Pair page
Matrixyl with Pentapeptide-18
Mechanism-tag overlap and published literature for Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18, pulled verbatim from each Kalios compound profile. Kalios is a literature reference, not a recommendation.
Mechanism overlap
Mechanism tags are verbatim labels on each compound's profile. Generic tags ("peptide", "small-molecule", "research-chemical") are excluded from this overlap view. Tags are descriptive — not an inference about combined effect.
collagen-signal-peptide
cosmetic-peptide
enkephalin-analog
Co-administration notes from the literature
Verbatim summary text pulled from each compound's profile data. Researchers studying Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18 have published these mechanism-level observations. Not a co-administration recommendation.
A palmitoylated pentapeptide (Pal-KTTKS) marketed by Sederma as a collagen-signaling cosmetic active. Mechanism is entirely distinct from Leuphasyl: Matrixyl signals dermal fibroblasts to increase collagen-I and -III production, addressing atrophic (volume-loss) wrinkles rather than dynamic (expression) wrinkles. Rational stack partner because Matrixyl and Leuphasyl target non-overlapping wrinkle etiologies — the combination covers both "movement-caused" and "loss-of-support-caused" wrinkles.
Quick facts
Matrixyl
Pentapeptide-18
Literature table
Classified references from each compound profile. Click a column header to sort. Click a PMID to open PubMed. Findings are quoted verbatim from each profile's literature_summary; nothing here is added or interpreted.
| Year | Compound | Source | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Matrixyl | Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(5):327-345. PMID: 19570099. (UCSF Dermatology systematic review of topical peptides for aged skin, including Pal-KTTKS signal-peptide class.) PMID 19570099 | systematic review |
| 2010 | Matrixyl | Fu JJ, Hillebrand GG, Raleigh P, Li J, Marmor MJ, Bertucci V, Grimes PE, Mandy SH, Perez MI, Weinkle SH, Kaczvinsky JR. A randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs. a prescri… PMID 20374604 | human trial |
| 2024 | Matrixyl | Vitali A, Paolicelli P, Bigi B, Trilli J, Di Muzio L, Carriero VC, Casadei MA, Petralito S. Liposome Encapsulation of the Palmitoyl-KTTKS Peptide: Structural and Functional Characterization. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16(2):219. PMID: 38399273. (Liposomal delivery system for Pal-KTTKS… PMID 38399273 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2017 | Matrixyl | Park H, An E, Cho Lee AR. 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. 2017;14(1):73-80. PMID: 30603464. (CTGF / α-SMA modulation and fibrobl… PMID 30603464 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2014 | Matrixyl | Choi YL, Park EJ, Kim E, Na DH, Shin YH. Dermal Stability and In Vitro Skin Permeation of Collagen Pentapeptides (KTTKS and palmitoyl-KTTKS). Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2014;22(4):321-327. PMID: 25143811. (Demonstrates palmitoylation as stability and permeation enhancer relative to un… PMID 25143811 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2013 | Matrixyl | Jones RR, Castelletto V, Connon CJ, Hamley IW. Collagen stimulating effect of peptide amphiphile C16-KTTKS on human fibroblasts. Mol Pharm. 2013;10(3):1063-1069. PMID: 23320752. (Direct fibroblast collagen-production dose-response for Pal-KTTKS linked to critical-aggregation-con… PMID 23320752 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2019 | Matrixyl | Tałałaj U, Uscinowicz P, Bruzgo I, Surazynski A, Zareba I, Markowska A. The Effects of a Novel Series of KTTKS Analogues on Cytotoxicity and Proteolytic Activity. Molecules. 2019;24(20):3698. PMID: 31618846. (Structure-activity series of KTTKS analogues with acetyl / lipoyl / pa… PMID 31618846 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2019 | Matrixyl | Mortazavi SM, Kobarfard F, Maibach HI, Moghimi HR. Effect of Palmitic Acid Conjugation on Physicochemical Properties of Peptide KTTKS: A Preformulation Study. J Cosmet Sci. 2019;70(6):299-312. PMID: 31829923. (Physicochemical characterization of palmitoyl conjugation effects on… PMID 31829923 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2007 | Matrixyl | Lupo MP, Cole AL. Cosmeceutical peptides. Dermatol Ther. 2007;20(5):343-349. PMID: 18045359. (Updated Dermatologic Therapy review of signal, neurotransmitter-affecting, and carrier peptides.) PMID 18045359 | review |
| 2005 | Matrixyl | Osborne R, Mullins L, Jarrold B, Lintner K. In vitro skin structure benefits with a new antiaging peptide, Pal-KT. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52(3 Suppl):P34. (AAD-meeting abstract on Pal-KT / Pal-KTTKS cosmetic evaluation; Procter & Gamble / Sederma collaboration.) | industry documentation |
| 2009 | Matrixyl | Trookman NS, Rizer RL, Ford R, Ho E, Gotz V. Immediate and Long-term Clinical Benefits of a Topical Treatment for Facial Lines and Wrinkles. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009;2(3):38-43. PMID: 20729942. (8-week topical treatment clinical study including palmitoyl pentapeptide active… PMID 20729942 | research article |
| 2005 | Matrixyl | Robinson LR, Fitzgerald NC, Doughty DG, Dawes NC, Berge CA, Bissett DL. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005;27(3):155-160. PMID: 18492182. (The 93-subject 12-week split-face vehicle-controlled RCT of 3 ppm Pa… PMID 18492182 | research article |
| 2013 | Pentapeptide-18 | Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao S, Pan P, Li P, Huo J. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2013 Apr;14(2):147-153. doi:10.1007/s40257-013-0009-9. PMID: 23435580. (Placebo-controll… PMID 23435580 | human trial |
| 2014 | Pentapeptide-18 | Dragomirescu AO, Andoni M, Ionescu D, Andrei F. The Efficiency and Safety of Leuphasyl—A Botox-Like Peptide. Cosmetics. 2014;1(2):75-81. doi:10.3390/cosmetics1020075. (Only peer-reviewed open-label human efficacy paper specific to Pentapeptide-18; manufacturer-adjacent but metho… | human pilot |
| 1999 | Pentapeptide-18 | Acosta CG, López HS. delta opioid receptor modulation of several voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents in rat sensory neurons. J Neurosci. 1999 Oct 1;19(19):8337-8348. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.19-19-08337.1999. PMID: 10493736; PMCID: PMC6783030. (Direct electrophysiological evidence th… PMID 10493736 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2015 | Pentapeptide-18 | Kraeling ME, Zhou W, Wang P, Ogunsola OA. In vitro skin penetration of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from a cosmetic formulation. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2015 Mar;34(1):46-52. doi:10.3109/15569527.2014.894521. PMID: 24641245. (Permeation analog study — demonstrates that ~0.22% of topically a… PMID 24641245 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2002 | Pentapeptide-18 | Blanes-Mira C, Clemente J, Jodas G, Gil A, Fernández-Ballester G, Ponsati B, Gutierrez L, Pérez-Payá E, Ferrer-Montiel A. A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002 Oct;24(5):303-310. doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494.2002.00153.x. PMID: 1849852… PMID 18498523 | mechanism / discovery |
| 1975 | Pentapeptide-18 | Hughes J, Smith TW, Kosterlitz HW, Fothergill LA, Morgan BA, Morris HR. Identification of two related pentapeptides from the brain with potent opiate agonist activity. Nature. 1975 Dec 18;258(5536):577-580. doi:10.1038/258577a0. PMID: 1207728. (The landmark Hughes & Kosterlitz p… PMID 1207728 | mechanism / discovery |
| 1977 | Pentapeptide-18 | Hughes J, Kosterlitz HW, Smith TW. The distribution of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin in the brain and peripheral tissues. Br J Pharmacol. 1977 Dec;61(4):639-647. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.1977.tb07557.x. PMID: 597668. (Follow-up Hughes/Kosterlitz distribution paper… PMID 597668 | pharmacology |
| 2024 | Pentapeptide-18 | Cullen JM, Cascella M. Physiology, Enkephalin. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. PMID: 32491696. (Comprehensive physiology review of enkephalin structure, receptor pharmacology, and degradation — useful pharmacology reference for the Leuph… PMID 32491696 | review |
| 2022 | Pentapeptide-18 | Mortazavi SM, Moghimi HR. Skin permeability, a dismissed necessity for anti-wrinkle peptide performance. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022 Apr;44(2):232-248. doi:10.1111/ics.12770. PMID: 35152433. (Independent review of the skin-permeation bottleneck that constrains all topical anti-wrinkl… PMID 35152433 | review |
| 2012 | Pentapeptide-18 | Reddy B, Jow T, Hantash BM. Bioactive oligopeptides in dermatology: Part I. Exp Dermatol. 2012 Aug;21(8):569-575. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01528.x. PMID: 22775991. (Dermatology-journal review of bioactive cosmetic oligopeptides including the neurotransmitter-affecting peptid… PMID 22775991 | review |
| 2009 | Pentapeptide-18 | Zhang L, Falla TJ. Cosmeceuticals and peptides. Clin Dermatol. 2009 Sep-Oct;27(5):485-494. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.05.013. PMID: 19695481. (Foundational dermatology-journal review of cosmeceutical peptides that contextualizes Leuphasyl within the neurotransmitter-affecti… PMID 19695481 | review |
| 2005 | Pentapeptide-18 | Lipotec S.A. LEUPHASYL®: A New Pentapeptide for Expression Wrinkles. Technical dossier / formulator brochure. Barcelona: Lipotec; 2005. (Originator manufacturer dossier, widely re-cited across cosmetic industry literature; source of the 11.64% stand-alone and 24.62% Leuphasyl +… | industry documentation |
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Frequently asked
Have Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18 been studied together?
Researchers have published mechanistic-level co-administration discussion of Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18. No human co-administration trials are catalogued in the Kalios profiles. The pair page lists each compound's classified literature; full citations sit on each individual profile.
What mechanisms do Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18 share?
Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18 share these mechanism tags on their Kalios profiles: cosmetic-peptide. Tags are descriptive and verbatim from each compound profile — not an inference of combined effect.
What is the FDA status of Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18?
Matrixyl: Cosmetic ingredient (not a drug). Pentapeptide-18: Cosmetic ingredient. FDA-status text is pulled verbatim from each compound profile. See /fda-pcac-2026.html for the broader FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee context.
Where can I find the full research on Matrixyl and Pentapeptide-18?
Full citation lists, dosing tables from the literature, reconstitution data, and the FDA / WADA status are on the individual compound profiles: the Matrixyl profile and the Pentapeptide-18 profile. The Kalios Stack Research Tool hub lists every compound covered.
Last updated: April 2026