Palmitoyl tripeptide-5

Syn-Coll (trade name), Pal-KVK, palmitoyl-lysyl-valyl-lysine

Skin & cosmetic

Awaiting medical reviewEN ES DE FR PT ZH+ Follow for updates

Summary

Class: Synthetic lipopeptide: tripeptide Lys-Val-Lys with a palmitic-acid tail
Mechanism: Designed to mimic the part of thrombospondin-1 that switches on latent TGF-β, the main growth factor that tells fibroblasts to make collagen; also claimed to inhibit collagen-degrading MMPs
Routes studied: Topical only
Dose range reported: Manufacturer recommendation and study: 2.5% of the commercial solution in finished products (the solution itself is a dilute peptide preparation, so the actual peptide concentration is in the low parts-per-million range) †
Half-life: Not applicable; no systemic data
Storage: Finished products: room temperature, protect from light. Raw material solution: refrigerate
Regulatory status: Permitted cosmetic ingredient worldwide; no medicinal approval

Doses are as reported in studies or by the community — never recommendations.

1What it is

Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 was developed by a Swiss cosmetic-ingredient company in the mid-2000s and sold as "Syn-Coll". The design idea is different from the matrikine peptides (#181): instead of mimicking a collagen fragment, it mimics a short motif of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein that activates transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). TGF-β is the body's most potent collagen-stimulating signal, but it circulates in an inactive "latent" form and needs a trigger such as TSP-1 to switch it on. The peptide is intended to be that trigger in the skin.

It is a wholly synthetic molecule with no natural counterpart, though the sequence is inspired by a human protein.

2How it's thought to work

TGF-β activation. The TSP-1 sequence KRFK is known to bind latent TGF-β and release the active form. Pal-KVK is a simplified mimic of that region. More active TGF-β in the dermis would mean more collagen I and III synthesis by fibroblasts.

MMP inhibition. The ingredient manufacturer also reports that the peptide inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-3), the enzymes that cut collagen, so the net claim is "make more, lose less".

Caveat. TGF-β is also a pro-fibrotic and immune-suppressive signal in other contexts. In cosmetic concentrations this is unlikely to matter, but it is why a potent TGF-β activator would never be approved as a drug without a lot more study.

A lipopeptide designed to mimic a region of thrombospondin that activates TGF-β, the main signal telling fibroblasts to build matrix.Schematic — not to scale

3What the research shows

Collagen synthesis and MMP inhibition (cell culture)

Manufacturer in-vitro work reports increased collagen production in cultured human fibroblasts and reduced MMP activity; some summaries quote collagen increases of several-fold at micromolar concentrations †. No independent cell studies published.

Wrinkle reduction (topical)

The ingredient manufacturer's volunteer study, reported in trade publications (Cosmetics & Toiletries sponsored content; manufacturer dossier), used a 2.5% cream for 84 days in a few dozen volunteers and reported reductions in wrinkle depth and roughness compared with placebo, with figures around 10–15% for mean wrinkle parameters and up to roughly 350% greater improvement than placebo on some endpoints — a way of expressing small absolute changes that readers should treat with caution †. Not peer-reviewed; funding and analysis by the manufacturer.

Comparison with other peptides

No head-to-head trials with pal-KTTKS, pal-GHK or retinoids.

Independent clinical data

None found. Independent reviews list Syn-Coll as one of many "signal peptides" with manufacturer-only evidence (Schagen 2017; Errante 2020). [1][2]

4Reported side effects and interactions

Literature-reported

Manufacturer safety testing (patch and repeat-insult patch tests) reports no irritation or sensitisation at use levels. No independent safety data.

Community-reported

rarely discussed on its own; occasional mild irritation attributed to products rather than the peptide.

Theoretical. TGF-β activation is the one mechanism in this group that deserves a pause: TGF-β drives fibrosis and scar formation and suppresses some immune responses. There is no evidence that a trace topical peptide activates enough TGF-β to matter, but the question has not been studied in human skin.

Interactions. none established. Formulators avoid very low pH and strong oxidisers.

Markers researchers commonly monitor

No blood markers apply to topical use. Study-style measures:

Marker	Why it's watched
Standardised photographs every 2–4 weeks over at least 12 weeks (the study ran 84 days; collagen remodelling is slow)
Profilometry or 3D imaging where available
Skin elasticity (cutometer)	relevant to a collagen-synthesis claim.
Forearm patch test before first use

Free for everyone. Safety information is never behind a paywall.

5Formulation and handling

Supplied as an aqueous/glycerin solution containing the peptide at low concentration; recommended use 2.5% of finished product. Water-soluble, added in the cool-down phase. Products list "palmitoyl tripeptide-5" towards the end of the ingredient list. Not by consumers. No calculator applies.

6Commonly studied alongside

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (#181, #182) in multi-peptide serums; palmitoyl pentapeptide-4; GHK-Cu (#5); tripeptide-29 (#185); vitamin C derivatives (collagen co-factor rationale).

Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.

7Regulatory status by region

Region	Status (checked —)
United States	Cosmetic ingredient; cosmetic claims only
European Union	CosIng-listed skin-conditioning agent; permitted
United Kingdom	Same as EU
Australia	Permitted cosmetic ingredient
South Africa	Permitted in cosmetics
Sport (WADA)	Not listed

8Open questions

Does pal-KVK actually activate latent TGF-β in human skin ? Only the in-vitro rationale has been published.
Is there any peer-reviewed, independent clinical trial? None found as of review date.
Long-term use and TGF-β-related effects (fibrosis signalling) — unstudied and probably unstudiable at cosmetic doses, but worth stating.

9References

1Schagen SK (2017). Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. Cosmetics. DOI
2Errante F et al. (2020). Cosmeceutical peptides in the framework of sustainable wellness economy. Front Chem. PubMed · DOI
3Gorouhi F, Maibach HI (2009). Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. PubMed · DOI
4Murphy-Ullrich JE, Poczatek M (2000). Activation of latent TGF-β by thrombospondin-1: mechanisms and physiology. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. (background on the TSP-1 mechanism the peptide mimics) PubMed · DOI
5Manufacturer dossier / sponsored article (undated). SYN-Coll: anti-ageing with a collagen-boosting peptide. Cosmetics & Toiletries (sponsored content; not peer-reviewed). PubMed

References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.

† Being confirmed by our reviewers against current sources.

10Community

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Self-reported side effects Phase 2

Not enough data yet. 0 of the 50 members needed have logged this compound for 4+ weeks. We don't show anything below 50, so no one can be identified.

11Page history

31 Oct 2026Profile published — awaiting medical review

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