Syn-Tacks Palmitoyl Dipeptide

What Is Syn-Tacks in Skincare?

Syn-Tacks is a DSM peptide complex made of two short amino acid sequences, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine and Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate. It is designed to support the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), the thin layer that anchors the outer skin to the deeper skin. Formulators use it for the look of firmer, more supple, more compact skin and softer wrinkles.

EWG Skin Deep rating for Syn-Tacks Palmitoyl Dipeptide

Syn-Tacks Quick Facts

How Syn-Tacks Works on the Skin

The dermal-epidermal junction is only about 800 to 1,000 nanometers thick, but it holds the skin's layers together and lets them communicate. In young skin it is deeply folded, like interlocking fingers. With age it flattens, the layers hold together less tightly, and skin starts to look thinner, looser, and more lined.

The DEJ is built from a small set of proteins: collagen IV, collagen VII (the anchoring fibrils), collagen XVII, laminin V, and integrins. According to DSM's technical presentation, Syn-Tacks raised the expression of all five of these DEJ proteins in lab tests (supplier data, in vitro). That is the difference between Syn-Tacks and most collagen peptides: it targets the anchoring layer rather than collagen in general.

What the in vivo data show

DSM ran two studies with a cream containing 1% Syn-Tacks (supplier data):

• Main study: 15 volunteers aged 40 to 45 used the cream for 56 days. Cutometer measurements showed skin suppleness up 35%, tonicity up 31%, and firmness up 17% compared with day 0, with an effect seen in 88%, 74%, and 94% of volunteers.
• Preliminary study: 30 volunteers in two age groups (40 to 45 and 60 to 65) used the cream for 3 months. A Reviscometer measure of collagen fiber alignment moved toward a younger pattern by about 50% in the younger group and 60% in the older group, and tape strips showed tighter, more compact surface cell layers. In a questionnaire, about 90% reported improved skin.

These are manufacturer studies with small groups and no published placebo arm, and we did not find an independent peer-reviewed human trial. They are still more specific than most peptide claims, and they used only 1%.

How to Use Syn-Tacks: Formulating Notes

• Rate: Use 3%, the top of DSM's 1-3% range. At the Skin Perfection house rate of 9 drops = 1% per fluid ounce, that is 27 drops (about 0.9 g) per 1 oz, or 54 drops (about 1.8 g) per 2 oz.
• pH is the key rule: Keep the finished product between pH 3.0 and 5.5. Some lotion bases sit above pH 5.5, so test your base with pH strips and adjust with a little citric or lactic acid if needed.
• Phase: Add to the water phase or at cool-down. It tolerates 80°C for up to 2 hours, so it can go into a heated water phase, but cool-down below 40°C (104°F) is the simplest choice for DIY.
• Preservation: The raw material is preservative free, so the finished product must be preserved like any water-based formula.
• Pairing: Syn-Tacks layers well with collagen peptides such as Syn-Coll and Matrixyl 3000, with hyaluronic acid, and with expression-line peptides such as Argireline.
• Storage: Keep the dropper bottle tightly capped, out of light, and refrigerated after opening.

Simple 1 oz DEJ Firming Serum

1. Start with 1 fl oz of a water-based serum or gel with a pH between 3.0 and 5.5, such as a hyaluronic acid serum.
2. Add 27 drops (about 0.9 g) of Syn-Tacks for 3%.
3. Shake or stir until uniform, and check the pH again.
4. Apply morning and night to clean skin on the face and neck.

Syn-Tacks vs Other Firming Peptides

Because each works on a different part of the skin's support system, they are often combined. Read more in our guide to the best boosters for skin firmness.

Who Syn-Tacks Suits

Syn-Tacks suits mature skin and anyone in their 40s and beyond who sees skin looking thinner, looser, or crepey, which is the age range DSM tested. It is a good choice for the neck and jawline as well as the face.

Sensitive skin: Patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours first. Start at the lowest rate of the range, 1% (9 drops per oz), which is also the rate DSM used in its studies, and work up to 3% if your skin stays comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Syn-Tacks do for skin?

Syn-Tacks helps skin look firmer, more supple, and more compact. It targets the proteins of the dermal-epidermal junction, and in a DSM study a 1% cream increased measured firmness by 17% and suppleness by 35% after 56 days.

How much Syn-Tacks should I use?

DSM recommends 1-3%. Skin Perfection uses 3%, which is 27 drops or about 0.9 g per fluid ounce of serum, lotion, or cream.

What pH does Syn-Tacks need?

Keep the finished product between pH 3.0 and 5.5. That range is narrower than many peptides, so check your base with pH strips before adding it.

Is Syn-Tacks better than Matrixyl?

Neither is simply better, because they target different things. Syn-Tacks focuses on the anchoring layer between the skin's layers, while Matrixyl 3000 sends broader matrix-renewal signals, so many formulas use both.

What is the difference between Syn-Tacks and Syn-Coll?

Both are DSM peptides used at 1-3%. Syn-Coll supports collagen signaling and protection, while Syn-Tacks supports the dermal-epidermal junction proteins, so they complement each other.

How long does Syn-Tacks take to work?

DSM measured changes after 56 days, about 8 weeks, with longer results at 3 months. Plan on two to three months of twice-daily use.

Can I use Syn-Tacks with vitamin C or retinol?

Yes. Its pH range of 3.0 to 5.5 fits well with many vitamin C serums, and it can be used in the same routine as retinol. If your skin is reactive, use retinol at night and the peptide in the morning.

Shop Syn-Tacks

Add Syn-Tacks to your own formulas with the Syn-Tacks Peptide Serum Booster, or choose the finished Peptide Fusion Anti Aging Collagen Serum from this collection.

Sources

• DSM-Firmenich, SYN-TACKS CB master presentation, April 2026: INCI, use level 1-3%, pH 3.0-5.5, heat stability, in vitro DEJ protein data, and in vivo studies (supplier data)
• Skin Perfection, Syn-Tacks Peptide Serum Booster product page: 3% rate, 27 drops per fl oz, 9 drops = 1% per fl oz conversion

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.