Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Also known as: Pal-GHK, Biopeptide CL, Part of Matrixyl 3000
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (also called Pal-GHK or Biopeptide CL) is a cosmetic copper-free GHK analog in the Copper Peptide class. Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 delivers the GHK sequence with a sixteen-carbon palmitic acid chain attached to the N-terminus. The lipid tail greatly increases lipophilicity, which is intended to improve partitioning into the stratum corneum, the main barrier to topical peptide delivery.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 147732-56-7
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- โ578.8 g/mol
- Half-life
- Topical; systemic PK not established
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Administration Route
- Topical
- Frequency
- โ
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- Dermal fibroblasts
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor's price is the median price per mg of its own listings; with fewer than 3 vendors there is no typical range. From public vendor listings collected in Dec 2025, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 1
- Listed offers
- 1
- Price per mg
- $0.950/mg
Research summary
The GHK tripeptide supplied with a palmitic acid chain attached to improve penetration through the outer skin barrier, and without the bound copper of GHK-Cu. It is used topically as a matrikine, a peptide fragment that signals matrix turnover to dermal fibroblasts, and is most often formulated alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Regulated as a cosmetic ingredient rather than a drug, and not FDA-approved for any therapeutic use.
Peptide Library's Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- Per cosmetic formulation
- Frequency
- โ
- Cycle
- โ
- Administration Route
- Topical
- Reconstitution Guide
- โ
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C30H54N6O5 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | โ578.8 g/mol |
| CAS number | 147732-56-7 |
| Half-life | Topical; systemic PK not established |
| Appearance | White powder |
| Formulation | Topical Cream |
| PubChem CID | 10231864 |
| FDA UNII | RV743D216M |
| DrugBank | DB11297 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 delivers the GHK sequence with a sixteen-carbon palmitic acid chain attached to the N-terminus. The lipid tail greatly increases lipophilicity, which is intended to improve partitioning into the stratum corneum, the main barrier to topical peptide delivery. Unlike GHK-Cu it is supplied without bound copper. It is described as a matrikine โ a peptide fragment that signals extracellular matrix turnover to dermal fibroblasts โ and supplier studies report increased collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in fibroblast assays. It is most often formulated alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and most published data concerns those finished combinations rather than the isolated ingredient.
Origin
Synthetic palmitoyl-GHK.
Targets
Studies
- EGCG-Biotin-Pal-GHK composition modulates TGF-ฮฒ and BMP pathways in scalp microenvironment for treating stress-induced alopecia
- Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective
- Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
- Palmitoyl copper peptide and acetyl tyrosine complex enhances melanin production in both A375 and B16 cell lines
- Development of a LC-MS/MS method to monitor palmitoyl peptides content in anti-wrinkle cosmetics
Regulatory & research status
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | OTC / Supplement |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 side effects
Side Effects
- Irritation
Stacking
Common stacking partners
Combinations that include Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, with the proposed rationale, an evidence grade and what is not established, are catalogued in the peptide stacks directory.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freezeโthaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Cosmetic peptides in this library are formulated into topical products; follow the product label rather than the reconstitution guidance above.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution โ
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544โ575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: frequently asked questions
What is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1?
The GHK tripeptide supplied with a palmitic acid chain attached to improve penetration through the outer skin barrier, and without the bound copper of GHK-Cu. It is used topically as a matrikine, a peptide fragment that signals matrix turnover to dermal fibroblasts, and is most often formulated alongside palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Regulated as a cosmetic ingredient rather than a drug, and not FDA-approved for any therapeutic use.
How does Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 work?
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 delivers the GHK sequence with a sixteen-carbon palmitic acid chain attached to the N-terminus. The lipid tail greatly increases lipophilicity, which is intended to improve partitioning into the stratum corneum, the main barrier to topical peptide delivery.
Is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 FDA approved?
No. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as otc / supplement. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What is the half-life of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1?
Reported half-life for Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is Topical; systemic PK not established. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 banned in sport?
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1?
Compounds most often compared with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 include GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide), AHK-Cu, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- EGCG-Biotin-Pal-GHK composition modulates TGF-ฮฒ and BMP pathways in scalp microenvironment for treating stress-induced alopecia โ Eur J Pharmacol, 2026External reference
- Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective โ Bioimpacts, 2025External reference
- Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism โ J Cosmet Dermatol, 2026External reference
- Palmitoyl copper peptide and acetyl tyrosine complex enhances melanin production in both A375 and B16 cell lines โ Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2025External reference
- Development of a LC-MS/MS method to monitor palmitoyl peptides content in anti-wrinkle cosmetics โ Anal Chim Acta, 2009External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial ยท Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 ยท Updated Aug 30, 2026 ยท Version 1
This Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy ยท How profiles are compiled ยท Report an error
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