What does Matrixyl do? Benefits and evidence
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.
Original Matrixyl is palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, a peptide used in skin creams. Small human studies suggest modest wrinkle changes, but many tested mixtures. Matrixyl 3000 and Synthe’6 contain different peptides. Short studies found few skin complaints; long-term and pregnancy safety remain uncertain.
- In a 12-week trial, a 3 ppm cream improved how wrinkles looked compared with the same moisturizer without it. (Studied in a trial)
- In a small study, creams that contained it among other ingredients made skin smoother; its own share is unclear. (Studied in a trial)
- In lab studies, it increased collagen production in cells. (animal)
- One user reported a subtle improvement in skin texture and bounce after 6–8 weeks of use, mostly at night. (Reported by users)
Uses in the sources
- Studied topically for visible fine lines and wrinkles. The best-known trial compared 3 ppm cream with a matching moisturizer for 12 weeks. (Studied in a trial) (source)
- A mixed cream was studied during breast radiotherapy and showed no advantage over dexpanthenol lotion. (Studied in a trial) (source)
Related to Matrixyl
- Argireline: A topical cosmetic peptide with small, mixed wrinkle studies and limited skin penetration.
- GHK-Cu: A copper-binding skin peptide with small topical studies and untested systemic injections.
Sources
- 21 CFR 216.23 — Bulk drug substances that can be used to compound drug products in accordance with section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act., Office of the Federal Register · eCFR · 2026
- 503B Bulk Drug Substances List, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Peptide products, Therapeutic Goods Administration · TGA · 2026
- The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA · 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2026) Instrument 2026, Australian Government · Australian Government · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA · FDA · 2025
- Consumer products: cosmetics, Office for Product Safety and Standards · 2025
- Allergens in Cosmetics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA
- Microbiological Safety and Cosmetics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA
- Notification of Cosmetics, Health Canada
- Wrinkle Treatments and Other Anti-aging Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Oral and topical peptides for skin aging: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials., Nukaly HY et al. · Frontiers in medicine · 2026
- Use of a Serum With the Infinite Glow® Device Improves Signs of Facial Aging: A Split-Face Case Report Using VISIA Analysis., Rodríguez D et al. · Cureus · 2026
- New Targets on Anti-wrinkles with Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: The Next Frontier in Anti-Aging Skincare, Lien L and Chen W · SOFW Journal · 2025
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
Information only, not medical advice. Peptifacts does not sell anything and does not link to sellers.