Peptides for women: a plain-English starting point

If you've started reading about peptides, you've probably met a lot of new words very fast. Forums, skincare ads and podcasts all use them a little differently. This guide explains the common ones in plain English, so the rest of the site is easier to follow.

What is a peptide?

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Your body makes thousands of them. Many act as messengers between cells. Insulin and oxytocin are both peptides.

The word covers a huge range of things. A peptide in a face serum and a peptide in a prescription medicine have little in common beyond the name. So when you see "peptides", it's worth asking which ones, and in what kind of product.

The words you'll see

• Peptide: a short chain of amino acids. Longer chains are usually called proteins.
• Cosmetic peptide: a peptide in a skincare product, like a serum or moisturiser. Sold as a cosmetic, not a medicine.
• Prescription peptide: a medicine that a doctor must prescribe.
• "Research use only": a label on many peptides sold online. It means the seller says it isn't for use in people. It doesn't mean anyone has checked it for safety or quality.
• TGA: the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia's regulator for medicines and medical devices.
• COA: a certificate of analysis, a lab's report on one tested sample.
• Purity: how much of a tested sample was the main compound. It isn't the same as safety.
• Batch or lot number: the code for one production run. It should match the batch on the lab report.
• "Evidence is limited": our way of saying there's little good research in people. You'll see it a lot.

Why the women's angle?

Peptides come up more and more in women's health forums and podcasts. They're commonly discussed for skin, hair, sleep, energy and recovery after exercise. Evidence in people for these uses is limited. Many claims come from lab or animal studies, or from marketing.

Hormones, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can all change how your body responds to medicines and supplements. That's one more reason to talk to your GP first.

Reading claims with a calm eye

A few phrases deserve a second look:

• "Clinically proven": ask which study, in whom, and how many people took part.
• "Pharmaceutical grade": ask which standard, and where the proof is. On its own it's a marketing phrase.
• Dramatic photo comparisons: lighting, filters and makeup do a lot of the work.
• Testimonials: one person's story isn't evidence.

None of these prove a product is fake. They're simply reasons to slow down and check.

The short version

• A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. The word covers skincare, medicines and a lot in between.
• "Research use only" doesn't mean checked or approved. Many peptides aren't TGA-approved for human use.
• Most peptides you'll read about are still being researched. Evidence in people is often limited.
• Next step: browse Peptides A to Z to see what each one is, and what it's commonly discussed for.

Related: Peptides A to Z · Are peptides legal in Australia? · Questions to ask your GP