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Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl synthe'6 are both Sederma peptides used for the look of fine lines, but they are different molecules. Matrixyl 3000 pairs Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and has published supplier data from 2-month human studies at 3%. Matrixyl synthe'6 is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, a newer single peptide with less published human data, typically used at 2 to 4%.
- Matrixyl 3000 INCI: Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Sederma sheet).
- Matrixyl synthe'6 INCI: Glycerin, Aqua, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 (Croda listing).
- Use rates: Matrixyl 3000 at 3% (Sederma), 3 to 8% (Lotioncrafter); synthe'6 at 2 to 4% (MakingCosmetics).
- Solubility: both are water-soluble and go in the water phase (same sources).
- pH: Matrixyl 3000 is pH 4.0 to 6.0 as supplied (Sederma safety data sheet), and Sederma's published cream finishes at pH 6.40 (Sederma formula); no pH range for synthe'6 appears on the pages we could open.
Matrixyl 3000 vs Matrixyl synthe'6: side by side
| Matrixyl 3000 | Matrixyl synthe'6 | |
|---|---|---|
| INCI name | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (in Glycerin, Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20) | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 (in Glycerin, Aqua, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin) |
| What it is | Two palmitoylated matrikines, Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR | One palmitoylated peptide with a "matrikine-like" effect |
| How it works (supplier description) | Messenger peptides aimed at the skin's supporting matrix | In laboratory work, signals six matrix components: collagen I, II and IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid and laminin 5 |
| Typical usage rate | 3% (Sederma); 3 to 8% (distributors) | 2 to 4% (distributor) |
| pH working range | 4.0 to 6.0 as supplied (Sederma safety data sheet); Sederma's own 3% cream finishes at pH 6.40 | Not published on the pages we could open |
| Solubility | Water-soluble (an oil-soluble Matrixyl 3000 OS grade also exists); add below 40°C | Water-soluble; add to the water phase |
| Human data published | Sederma: 23 women, 2 months, 3% split-face vs placebo, with percentages | Sederma: 2-month studies described; distributor reports percentages without study size |
| Pairs well with | Other water-soluble peptides, including Matrixyl synthe'6 and Argireline | Other water-soluble peptides, including Matrixyl 3000 |
| Keep apart from | Heat above 40°C; oil-only bases unless you use the OS grade | Oil-only bases; store light-protected and cool |
Sources: Sederma Matrixyl 3000 sheet, Lotioncrafter, MakingCosmetics, Croda.
What is the difference between Matrixyl 3000 and synthe'6?
The difference is the molecule and the depth of evidence. Matrixyl 3000 is two peptides. Matrixyl synthe'6 is one. Both carry a palmitic acid tail, both dissolve in water, and both come from Sederma, now part of Croda.
Matrixyl 3000 has the more detailed public record. Sederma's sheet describes a study in which 23 women aged 42 to 67 used a 3% cream on half the face and a placebo on the other half, twice daily for 2 months. After 2 months, the Matrixyl side showed a 39.4% decrease in the surface occupied by deep wrinkles, a 19.9% decrease in main-wrinkle depth and a 16.0% decrease in roughness against the starting point, while the placebo side's changes were not significant (Sederma technical sheet). That is supplier-run data.
Matrixyl synthe'6 was announced in January 2011 (Cosmetics Business). Sederma described 2-month in vivo studies on forehead and crow's feet lines, measuring wrinkle volume, depth and surface, without giving numbers in the launch coverage (Personal Care Magazine). A distributor reports up to 28.5% less wrinkle surface and 21.1% less volume after two months, with no study size given (Brenntag). I cannot check those figures, so I do not lean on them.
An independent review found palmitoyl tripeptide-38 studied mainly inside multi-ingredient formulas, which makes the peptide's own share of any result unclear (Schagen, 2017).
Is synthe'6 stronger than Matrixyl 3000?
No published head-to-head study answers that. I did not find one comparing the two at their supplier levels. Synthe'6 is newer and its laboratory work names more matrix targets, but "more targets in a dish" is not the same as "better-looking skin." Anyone telling you one is stronger is guessing.
Which one suits you
- Choose Matrixyl 3000 if you want the peptide with the most published supplier data and a clear 3% benchmark to check a label against.
- Choose Matrixyl synthe'6 if you already use Matrixyl 3000 and want to add a different peptide aimed at the look of deeper lines on the forehead and around the eyes, the areas Sederma measured.
- Use both if you formulate. They are both water-soluble and go into the same water phase, so they sit together in one serum without extra steps.
How to use them in a routine
Apply a water-based serum containing either peptide morning and night to clean face and neck, before creams or oils. Sederma's Matrixyl 3000 studies used twice-daily application for 2 months, so give any change at least eight weeks.
If you make your own, our Matrixyl 3000 serum booster ingredient lists 27 drops per 1 oz base for 3%. Our Matrixyl synthe'6 serum booster ingredient lists 18 drops per 1 oz base for 2%. Prefer a finished serum? Our 20% Matrixyl 3000 Collagen Serum states its Matrixyl 3000 percentage on the label. For the whole Matrixyl family, read the complete Matrixyl peptide guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Matrixyl 3000 and synthe'6 together?
Yes. Both are water-soluble solutions from Sederma that go into the water phase, so they can share one serum or be layered. I found no published study that combined the two, so judge the pairing by how your skin looks over eight weeks. Keep each at its supplier level: 3% for Matrixyl 3000 and 2 to 4% for synthe'6.
Is synthe'6 a tripeptide or a tetrapeptide?
Matrixyl synthe'6 is Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, a tripeptide. The name "Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-38" sometimes shows up on labels, but the Croda and distributor INCI listings name Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38. If a label shows the tetrapeptide name, read it as a labeling error and check with the brand.
What does hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin do in synthe'6?
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin is part of the carrier in the Matrixyl synthe'6 raw material, along with glycerin and water. The supplier pages I opened list it in the INCI but do not explain its role, so I will not guess. It is part of the supplied solution, not a separate active you need to add.
Which has more research, Matrixyl 3000 or synthe'6?
Matrixyl 3000 has more published detail. Sederma's sheet describes a 23-woman, 2-month, split-face study at 3% with specific percentages, including a 39.4% decrease in the surface occupied by deep wrinkles. Synthe'6 has launch descriptions of 2-month studies and a distributor percentage claim without a stated study size. Both data sets come from the supplier rather than independent researchers.
Sources
- Sederma. Matrixyl 3000 technical sheet (hosted by distributor Pochteca)
- Sederma / Croda Beauty Actives. Anti-Ageing Night Cream with Matrixyl 3000, formula SED0311427 A
- Croda. Matrixyl synthe'6 product listing (SpecialChem)
- Lotioncrafter. Matrixyl 3000 MBAL
- MakingCosmetics. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 fact sheet
- Brenntag. Matrixyl synthe'6
- Cosmetics Business. New Matrixyl fills wrinkles from the inside (7 January 2011)
- Personal Care Magazine. Wrinkles visibly smoother
- Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16