Matrixyl 3000

pal-GHK (palmitoyl tripeptide-1; formerly "palmitoyl oligopeptide") + pal-GQPR (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7; formerly palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3); Matrixyl 3000 is Sederma's trade name for the pair

Skin & cosmetic

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Summary

Class: Blend of two synthetic lipopeptides: a palmitoylated copy of the natural tripeptide GHK and a palmitoylated four-amino-acid fragment (GQPR) derived from immunoglobulin G
Mechanism: pal-GHK is proposed to signal collagen and matrix rebuilding; pal-GQPR is proposed to damp the skin's production of the inflammatory messenger interleukin-6, which otherwise accelerates matrix breakdown
Routes studied: Topical only
Dose range reported: Supplied as a solution used at 3–8% of a finished formula, giving a few ppm of each peptide. Company studies used 3% (28–56 days) and 4–8% in longer tests
Half-life: Not applicable; acts locally in skin, degraded by skin proteases
Storage: Finished products as labelled; raw ingredient refrigerated, protected from light
Regulatory status: Permitted cosmetic ingredient worldwide

Doses are as reported in studies or by the community — never recommendations.

1What it is

Matrixyl 3000 is Sederma's 2003 successor to the original Matrixyl (#111). Instead of one signal peptide it pairs two: - Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 is GHK — the same glycyl-histidyl-lysine fragment that, bound to copper, is GHK-Cu (#5) — with a palmitic acid tail and without copper. GHK is a natural sequence found in human plasma and released when collagen is broken down. - Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is GQPR, a short sequence from the constant region of immunoglobulin G, chosen because the parent fragment (Rigin) was reported to reduce the inflammatory signal IL-6 in cultured skin cells.

Both are synthetic. Older labels list them as "palmitoyl oligopeptide" and "palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3"; the INCI names were updated in 2008–2009 and refer to the same molecules. It is among the most widely used peptide blends in mainstream skincare, so a large share of people have used it without knowing.

2How it's thought to work

The pair is marketed around the idea of a "matrikine" repair signal combined with an anti-inflammatory brake:

pal-GHK. is proposed to act like the original KTTKS matrikine, stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen I and IV, fibronectin and hyaluronic acid. Bare GHK has a long literature in wound repair (see GHK-Cu #5); the palmitoyl form is designed to penetrate skin better.

pal-GQPR. is proposed to reduce IL-6 secretion by keratinocytes and fibroblasts, including after UV exposure. IL-6 is a messenger that, chronically raised, pushes skin toward enzyme-driven collagen breakdown ("inflammageing").

The company reports the pair acting synergistically in skin models, with greater matrix protein production together than either alone.

Two peptides sold together, aimed at the same fibroblast response as Matrixyl with an added signal directed at matrix repair.Schematic — not to scale

These mechanisms are supported mainly by in-vitro data generated or sponsored by the manufacturer.

3What the research shows

Fine lines, wrinkles and skin tone

Sederma's own clinical tests (reported in company technical literature and conference posters, e.g. Mas-Chamberlin and colleagues, 2002–2004) describe 2-month, placebo-controlled studies in roughly 20–30 women using 3% Matrixyl 3000 twice daily, with reductions in wrinkle depth and surface area of roughly 15–45% depending on the measure, and improved skin tone. These are industry-run, small, and mostly not published in peer-reviewed journals; they should be read as promising rather than confirmed.

Graded B/D

Peer-reviewed independent evidence

Independent reviews of topical peptides summarise the matrikine concept and the manufacturer data but note the shortage of independent randomised trials (Gorouhi & Maibach 2009, Int J Cosmet Sci; Reddy 2012, Exp Dermatol; Schagen 2017, Cosmetics). A number of small studies of finished products containing Matrixyl 3000 alongside other actives report improvements, but these cannot attribute the effect to the peptides. [2][3][4]

IL-6 reduction and matrix synthesis in cells

In-vitro work on GHK and on IgG-derived tetrapeptides supports the proposed signalling, but the data for the palmitoylated blend specifically come from the manufacturer.

Eye-area puffiness, dark circles, hair

Community use in eye creams and hair serums; no published human data for these.

4Reported side effects and interactions

Literature-reported

Well tolerated across extensive cosmetic use; mild transient irritation rarely reported and usually formula-related.

Community-reported

occasional stinging or mild redness, usually with high-percentage "concentrates"; no systemic effects. A common report is that results are subtle and take 8–12 weeks.

Theoretical. none specific. The IgG-derived fragment is not known to be immunogenic through skin.

Interactions. none pharmacological. Community layering lore (avoid immediately combining with low-pH vitamin C or with copper peptides) applies as for Matrixyl (#111); evidence is thin either way.

Markers researchers commonly monitor

No blood markers are relevant. For a topical cosmetic the honest measures are: No compound-specific lab monitoring exists.

Marker	Why it's watched
Standardised photographs every 2–4 weeks under identical lighting
Hydration or elasticity readings if a consumer device is available, taken at the same site and time of day
Irritation diary to separate formula effects from peptide effects

Free for everyone. Safety information is never behind a paywall.

5Reconstitution and handling

Topical only; no vial, no , no injectable form. Store finished products as labelled, away from heat and light. The raw ingredient solution is refrigerated by formulators. Cosmetic peptide solutions are never suitable for injection. The calculator does not apply.

Open in calculator, pre-loaded →

6Commonly studied alongside

Matrixyl (#111), Argireline (#50), GHK-Cu (#5), Snap-8 (#113), niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinoids and vitamin C — frequently combined in finished products, which is one reason independent attribution is hard.

Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.

7Regulatory status by region

Region	Status (checked —)
United States	Permitted cosmetic ingredient; claims limited to cosmetic (appearance) claims
European Union	Permitted under EC 1223/2009; both peptides listed in CosIng
United Kingdom	Same as EU
Australia	Cosmetic ingredient
South Africa	Cosmetic ingredient
Sport	Not listed by WADA

8Open questions

Whether palmitoylated GHK reaches fibroblasts in meaningful amounts from a cream, or whether effects are epidermal.
Independent, peer-reviewed, placebo-controlled trials of the blend alone — none have been published to our knowledge.
Whether the IL-6 effect of pal-GQPR occurs in living human skin at cosmetic concentrations.
How it compares with the original single-peptide Matrixyl in head-to-head testing.

9References

1Lintner K, Peschard O (2000). Biologically active peptides: from a laboratory bench curiosity to a functional skin care product. Int J Cosmet Sci. PubMed · DOI
2Gorouhi F, Maibach HI (2009). Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. PubMed · DOI
3Reddy BY, Jow T, Hantash BM (2012). Bioactive oligopeptides in dermatology: Part II. Exp Dermatol. PubMed · DOI
4Schagen SK (2017). Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. Cosmetics. DOI
5Lupo MP, Cole AL (2007). Cosmeceutical peptides. Dermatol Ther. PubMed · DOI
6Pickart L, Margolina A (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. Int J Mol Sci (background on the GHK sequence). PubMed · DOI
7Sederma (manufacturer technical dossier). Matrixyl 3000 in-vitro and clinical summaries — company data, not peer-reviewed. PubMed

References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.

10Community

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Self-reported side effects Phase 2

Not enough data yet. 0 of the 50 members needed have logged this compound for 4+ weeks. We don't show anything below 50, so no one can be identified.

11Page history

26 Oct 2026Profile published — awaiting medical review

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