What Is Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41?
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 is a lab-made molecule created by linking myristic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm oils, with a short chain of four amino acids known as Tetrapeptide-41. By joining a fatty acid to the peptide, chemists give the peptide a more oil-friendly tail, helping it mix well with the skin’s natural oils and reach the areas where it can do the most good. Peptides began to gain traction in skin care in the late 1990s when researchers found they could signal the skin to act younger. Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 is part of this wave, developed to improve on earlier peptide designs by boosting stability and skin penetration. The ingredient is produced in controlled laboratory settings through solid-phase peptide synthesis, followed by a reaction that attaches the myristic acid. After purification and safety testing, it is blended into cosmetic formulas.
Because it smooths and conditions the skin, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 shows up most often in age-defying serums, eye creams, night creams, sheet masks and targeted treatment ampoules. Brands may also slip it into daily moisturizers and lightweight lotions that focus on firmness and overall skin texture.
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skin care formulas Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 serves a single key role: skin conditioning. By supporting the skin’s natural repair processes and helping it hold moisture, the ingredient can leave the surface feeling softer, smoother and more resilient. Users often notice improved suppleness over time, making it a popular choice in products that aim to fight the look of fine lines and tired skin.
Who Can Use Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41
This peptide is considered gentle enough for all skin types, including dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin, because it focuses on conditioning rather than exfoliating or strongly stimulating the skin. People with very oily or acne-prone skin usually tolerate it well since the molecule is used at low concentrations and is not overly greasy, although formulas that combine it with rich oils or butters could feel heavy.
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 is produced through laboratory synthesis, and the myristic acid portion is most often sourced from coconut or palm plants, not animals, so products containing it are typically appropriate for vegans and vegetarians. Those following a strict cruelty-free lifestyle should still check that the finished product and its individual ingredients were not tested on animals.
No specific warnings exist for pregnant or breastfeeding women when it comes to topical use of this peptide, but safety data in these groups is limited. This information is not medical advice; anyone who is expecting or nursing should run any skincare product containing Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 past a doctor to be on the safe side.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not considered photosensitising. It also plays well with most other common skincare ingredients and is stable across the normal pH range found in creams and serums.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects and reactions to the topical application of Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 can vary from person to person. The points below list potential issues that could occur, but they are uncommon and most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
Transient redness or warmth right after application
Mild itching or tingling in very sensitive skin
Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to any component of the formula
Breakouts if the overall product is too rich for the user’s skin type
Eye irritation if the cream or serum accidentally gets into the eyes
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Although Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 contains a myristic acid segment, it is present at very small percentages and chemically bound to a peptide which limits its ability to act like free fatty acids that can clog pores. Formulas using this ingredient are usually light in texture and the molecule itself is too large to settle into follicles easily. Because of this low rating, it is generally suitable for people who are prone to acne or breakouts. As always the overall formula matters more than any single ingredient, so very rich creams that include this peptide could still feel heavy on oily skin.
Summary
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 is a lab crafted skin conditioning peptide that supports the skin’s repair pathways and water retention, helping the surface feel smoother, softer and more resilient. The myristic acid tail improves penetration so the peptide can reach target cells and signal them to behave more like younger skin. While not as well known as blockbuster peptides like Matrixyl it is gaining steady traction in age defying serums, eye creams and sheet masks thanks to its gentle profile and compatibility with most actives.
Current safety data shows it is well tolerated by all skin types with a very low risk of irritation or pore clogging. Still, skin is individual so it is smart to patch test any new product containing Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-41 before adding it to a daily routine.