Matrixyl
Also known as: Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, pal-KTTKS, Matrixyl 3000
A palmitoylated matrikine derived from the type I procollagen C-terminal propeptide that signals dermal fibroblasts to increase extracellular matrix synthesis, including type I and III collagen and fibronectin.
This page is a structured profile. Narrative evidence, dosing context and FAQs live on the research guide — not duplicated here as a second full article.
- Drug class
- Cosmetic matrikine peptide (collagen-stimulating)
- Primary targets
- Dermal fibroblasts, Type I collagen, Type III collagen, Fibronectin, Extracellular matrix
- Dose reference
- No medical dose; pivotal cosmetic trials used pal-KTTKS at ~3 ppm (about 0.0003%) topically twice daily - a study condition, not a recommendation.
- Half-life
- Not characterized; a topical cosmetic ingredient with no established systemic pharmacokinetic half-life.
- Developer / origin
- Sederma (Croda International)
- Reference year
- 2000
- Evidence score
- 2/5 - Limited cosmetic-grade human evidence
Limited cosmetic-grade human evidence
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (pal-KTTKS) has a clear in vitro mechanism and small, mostly industry-associated, placebo-controlled topical studies showing modest, statistically significant reductions in fine lines and wrinkles with good tolerability. Evidence is cosmetic-grade, not drug-level: small samples, appearance-based endpoints, and very low concentrations.
Mostly animal, ex vivo, cell, or indirect evidence.
Evidence basis
- 1993 J Biol Chem study identifying KTTKS as the minimal active fragment of type I procollagen that stimulates fibroblast matrix production
- 2005 Int J Cosmet Sci 12-week double-blind split-face study (n=93) showing significant wrinkle/fine-line improvement vs placebo at 3 ppm
- JAAD report and a 2023 randomized crow's-feet trial supporting modest appearance benefits
- No large drug-style clinical trials; effects described as significant but visually subtle
Key references
- PubMedA pentapeptide from type I procollagen promotes extracellular matrix production (J Biol Chem, 1993)
- PubMedTopical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2005)
- PubMed CentralDouble-blind randomized trial of acetyl hexapeptide-3 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 creams for crow's feet
How to read this entry
Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.
Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.
Matrixyl guides
Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.
Peptide calculators
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Compare with related peptides
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Argireline
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
Argireline's sequence mimics the N-terminal of SNAP-25 and is proposed to compete during SNARE-complex assembly, destabilizing the complex and reducing acetylcholine release to slightly blunt the muscle contractions that form expression lines.
SNAP-8
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
SNAP-8 mimics the N-terminal of SNAP-25 and competes for its place in the SNARE complex, reducing the efficiency of neurotransmitter vesicle fusion and thereby modestly and reversibly lowering the muscle contraction that drives expression lines.