N-Acetyl Carnosine (CAS 56353-15-2) is supplied by TCS NEXUS S.L. (Valencia, Spain) for European cosmetic formulators, brand R&D teams and B2B buyers reviewing cosmetic peptide raw material applications. A freely water-soluble peptide, it dissolves directly in aqueous concentrates without co-solvents at pH 5.0–8.0, with cool-down addition below 80°C recommended in standard serum and leave-on manufacturing protocols.
> Technical Specifications
| Product Name | N-Acetyl Carnosine |
|---|---|
| Molecular Structure |  |
| CAS Number | 56353-15-2 |
| Alias / Common Name | N-Acetyl-L-carnosine; N-Acetylcarnosine; Ac-bAla-His-OH |
| Molecular Formula | C11H16N4O4 |
| Molecular Weight | 268.27 g/mol |
| INCI Name | N-Acetyl Carnosine |
| Peptide Sequence | Ac-β-Ala-L-His — N-acetylated L-Carnosine (carnosinase-resistant depot; imidazole antioxidant/anti-glycation) |
| Functional Class | N-acetylated Carnosine analog; carnosinase-resistant anti-glycation active; depot-form imidazole antioxidant |
| Purity / Assay | ≥98% (HPLC); confirm by batch COA |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility / Handling | Freely water-soluble; dissolve in deionised water or aqueous phase at ambient temperature; no co-solvent required |
| pH Stability | Optimal stability at pH 5.0–8.0 in aqueous systems; confirm in formulation after all actives |
| Storage | Store sealed below 25°C in cool, dry, light-protected conditions; follow batch COA and SDS |
> Mechanism & Positioning
N-Acetyl Carnosine (Ac-β-Ala-L-His, CAS 56353-15-2) is the N-terminal acetylated form of L-Carnosine, designed to resist carnosinase (CN1/CN2) enzymatic hydrolysis in serum and tissue — thereby functioning as a long-acting depot form that is deacetylated to free L-Carnosine in the intracellular environment by cytoplasmic deacetylases. Published N-Acetyl Carnosine literature discusses the depot-form rationale: native L-Carnosine is rapidly hydrolysed by serum carnosinase, limiting its biological half-life; the N-acetyl modification blocks CN1/CN2 recognition at the amine terminus, providing prolonged systemic and tissue-level carnosine activity after deacetylation. In cosmetic topical application, the carnosinase-resistance provides theoretical stability in the skin environment relative to free Carnosine. Cell-based studies document intracellular Carnosine release after deacetylation, with subsequent anti-glycation carbonyl scavenging and antioxidant activity equivalent to native L-Carnosine in fibroblast assay systems. Anti-glycation model data also notes ophthalmic application literature separately documenting lens epithelial cell protection under oxidative challenge in N-Acetyl Carnosine eye-drop contexts.
Based on available in vitro data, N-Acetyl Carnosine is positioned for anti-glycation serum, age-care concentrate and advanced antioxidant formulation concepts where carnosinase-resistant depot-form Carnosine activity is the positioning rationale. Compare with free L-Carnosine (native form) and Decarboxy Carnosine (Carcinine) (decarboxylated analog) for a comprehensive three-variant carnosine-family anti-glycation portfolio evaluation.
> Application Concepts
Depot-Form Anti-Glycation Serum Design
N-Acetyl Carnosine dissolves freely in deionised water and aqueous serum bases at 0.1–2.0% (w/w) without co-solvent, and is thermally stable at up to 80°C — compatible with hot aqueous phase processing or standard cool-down addition. The N-acetyl modification does not significantly affect aqueous solubility or formulation compatibility relative to free L-Carnosine. Formulate at pH 5.0–8.0 for optimal stability. Combine with hyaluronic acid (HA), Ergothioneine and matrix-care peptides for comprehensive anti-aging serum architecture. Confirm N-Acetyl Carnosine assay retention by HPLC after accelerated stability testing at 40°C/75% RH before scale-up.
N-Acetyl vs Free Carnosine: Choosing the Right Form
The selection between N-Acetyl Carnosine and free L-Carnosine in cosmetic formulation depends on the anti-glycation activity duration and carnosinase-resistance rationale. Free L-Carnosine is the most extensively published form and is directly active without deacetylation; N-Acetyl Carnosine provides a depot approach with theoretical carnosinase resistance. Both are freely water-soluble and stable at pH 5.0–8.0 in the same serum bases. For premium anti-glycation positioning, a combination of both forms (0.1–0.5% each) provides simultaneous immediate Carnosine activity and sustained depot delivery in a single aqueous serum concentrate. Confirm both forms’ assay retention and combined stability in the target base.
Periorbital and Eye-Area Anti-Glycation Formulation
N-Acetyl Carnosine has a documented literature profile in periorbital and eye-area applications — largely driven by ophthalmic research on lens epithelial cell protection. In cosmetic periorbital serum and eye-gel formulations, N-Acetyl Carnosine (0.1–1.0%) provides anti-glycation and antioxidant activity in the thin, delicate periorbital skin environment where cumulative glycative stress contributes to skin texture changes and dark circle formation. At the periorbital application zone, combine with Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 (Eyeseryl) for anti-puffiness capillary permeability modulation and with Dipeptide-2 for drainage-pathway anti-puffiness positioning. All are water-soluble and pH-compatible at 5.0–7.0. Confirm combined stability in eye-area formulation base before scale-up.
> Handling & Formulation Notes
Dissolve N-Acetyl Carnosine in deionised water or the aqueous phase at ambient temperature at 0.1–2.0% (w/w). Freely water-soluble and thermally stable at up to 80°C — no special handling required beyond standard aqueous serum manufacturing protocols. Introduce during the hot phase or cool-down. Maintain pH within 5.0–8.0.
Evaluate compatibility with strongly acidic actives and chelating preservative systems. Confirm N-Acetyl Carnosine assay retention by HPLC after accelerated stability at 40°C/75% RH. Carnosinase activity in the skin is relatively low compared to serum — the depot-form rationale is most relevant for systemic applications, though the stability advantage may also support longer topical residence.
> Supply & Documentation
N-Acetyl Carnosine (CAS 56353-15-2) is available from TCS NEXUS S.L. (Valencia, Spain) for B2B cosmetic raw material projects. Standard documentation: COA, TDS, SDS. Sample and bulk quantities are discussed on a per-project basis; contact info@tcspeptides.com to initiate a sourcing review.
TCS NEXUS S.L. supports procurement and formulation teams in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and Portugal, as well as international buyers in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
> Packaging & Storage
N-Acetyl Carnosine is supplied in sealed aluminium foil bags or bulk containers. Minimum quantities and packaging configurations are confirmed per order. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry location, away from moisture and direct light. Follow batch COA and SDS for specific storage and handling conditions.
> FAQ
What is N-Acetyl Carnosine?
N-Acetyl Carnosine (CAS 56353-15-2) is a cosmetic raw material supplied by TCS NEXUS S.L. (Valencia, Spain) for B2B cosmetic formulators. In cosmetic literature, N-Acetyl Carnosine is positioned as a carnosinase-resistant bioavailable precursor to L-Carnosine — evaluated in anti-glycation and antioxidant serums where its N-acetylation blocks rapid carnosinase hydrolysis, prolonging the functional half-life of the β-alanyl-histidine motif in skin tissue relative to standard L-Carnosine. TCS NEXUS S.L. supplies N-Acetyl Carnosine as a B2B cosmetic active for anti-ageing and anti-glycation formulation specialists.
What is the CAS number for N-Acetyl Carnosine?
The CAS number for N-Acetyl Carnosine is 56353-15-2. The INCI name for cosmetic regulatory documentation and CPNP notification is N-Acetyl Carnosine; confirm CAS 56353-15-2 and INCI identity against the batch COA when building product files.
How does N-Acetyl Carnosine resist carnosinase — what is the depot mechanism?
N-Acetyl Carnosine (Ac-β-Ala-L-His) is L-Carnosine with an acetyl group on the β-alanine nitrogen. That acetylation blocks the enzyme carnosinase from cleaving the dipeptide, letting it act as a longer-lasting, more lipophilic depot form that gradually provides the carnosine imidazole carbonyl-scavenging and antioxidant activity. It is best known for eye-area and mature-skin age-care positioning.
What use level of N-Acetyl Carnosine is typical, and how should it be evaluated?
Treat the use level as project-specific: start low and evaluate conservatively in your target base, since a single fixed figure rarely transfers between formulations. We supply pure N-Acetyl Carnosine with COA; contact info@tcspeptides.com to align documentation with your target and stability plan.
Which actives pair with N-Acetyl Carnosine in age-care and eye formulas?
N-Acetyl Carnosine combines with antioxidant and anti-glycation actives such as niacinamide and vitamin E and with soothing actives for eye-area products. Its more lipophilic character makes it easier to place in emulsion systems than free carnosine; confirm clarity and pH in the finished base.
How does N-Acetyl Carnosine differ from plain L-Carnosine?
The key difference is enzymatic resistance and lipophilicity: acetylating the β-alanine nitrogen makes N-Acetyl Carnosine resistant to carnosinase (which rapidly degrades free carnosine) and somewhat more lipophilic, so it behaves as a slow-release depot and integrates more readily into emulsion phases. The underlying imidazole anti-glycation/antioxidant chemistry is the same as carnosine.
What addition temperature is recommended for N-Acetyl Carnosine during manufacturing?
Introduce N-Acetyl Carnosine during the cool-down phase at temperatures below 80°C; avoid prolonged exposure above this threshold. Standard aqueous or emulsion cool-down protocols are fully compatible with this addition requirement. Confirm thermal stability in the specific manufacturing process with accelerated stability data before committing to production scale.
What pH range keeps N-Acetyl Carnosine stable in a finished formula?
N-Acetyl Carnosine is stable across roughly pH 4.0–7.0; confirm the finished-product pH after all actives are incorporated and avoid strongly oxidising bases so the imidazole activity is preserved over shelf life.
Is N-Acetyl Carnosine compatible with other actives in multi-active cosmetic systems?
N-Acetyl Carnosine is compatible with standard cosmetic actives at pH 5.0–8.0 in aqueous or emulsion systems. Evaluate combined system pH drift, clarity and assay retention; confirm preservative compatibility. Run accelerated stability testing at 40°C/75% RH before scale-up.
Is N-Acetyl Carnosine (INCI) compliant with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009?
N-Acetyl Carnosine is not listed as a restricted, prohibited or regulated substance under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annexes II–VI. The finished product manufacturer is responsible for the CPSR and CPNP notification. Use CAS 56353-15-2 and INCI name N-Acetyl Carnosine consistently in all regulatory documentation; confirm purity and identity against the batch COA.
How should N-Acetyl Carnosine be stored?
Store N-Acetyl Carnosine sealed below 25°C in a cool, dry location protected from direct light and moisture. Once opened, reseal the container immediately. Follow specific storage and handling conditions stated in the SDS and batch COA. Confirm shelf life for the specific batch before incorporating into production formulations.
What documentation does TCS NEXUS S.L. provide for N-Acetyl Carnosine?
TCS NEXUS S.L. provides COA (confirming CAS 56353-15-2 and HPLC purity ≥98% (HPLC)), TDS (Technical Data Sheet) and SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for N-Acetyl Carnosine. Additional documentation such as specification sheets and INCI confirmation letters is available on a per-project basis. Contact info@tcspeptides.com to initiate a documentation and sourcing discussion.
What MOQ and sample options are available for N-Acetyl Carnosine?
Sample and bulk quantities for N-Acetyl Carnosine are confirmed on a per-project basis through TCS NEXUS S.L. Minimum order quantities depend on current stock, packaging configuration and project scope. R&D teams are encouraged to request samples for stability and concentration-range evaluation before bulk planning. Contact info@tcspeptides.com with project specification to begin a sourcing review.
> Technical Support and Samples
Request COA documents, sample availability, or support for custom synthesis.