Ingredient Focus: Matrixyl ®

Ingredient Focus: Matrixyl ®

Matrixyl ® was developed as an alternative to both retinol and vitamin C, which were at the time considered to be some of the most effective anti-aging ingredients available. Both retinol and vitamin C have some drawbacks to their use in anti-aging formulas, so scientists developed Matrixyl ® to have similar benefits and results without the drawbacks.

Matrixyl ® is the trademark name for palmitoyl pentapeptide-3. This product was developed by Sederma SAS in 2000. In 2006, the ingredient name was further classified as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. Matrixyl ® contains a matrikine, a peptide chain of fatty acids that has been combined with five amino acids (hence, pentapeptide).

Peptides are small molecules that easily penetrate through the skin’s outer layer. Matrikine peptides link to receptors on skin cells to signal the starting or stopping of specific actions, such as triggering the healing process and rebuilding of damaged cells.  These peptides also activate cells in the inner layers of skin to create additional hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin, all of which are critical to plump, firm and flexible skin. These are the hallmarks of youthful skin, and peptides can trigger cells to produce more of these needed elements in the skin.

Studies have shown that Matrixyl ® can double the amount of collagen in the skin. It not only triggers the production of additional collagen, but it also protects against the destruction of existing collagen, which is a natural result of the aging process.  This helps keep skin plump and less prone to sagging.

Regular use of Matrixyl ® has been proven to increase the thickness of skin in about eight weeks, while also reducing deep wrinkles by up to 68% and smoothing out the skin, reducing dry or rough patches.  One can easily see how desirable it could be to use products containing Matrixyl ® on their skin on a consistent basis, to generate and keep these kinds of results.

Matrixyl ® has been shown to be as effective as retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) in repairing sun-damaged skin and reducing wrinkles, but without the irritating side effects that retinol causes, including irritation, tingling, dryness and peeling of the skin.

Matrixyl ® is an effective, proven anti-aging ingredient that is gentle and does not have harsh side effects. Look for products that include this ingredient and use them in your arsenal to fight the signs of aging.