Cosmetic & Skin

Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4)

Also known as Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 · Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 · Pal-KTTKS · Matrixyl

Matrixyl is a trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS), a synthetic lipopeptide made by attaching a palmitic acid chain to the KTTKS amino acid sequence, a fragment derived from type I procollagen. The ingredient was originally developed and marketed by the cosmetic supplier Sederma (it was first listed under the older INCI name palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 before being renamed palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 for the same molecule). It is classified as a matrikine, a messenger peptide thought to signal dermal fibroblasts to upregulate extracellular matrix components such as collagen and fibronectin; the lipid tail is intended to improve penetration through the skin's outer layers. Much of the supporting human data comes from small cosmetic studies, including a 2005 placebo-controlled split-face trial of Pal-KTTKS reported in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science by Procter & Gamble researchers; the body of evidence is largely industry-linked with limited independent replication. It is sold worldwide as a cosmetic ingredient rather than an approved drug and has been reviewed as generally well tolerated in topical use. Overall, the research base is best described as emerging, drawing on a mix of small human cosmetic studies and laboratory work rather than large independent clinical trials.