Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 are two skincare peptides often sold together as Matrixyl 3000; this page covers their identity, evidence gaps and safety review.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Two ingredients, one trade name
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 are separate cosmetic ingredients. Each is a short peptide joined to palmitic acid, a fatty acid. Research papers abbreviate them Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR, after their amino acids. [1][2] A trade-name blend called Matrixyl 3000 contains both. [1]
| Label (INCI) name | Amino acid chain | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 | Pal-Gly-His-Lys (GHK) | The fatty-acid form of GHK [2][3] |
| Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 | Pal-Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg (GQPR) | Separate from tripeptide-1 [2] |
| Palmitoyl oligopeptide | Listed as palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 | A different label entry, so check which one a product lists [2] |
| Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) | GHK carrying a copper ion | Not the same as the palmitoyl form; see GHK-Cu [2][3] |
Some papers spell the first one "palmityl tripeptide-1". The 2018 safety assessment and the 2026 review table use "palmitoyl". [4][2]
Why they are used
Reviews place peptides like these in a cosmetic category called signal peptides, alongside neurotransmitter-affecting and carrier peptides. [5][6] The proposed idea is that they prompt skin cells to make more of the skin's supporting proteins. In one laboratory test, a mixture containing both peptides increased collagen and elastin production in cultured skin fibroblasts. [4] That is preclinical (cells/animals only) evidence for the mixture. In the human studies I found, results were wrinkle, hydration or elasticity scores, not direct proof of the mechanism.What the studies show
- Eye-cream trial (promising but limited, finished product). A 12-week study of an eye cream reported hydration up 28.12%, elasticity up 18.81% and collagen production up 54.99%, and improved fine lines by week 8. The cream's "active complex" included a yeast/rice fermentation filtrate, N-acetylneuraminic acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, so the result cannot be credited to the two peptides alone. Several authors are from a company research center (Mageline Biology Tech). [4]
- Blend imaging study (insufficient evidence). A paper from the supplier Sederma used a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and reported better ultrasound and microscope images than placebo. The authors call it a preliminary method-development study. [7]
- GHK forms (insufficient evidence). A 2025 review noted a surprising lack of clinical studies of GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK. [3]
- Sensitive-skin cosmetics survey. A review of peptides in 88 facial cosmetics (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 was one of those found) said most supporting data came from patents and supplier brochures rather than randomized placebo-controlled studies. [8]
I did not find a published randomized trial of either peptide on its own, in people, as a single ingredient. This is proper evidence not found after PubMed searches on both names.
Does it get into the skin?
A 2026 laboratory study applied serums containing Matrixyl 3000 to the skin of three volunteers. Both peptides were detected in every layer of the outer skin (stratum corneum), with signals falling with depth, and appeared to sit on the outside of cells rather than inside them. Two authors are employees of a beauty company (No7 Beauty Company). [1] It does not show the peptides reach the deeper layer where collagen is made. For general delivery limits see peptides in topical formulations.Frequently asked questions
What is Matrixyl 3000?
It is a trade-name blend containing palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. [1] Plain "Matrixyl" is a different ingredient; see palmitoyl pentapeptide-4.
Is palmitoyl tripeptide-1 the same as copper peptide?
No. Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 carries a fatty acid, while copper tripeptide-1 carries a copper ion; both are built on the GHK chain. [2][3]
Do these peptides reduce wrinkles?
Products containing them have shown improvements in small studies, but the studies I found tested mixtures or were preliminary. [4][7]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read the evidence labels
Labels used on this page: promising but limited, preclinical (cells/animals only), insufficient evidence and marketing claim. Product and ingredient evidence are different; see ingredient evidence vs finished-product evidence.
Safety and regulation
In the United States, cosmetic ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval. [10] Other countries: not verified. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Irritation and allergy are covered in cosmetic peptide safety.
References
- Permeation behaviour of cosmetic actives into the human stratum corneum. Int J Pharm 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- A framework for the safety evaluation of peptides in cosmetics. Curr Res Toxicol 2026 (includes a table of Cosmetic Ingredient Review conclusions). Read 2026-10-22.
- Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: advantages, problems and prospective. BioImpacts 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- Comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new multi-component anti-aging topical eye cream. Skin Res Technol 2024. Read 2026-10-22.
- Cosmeceutical peptides. Dermatol Ther 2007. Read 2026-10-22.
- Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci 2009. Read 2026-10-22.
- Evaluation of dermal extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction modifications using MALDI mass spectrometric imaging, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, echography, and histology: effect of age and peptide applications. J Cosmet Dermatol 2015. Read 2026-10-22.
- Usage of Synthetic Peptides in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin. Pharmaceuticals 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, Their Metal Salts and Fatty Acyl Derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 2018 (Cosmetic Ingredient Review; abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- FDA Authority Over Cosmetics: How Cosmetics Are Not FDA-Approved, but Are FDA-Regulated. US Food and Drug Administration. Read 2026-10-22.