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A designed 10-mer that competes with tyrosinase — the pigment-enzyme target of skin-brightening cosmetics.
Also known as: Lumixyl
Part of the Cosmetic & skin peptides cluster
Overview
Decapeptide-12 (Lumixyl) is a synthetic 10-amino-acid peptide with the sequence YRSRKYSSWY, designed to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that begins melanin synthesis. It is used as a cosmetic ingredient in topical skin-brightening products and studied for the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It is presented here as a cosmetic ingredient.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Synthetic decapeptide (designed at Stanford University)
Primary research or clinical context: Cosmetic ingredient in topical brightening formulations
Tyrosinase-competition concept
Tyrosinase catalyzes the first step of melanin production. Decapeptide-12 was engineered to bind tyrosinase and compete with its natural substrate, which cosmetic-science literature links to a reduced appearance of uneven pigmentation without the irritation associated with some traditional agents.
Cosmetic-ingredient framing
Marketed as Lumixyl, decapeptide-12 appears in topical brightening systems and has been evaluated in open-label cosmetic studies. Nothing here is a claim to treat melasma or any medical condition; this page describes a cosmetic ingredient only.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for Decapeptide-12 (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
YRSRKYSSWY
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Decapeptide-12 (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C65H90N18O17
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 1,395.5
- PubChem CID: 25087629
- CAS RN: 137665-91-9
Chemistry values: PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.
Decapeptide-12 — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Decapeptide-12 (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 1,395.5 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
FAQ about Decapeptide-12
What is Decapeptide-12?+
Decapeptide-12 (Lumixyl) is a synthetic 10-amino-acid peptide with the sequence YRSRKYSSWY, designed to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that begins melanin synthesis. It is used as a cosmetic ingredient in topical skin-brightening products and studied for the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It is presented here as a cosmetic ingredient.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Decapeptide-12?+
Canadian product status for Decapeptide-12 has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Decapeptide-12?+
Decapeptide-12 is commonly described as approximately 10 amino acids (Cosmetic ingredient peptide).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Kassim et al. (2012). Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12. J Cosmet Laser Ther
- 2.Bhatia et al. (2014). Combined topical delivery and dermalinfusion of decapeptide-12 accelerates resolution of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of color. J Drugs Dermatol
- 3.Ramírez et al. (2013). Open-label evaluation of a novel skin brightening system containing 0.01% decapeptide-12 in combination with 20% buffered glycolic acid for the treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma. J Drugs Dermatol
- 4.Hantash et al. (2012). Treatment of mild to moderate facial melasma with the Lumixyl topical brightening system. J Drugs Dermatol
- 5.Wikipedia — Decapaptide-12 (Lumixyl)