Peptide education
sh-Oligopeptide-1
sh-Oligopeptide-1 is a recombinant human peptide ingredient made using a synthetic gene for epidermal growth factor, or EGF. The ingredient dictionary describes a peptide of up to 53 amino acids.
Small, short studies measured skin outcomes after using combinations reported to contain sh-Oligopeptide-1. They did not isolate the ingredient's effect.
Overview
Quick answer
The sh-prefixed name is distinct from unprefixed Oligopeptide-1, which a regulator describes using glycine, histidine, and lysine. A paper that describes a recombinant EGF serum using the shorter name does not establish that the exact sh-prefixed ingredient was tested.
Is it the same as unprefixed Oligopeptide-1?
No. The sh-prefixed entry describes a recombinant human peptide made using an EGF gene. The unprefixed ingredient is described separately.
What has been tested in people?
Two short studies compared a multi-ingredient topical product on one forearm with the other forearm without that product. In the pediatric study, children continued any usual treatment. Neither study isolated sh-Oligopeptide-1.
Does the related EGF serum trial prove this ingredient works?
No. That pilot compared two complete serums and described one as recombinant EGF, but did not establish that it contained the exact sh-prefixed ingredient. Results cannot be assigned to this ingredient.
Evidence
Evidence snapshot
A multi-ingredient cream was compared with an untreated forearm for one week.
A combination was compared with a forearm without the emulgel for ten days; usual treatment continued where applicable.
Neither study can establish rare or long-term effects.
Claims
Common claims vs evidence
| Claim | Human evidence | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| sh-Oligopeptide-1 alone improves skin hydration. | The studies compared combinations with skin without the study product, not an ingredient-matched vehicle. | The peptide's independent contribution was not established. |
| The supplied EGF serum pilot proves an effect of sh-Oligopeptide-1. | The pilot compared complete serums but did not establish the exact sh-prefixed ingredient identity. | Its findings are related context, not ingredient-specific evidence. |
Bottom line
Main takeaway
The sh prefix identifies a different ingredient from the unprefixed name.
A forearm without the study product does not isolate the peptide from other ingredients.
Identity
What it is
The ingredient dictionary describes sh-Oligopeptide-1 as a single-chain recombinant human peptide produced using a synthetic EGF gene. The unprefixed name is described separately and should not be used as an alias.
Research
Research evidence
A one-week healthy-skin study and a ten-day pediatric study tested topical mixtures reported to contain sh-Oligopeptide-1. Each compared the complete product with a forearm without that product. Children continued any usual treatment; both studies involved formulation developers.
| Study / evidence area | Population | Design | Product context | Main outcome | Limitations | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy-skin cream comparison | 32 adults enrolled; 30 completed follow-up | Randomized forearm assignment, cream versus untreated skin for one week | Cream contained sh-Oligopeptide-1, polyphenols, glycerin, hyaluronate, and plant extracts. | Skin moisture increased more on the treated forearm than on the untreated forearm. | No vehicle or peptide-only control; short follow-up and involvement of formulation developers. | Limited evidence for the complete cream |
| Pediatric emulgel comparison | 61 children with atopic dermatitis enrolled; 57 completed follow-up | Randomized forearm assignment, emulgel versus no emulgel for ten days; usual treatment continued where applicable | Emulgel contained sh-Oligopeptide-1, hyaluronic acid, glycerol, and other ingredients. | On affected skin, hydration increased and measured redness and water loss decreased compared with the forearm without emulgel. | No vehicle or peptide-only control; some continued usual treatment, follow-up was short, and formulation developers were involved. | Limited evidence for the complete emulgel |
| Related recombinant EGF serum pilot, exact sh identity unverified | 20 adult women with facial photoaging | Randomized, double-blinded comparison of two serums over twelve weeks | One serum was described as recombinant EGF; the comparator used human-derived conditioned media. | Investigator ratings for texture and firmness favored the EGF-described serum at eight weeks; between-group differences on those ratings were not statistically significant at twelve weeks. | The precise sh-prefixed ingredient identity was not established; the products differed, the trial was small and industry funded, and no ingredient-only effect was measured. | Related context only, not confirmed sh-specific evidence |
Use context
Reported use context
These schedules describe the tested products, not a recommended regimen for this ingredient.
Study and label context
Participants applied the combination cream twice daily for one week.
The other forearm was untreated; the peptide's independent contribution was not measured.Participants applied the combination emulgel twice daily for ten days.
Participants continued usual treatment where applicable; this does not establish a pediatric treatment recommendation.Cautions
Safety and unknowns
- Neither short combination study reported adverse effects, but neither establishes long-term safety or rules out uncommon reactions.
- Tolerability may depend on the complete formulation and the condition of the skin.
Product quality
Product identity and quality
The tested creams contained other ingredients; their outcomes do not describe every product with a similar name.
Full ingredient name
The sh prefix distinguishes this ingredient entry from unprefixed Oligopeptide-1.
Active concentration and formulation
The amount of active ingredient and other components can differ between products.
Biological activity
A related name alone does not establish the activity of a finished formulation.
Mechanism
How it is proposed to work
This ingredient is made using a synthetic gene for human EGF. The cited studies do not establish the ingredient's independent activity in the tested products or how much active peptide reaches living skin.
A formulation's other ingredients and delivery characteristics may affect the observations attributed to the complete product.
Details
Technical details
Sources
References
- 1.
Korea Cosmetic Association. sh-Oligopeptide-1 ingredient dictionary entry
The entry describes a recombinant human peptide made using a synthetic gene for epidermal growth factor.
- 2.
Beijing Medical Products Administration. Cosmetics supervision questions and answers: oligopeptide-1 and epidermal growth factor
The regulator distinguishes unprefixed Oligopeptide-1 from human epidermal growth factor.
- 3.
Korea Cosmetic Association. Oligopeptide-1 ingredient dictionary entry
The unprefixed entry describes a synthetic peptide made from glycine, histidine, and lysine residues, not the sh-prefixed EGF-related ingredient.
- 4.
Scientific study. Microencapsulation, Cream Development, and Controlled Clinical Study of an Upcycled Polyphenolic Extract Combined with sh-Oligopeptide-1
doi:10.3390/cosmetics11060198
A short randomized forearm comparison tested a multi-ingredient cream against untreated skin. The full-text paper reports that formulation developers were involved and that the funder had a role in the study.
- 5.
doi:10.3390/gels11110880 PMID:41294565
A short randomized forearm comparison tested a multi-ingredient emulgel against a forearm without the study product; participants continued usual atopic dermatitis treatment where applicable. Formulation developers and the funder were involved.
- 7.
FDA. Cosmetic Ingredients
FDA describes the US cosmetic ingredient framework and manufacturers' safety responsibilities.