Palmitic acid version of the tripeptide GHK, without copper. Used in anti-wrinkle creams and lip balms, almost always combined with other actives.
Regulatory status
Cosmetic and topical
Family
Signal peptide (lipid analog of GHK)
Scientific evidence
Low
Number of findings
2
Where it acts
Skin and aging
Also known as
palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl oligopeptide, Pal-GHK, component of Matrixyl 3000
Regulatory status
FDA (US): Not approved as a drug (sold as a cosmetic ingredient)
EMA (EU): Not authorized as a drug (cosmetic ingredient in the EU)
Dose
There is no established dose in humans.
Safety
In topical cosmetics it is usually well tolerated; it may cause local irritation or redness. There are no long-term safety data or data in pregnancy. Do a patch test on a small area before using it.
Differences between women and men
The clinical studies found were done only in women; there are no data in men. View the study →
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Lip hydration and volume
improvesLowclinical trial (A)in people
N = 32
Open-label, uncontrolled study in 32 women aged 22–40 over 4 weeks with a lip treatment that included pal-GHK, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid: hydration and measured lip size improved (p < 0.001).
Eye cream with palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and other actives: after 12 weeks, hydration rose by 28% and elasticity by 19%, and fine lines improved. Study by the developing company.
It is credited with acting as a signal to stimulate collagen synthesis through the TGF-beta pathway, similarly to GHK. The palmitic acid improves its passage through the skin. The evidence for the mechanism comes from the laboratory.
What the evidence says
In people
Lip hydration and volume. Open-label, uncontrolled study in 32 women aged 22–40 for 4 weeks with a lip treatment that included pal-GHK, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid: hydration and measured lip size improved (p < 0.001). PubMed 20725584
Eye contour (multicomponent cream). Eye cream with palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and other actives: after 12 weeks, hydration rose by 28% and elasticity by 19%, and fine lines improved. Study by the developing company. PubMed 38932444