Peptide Schedule
Matrixyl5 residuesKTTKSEach bubble = one amino acid. Size = residue mass. Color = chemical class.Matrixyl Dosage Calculator
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Pal-KTTKS) is a five-amino-acid peptide with the sequence lysine-threonine-threonine-lysine-serine, conjugated to a palmitic acid chain to improve skin penetration.
2mcg · Daily
Summary: Add 0mL BAC water to your 5mg vial. Draw to < 0.1 units on a U-100 syringe for a 2mcg dose. This vial will last 0 doses.
Cycle Planner
Matrixyl Pharmacokinetics
Matrixyl Dosing Protocol
| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2mg | Daily |
| Moderate | 5mg | Daily |
| Aggressive | 10mg | Daily |
Note: Topical anti-aging peptide also known as Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS). Derived from the procollagen I C-terminal propeptide (PICP), the KTTKS fragment acts as a matrikine signaling molecule that stimulates collagen synthesis. The palmitoyl chain enhances skin penetration through lipophilic stratum corneum layers. Typical serum concentrations range from 3-8 ppm (0.0003-0.0008%). Dosing tiers above reflect approximate mg of active peptide per topical application. Apply to clean, dry skin twice daily for best results.
About Matrixyl
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Pal-KTTKS) is a five-amino-acid peptide with the sequence lysine-threonine-threonine-lysine-serine, conjugated to a palmitic acid chain to improve skin penetration. The KTTKS sequence was identified as the active fragment of the type I procollagen C-terminal propeptide, a naturally occurring protein released during collagen processing that signals fibroblasts to produce new extracellular matrix. This makes Matrixyl a matrikine — a peptide derived from structural proteins that acts as a biological messenger to trigger tissue repair and remodeling. When Matrixyl penetrates the skin aided by its palmitoyl lipid anchor, it interacts with TGF-beta pathways on dermal fibroblasts, upregulating gene expression for collagen types I, III, and IV, stimulating fibronectin production, promoting hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and accelerating extracellular matrix turnover. In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face clinical study with 93 Caucasian women aged 35-55, Pal-KTTKS at 3 ppm provided statistically significant wrinkle and fine line reduction compared to placebo, as measured by both quantitative profilometry and expert grading. A separate manufacturer study at 8 ppm reported up to 68% improvement in wrinkle surface area after 4 months of twice-daily application. Skin permeation studies show that while neither KTTKS nor Pal-KTTKS fully permeates through the skin, the palmitoylated form distributes across all skin layers — with approximately 4.2 mcg/cm2 in the stratum corneum, 2.8 mcg/cm2 in the epidermis, and 0.3 mcg/cm2 in the dermis, totaling about 14.6% retention of the applied dose. Unmodified KTTKS shows no measurable skin retention, confirming the necessity of the lipid conjugation. Both forms are rapidly degraded by skin proteases, though Pal-KTTKS shows greater stability due to N-terminal blocking by the palmitic acid chain. Liposomal encapsulation is being explored to further improve delivery. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has assessed pentapeptide-containing cosmetic ingredients as safe for use in cosmetic formulations. Matrixyl is not FDA-approved for any medical indication and remains a cosmeceutical research ingredient with strong in vitro data and moderate clinical evidence from manufacturer-sponsored trials.