Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4

Classification

Signal peptide (cosmetic)

Approval status

Cosmetic

Research status

Investigational / reference listing.

Molecular formula

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Molecular weight

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Sequence

Palmitoylated pentapeptide Pal-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser, a fragment-inspired sequence related to procollagen signalling, lipidated to improve skin affinity.

Primary biological target

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Half-life

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Routes investigated

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Human evidence level

C — Limited or early human evidence

A widely used cosmetic ‘matrikine’ peptide in anti-ageing skincare. It is an ingredient, not a medicine.

Marketed as a messenger peptide that may support the appearance of extracellular-matrix proteins in the skin. Mechanisms are inferred from in-vitro fibroblast studies and cosmetic clinical photography.

Intended for topical cosmetic action in the epidermis/upper dermis. It is not designed for systemic peptide signalling.

• Appearance of wrinkles and skin smoothness (cosmetic trials)

Investigational findings are not proven clinical benefits unless an authority has labelled that indication.

Overall human evidence grade: C · Limited or early human evidence

Industry-sponsored cosmetic studies report wrinkle-appearance changes. Independent pharmaceutical-grade evidence is limited.

Animal, cell and in-vitro findings are listed separately from human effects.

In-vitro collagen-related assays are frequently cited by manufacturers.

This section does not provide personalised medical dosing. Values are those reported in papers or protocols. Animal mg/kg doses are not converted to human doses.

Doses reported in human studies

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Preclinical / animal study dosing

Insufficient reliable evidence identified.

Reliable human pharmacokinetic data were not identified for this encyclopaedia entry, or are limited to product information for approved presentations.

Generally well tolerated topically; irritation is possible in active routines.

Unknowns. Absence of a published harm signal is not evidence of safety.

Contraindications. Allergy to formulation components.

Cosmetic ingredient.

Used in cosmetics. Therapeutic claims would push a product towards therapeutic-goods regulation — Cellular Sequence keeps claims cosmetic.

1. [1] Pal-KTTKS cosmetic clinical literature (manufacturer and independent summaries)

   Pal-KTTKS cosmetic clinical literature (manufacturer and independent summaries)