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Home/Skin, Hair & Cosmetic/Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide)

Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide)

Trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, a cosmetic peptide used in topical formulations for its collagen-related signaling activity.

Overview

Matrixyl is a trade name owned by Sederma for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, a cosmetic ingredient composed of the pentapeptide lysine-threonine-threonine-lysine-serine (KTTKS) attached to a palmitic-acid chain. The palmitoyl group improves penetration and stability in topical formulations. It is one of the most widely studied cosmetic peptides, with published in vitro work showing procollagen-stimulating activity and a number of industry-sponsored clinical studies reporting improvements in wrinkle appearance and skin texture.

Mechanism

The KTTKS sequence corresponds to a fragment of the C-terminal propeptide of procollagen, and the peptide is proposed to act as a signaling messenger that stimulates fibroblasts to increase production of collagen and other extracellular-matrix components. Palmitoylation confers lipophilicity, helping the peptide associate with cell membranes and penetrate the stratum corneum when applied topically.

Dosing

Matrixyl is incorporated into leave-on cosmetic formulations at low percentage concentrations defined by the formulator and supported by the ingredient supplier's efficacy studies. There is no systemic or injectable dosing; it is a topical cosmetic ingredient.

Expected Effects

  • increased collagen synthesis in fibroblast cell-culture studies
  • reduced wrinkle depth and improved skin firmness reported in cosmetic clinical studies
  • improved skin texture in several industry-sponsored trials

Side Effects & Tolerability

Cosmetic-use studies report that palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is well tolerated with a low rate of irritation; as with any topical ingredient, individual sensitivity is possible. Note that many published efficacy studies were funded by the ingredient manufacturer.

Storage

As a formulated cosmetic ingredient, storage follows the finished product label, typically cool and dry and protected from light. Raw peptide material should be kept frozen and desiccated before formulation.

Related peptides

Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide)Trade name of a synthetic acetyl hexapeptide used as a topical cosmetic anti-wrinkle ingredient; effects are modest and limited to cosmetic formulations.Biotin-GHK (Biotinylated Peptides)Cosmetic-ingredient peptides combining biotin with the GHK tripeptide (e.g., biotinoyl tripeptide-1); published data on these forms are very limited.Collagen Remodeling Peptide AnalogsVendor grouping of peptides marketed for skin collagen remodeling; product identities are undisclosed.Defensin Skin Barrier AnalogsCatalog category implying defensin-type peptides for skin-barrier and microbiome support; products are not defined in the literature.Dermal Stem Cell Activator AnalogsMarketing-style name implying peptides that activate dermal stem cells; no specific compounds are described in the literature.GLOW (GHK-Cu / BPC-157 / TB-500 Blend)Supplier-formulated three-peptide combination (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500) with no published studies of the blend itself.