Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4): Studies | Dose Track
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Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4): what it is, studies and status

Concentrations studied · Approval status · Half-life notes

What is Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4?

Matrixyl is the trade name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (pal-KTTKS): a five-amino-acid peptide (KTTKS) that comes from the breakdown of collagen, with a fatty acid (palmitoyl) attached to make it more stable. It is used in anti-wrinkle skin care as a signal for skin cells to make more collagen.

Also known as: Matrixyl, pal-KTTKS, palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, PPP-4.

Concentrations studied

There is no standard strength. The 12-week trial below (Robinson 2005) used a moisturizer with 3 ppm (parts per million) of pal-KTTKS. That is a study protocol, not a recommendation.

Approval status and how it is used

Skin-care peptides are sold as cosmetic ingredients. FDA does not approve cosmetics before they go on the market. FDA says a product that only moisturizes so lines look less noticeable is a cosmetic, but a product intended to remove wrinkles or increase the skin's production of collagen is a drug or a medical device, even if it is sold as a cosmetic.

In lab dishes, pal-KTTKS raised collagen production by human skin cells (Jones 2013). In a 12-week split-face trial in 93 women aged 35 to 55 by researchers at Procter and Gamble (Robinson 2005), a moisturizer with 3 ppm pal-KTTKS on one side reduced wrinkles and fine lines compared with the same moisturizer without it on the other side, and was well tolerated. In an 8-week trial of 21 Indonesian women split into three groups (Aruan 2023), a palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 cream around the eyes did better than a cream with another peptide (acetyl hexapeptide-3) and placebo; the authors called it an initial study that needs more people and a longer follow-up.

A 2026 review of cosmetic peptides (Yi) says many trials are small, short, sponsored by industry or use several ingredients, and that results apply to the specific product tested.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 half-life and time to peak

  • Half-lifeNot listed
  • Time to peak (Tmax)Not listed

We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. It is applied to the skin, and the studies we found measured the skin, not levels in the blood, so we do not list one.

How to track Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 in Dose Track

  1. Add Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 as a custom compound. Start typing its name and Dose Track fills in the details from its research library for you to check, and it sits next to everything else you take.
  2. Log each application when you put it on, so your history shows exactly what you used and when.
  3. Set reminders on your own schedule, whether that is daily, weekly or every few days.
  4. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

How Dose Track handles peptides · Reconstitution calculator · Half-life calculator

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Pal-GQPR, Matrixyl 3000 (with palmitoyl tripeptide-1) Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Pal-GHK, Matrixyl 3000 (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7) Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8)Argireline, acetyl hexapeptide-8 amide GHK-CuCopper peptide

Frequently asked questions

What is the half-life of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4?+
We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. It is applied to the skin, and the studies we found measured the skin, not levels in the blood, so we do not list one.
Is Matrixyl the same as Matrixyl 3000?+
No. Matrixyl is palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (pal-KTTKS). Matrixyl 3000 is a blend of two different peptides, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.
Does Matrixyl build collagen?+
It raised collagen production in skin cells in the lab. In people, the main trial (93 women, 12 weeks, run by the maker of the product) measured wrinkles, not collagen, and found fewer wrinkles and fine lines than the same cream without it.
Can I track Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 in Dose Track?+
Yes. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is in Dose Track's research library, so when you add it as a custom compound its details are filled in for you to check. You can then log each application next to your other compounds, set reminders on your own schedule, and see your history next to your lab results. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

Sources

  1. Robinson LR, et al. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005;27(3):155-160.
  2. Aruan RR, et al. Double-blind, randomized trial on the effectiveness of acetylhexapeptide-3 cream and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 cream for crow's feet. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(2):37-43.
  3. Jones RR, et al. Collagen stimulating effect of peptide amphiphile C16-KTTKS on human fibroblasts. Mol Pharm. 2013;10(3):1063-1069.
  4. Gomes A, et al. Boosting cosmeceutical peptides: coupling imidazolium-based ionic liquids to pentapeptide-4 originates new leads with antimicrobial and collagenesis-inducing activities. Microbiol Spectr. 2022;10(4):e0229121.
  5. Tałałaj U, et al. The effects of a novel series of KTTKS analogues on cytotoxicity and proteolytic activity. Molecules. 2019;24(20):3698.
  6. Yi KH, et al. Peptides in aesthetic dermatology: classification, fibroblast-centered mechanisms, delivery technologies, and clinical evidence. Life (Basel). 2026;16(10):1660.
  7. Trzaska AH, et al. Permeation behaviour of cosmetic actives into the human stratum corneum. Int J Pharm. 2026;705:127447.
  8. FDA. Wrinkle treatments and other anti-aging products (content current as of February 25, 2022).

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