What it is
Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, also written pal-KTTKS) is a topical cosmetic peptide widely used in anti-aging serums to stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is a chain of five amino acids (lysine-threonine-threonine-lysine-serine) with a fatty-acid group, called palmitoyl, attached to it.
In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under skin and anti-aging. It is used in pre-formulated products applied to the skin, and it is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.
How it's thought to work
Matrixyl was designed as a topical agent to stimulate collagen production. It is described as signaling skin fibroblasts, the cells that make connective tissue in the dermis, to increase collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan production. It is thought to do this by mimicking a fragment of collagen breakdown, which prompts a repair response in the dermis.
What the research says
Cosmetic studies support a modest reduction in wrinkle depth and improved skin appearance. In one 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face study of 93 women aged 35 to 55, conducted by researchers at Procter & Gamble, a moisturizer containing palmitoyl pentapeptide was reported to give significant improvement over the same moisturizer without it in wrinkles and fine lines, measured by image analysis and by expert graders. Matrixyl is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.
Reported side effects
Rare mild irritation or redness has been reported when Matrixyl is applied to the skin. It is not intended for injection.
Form
Matrixyl is used in pre-formulated topical serums and creams, so it is not reconstituted.
Important notes
Matrixyl is a topical cosmetic ingredient only and is not intended for injection. Reconstitution does not apply to it.
Sources
- Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. Robinson LR et al. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2005. Human trial
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is Matrixyl?
A topical cosmetic peptide (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4) widely used in anti-aging serums to stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
How is Matrixyl thought to work?
It is described as signaling skin fibroblasts to increase collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan production by mimicking a fragment of collagen breakdown, prompting a repair response in the dermis.
What does the research on Matrixyl say?
Cosmetic studies support a modest reduction in wrinkle depth; one 12-week placebo-controlled split-face study of 93 women reported significant improvement in wrinkles and fine lines. It is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient.
What are the reported side effects of Matrixyl?
Rare mild irritation or redness of the skin has been reported. It is not intended for injection.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4) — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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