Background: sh-oligopeptide-1 is a cosmetic that is considered to be the bioequivalent of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF).
Objective: The systematic search and selection of the information available on sh-oligopeptide-1, and field research on laboratories manufacturing cosmetics and the legal regulation of their products.
Methods: Specialised search in Medline and Google Scholar (March 2023). A total of 22 references were obtained and 12 articles were selected for analysis, 7 of which were included in Medline. 9 articles correspond to clinical trials that use sh-oligopeptide-1 as equivalent to a functional recombinant human EGF (hr-EGF). The manufacturers are investigated and they are requested to provide scientific information.
Results: Using an inactive ingredient, clinical trials are published with favourable results in order to treat diabetics and cancer patients. These trials do not follow medical standards. Active EGF is not a cosmetic, rather it is a potent unauthorised drug. Likewise, sh-oligopeptide-1 is not a functional EGF, and it is not authorised for medical treatments. Topical hr-EGF is not authorised as a medication in any concentration, except for clinical trials. However, sh-EGF (sh-oligopeptide-1) is authorised as a cosmetic in several different concentrations for generalised use, with unknown long-term risks.
Conclusion: Clinical studies on sh-oligopeptide-1 have no scientific basis, as the preclinical bioactivity of this molecule has not been proven.
Keywords: Sh-oligopeptide-1; cosmetics; epidermal growth factor; human recombinant epidermal growth factor; human synthetic epidermal growth factor.