Matrixyl research: studies, doses and safety

A topical cosmetic peptide with limited human evidence for making fine lines less visible.

Also called: Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Pal-KTTKS, Palmitoyl-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser, C16-KTTKS, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, former name.

Cosmetic peptides · Lipid-linked collagen-fragment signal peptide.

A 12-week split-face study tested a topical cream with 3 ppm pal-KTTKS; its findings do not cover all Matrixyl blends.

15 reported human investigations, including mixtures and patch tests. Older supplier cohorts may overlap; the evidence for isolated peptide effects remains limited.

Key studies

  • 2005: 3 ppm wrinkle trial: A 3 ppm cream improved wrinkle appearance versus its matching moisturizer. (source)
  • 2023: crow's feet comparison: Scores fell in all groups; this small trial did not establish superiority. (source)
  • Patent: 50 ppm cream: A patent reports wrinkle changes with 50 ppm cream and limited methods. (source)
  • 2005: moisturizer conference abstract: An abstract reports texture changes with a mixed 3 ppm moisturizer. (source)
  • Older study: 49 women: A review reports wrinkle and biopsy changes; original data were not recovered. (source)
  • Older study: retinol comparison: A review reports similar changes to retinol; equivalence was not established. (source)

Related to Matrixyl

Sources

Sources checked: 2026-10-18.

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