Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Also known as: Matrixyl, Pal-KTTKS
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (also called Matrixyl or Pal-KTTKS) is a cosmetic matrikine in the Matrix / Angiogenic class. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is the KTTKS sequence, a fragment of type I procollagen, with a palmitic acid chain attached to improve penetration through the stratum corneum.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 214047-00-4
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- ≈802.07 g/mol
- Half-life
- Topical; systemic PK not established
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Administration Route
- Topical (cosmetic)
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- Dermal fibroblastsCollagen synthesis
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor's price is the median price per mg of its own listings; with fewer than 3 vendors there is no typical range. From public vendor listings collected in Dec 2025, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 1
- Listed offers
- 1
- Price per mg
- $1.00/mg
Research summary
Palmitoylated KTTKS matrikine (Matrixyl) used in anti-wrinkle cosmetics. Not an FDA drug. Not WADA-prohibited as a cosmetic peptide.
Peptide Library's Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- Topical concentrations per cosmetic formulation (not a drug)
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- Topical (cosmetic)
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
- Concentration Example
- Often 0.003–0.01% in creams/serums (brand literature)
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C39H75N7O10 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | ≈802.07 g/mol |
| CAS number | 214047-00-4 |
| Half-life | Topical; systemic PK not established |
| Appearance | White/off-white powder |
| Formulation | Topical Cream |
| PubChem CID | 9897237 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL451881 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is the KTTKS sequence, a fragment of type I procollagen, with a palmitic acid chain attached to improve penetration through the stratum corneum. It is a matrikine: fragments released during matrix breakdown act as feedback signals to fibroblasts that repair is needed. In fibroblast culture the peptide has been reported to increase synthesis of collagen types I and III and fibronectin. Controlled topical studies show modest reductions in wrinkle depth and roughness relative to vehicle. The effect is on matrix protein expression rather than on muscle contraction, so it is mechanistically unrelated to the SNARE-targeting cosmetic peptides.
Origin
Synthetic palmitoylated pentapeptide.
Targets
Studies
- Mesenchymal stem cell therapy using Pal-KTTKS-enriched carboxylated cellulose improves burn wound in rat model
- Double-blind, Randomized Trial on the Effectiveness of Acetylhexapeptide-3 Cream and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Cream for Crow's Feet
- Matrixyl Patch vs Matrixyl Cream: A Comparative In Vivo Investigation of Matrixyl (MTI) Effect on Wound Healing
- Effect of Palmitoyl-Pentapeptide (Pal-KTTKS) on Wound Contractile Process in Relation with Connective Tissue Growth Factor and α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression
- Thêta-Cream versus Bepanthol lotion in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy. A new prophylactic agent in skin care?
Regulatory & research status
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | OTC / Supplement |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 side effects
Side Effects
- Mild irritation
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Cosmetic peptides in this library are formulated into topical products; follow the product label rather than the reconstitution guidance above.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: frequently asked questions
What is Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4?
Palmitoylated KTTKS matrikine (Matrixyl) used in anti-wrinkle cosmetics. Not an FDA drug. Not WADA-prohibited as a cosmetic peptide.
How does Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 work?
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is the KTTKS sequence, a fragment of type I procollagen, with a palmitic acid chain attached to improve penetration through the stratum corneum. It is a matrikine: fragments released during matrix breakdown act as feedback signals to fibroblasts that repair is needed.
Is Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 FDA approved?
No. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as otc / supplement. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What is the half-life of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4?
Reported half-life for Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is Topical; systemic PK not established. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 banned in sport?
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4?
Compounds most often compared with Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 include Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Mesenchymal stem cell therapy using Pal-KTTKS-enriched carboxylated cellulose improves burn wound in rat model — Arch Dermatol Res, 2024External reference
- Double-blind, Randomized Trial on the Effectiveness of Acetylhexapeptide-3 Cream and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Cream for Crow's Feet — J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2023External reference
- Matrixyl Patch vs Matrixyl Cream: A Comparative In Vivo Investigation of Matrixyl (MTI) Effect on Wound Healing — ACS Omega, 2022External reference
- 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, 2017External reference
- Thêta-Cream versus Bepanthol lotion in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy. A new prophylactic agent in skin care? — Strahlenther Onkol, 2004External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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