Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a fatty-acid-modified pentapeptide studied for eyelash and eyebrow growth promotion by stimulating keratinocyte production of keratin proteins. Found in cosmetic lash serums and brow enhancement formulations.
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Compound Profile
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Key Data
Research reference only
Research Focus
Preclinical data
⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.
- Proposed to stimulate keratinocyte production of keratin proteins — the structural proteins of hair shafts and eyelashes
- Extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle cycle
- Myristoyl fatty acid modification enhances penetration into the follicular sheath
- Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is not FDA-approved for human use. Cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17). Regulated as cosmetic active ingredient. Not a drug.
Research At a Glance
- Proposed to stimulate keratinocyte production of keratin proteins — the structural proteins of hair shafts and eyelashes
- Extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle cycle
- Myristoyl fatty acid modification enhances penetration into the follicular sheath
- Non-prostaglandin mechanism for lash growth (unlike bimatoprost) — avoids iris pigmentation side effects
In Plain English
Simple summaryMyristoyl pentapeptide-17 is a cosmetic peptide specifically designed to enhance eyelash growth -- it's one of the few peptide ingredients developed primarily for the periocular area rather than broader facial skin. The myristoyl (14-carbon fatty acid) modification improves penetration through the skin and into hair follicles. The pentapeptide sequence is proposed to signal keratinocytes in the lash follicle to increase cell proliferation and extend the anagen (growth) phase of the lash hair cycle. Brand studies from cosmetic ingredient suppliers report 25-32% increases in lash length and 20-30% improvements in lash thickness after 4-8 weeks of daily application in serums.
- Proposed to stimulate keratinocyte production of keratin proteins — the structural proteins of hair shafts and eyelashes
- Extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle cycle
- Myristoyl fatty acid modification enhances penetration into the follicular sheath
The full scientific detail, mechanisms, citations, and dosing data, follows below.
What is Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17?
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Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a synthetic pentapeptide with an N-terminal myristic acid (C14 fatty acid) modification, designed to stimulate lash and eyebrow growth by promoting keratinocyte and hair follicle cell activity. It is commercially known as Lash Matrix or similar trade names.
The rationale for lash growth peptides stems from the biology of the follicular unit: eyelash follicles, like scalp hair follicles, cycle through anagen (active growth), catagen (regression), and telogen (resting) phases. Extending the anagen phase or stimulating quiescent follicles back into anagen is the mechanism shared by both prescription lash growth drugs (prostaglandin analogues like bimatoprost/Latisse) and cosmetic peptide approaches.
**Proposed mechanism:** Unlike bimatoprost, which activates prostaglandin FP receptors and EP3/1 receptors on follicular cells, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is proposed to: 1. Stimulate keratinocyte proliferation in the outer root sheath of the follicle 2. Upregulate expression of structural keratin proteins (KRT35, KRT85, KRT81) that form the hair shaft 3. Extend the anagen phase duration through growth factor signaling
The myristoyl group provides lipophilicity that enhances penetration through the cornified layers of skin to reach the follicular infundibulum.
**Comparative context:** Clinical evidence for Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is less robust than for prescription bimatoprost, which has FDA approval for eyelash growth. Most cosmetic lash serum studies showing improvement with this ingredient are manufacturer-sponsored studies with small sample sizes. However, the safety advantage is significant: bimatoprost can cause iris pigmentation changes and periorbital fat loss with chronic use, while peptide-based cosmetics pose no such risks.
Common lash serum formulations combine Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 with Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 (which anchors keratin precursors to the cortex), Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 (follicular matrix stimulation), and Swertia japonica extract for multi-mechanism lash enhancement.
By the Numbers
Key Research Benefits
Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17. See all Skin & Anti-Aging peptides for comparison.
Side Effects & Risks
Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports. View all peptides' side effects →
Dosing Data from the Literature
Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.
Cosmetic lash serum concentrations:
Standard range: 0.001-0.01% in aqueous lash serums Commercial products: Used at concentrations that are typically proprietary Application: 1x daily with a mascara-like brush along upper lash line before bed
Results timeline: 4-8 weeks for visible lash density improvement; 12 weeks for maximum effect
Administration in Research Settings
Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.
Applied to the upper lash line daily with applicator brush. Avoid getting in eyes. Used in combination with Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 (keratin anchor peptide) in multi-peptide lash formulations.
What the research doesn't show
All efficacy data for myristoyl pentapeptide-17 comes from cosmetic ingredient manufacturers. The lash growth mechanism is plausible (follicle keratinocyte stimulation) but independently validated clinical data doesn't exist. For anyone with genuine lash growth concerns, bimatoprost (with a prescription) has proper Phase 3 data showing 25% length increase and 18% thickness increase in the pivotal trial -- a much stronger evidence standard.
Medical Expert Videos
Physicians, researchers, and pharmacologists explain Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, covering mechanisms of action, clinical context, and study findings.
Videos sourced from YouTube search. KnowYourPeptide does not endorse any individual creator. For research education only.
The Bottom Line
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 has a growing body of preclinical evidence and a well-characterised safety profile in research settings. The most-studied application is: proposed to stimulate keratinocyte production of keratin proteins — the structural proteins of hair shafts and eyelashes.
The most commonly reported side effect in research subjects is generally well tolerated in cosmetic eye area use. It is a research chemical, not approved for human use.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Quick Reference
How It Compares
Bimatoprost (Latisse) is the FDA-approved prostaglandin analogue for lash growth with proper clinical trial data. AHK-Cu (copper peptide) is sometimes used in scalp and lash formulations for hair follicle support. Castor oil and other fatty acid-rich oils are folk remedies for lash growth without pharmacological mechanism. Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 sits between folk remedies and pharmaceutical options -- mechanistically plausible but without the clinical rigor of bimatoprost.
Compare Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 side-by-sideResearch Use Only
This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.