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NCT Number: NCT07548424

Study of a Peptide Cream's Effect on the Facial Skin Barrier Using a Side-by-Side Comparison

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a topical face cream containing the peptide Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 improves skin hydration and strengthens the skin barrier compared to a placebo cream in healthy adult participants. The study uses a split-face design, in which one side of the face is treated with the peptide cream and the other side with a placebo (a cream without the active ingredient).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does the peptide cream improve skin hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss compared to placebo? * Does the peptide cream affect skin erythema or cause irritation? * How do participants rate the comfort and tolerability of the peptide cream?

Researchers will compare the treated and placebo sides of the face to assess differences in skin barrier function and tolerability.

Participants will:

* Attend a baseline visit for assessment of facial skin parameters, including hydration, transepidermal water loss, and erythema * Apply the peptide cream to one side of the face and the placebo cream to the other side once daily for 4 weeks * Attend weekly follow-up visits for non-invasive skin measurements * Record any skin sensations (e.g., stinging, tightness) or adverse effects throughout the study

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Key information

Conditions

Skin Barrier Function Skin Hydration Topical Peptide Effects on Facial Skin Barrier Function

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Split School of Medicine

Split, 21000, Croatia

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Josipa Bukić

CONTACT

[email protected]

+385917933753

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • healthy volunteers who gave written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • presence of active skin diseases or dermatological conditions
  • known allergy or hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the study products
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or antihistamines prior to or during the study

Treatment and study plan

Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 Cream

Other

Topical emollient cream containing Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 as the active ingredient, applied once daily to one side of the face for 4 weeks.

Placebo Cream

Other

Topical emollient cream identical in composition to the investigational product but without Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, applied once daily to the contralateral side of the face for 4 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

    Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4

    Transepidermal water loss will be measured using a Tewameter probe to assess skin barrier function.

  2. Change in Skin Hydration

    Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4

    Skin hydration of the stratum corneum will be measured using a Corneometer probe.

  3. Change in Skin Erythema

    Time frame: Baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4

    Skin erythema will be measured using a Mexameter® probe.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Josipa Bukić, MPharm

CONTACT

[email protected]

+385917933753

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Split, School of Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Effect of a Topical Formulation Containing Acetyl Hexapeptide-37 on Objective Skin Barrier Parameters of the Face in a Randomized Controlled Split-Face Design

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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