Direct Answer
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (trade name Syn-Coll, by Pentapharm/DSM) is a lab-made signal peptide marketed as a collagen booster. The published literature we could verify only names it among cosmetic peptides; its collagen claims come from the manufacturer. What we don't know: we could not find independent, peer-reviewed efficacy data, and the manufacturer's collagen figures could not be traced to a verifiable source.
Summary Table
Evidence Level
Low
AI Summary
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll; Pentapharm/DSM) is a synthetic palmitoylated tripeptide (Lys-Val-Lys) marketed as a collagen-boosting cosmetic peptide, with a manufacturer-described mechanism of mimicking thrombospondin-1 to activate latent TGF-beta. Independent evidence is weak: a 2021 peer-reviewed review of synthetic peptides for sensitive skin (PMID 34451799) lists Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 among cosmetic peptides, but we found no independent controlled efficacy trial. Manufacturer efficacy figures could not be traced to a verifiable public source and are not reported here. It should be read as a supplier-marketed cosmetic peptide with low independent evidence.
Key Information
Classification
Key Takeaways
- What we don't know: we found no independent efficacy study — collagen claims are the manufacturer's and could not be independently verified
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll) is a cosmetic signal peptide marketed as a collagen booster
- The one peer-reviewed citation merely names it among cosmetic peptides
Scientific Overview
In Plain English
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, sold as Syn-Coll, is a lab-made peptide used in anti-aging skincare and marketed to boost collagen. The maker (Pentapharm/DSM) describes how it is supposed to work, but we could not find independent human studies showing it works, and we could not verify the collagen numbers the industry quotes.
Scientific Details
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 is a palmitoylated Lys-Val-Lys tripeptide. The manufacturer (Pentapharm/DSM, trade name Syn-Coll) markets it as a thrombospondin-1-mimetic that activates latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to promote collagen synthesis. A 2021 review of synthetic peptides used in cosmetics for sensitive skin (Ferreira et al., Pharmaceuticals, PMID 34451799) names Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 among cosmetic peptides; it is cited here for that classification only, not as efficacy evidence. No independent controlled human efficacy trial was found.
How It Works
The manufacturer describes Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 as mimicking thrombospondin-1 to activate latent TGF-beta, a pathway involved in collagen production, and as inhibiting collagen-degrading enzymes (MMPs). This is the manufacturer's proposed mechanism; it is not confirmed by independent controlled human studies cited here.
Mechanism of Action
Manufacturer-proposed TGF-beta activation (thrombospondin-1 mimetic)
limited
Pentapharm/DSM describes the peptide as a thrombospondin-1-derived sequence intended to activate latent TGF-beta and support collagen synthesis. Described by the manufacturer; not independently confirmed in cited studies.
Evidence Level
Human Evidence
No independent controlled human efficacy trial was found. Collagen/efficacy figures in circulation originate with the manufacturer and could not be traced to a verifiable public source.
Cell Evidence
No independent cell study is cited; mechanistic claims are manufacturer-described.
Limitations
The only peer-reviewed citation (PMID 34451799) is a review that names the ingredient, not an efficacy study. Efficacy and mechanism rest on manufacturer (supplier) marketing, not independent data.
Why This Grade
Graded low: beyond chemical identity, the only peer-reviewed source is a 2021 review (PMID 34451799) that lists Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 among cosmetic peptides — it is not an efficacy study. The collagen-boosting mechanism and figures are manufacturer (Pentapharm/DSM) marketing, and no independent controlled human trial was found. Specific supplier efficacy numbers could not be traced to a verifiable source and are excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll)?
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, trade name Syn-Coll (Pentapharm/DSM), is a synthetic signal peptide used in anti-aging skincare and marketed as a collagen booster.
Does Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 boost collagen?
The manufacturer says it activates TGF-beta to boost collagen, but we found no independent, peer-reviewed study showing this in people, and the manufacturer's collagen figures could not be traced to a verifiable source. The one peer-reviewed citation we found only lists it among cosmetic peptides.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 vs Matrixyl: what's the difference?
Both are palmitoylated signal peptides used in anti-aging products. Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4) and Matrixyl 3000 have more published (though often manufacturer-linked) cosmetic literature; Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll) rests mainly on manufacturer data. Neither has strong independent human efficacy evidence.
References
- Usage of Synthetic Peptides in Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).A review of synthetic peptides used in cosmetics for sensitive skin. Cited ONLY because it lists Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 among cosmetic peptides — not as efficacy evidence.Reviewdoi:10.3390/ph14080702 →
- SYN-COLL (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5) — manufacturer product information (Pentapharm/DSM). (Manufacturer/distributor product listing (Pentapharm/DSM). Supplier marketing, not an independent study; cited only for manufacturer identity and marketed positioning. No efficacy figures are reported from it (none independently verifiable).)Manufacturer identity and marketed positioning (collagen booster) only.Supplier DataView source →
Alternative Names
- Syn-Coll
- SYN-COLL
- Palmitoyl-Lys-Val-Lys
Risks & Safety
- Not an approved medicine; a cosmetic ingredient with the usual patch-test considerations
- Independent efficacy evidence is lacking; benefit claims are manufacturer-based
- Typical cosmetic use concentrations are low, but independent safety data specific to this peptide are limited
Claim Boundaries
ION BLUE is an educational research aggregator. This content summarizes published scientific literature. It is not medically reviewed, is not medical advice, and is not a recommendation to use any substance. Consult a licensed healthcare provider. This entry does not assert that Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 boosts collagen or reduces wrinkles in people; such claims are the manufacturer's and are not independently verified. Specific supplier efficacy figures are excluded because they could not be traced to a verifiable source.
This page summarizes published research and is for informational purposes only; it is not medical advice.