GHK (Basic) vs Matrixyl
A side-by-side research comparison of GHK (Basic) and Matrixyl across mechanism, dosing, half-life, benefits, side effects and research status.
Comparison table
| Attribute | GHK (Basic) | Matrixyl |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, Copper-Free) | Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 / Pal-KTTKS) |
| Category | Skin & Anti-Aging | Skin & Anti-Aging |
| Status | Cosmetic research peptide | Research compound |
| Mechanism | GHK is a matrikine signal peptide that resets gene expression toward tissue repair, stimulating collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis and modulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. It readily binds copper to become GHK-Cu in situ. | Signals through TGF-B pathway to stimulate fibroblast production of collagen I, III, IV, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid. Palmitoyl chain enhances penetration. |
| Molecular weight | 340.4 Da | 802.1 Da |
| Half-life | Short (peptide) | 6-12 hours (topical depot) |
| Bioavailability | Topical (local); injectable (research) | Moderate (topical) |
| Typical dose | Topical serum (~1-3 mg/mL) | 2-8% in serum/cream |
| Frequency | 1-2x daily | 1-2x daily |
| Route | Topical | Topical |
GHK (Basic) reported benefits
- Skin remodeling and repair signaling
- Stimulates collagen and elastin
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Supports wound healing
- Improves skin firmness
Matrixyl reported benefits
- Stimulates collagen I, III, IV
- Reduces wrinkle depth up to 45%
- Increases skin thickness
- Improves firmness
- Enhances hydration
Related comparisons
Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.