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A palmitoylated pentapeptide whose self-assembly and collagen stimulation are linked — a cosmetic-chemistry story, not a drug.
Also known as: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 · Pal-KTTKS
Part of the Cosmetic & skin peptides cluster
Overview
Matrixyl is the trade name of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS), a lipidated pentapeptide used in anti-wrinkle skincare. The C16 palmitoyl tail lets it self-assemble into nanotapes and stimulates collagen production in human dermal fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent way (Jones et al., Molecular Pharmaceutics 2013). It is a cosmetic ingredient, not a drug, and controlled human data on the peptide itself are scarce.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Synthetic palmitoylated pentapeptide
Primary research or clinical context: Cosmetic ingredient (topical); not a drug; no clinical trials of the peptide alone in the sources reviewed
What Matrixyl is
Matrixyl is the trade name under which palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 — earlier called palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 — is sold to cosmetic formulators. The molecule is the pentapeptide Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (KTTKS) with a sixteen-carbon palmitoyl chain attached at the N-terminus. It is one of the most widely used “signal peptides” in anti-wrinkle products and has a modest peer-reviewed literature, mostly on its physical chemistry and fibroblast biology. It is a cosmetic ingredient, not a drug, and has no IUPHAR record or registered clinical trial.
Why the palmitoyl tail matters
The lipid does two things. It makes the peptide amphiphilic, so C16-KTTKS self-assembles in solution into nanotape structures above a critical aggregation concentration; and it improves partition into the lipid-rich outer skin. The collagen production of human dermal and corneal fibroblasts exposed to C16-KTTKS rose in a concentration-dependent manner close to that critical aggregation concentration, suggesting the self-assembly and the biological effect are inter-related (Jones et al., Molecular Pharmaceutics 2013). This is the mechanistic core of the ingredient and a neat illustration of lipidation doing something other than extending half-life.
Cell and animal evidence
Beyond the 2013 fibroblast study, the peer-reviewed literature is small and mostly formulation-oriented. Comparing a Matrixyl patch with a Matrixyl cream in an in-vivo wound model, the contribution to collagen formation depended on the mode of delivery and release over time (Kachooeian et al., ACS Omega 2022). Coupling pentapeptide-4 to imidazolium ionic liquids produced derivatives with added antimicrobial and collagenesis-inducing activity in vitro (Gomes et al., Microbiology Spectrum 2022), and a series of KTTKS analogues was screened for cytotoxicity and proteolytic activity (Tałałaj et al., Molecules 2019). Cationic pentapeptide lipopeptides related to KTTKS have been characterised for nanostructure and collagen stimulation (de Mello et al., Journal of Peptide Science 2026).
Human evidence
No randomised trial of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 on its own appears in the sources reviewed. One randomised study of a multi-ingredient cream containing Matrixyl (Thêta-Cream, with CM-glucan and Hydroxyprolisilan C) versus a standard lotion in 20 breast-cancer patients during radiotherapy found no difference in acute skin toxicity, with mild itchiness and adverse events occurring only in the Matrixyl-cream group (Röper et al., Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 2004) — a study that says little about wrinkles and nothing about the peptide in isolation. Manufacturer-sponsored efficacy data exist in the cosmetic trade literature but are outside PubMed.
| Setting | Finding | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Human fibroblasts (culture) | Concentration-dependent collagen stimulation linked to self-assembly | Jones et al., 2013 |
| In-vivo wound model | Effect depends on delivery mode and release profile | Kachooeian et al., 2022 |
| Randomised human study (mixed cream) | No difference in radiation skin toxicity vs standard lotion | Röper et al., 2004 |
| Randomised trial of the peptide alone | None found | — |
Pharmacokinetics and skin delivery
Matrixyl is designed to act in the dermis after topical application, not to reach the bloodstream, and no systemic pharmacokinetic data exist or would be expected. The relevant question is dermal delivery: the palmitoyl group and the self-assembly behaviour are the design answers, and the patch-versus-cream comparison shows that the delivery system changes the biological result (Kachooeian et al., 2022). How much intact peptide reaches fibroblasts through intact human skin from a commercial serum is not established in the literature reviewed.
Regulatory status as of September 2026
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is a cosmetic ingredient, regulated as such in the United States, Canada and the European Union. It is not a drug, makes no approved medical claims, and is not sold for injection. It has no registered clinical trials. Unlike most peptides on this site it carries no grey-market or legal ambiguity: its issue is evidence quality, not legality.
Matrixyl vs GHK-Cu and the cosmetic peptides
Matrixyl and GHK-Cu are the two most recognisable cosmetic peptides and share the same evidentiary shape: convincing cell biology, thin controlled human data, and a large market. GHK-Cu is an endogenous tripeptide that works through copper chelation and broad gene-expression effects; Matrixyl is a synthetic lipopeptide whose effect is tied to self-assembly. Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) is the third common one and works on a different principle, modulating neurotransmitter release at the skin. The cosmetic-versus-research-peptides guide explains why these ingredients sit under cosmetic regulation while injectable peptides do not.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Pentapeptide Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (KTTKS) with an N-terminal palmitoyl (C16) acyl group
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C39H75N7O10
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 802.1
- Backbone
- Pentapeptide Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (KTTKS) with an N-terminal palmitoyl (C16) acyl group
- Lipidation
- Palmitic acid amide on the N-terminal lysine α-amine; the lipid drives self-assembly into nanotape structures and improves skin delivery
- Status
- Cosmetic ingredient; not approved as a drug; no registered clinical trials (snapshot September 2026)
- PubChem CID: 9897237
- CAS RN: 214047-00-4
- UNII: KK181SM5JG
Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.
Matrixyl — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Pentapeptide Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (KTTKS) with an N-terminal palmitoyl (C16) acyl groupAverage reference mass: 802.1 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- EditorialProfile content reviewed and updated by the editorial team.
FAQ about Matrixyl
What is Matrixyl?+
Matrixyl is the trade name of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS), a lipidated pentapeptide used in anti-wrinkle skincare. The C16 palmitoyl tail lets it self-assemble into nanotapes and stimulates collagen production in human dermal fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent way (Jones et al., Molecular Pharmaceutics 2013). It is a cosmetic ingredient, not a drug, and controlled human data on the peptide itself are scarce.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Matrixyl?+
Canadian product status for Matrixyl has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Matrixyl?+
Matrixyl is commonly described as approximately 5 amino acids (Cosmetic peptide).
What is Matrixyl?+
The trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS), a lipidated five-residue peptide used in anti-wrinkle skincare.
How does Matrixyl work?+
The palmitoyl tail makes it self-assemble into nanotapes and improves skin delivery; near that assembly concentration it stimulates collagen production by human fibroblasts (Jones et al., 2013).
Is there clinical proof that Matrixyl reduces wrinkles?+
No randomised trial of the peptide alone appears in the peer-reviewed literature reviewed here; the evidence is cell-based plus manufacturer trade data.
Is Matrixyl a drug?+
No. It is a cosmetic ingredient and is regulated as such.
Matrixyl vs GHK-Cu?+
Both are cosmetic peptides with strong cell data and scarce clinical trials. GHK-Cu is an endogenous copper-binding tripeptide; Matrixyl is a synthetic lipopeptide.
Further reading
- CategoriesCosmetic Peptides vs Research Peptides: What’s the Difference?GHK-Cu, Matrixyl, SNAP-8 and skincare peptides versus injectable research peptides—regulation, exposure routes, and marketing language.
- Cosmetic peptidesGHK-Cu and Copper Peptides: The Science of Skin and RepairWhat GHK-Cu is, why copper peptides are studied in skin and wound research, and how cosmetic use differs from injectable research claims. An evidence-focused educational explainer.
- Lab practicePeptide Storage & Stability: Lyophilized vs In SolutionEducational guide to storing research peptides—temperature, moisture, freeze-thaw, light, and why lyophilized powders differ from solutions.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Kachooeian et al. (2022). Matrixyl Patch vs Matrixyl Cream: A Comparative In Vivo Investigation of Matrixyl (MTI) Effect on Wound Healing. ACS Omega
- 2.Park et al. (2017). Effect of Palmitoyl-Pentapeptide (Pal-KTTKS) on Wound Contractile Process in Relation with Connective Tissue Growth Factor and α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression. Tissue Eng Regen Med
- 3.Aruan et al. (2023). Double-blind, Randomized Trial on the Effectiveness of Acetylhexapeptide-3 Cream and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Cream for Crow's Feet. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol
- 4.Jones et al. (2013). Collagen stimulating effect of peptide amphiphile C16-KTTKS on human fibroblasts. Molecular Pharmaceutics
- 5.Röper et al. (2004). Thêta-Cream versus Bepanthol lotion in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy. Strahlentherapie und Onkologie
- 6.Gomes et al. (2022). Boosting cosmeceutical peptides: coupling imidazolium-based ionic liquids to pentapeptide-4 originates new leads with antimicrobial and collagenesis-inducing activities. Microbiology Spectrum
- 7.Tałałaj et al. (2019). The effects of a novel series of KTTKS analogues on cytotoxicity and proteolytic activity. Molecules
- 8.de Mello et al. (2026). Nanostructure and collagen-stimulating activity of cationic pentapeptide lipopeptides. Journal of Peptide Science
- 9.PubChem — Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, CID 9897237