Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
A palmitoylated Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg peptide that suppresses inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) and stimulates collagen production, reducing photoageing and chronic skin inflammation.
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Compound Profile
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Key Data
Research reference only
Research Focus
Preclinical data
⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.
- Reduces interleukin-6 (IL-6) production - a key driver of chronic skin inflammation and photoageing
- Inhibits IL-8 (CXCL8) - reduces inflammatory cascade activation in UV-damaged skin
- Stimulates hyaluronic acid synthesis - improves skin hydration and plumpness
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is not FDA-approved for human use. Cosmetic ingredient. Approved for topical cosmetic use globally.
Research At a Glance
- Reduces interleukin-6 (IL-6) production - a key driver of chronic skin inflammation and photoageing
- Inhibits IL-8 (CXCL8) - reduces inflammatory cascade activation in UV-damaged skin
- Stimulates hyaluronic acid synthesis - improves skin hydration and plumpness
- Promotes collagen I, III, and IV synthesis - rebuilds dermis structure
In Plain English
Simple summaryPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR, palmitoyl-Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg) is a cosmetic peptide that acts as an interleukin-6 inhibitor at the skin level. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that's chronically elevated in aging skin and contributes to skin thinning, loss of elasticity, and breakdown of collagen. By mimicking a natural immune feedback peptide that downregulates IL-6 production, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is designed to reduce the low-grade inflammatory state of aged skin ('inflammaging') that accelerates visible aging. It's often combined with other Matrixyl peptides (particularly palmitoyl pentapeptide-4) in anti-aging formulations under the brand name Matrixyl 3000, where the two peptides target complementary aging mechanisms.
- Reduces interleukin-6 (IL-6) production - a key driver of chronic skin inflammation and photoageing
- Inhibits IL-8 (CXCL8) - reduces inflammatory cascade activation in UV-damaged skin
- Stimulates hyaluronic acid synthesis - improves skin hydration and plumpness
The full scientific detail, mechanisms, citations, and dosing data, follows below.
What is Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7?
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Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (INCI: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7; peptide sequence: Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg, N-terminally palmitoylated) is a lipopeptide developed by Sederma (France) as a skin-targeted anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing signal peptide. It is one of the key components in the Matrixyl 3000 complex, where it is formulated alongside Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK).
The peptide operates through a mechanism distinct from pure collagen-stimulating peptides: it suppresses inflammatory cytokine production in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Specifically, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 reduces production of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and IL-8 (interleukin-8), two cytokines that are chronically elevated in photoaged, UV-damaged, and environmentally stressed skin. This chronic low-grade inflammation - sometimes called "inflammageing" - is now recognised as a major contributor to accelerated skin ageing, collagen degradation, and impaired barrier function.
By dampening this inflammatory signalling, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 addresses a root cause of photoageing rather than simply stimulating new collagen production. When combined with collagen-stimulating peptides like Matrixyl (which works via the TGF-beta and messenger peptide pathways to upregulate collagen synthesis), the result is a dual approach: reduce the inflammatory damage driving collagen breakdown while simultaneously stimulating new collagen production.
The palmitoyl (C16 fatty acid) modification at the N-terminus is the standard approach for improving the skin penetration of hydrophilic peptides. Peptides alone are poorly absorbed through the stratum corneum; the lipophilic palmitoyl chain increases affinity for the lipid-rich stratum corneum, improving penetration to the viable epidermis and dermis where the target cells reside.
Research into Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 has also documented effects on hyaluronic acid synthesis - the naturally occurring polysaccharide responsible for skin hydration and volume. Hyaluronic acid production declines with age and UV exposure, contributing to skin thinning and dehydration. The combined stimulation of HA synthesis, collagen production, and IL-6/IL-8 suppression makes Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 a genuinely multi-mechanism anti-ageing peptide.
By the Numbers
Key Research Benefits
Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. See all Skin & Anti-Aging peptides for comparison.
Common Stacks
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is frequently combined with the following peptides for synergistic effects. Click any peptide to compare profiles before deciding.
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Side Effects & Risks
Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports. View all peptides' side effects →
Dosing Data from the Literature
Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is used topically at 2-5 ppm (parts per million) in formulations. This low effective concentration is characteristic of signal peptides.
Topical concentration: 2-5 ppm Application: once to twice daily, after cleansing Often formulated with Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4) and other anti-ageing peptides in combination serums
Administration in Research Settings
Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.
Apply topical formulation to cleansed skin. Gently massage into face, neck, and any areas of chronic inflammation or photoageing. Allow to absorb before applying heavier moisturisers or sunscreen. Use consistently morning and evening for best results.
What the research doesn't show
The clinical data for palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is largely from Sederma/Croda formulations and company-sponsored studies. The IL-6 inhibition mechanism in cell culture is well-documented, but whether topically applied peptide reaches sufficient concentrations in the dermis to produce clinically meaningful cytokine reduction is not established by independent methods. Matrixyl 3000's combined effect is plausible but the individual contributions are hard to separate clinically.
Medical Expert Videos
Physicians, researchers, and pharmacologists explain Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, covering mechanisms of action, clinical context, and study findings.
Videos sourced from YouTube search. KnowYourPeptide does not endorse any individual creator. For research education only.
The Bottom Line
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 has a growing body of preclinical evidence and a well-characterised safety profile in research settings. The most-studied application is: reduces interleukin-6 (il-6) production - a key driver of chronic skin inflammation and photoageing.
The most commonly reported side effect in research subjects is rarely causes adverse reactions - well tolerated even in sensitive skin types. It is a research chemical, not approved for human use.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Quick Reference
How It Compares
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) is the companion peptide in Matrixyl 3000, working through collagen stimulation rather than IL-6 inhibition. GHK-Cu reduces inflammation through a different mechanism (metalloproteinase regulation). Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a more established anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient with a much larger body of independent evidence. Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 has reasonable mechanistic rationale but less independent clinical data than niacinamide.
Compare Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 side-by-sideResearch Use Only
This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.