The invention relates to cosmetic formulations and new peptide related entities designed for the cosmetic treatment of the human skin. In more detail, the invention is related to peptides that target CD90 positive tissue cells and correspond to or derive from the partial sequence of erythropoietin (EPO) but do not substantially elicit a hematopoietic but a tissue regenerative and protective effect. In particular, the invention discloses EPO-derived tissue-protective peptides in functional relation to lipid structures and agents that trigger vasculature relaxation and promote transdermal transport of the polypeptide entities to the targeted skin cells.