If you have read a peptide serum label, you may have seen two kinds of names for the same ingredient: the trade name a supplier gives it, and the INCI name, the standard name used on ingredient lists.
Two names, one ingredient
Trade names are chosen and trademarked by ingredient suppliers. They are useful shorthand, but they can be vague about what is actually in the bottle. INCI names are standardized, so anyone can look them up.
| Common trade name | INCI name on the label |
|---|---|
| Matrixyl 3000 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
| Argireline | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| Leuphasyl | Pentapeptide-18 |
| Eyeseryl | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
Why the difference matters
- Same name, different product. A trade name refers to a specific supplier product. A brand that writes it without using that supplier's material can mislead.
- Studies follow ingredients and doses. A study of one peptide at one concentration does not automatically apply to a serum with a different amount.
- Comparing is easier. INCI names let you compare serums across brands.
Our approach
We list the INCI names of the peptides in MATRIX. We name a trade name only if we actually use that supplier's material, and we will say so.
A quick checklist
- Find the INCI list and read the peptide names.
- Check where each ingredient sits in the list (higher means more).
- Ask whether the research being cited tested the same ingredient at a similar dose.
This article is educational and is not medical advice.
