The prefix of a peptide indicates how many amino acids are linked together in a chain. For example, a dipeptide is a chain of two amino acids, and a tripeptide consists of three. Notable examples include Coenzyme Q10, which acts similarly to a pentapeptide (five amino acids), and Argireline, which is a hexapeptide (six amino acids, often called “Botox in a jar”).
The relationship between the number and absorption: The higher the number prefix, the larger the molecular weight, making it harder for the body or skin to absorb. Chemically, chains with fewer than 10 amino acids are classified as oligopeptides (commonly referred to simply as “peptides”), while chains with 10 or more amino acids are called polypeptides. Therefore, a higher number does not mean better quality; smaller molecular weight peptides are actually superior due to their higher absorption rates.