Function
While GHK-Cu acts as a tissue-remodeling and wound-healing signal, enhancing skin regeneration, angiogenesis, and repair while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in experimental models31383, Matrixyl is a widely used cosmetic peptide with evidence of stimulating extracellular matrix synthesis and reducing wrinkle appearance in skin-care formulations48.
Mechanism
While GHK-Cu works as an endogenous tripeptide, Gly-His-Lys, that chelates Cu²⁺ and modulates gene expression, stimulating collagen, elastin, proteoglycan, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis while exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects31383, Matrixyl is a palmitoylated pentapeptide, Pal-Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser (Pal-KTTKS), that acts as a matrikine, signaling to dermal fibroblasts to increase production of collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and other ECM components4858.
Length and Sequence
GHK-Cu is 3 amino acids long, whereas Matrixyl is longer as it has a length of 5 amino acids. GHK-Cu is made up of a sequence of Glycine, Histidine, Lysine. Matrixyl is made up of a sequence of Lysine, Threonine, Threonine, Lysine, Serine.