Peptides broaden their horizons

The global cosmetic peptide synthesis market is expected to grow from $259.63m (around €223m) in 2026 to $337.09m (around €290m) by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.34%, according to Mordor Intelligence. As the leading application, anti-ageing still accounted for 48.27% of sales in 2025, but momentum is shifting towards new uses. Hair and scalp care is expected to record the fastest growth, at 8.72% per year through to 2031.

Signal peptides, used in particular to support mechanisms involved in the extracellular matrix, dominated the market with 41.82% of sales in 2025. Alongside them, carrier peptides, neurotransmitter- and enzyme-inhibiting peptides and other functional sequences are gaining ground, expanding their use into radiance, barrier repair, hydration, as well as sun and after-sun care.

Production methods are also evolving. While solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) still accounted for 61.91% of the market in 2025, recombinant and cell-free processes are forecast to grow by 7.45% annually through to 2031. Requiring fewer solvents, these technologies address the drive for more sustainable manufacturing, while automation and AI-assisted sequence design are accelerating the development of new active ingredients.