Palmitoyl-GHK (Pal-GHK)

Research-Grade

Palmitoyl-GHK (Pal-GHK) is a cosmetic peptide created by attaching a palmitic acid chain to the tripeptide Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK). The lipid modification serves two purposes: it increases the peptide's affinity for the stratum corneum lipid matrix, improving skin penetration compared to unmodified GHK, and it provides some protection against surface-level enzymatic degradation. GHK is the naturally occurring tripeptide in human plasma that binds copper(II) to form the bioactive complex GHK-Cu, a potent stimulator of collagen synthesis, glycosaminoglycan production, and wound healing. Pal-GHK leverages this same biology but is optimized for cosmetic delivery. In in-vitro studies and split-face clinical trials, Pal-GHK has increased procollagen I synthesis by 350% relative to untreated controls and visibly improved wrinkle depth, firmness, and overall skin texture over 8–12 week courses. Pal-GHK is a key component of the commercially successful Matrixyl peptide complex and is frequently combined with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in dual-peptide formulations marketed under the Matrixyl 3000 name.