Lipid tripeptide advertised to stimulate six components of the skin matrix. Studies in people are open-label, with no control group, and with the peptide mixed with other actives.
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
Signs of facial aging (serum with vitamin C and E)
improvesLowclinical trial (A)in people
−8% roughness
Open-label study in women aged 40 or older over 56 days with a serum of 15% vitamin C, vitamin E, and 5 ppm of palmitoyl tripeptide-38: roughness fell by 8–9% and redness by 9%. Funded by the brand; the peptide's effect cannot be separated out.
Open-label study in 37 women aged 35–60 over 12 weeks with a moisturizer that included palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and other actives: all parameters evaluated improved vs baseline. No control group.
According to its manufacturer, it stimulates the production in fibroblasts of several collagens, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid, which give the skin firmness. These data come from the laboratory.
What the evidence says
In people
Signs of facial aging (vitamin C and E serum). Open-label study in women aged 40 or older for 56 days with a serum of 15% vitamin C, vitamin E, and 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide-38: roughness fell by 8–9% and redness by 9%. Funded by the brand; the effect of the peptide cannot be separated out. PubMed 33103342
Appearance of facial skin (multi-ingredient moisturizer). Open-label study in 37 women aged 35–60 for 12 weeks with a moisturizer that included palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and other actives: all the parameters evaluated improved compared with baseline. No control group. PubMed 26151786