Carnosine
A naturally occurring dipeptide (β-alanyl-L-histidine) used in formulas for its in-vitro antioxidant and carbonyl-scavenging activity.
What it does
Carnosine is a small dipeptide of β-alanine and L-histidine, found naturally in muscle tissue and brain. In a formula it acts as an antioxidant — scavenging free radicals — and as a carbonyl scavenger that can intercept reactive intermediates in the glycation pathway in cell and biochemistry studies. Cosmetic formulators add it for its mechanistic profile against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which are implicated in the chemistry of skin aging. The in-vitro mechanism is well-established; independent peer-reviewed human topical RCTs with cosmetic endpoints are more limited.
Also known as
l-carnosine, beta-alanyl-l-histidine
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