Adifyline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-38): The Complete Guide

Written by the Osmotics team · Reviewed by Elena Hart, MD, dermatologist · Last updated

The short answer

Adifyline (acetyl hexapeptide-38) is a peptide studied for supporting the look of fuller, more contoured skin in areas that have lost volume.

Quick answer: Adifyline® is a hexapeptide (Acetyl Hexapeptide-38) developed to restore the look of youthful facial volume — the soft cushioning in the cheeks and contour that thins with age — for a plumper, more lifted appearance without fillers.

What is Adifyline®?

Adifyline® is the trade name for Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, a peptide focused on facial volume rather than lines. A big part of why a face reads as “aged” isn’t wrinkles but loss of volume — the youthful fullness in the cheeks and mid-face deflates over time, so contours flatten and skin looks more hollow and drawn.

How Adifyline® works

Adifyline® is formulated to support the volume-giving cushioning in the skin’s deeper layers, helping restore the look of plumpness and roundness to areas that have deflated. The result is a subtly fuller, more lifted-looking contour — a cosmetic “volumising” effect that develops gradually with use.

What does Adifyline® do for skin?

  • Restores the look of facial volume — targets deflated cheeks and mid-face.
  • Plumps and cushions — for a rounder, fuller-looking contour.
  • Softens a hollow, drawn appearance — helping the face look fuller and more rested.

How to use Adifyline®

Adifyline® comes formulated into volumising treatments and is gentle enough for twice-daily use. It layers well with copper peptides, firming peptides and hyaluronic acid — volumising and firming actives complement each other, addressing fullness and structure together.

Is Adifyline® safe?

As a signal peptide it’s gentle and generally well tolerated. It offers a cosmetic improvement in the look of volume, not the effect of an injectable filler. This guide is general education, not medical advice; individual results vary.

Explore our other firming and plumping peptides in the Ingredient Glossary, or find your match with the skin quiz.

Frequently asked questions

What is Adifyline?

The trade name for Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, a peptide developed to restore the look of youthful facial volume in the cheeks and contour.

Is Adifyline like a filler?

No — it offers a gradual, cosmetic improvement in the look of volume, not the immediate effect of an injectable filler.

Where does Adifyline work best?

On areas that lose volume with age, especially the cheeks and mid-face.

Can I layer Adifyline with other actives?

Yes — it pairs well with copper peptides, firming peptides and hyaluronic acid.

How long does Adifyline take to work?

The look of fullness builds gradually over several weeks to a few months of consistent use. Individual results vary.

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Blue Copper 5 PRIME® Sleep Tight Mask Blue Copper 5 PRIME® Sleep Tight Mask Blue Copper 5 PRIME® Sleep Tight Mask is a copper peptide overnight firming mask — Chrono-Active Repai... $120.00

References

  1. Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16.
  2. Errante F, Ledwoń P, Latajka R, et al. Cosmeceutical Peptides in the Framework of Sustainable Wellness Economy. Frontiers in Chemistry. 2020;8:572923.

Volume figures cited for Adifyline® (acetyl hexapeptide-38) are drawn from the ingredient manufacturer's own studies; independent peer-reviewed research on the finished active is limited.

This guide describes the appearance of skin and is general education, not medical advice; individual results may vary.