peptide wiki

Matrixyl

aka Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 · Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 · Pal-KTTKS · Palmitoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser

Healing & Recovery unscheduled

Mechanism

Matrixyl is the trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS), a topically applied cosmetic peptide consisting of the matrikine pentapeptide KTTKS — a subfragment of type I procollagen — conjugated to palmitic acid to improve skin penetration. It is marketed to stimulate fibroblast production of collagen, elastin, and other extracellular-matrix components, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In the U.S. it is regulated as a cosmetic ingredient and is NOT an FDA-approved drug.

Studied uses

Identification

CAS number214047-00-4
Molecular formulaC39H75N7O10
SequenceKTTKS
Typical doseTopical only; commonly formulated in cosmetics around 3–8% of the supplier's diluted peptide solution. Not dosed systemically.
Half-lifeNot well characterized for topical use; subject to dermal peptidase degradation.

Safety

Regulated by the FDA as a cosmetic ingredient (topical), not approved as a drug; anti-aging efficacy evidence is limited and largely supplier-derived. Generally well tolerated topically. Not intended for injection. Not a WADA-prohibited substance.

Vendors selling Matrixyl

VendorSizePriceListed purityTrust
Ion Peptide 10 mg $129.00 95

Research

Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives
Renke G, Chinellato L. · International journal of molecular sciences (2026) · review

Therapeutic peptides are short chains of amino acids used to treat metabolic and endocrine conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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Nanostructure and Collagen-Stimulating Activity of Cationic Pentapeptide Lipopeptides
de Mello LR, Castelletto V, Seitsonen J, Hamley IW. · Journal of peptide science : an official publication of the European Peptide Society (2026) ·

The self-assembly in aqueous solutions, cytocompatibility, and collagen production of lipopeptide C 16 -KTTKS and a variant with arginine substitution for lysine, C 16 -RTTRS, are investigated. C 16 -KTTKS is known commercially as Matrixyl and is used in cosmetic formulations as it can stimulate collagen production.

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Oral and topical peptides for skin aging: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Nukaly HY, Halawani IR, Irtaza HM, Alturkistani T, Serafi MR, Alhawsawi W, Bogari HO, Ahmed FA, Alhaddad Y, Shadid A, Alharithy R, Jfri A. · Frontiers in medicine (2026) · review

Introduction Skin aging manifests as wrinkles, reduced elasticity, and roughness due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Peptide-based therapies enhance collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix integrity.

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Integrative Dermatology for Longevity: The Synergy of Topical and Internal Approaches
Haykal D, Flament F, Balooch G, Mora P, Kovylkina N, Calixto LS, Mercurio DG, Sachdev M, Sundaram H. · Dermatology and therapy (2026) · review

Skin aging reflects both intrinsic biological decline and extrinsic influences collectively known as the skin exposome, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, air pollution, psychosocial stress, fatigue, sleep disruption, and suboptimal lifestyle behaviors.

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Synergistic Effects of Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Bioactive Peptides on Dermal Fibroblast Viability and Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression: An In Vitro Study
Paccola AGL, Santos TMCD, Minelo MC, Garbieri TF, Sanches MLR, Dionísio TJ, Oliveira RC, Santos CF, Buzalaf MAR. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025) ·

Facial aging is a multifactorial process involving changes in bone, fat compartments, ligaments, muscles, and skin. Collagen biostimulators, including synthetic agents and autologous platelet concentrates, have gained attention for facial rejuvenation.

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Natural dual inhibitor isorhamnetin-3-O-neohespeidoside targets tyrosinase and MC1R for skin pigmentation management
Deng R, Zheng S, Xie S, Huang G, Ou Z, Shen Z. · Scientific reports (2025) ·

Skin pigmentation disorders involve complex biological regulation, with tyrosinase (TYR) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) serving as key therapeutic targets.

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Skinspan: A Holistic Roadmap for Extending Skin Longevity With Evidence-Based Interventions
Kream E, Fabi SG, Boen M. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2025) · review

Background With the rise of regenerative medicine and geroscience, translational research has shifted focus from lifespan to healthspan-years lived in good health.

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In Vitro Comparative Study of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Stiim): Conventional Saline Dilution Versus Poly-Micronutrient Dilution
Dal Col V, Marchi C, Ribas F, Franzen Matte B, Medeiros H, Domenici de Oliveira B, Viana R. · Cureus (2025) · in-vitro

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is widely used in aesthetics for its dual role as a dermal filler and biostimulator, promoting collagen and elastin synthesis.

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Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review
Pintea A, Manea A, Pintea C, Vlad RA, Bîrsan M, Antonoaea P, Rédai EM, Ciurba A. · Biomolecules (2025) · review

One class of cosmetic compounds that have raised interest of many experts is peptides. The search for ingredients with good biocompatibility and bioactivity has led to the use of peptides in cosmetic products.

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Peptide Design for Enhanced Anti-Melanogenesis: Optimizing Molecular Weight, Polarity, and Cyclization
Putri SA, Maharani R, Maksum IP, Siahaan TJ. · Drug design, development and therapy (2025) · review

Melanogenesis is a biochemical process that regulates skin pigmentation, which is crucial role in protecting against ultraviolet radiation. It is also associated with hyperpigmentation conditions such as melasma and age spots, which negatively impact aesthetics and self-confidence.

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Matrixyl Patch vs Matrixyl Cream: A Comparative In Vivo Investigation of Matrixyl (MTI) Effect on Wound Healing
Kachooeian M, Mousivand Z, Sharifikolouei E, Shirangi M, Firoozpour L, Raoufi M, Sharifzadeh M, Sharifzadeh M. · ACS omega (2022) · animal

Wound healing is one of the most complex biological processes. Studies show that Matrixyl (MTI), known as a cosmetic peptide, can lead to a faster healing process. The contribution of MTI to collagen formation during wound healing also depends on its mode of delivery and its release over time.

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Boosting Cosmeceutical Peptides: Coupling Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids to Pentapeptide-4 Originates New Leads with Antimicrobial and Collagenesis-Inducing Activities
Gomes A, Bessa LJ, Fernandes I, Aguiar L, Ferraz R, Monteiro C, Martins MCL, Mateus N, Gameiro P, Teixeira C, Gomes P. · Microbiology spectrum (2022) ·

Following our previous reports on dual-action antibacterial and collagenesis-inducing hybrid peptide constructs based on "pentapeptide-4" (PP4, with amino acid sequence KTTKS), whose N -palmitoyl derivative is the well-known cosmeceutical ingredient Matrixyl, herein we disclose novel ionic liquid/PP4 conjugates (IL-KTT…

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