Bioactive marine peptides are a category of cosmetic peptides obtained from marine organisms — most often fish collagen hydrolysates — rather than synthesised chemically from scratch. This category forms the foundation of the Biopeptide Complex technology used in Larens products. In this article we explain what marine peptides are, how they're made, and how they differ from synthetic peptides.
Marine peptides are short amino acid chains obtained through the hydrolysis of proteins of marine origin — primarily fish collagen, though in a broader sense the category also covers peptides sourced from algae or other aquatic organisms. In cosmetics they're used mainly for their:
Fish peptides are formed through the enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of collagen obtained from fish skin, scales, or connective tissue. This process breaks long collagen chains into much shorter fragments which — unlike full-size protein — are able to penetrate the epidermal barrier and reach the living layers of the skin.
In cosmetics, fish peptides are most often used in:
The fish species used as collagen sources vary between manufacturers. In Biopeptide Complex technology, according to the official Nutrivi catalogue, the species used are: silver carp, grass carp, and Atlantic salmon.
Two related but distinct concepts are worth distinguishing:
In practice, this means a cosmetic containing "fish collagen" in unprocessed form works differently (mostly on the surface, occlusively/hydrating) than one containing hydrolysed fish collagen peptides (signalling action, deeper).
| Feature | Marine peptides (bioactive) | Synthetic peptides |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material origin | natural (fish/marine collagen hydrolysate) | designed and manufactured in a lab |
| Examples | Biopeptide Complex | Matrixyl, Argireline, Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Signal precision | profile depends on source and hydrolysis process | designed for a specific, single amino acid sequence |
| Typical marketing positioning | natural origin, sustainable source | molecular precision, repeatability |
Neither category is universally "better" — they take different approaches to a similar goal (supporting collagen synthesis and skin regeneration), and the choice between them often comes down to preferences about ingredient origin and the specific product formula.
Marine peptides and collagen are directly connected — marine peptides are formed precisely from the hydrolysis of collagen. The difference lies in molecule size and mechanism of action: collagen in unprocessed form works mainly on the skin's surface, while peptides obtained from its hydrolysis can penetrate deeper and act as a biological signal stimulating the skin's own collagen production.
Due to their cellular-signalling mechanism supporting collagen synthesis, marine peptides are often indicated as an ingredient suitable for the care of mature skin losing firmness and density. It's worth stressing, however, that the effects of such ingredients are spread out over time and depend on regularity of use, peptide concentration in the formula, and the overall condition of the skin — they should not be attributed effects comparable to aesthetic medicine treatments.
Marine peptides can appear on the INCI list under various names, depending on the degree of processing and the form used in the formula, e.g. as Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen (with the source noted in manufacturer materials), or under the technology's trade name (like Biopeptide Complex). When evaluating a product, it's worth:
In the Larens range, marine peptides appear under the technology name Biopeptide Complex, used among others in Biopeptide Serum Spray. A full description of the technology, its patents, and mechanism of action can be found in a dedicated article: Biopeptide Complex — what it is and how it works →
Content prepared: August 2026. Content requires periodic review in line with INCI and manufacturer material updates.