Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4

Known published concerns and unanswered questions are kept separate so absence of evidence is never presented as reassurance.

Form describes the specific product; route describes how it reaches the body. These are sourced descriptions, not instructions.

Topical use describes the cosmetic evidence base. It should not be extrapolated to injection or another delivery route.

Status applies to a product, formulation, route, population, and use. It does not apply to a name in the abstract.

1. Jul 22, 2026

   Cosmetic / topical

   Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is used in cosmetics. Cosmetics generally are not FDA-approved before marketing, and no therapeutic FDA approval was identified.

   Specific form or route not separately published in this record.View source

Organize a conversation with a qualified professional without creating a treatment recommendation, dose, or protocol.

• EvidenceWhich human evidence applies to the exact product, form, route, and use being discussed?
• What remains uncertainWhat is known, and what remains uncertain for this specific context?
• RisksWhich important warnings, common effects, and product-quality concerns should be discussed?
• U.S. statusWhat does the U.S. status cover, and what does it not cover?

These profiles share a topic, pathway, product context, or research question. Related does not mean equivalent.

• Acetyl octapeptide-3Both are topical cosmetic peptides with limited formulation-specific human evidence.

1. 1

   FDA UNII record for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4

   U.S. Food and Drug Administration Global Substance Registration System. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (KK181SM5JG) substance record.

   U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Accessed Jul 22, 2026 · Regulatory source

   Open source
2. 2

   Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide study in photoaged skin

   Robinson LR, et al. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2005;27(3):155-160.

   PubMed-indexed primary study · Published Jun 1, 2005 · Accessed Jul 22, 2026 · Clinical study

   Open source
3. 3

   Dermal stability and permeation study of KTTKS and pal-KTTKS

   Choi YL, et al. Dermal stability and in vitro skin permeation of collagen pentapeptides. Biomolecules and Therapeutics. 2014;22(4):321-327.

   PubMed-indexed primary study · Published Jul 1, 2014 · Accessed Jul 22, 2026 · Preclinical study

   Open source
4. 4

   FDA authority over cosmetics

   U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Authority Over Cosmetics: How Cosmetics Are Not FDA-Approved, but Are FDA-Regulated.

   U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Published Dec 20, 2022 · Accessed Jul 22, 2026 · Regulatory source

   Open source