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Peptides.
There, I said it.

I've had so many questions lately, so here's a little honest insight into my own peptide journey — what I've tried, what I've loved, and why I started exploring them earlier this year with NexGen Advancements.

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Code SHANFOURIE
Shan Fourie
In my words

My personal journey.

I'm simply sharing my own experience and what has formed part of my wellness journey since February this year. I'm not a doctor, and nothing here is medical advice — just one woman being open about what she's tried.

I've explored a handful of peptides now, and honestly? Love, love — all of them. Each one has earned a place in how I think about ageing well, energy and recovery. The ones I use myself are first below, including the one I tried and stopped straight away, because honesty matters more to me than a tidy story. NexGen's full range is listed underneath for anyone already looking for something specific.

— Shan

The ones I use myself

Retatrutide 10mg
One I’ve genuinely felt good on.
R1,200
GHK-CU 100mg
My favourite for skin — the Beauty Pen peptide.
R900
Epitalon 50mg
Part of how I think about ageing well.
R1,400
MOTS-C 10mg
Loved having it in the mix.
R800
5-Amino-1MQ 5mg
Another I’ve been really happy with.
R1,200
NAD+ 500mg
A staple for energy and recovery.
R1,100

Also available from NexGen

The rest of the range, for anyone who already knows what they’re looking for. I haven’t used these personally, so I can’t speak to them — please do your own research and speak to your healthcare provider.

Metabolism · Energy · Longevity

MOTS-C 20mg
Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-c
R1,500
NAD+ 1000mg
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
R1,900
Retatrutide 30mg
Triple Agonist Retatrutide
R2,400
SLU-PP-332 5mg
Estrogen-Related Receptors
R900

Regeneration · Recovery · Injury

BPC 157 5mg
Body Protection Compound
R500
BPC 157 10mg
Body Protection Compound
R750
SS-31 10mg
Elamipretide (MTP-131 or Bendavia)
R900
TB500 5mg
Thymosin Beta 4 Acetate
R900

Skin · Detox · Glow

Glutathione 1500mg
Glutathione
R800

Cognitive · Nervous System

Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide 5mg
Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide
R700
Selank 5mg
Selank
R700
Semax 5mg
Semax
R700

Performance · Strength · Hormonal

HGH 10IU
Human Growth Hormone
R300
HGH (10 pack) 10IU x 10IU
Human Growth Hormone
R2,500
HGH 191 AA 36IU
Human Growth Hormone — Amino Acids
R900
HGH 191 AA 36IU (10 pack)
Human Growth Hormone — Amino Acids
R8,500
PT 141 10mg
Bremelanotide
R700

Growth Factors

IGF-1 LR3 1mg
Long Arginine 3-Insulin-like Growth Factor-1
R1,800

Tanning · Aesthetic

Melanotan 2 10mg
Melanotan 2
R800

Accessories

Bacteriostatic Water 3ml
Sterile reconstitution solvent
R90
Bacteriostatic Water 10ml
Sterile reconstitution solvent
R170

Pens

Disposable Pen
Single-use pen, pre-loaded on request
R250
Refillable Pen
Reusable pen device
R450
Reta

Reta (Retatrutide)

An investigational once-weekly triple hormone receptor agonist (GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly, studied mainly for weight management and metabolic health. In a Phase 2 obesity study it produced up to around 24% mean weight loss at 48 weeks — though it's still in clinical trials and not yet approved.

One I've genuinely felt good on.

GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu

A naturally occurring copper tripeptide that supports collagen production, skin remodeling and tissue repair. Its levels decline with age — it's the peptide behind the Beauty Pen.

My favourite for skin — more below.

MOTS-c

MOTS-c

A naturally occurring mitochondrial-derived peptide involved in energy and metabolism. Research links it to insulin sensitivity and glucose handling via the AMPK pathway; it's induced by exercise and its levels fall with age. Most findings so far are preclinical.

Loved having it in the mix.

5-Amino

5-Amino-1MQ

A small molecule that inhibits NNMT, an enzyme highly active in fat tissue. In cell and animal studies this has been associated with higher cellular NAD+ and reduced fat-cell lipid build-up. The evidence base is young and largely preclinical.

Another I've been really happy with.

NAD+

NAD+

A coenzyme central to cellular energy and repair that naturally declines with age, which is why it's become such a focus of longevity research.

A staple in how I support energy and recovery.

Epitalon

Epitalon

A synthetic tetrapeptide based on epithalamin, a substance produced by the pineal gland. Research interest centres on telomerase activity and circadian regulation, which is why it comes up so often in longevity conversations. Evidence to date is early and largely from small or preclinical studies.

Part of how I think about ageing well.

Paused

Melanotan — stopped

A synthetic analogue of α-MSH (the hormone that stimulates melanin), used to deepen skin tone. Because it stimulates melanocytes, it can also darken existing moles and areas of pigmentation.

That's exactly what happened to me — all my pigment and moles went noticeably darker, so I stopped immediately. Sharing honestly.

Sources, for those who like to read: GHK-Cu & MOTS-c research on PubMed Central (NIH), and retatrutide Phase 2 data in the New England Journal of Medicine. Shared for interest, not as medical advice.

My favourite · the Beauty Pen

GHK-Cu, made simple.

I've had so many questions about the "Beauty Pen" — it's a GHK-Cu peptide in an easy-to-use pen format, which makes administration incredibly simple.

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide that promotes skin remodeling, collagen production and tissue repair. Its levels naturally decline with age, which is part of why I find it so interesting for skin and hair.

Read the research on GHK-Cu →
Gift with purchase: any order on NexGen over R2400 using code SHANFOURIE qualifies for a Beauty Pen, free. *Limited stock.
NexGen Advancements GHK-CU Beauty Pen

Skin rejuvenation

Stimulates collagen and elastin, firming loose skin and softening the look of fine lines.

Tissue repair

Up-regulates genes related to cellular repair and helps reduce inflammation.

Hair health

Often used in scalp formulations to support thicker, stronger hair and healthier follicles.

Antioxidant

Boosts the body's natural antioxidant defences to help reduce oxidative damage.

A little gift from me

A complimentary Beauty Pen.

If you're already shopping through NexGen Advancements, use my code at checkout to receive a complimentary Beauty Pen with qualifying purchases over R2400.

Code · SHANFOURIE *Available on qualifying orders while stocks last — limited stock. The latest updates are being added here soon.

A note for honesty: Everything on this page reflects my own personal experience only and is not medical advice. I am not a doctor, pharmacist or medical professional, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation, endorsement or instruction to use any product.

Peptides and related products referenced on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, have not been evaluated by the FDA or SAHPRA, and individual results vary. Some peptides are supplied for research purposes and are not licensed medicines — always check a product's labelling and intended use before purchasing or using it. This page is intended for adults (18+) only.

NexGen Advancements is an independent third-party supplier. I do not manufacture, prescribe, dose or administer any product, and I am not responsible for the accuracy of supplier product claims, product quality, shipping, or any outcome, adverse reaction or injury arising from a purchase or use of these products. All purchases are between you and the supplier directly, subject to NexGen Advancements' own terms, conditions and returns policy — please review these on their site before ordering.

Always speak to your own healthcare provider before starting anything new, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a medical condition. Some links and codes on this page are affiliate/referral links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Curious to explore?

Have a look at NexGen's full range on their site, or get in touch and I'll happily point you the right way.

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