Did you know that Matrixyl isn’t just one ingredient? There’s the original Matrixyl and there’s Matrixyl 3000, a distant cousin developed by the same corporation, Sederma. Yep, just when you thought skincare couldn’t have become more confusing…
Matrixyl 3000 is said to be a better version than it predecessor, yet not many skincare brands are using it at the moment. Should you be one of the first to jump on this bandwagon and reap the benefits of this peptide? Or is this just one of those ingredients that look promising on paper but don’t do much in real life?
Only science can answer this question once and for all. Here’s everything you need to know about Matrixyl 3000 in skincare:
What Are Peptides?
Matrixyl 3000 is a peptide. Before I tell you more about it, here’s a little primer on peptides. Peptides are fragments of proteins that form when amino acids bond together. Your skin naturally produces some peptides, while others are man made.
Peptides regulate cell activities through cell signalling – something they can do while remaining on the surface of your skin. An example? Collagen is the protein that keeps skin firm. When it degrades, peptides send a message to skin cells to produce more collagen. Without them, your skin will lose its firmness and form wrinkles faster.
Some peptides can also boost the production of elastin (the protein that keeps skin elastin) and other components of your skin that keep it strong and healthy. Therefore, corporations like Sederma are working hard to create synthetic peptides that mimic the effects of naturally occurring peptides. One of them is Matrixyl 3000.
What Is Matrixyl 3000?
From the name, you’d be forgiven for thinking Matrixyl 3000 is a new, 3x more powerful version of the original Matrixyl peptide. That’s probably what Sederma (the company that manufactures it) wants you to think….
The truth is different. Matrixyl and Matrixyl 3000 are both peptides (short chains of amino acids), but that’s where the similarities end.
Matrixyl is the trade name for peptide Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4.
Matrixyl 3000 is a combination of two peptides, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. These two peptides work together to tell skin to repair itself, boost the production of collagen, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Water, glycerin, carbomer, butylene glycol, and polysorbate 20 make up the rest of the Matrixyl™ 3000 blend.
Related: Is Matrixyl A Gentler Alternative To Retinol?
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Benefits Of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tripetide-1 (Pal-GHK) is made up of three amino acids (GHK peptide or glycine-histidine-lysine) connected to palmitic acid (a fatty acid that helps peptides better penetrate skin).
GHK is a fragment of type I college. Scientists believe that, when you add it back into your skin, it can boost the production of collagen, leading to firmer skin and fewer, smaller wrinkles.
Related: The Truth About Peptides: Do They Really Work?
Benefits Of Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR, formerly known as palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3) is made up of four amino acids (GQPR peptide or glycine-glutamine-proline-arginine) attached to palmitic acid.
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is said to work by reducing the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a molecule that triggers inflammation. Inflammation is one of your skin’s biggest enemies. It starts a chain reaction that leads to free radicals, wrinkles, and saggy skin. By reducing inflammation, you can slow down premature aging.
Related: What Type Of Peptide Should You Use?
Benefits Of Matrixyl 3000
Sederma didn’t put together palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 randomly. According to their research, these two peptides have an incredible synergy that makes them work dramatically better together than on their own. Here are all the benefits of Matrixyl 3000:
- It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- It boosts the production of collagen to firm skin
- It improve texture and reduces roughness
- It brightens the complexion
- It increases the hydration in the skin for a plumper and softer appearance
In a small human study with 24 volunteers, Matrixyl 3000 worked much better than the placebo treatment and Matrixy. Here are the results after 2 months of daily use:
- 14% reduction in skin roughness
- 15% reduction in wrinkle depth
- 15% increase in skin tone
- 18% reduction in wrinkle volume
- 37% reduction in wrinkle density
These results are promising, but they come from a manufacturer’s study, so take them with a pinch of salt.
Related: Treatment VS Prevention: What Really Works Against Wrinkles?
How To Use It
Matrixyl 3000 comes in a variety of products, like serums and moisturisers. Use them as the products instruct. You can use this ingredient up to twice a day without side effects.
Who Should Use It?
Everyone can use Matrixyl 3000, including people with sensitive skin. But, due to its collagen-boosting properties, it’s most suitable for mature skin and anyone who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What Can You Use Matrixyl 3000 With?
Matrixyl 3000 plays well with most ingredients. You can use it with retinol, Vitamin C, copper peptides, hyaluronic acid… Just make sure to not overwhelm your skin with everything at the same time.
Matrixyl 3000 VS Retinol: Which One Should You Use?
Short answer: unless you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate retinol, stick to retinol.
Long answer: due to its collagen-boosting properties, Matrixyl 3000 is often touted as an alternative to retinol. A form of Vitamin A, retinol boosts collagen, fights free radicals, and speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliating process to reduce the wrinkles you already have and prevent new ones from forming. The catch? Retinol can be drying and irritating, especially when you first start using it.
Matrixyl is said to boost collagen production without side effects. It makes sense to switch, right? Not so fast. Retinol has decades of research proving its effectiveness. Matrixyl 3000 is much newer and most of the studies touting its anti-aging benefits come from the manufacturer.
I’ll stick to retinol for now and recommend you do the same. But if you’re curious to try Matrixyl 3000, you can use it together with retinol.
Matrixyl Side Effects
In the short-term, Matrixyl 3000 is safe and doesn’t have any side effects. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and pregnant women too. But, as it’s a new ingredient, we don’t have any data on its long-term safety, yet.
What Are The Best Skincare Products With Matrixyl 3000?
- Boots No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate ($39.99): A retinol serum with Matrixyl 3000 to firm skin and reduce wrinkles. Available at Boots and Ulta.
- The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£17.99): A super hydrating hyaluronic acid serum to plump up and soften skin. It’s enriched with Matrixyl 3000 to firm skin too. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and The Inkey List.
- The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA ($11.50): A simple Matrixyl 3000 serum enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to plump up and hydrate skin. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, The Ordinary and Ulta.
- Timeless Matrixyl ®️ 3000 Serum ($25.95): A no-frills Matrixyl 3000 serum enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe vera. Available at Yes Style.
The Bottom Line
Matrixyl 3000 is said to be a powerful peptide that can soothe inflammation, reduce wrinkles, and make skin firmer. But, due the lack of independent research, I wouldn’t go out of my way to try it. I’m sticking to my old and trusted retinol for now.
