth factor
The regulator distinguishes an unprefixed peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine from human epidermal growth factor.
2.
Korea Cosmetic Association. Oligopeptide-1 ingredient dictionary entry
The unprefixed entry describes a synthetic peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine residues; it does not give one exact sequence.
3.
Korea Cosmetic Association. sh-Oligopeptide-1 ingredient dictionary entry
The sh-prefixed entry describes an E. coli-produced recombinant human peptide made using a synthetic gene for epidermal growth factor.
4.
PubMed. Effect of GLY-HIS-LYS and its copper complex on TGF-beta secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts
PMID:25745767
Laboratory experiments compared GHK, its copper complex, and copper ions in cultured human fibroblasts; the study did not test a finished product labeled Oligopeptide-1.
5.
PubChem. Prezatide copper compound record
The compound record identifies copper tripeptide-1 as a copper complex of Gly-His-Lys.
6.
PubMed. A Randomized, Double-Blinded Pilot Study Comparing Synthetic Versus Human-Derived Topical Epidermal Growth Factor for Facial Rejuvenation and Psychosocial Perception
doi:10.1111/jocd.70927 PMID:42152512
The paper calls its serum recombinant epidermal growth factor and also uses the name oligopeptide-1. It does not establish that the serum contains the unprefixed ingredient described by the regulator. The study was supported by DRMTLGY; the authors report that the funder had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or the decision to publish.
7.
PubMed. Topical skin therapies in subjects undergoing full facial rejuvenation
doi:10.1111/jocd.12977 PMID:31033162
The study combined skin-care regimens with injectable procedures; its abstract does not identify an isolated unprefixed Oligopeptide-1 intervention. PubMed lists PCA Skin as a funding source.
8.
FDA. Cosmetic Ingredients
FDA describes the US cosmetic ingredient framework and manufacturers' safety responsibilities.