Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A palmitoylated form of the copper-binding GHK tripeptide engineered for deep dermal penetration to stimulate collagen and matrix synthesis in anti-aging skincare.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) conjugates the naturally occurring human plasma tripeptide GHK (glycine-histidine-lysine) to palmitic acid, dramatically improving transdermal penetration so the peptide can reach the fibroblast-rich dermis from topical application. It stimulates synthesis of collagen I, III, and IV via the TGF-beta pathway and increases fibronectin and hyaluronic acid production. It is a cosmetic-only ingredient, used most prominently as the collagen-stimulating active in Sederma's Matrixyl Synthe'6 formulation, and is not regulated as a drug in any major jurisdiction.
Class
Cosmetic lipopeptide (palmitic-acid-conjugated GHK tripeptide)
Half-life
N/A (topical application)
Routes
Topical
Category
Skin, Hair & Cosmetic
Researched benefits
What it's studied for
Collagen synthesis
Stimulates production of collagen I, III, and IV via the TGF-beta pathway, the structural proteins that give skin its firmness and resilience. In vitro studies show stimulation of collagen I and III synthesis in human fibroblast cultures.
Skin firmness and anti-aging
By boosting dermal matrix protein synthesis, it supports skin firmness and elasticity. Manufacturer-sponsored cosmetic studies report improvements in skin firmness metrics and reduction of fine lines and photodamage.
Matrix support
Increases fibronectin and hyaluronic acid production, contributing to a healthier extracellular matrix and improved skin hydration and structure.
Wound healing and regeneration
The GHK core modulates tissue-remodeling enzymes and activates repair pathways; in keratinocyte and skin-equivalent models GHK increased keratinocyte proliferation and enhanced the stemness of epidermal basal cells.
Enhanced dermal delivery
Palmitoylation lets the peptide cross the stratum corneum barrier that unmodified GHK cannot, delivering active peptide to the fibroblast-rich dermis from a topical product.
Mechanism
How it works
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is built on GHK (glycine-histidine-lysine), a naturally occurring human plasma tripeptide that modulates collagen and elastin synthesis, matrix-remodeling enzyme activity, and antioxidant gene expression. Unmodified GHK does not readily cross the stratum corneum, so conjugating it to palmitic acid (a fatty acid) significantly improves transdermal penetration, allowing the peptide to reach the fibroblast-rich dermis from a topical application.
Once in the dermis, the peptide stimulates synthesis of collagen I, III, and IV through the TGF-beta signaling pathway and increases production of fibronectin and hyaluronic acid. Together these effects rebuild and support the extracellular matrix, translating into measurable improvements in skin firmness and reductions in fine lines and photodamage in cosmetic studies.
Pal-GHK differs from GHK-Cu: both derive from the same GHK backbone, but GHK-Cu complexes GHK with copper(II) ions to leverage copper-mediated wound healing and antioxidant mechanisms, while Pal-GHK conjugates GHK with palmitic acid for improved dermal penetration without the copper component. Pal-GHK is the collagen-stimulating active within Sederma's Matrixyl Synthe'6, a blend designed to support six structural proteins of the skin matrix (collagen I, III, and IV, fibronectin, laminin-5, and hyaluronic acid).
Dosing protocols
Dosing & administration
Dosing reflects protocols reported in research and community literature for educational purposes. It is not medical advice or a recommendation. Most peptides here are not approved for human use.
Cosmetic formulation
- Dose
- 2-5% of the palmitoyl tripeptide-1 ingredient solution (actual peptide content within the solution is lower, per the Sederma concentrate formulation)
- Frequency
- Per product instructions, typically once or twice daily
- Timing
- Applied to clean skin as part of a topical skincare routine
- Duration
- Ongoing cosmetic use
- Route
- Topical
Delivered within finished serums and creams such as those containing Matrixyl Synthe'6; the palmitoyl conjugation is what enables dermal delivery from topical application.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a topical cosmetic ingredient only; there is no injectable, reconstituted, or clinical dosing regimen for this compound.
- It is commonly formulated alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-38 and other actives in matrix-targeting blends like Matrixyl Synthe'6.
- Concentration figures refer to the ingredient solution, not the pure peptide, which is present at a lower percentage.
Evidence
Research & clinical studies (2)
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
GHK, the tripeptide core of palmitoyl-tripeptide-1, stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates tissue-remodeling enzymes, and activates immune and repair pathways, with cosmetic studies reporting improvements in skin elasticity, firmness, and reduction of fine lines and photodamage.
PMID 26236730Stem cell recovering effect of copper-free GHK in skin
In cultured normal human keratinocytes and skin-equivalent models, GHK increased keratinocyte proliferation, upregulated alpha6 and beta1 integrin expression along the basement membrane, and enhanced the stemness and proliferative potential of epidermal basal cells.
PMID 23019153Combinations
Stacking & blends
Matrixyl Synthe'6
Comprehensive skin matrix support and anti-aging
Sederma's Matrixyl Synthe'6 combines six components to support six key structural proteins of the skin matrix (collagen I, III, and IV, fibronectin, laminin-5, and hyaluronic acid), with Pal-GHK serving as the collagen-stimulating active alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-38.
Safety
Side effects & considerations
Contraindications & cautions
- None established for topical use
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is generally considered lower risk in research and cosmetic contexts, with no established contraindications for topical use. Individual response varies; as with any new skincare active, patch testing is prudent.
FAQ
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 — common questions
What is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1?
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a fatty-acid-conjugated form of the copper-binding tripeptide GHK (glycine-histidine-lysine), widely used in cosmetic formulations targeting skin firmness and matrix support. GHK is a naturally occurring human plasma peptide that modulates collagen and elastin synthesis, matrix-remodeling enzyme activity, and antioxidant gene expression.
How is Pal-GHK different from GHK-Cu?
Both derive from the same GHK tripeptide backbone. GHK-Cu complexes GHK with copper(II) ions to leverage copper-mediated wound healing and antioxidant mechanisms and is used in injectable/serum contexts, while Pal-GHK conjugates GHK with palmitic acid for improved dermal penetration without copper and appears predominantly in topical skincare products.
What is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 primarily studied for?
It is primarily studied for collagen synthesis, skin firmness, anti-aging, and wound healing.
How is it used?
It is a topical cosmetic ingredient only, typically formulated at 2-5% of the ingredient solution within serums and creams. The palmitoyl group lets it cross the stratum corneum to reach the dermis. There is no injectable or clinical application.
What are the side effects of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1?
It is considered low risk with no contraindications established for topical use. Individual response varies; consult a qualified professional for any health decisions.
What does the research show?
A review found that GHK, the core of palmitoyl-tripeptide-1, stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates tissue-remodeling enzymes, and activates repair pathways, with cosmetic studies reporting improvements in skin elasticity, firmness, and reduction of fine lines and photodamage.
