HydraPep Progression
Multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid begins flooding the skin's moisture reservoirs. Any initial surface sensitivity is normal as the barrier adjusts to the peptide complex and begins its renewal cycle.
Matrixyl 3000 begins signalling collagen production. Noticeable smoothing of skin texture and a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydration.
Deep hydration is locked into the dermal layers. Redness decreases and uneven pigment begins to shift as cellular turnover accelerates and the barrier strengthens.
Full cellular turnover complete. Skin elasticity is visibly restored, fine lines are plumped from within, and the barrier is operating at optimal hydration capacity.
The Philosophy
HydraPep is a professional-grade peptide-rich serum engineered to plump the skin barrier while establishing a high-density moisture reservoir for long-term hydration. Unlike standard hyaluronic acid serums that work only at the surface, HydraPep uses three molecular weights of HA simultaneously to penetrate and hydrate at multiple depths — while Matrixyl 3000 signals fibroblasts to rebuild the structural matrix that makes the skin intrinsically plumper and more resilient:
High Molecular Weight HA sits on the surface, binding water from the environment to create immediate surface plumping. Medium Molecular Weight HA penetrates the upper layers of the stratum corneum for sustained inter-cellular moisture. Low Molecular Weight HA reaches deeper into the living epidermal layers for cellular-level hydration. Together they create a layered moisture gradient that standard single-weight serums cannot achieve.
Matrixyl 3000 is a palmitoyl peptide complex (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) that signals fibroblasts to synthesise collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the dermis. At 3% concentration — the clinically validated threshold — it produces measurable improvements in skin elasticity and fine line depth over 28 days. It does not just hydrate the skin. It rebuilds the structural capacity of the skin to hold its own hydration.
DL-Panthenol (Provitamin B5) at 1% penetrates the epidermis and converts to Pantothenic Acid, which accelerates barrier repair, reduces trans-epidermal water loss, and calms any inflammation that would otherwise impede the moisture retention that HA and peptides are building. It is the barrier-protective layer that ensures the hydration delivered by this formula stays in the skin rather than evaporating overnight.
Layering Guide
HydraPep is a serum applied after NiAbutin-C and before AzelaiK 12%. Its water-based consistency means it must go on before any emulsion or occlusive layer. Apply to slightly damp skin immediately after the previous serum to maximise moisture binding.
Used once a week as your first step on that day only. Apply to dry skin, massage to exfoliate, then rinse before moving to the BHA Gel Cleanser.
Daily first cleanse. Dissolves SPF, makeup, and environmental pollutants without stripping the acid mantle.
Daily second cleanse. Salicylic Acid decongests the pore lining while Panthenol maintains barrier integrity throughout.
First active step. Blocks the plasminogen-plasmin melanin signalling pathway before pigment production begins. Allow 60 seconds to absorb.
Triple-pathway brightening serum applied after TraneXaMilk. Allow 60 seconds to absorb before HydraPep.
Apply 3 to 4 drops to slightly damp skin after NiAbutin-C. Press gently using upward motions until fully absorbed. Apply to damp rather than dry skin — HA binds environmental moisture into the skin as it absorbs. Allow 60 seconds before the next step.
Applied after HydraPep as an emulsion. Its lipid base seals in the hydration HydraPep has delivered while simultaneously correcting PIH and PIE at the follicular level.
Final step. Ceramide NP and Squalane create an occlusive seal that locks in the moisture HydraPep built and prevents transepidermal water loss overnight.
Apply HydraPep to slightly damp skin for maximum HA moisture binding. Never apply to completely dry skin.
Key Ingredients
Forms a hydrating film on the skin surface, binding atmospheric moisture and creating immediate plumping. Provides the barrier-level hydration that prevents surface dehydration throughout the day.
Penetrates progressively deeper into the stratum corneum and living epidermis. Delivers sustained moisture at cellular level rather than just the surface, creating the long-term hydration reservoir that distinguishes HydraPep from standard HA serums.
A palmitoyl peptide complex clinically validated at 3% concentration to signal fibroblast collagen and elastin synthesis. Rebuilds the structural matrix that makes skin intrinsically capable of holding moisture rather than just temporarily supplying it.
Penetrates the epidermis and converts to Pantothenic Acid, accelerating barrier repair and reducing transepidermal water loss. Protects against the moisture evaporation that would otherwise undermine the hydration delivered by the HA complex.
Full Ingredients: Distilled Water, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Hyaluronic Acid HMW, Hyaluronic Acid NMW, Hyaluronic Acid LMW, Matrixyl 3000, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol, L-Arginine q.s. to pH 5.3 to 5.7.
How to Use
- After NiAbutin-C has fully absorbed, lightly mist your face with water or apply while skin is still slightly damp from the previous step. This is important — Hyaluronic Acid binds moisture from the environment as it absorbs and performs significantly better on damp skin.
- Apply 3 to 4 drops to the fingertips and press gently into the skin using upward motions. Do not rub — pressing allows the different molecular weights of HA to absorb at their natural rate.
- Focus application on areas of fine lines, dehydration, or tightness.
- Allow 60 seconds to fully absorb before applying AzelaiK 12% on top.
- Follow immediately with DermaSeal to seal in the hydration. HydraPep applied without an occlusive layer on top can actually draw moisture out of the skin in dry environments rather than delivering it in.
Clinical Evidence
Every Qunat formula is built on published clinical research. These are the most relevant studies that informed the HydraPep formulation:
Skin Hydration at 8 Weeks
Water Binding Capacity of HA
Matrixyl — Clinically Validated Dose
Supportive Research and Clinical Data:
ULTIMATE HYDRATION PROTOCOL:
HYDRAPEP + DERMASEAL
HydraPep is engineered to be used specifically in sequence with Dermaseal to flood the dermis with moisture and then lock it in to prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Humectant saturation (HydraPep) followed by lipid occlusion (DermaSeal) prevents TEWL and locks in active peptides, ensuring maximum skin hydration and barrier resilience.