Cortagen vs Matrixyl
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
- Summary
- Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation as a cardioprotective and vascular bioregulator. It stimulates repair of cardiac and vascular tissue, with demonstrated benefits for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiac aging.
- Matrixyl is the most widely used collagen-stimulating cosmetic peptide. As a matrikine — a fragment of type I procollagen — it signals skin cells to synthesize new collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, reducing wrinkle depth and improving skin firmness and elasticity.
- Half-Life
- Short peptide half-life; gene regulatory effects persist beyond peptide clearance
- N/A — topical; sustained signaling effects on fibroblasts persist beyond single application
- Admin Route
- SubQ, IM, Oral
- Topical
- Research
- —
- —
- Typical Dose
- 10 mg SC or IM daily
- 3–8% concentration
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once or twice daily
- Key Benefits
- Cardioprotective — protects cardiac tissue from ischemic damage
- Promotes cardiac regeneration and repair
- Improves vascular endothelium function
- Reduces atherosclerosis progression
- Anti-aging effect on heart muscle cells
- Improves cardiac output and exercise capacity
- Reduces oxidative stress in cardiovascular tissue
- May reduce arrhythmia frequency
- Stimulates collagen I, III, and IV synthesis
- Increases fibronectin and glycosaminoglycan production
- Reduces wrinkle depth and length by 27–68% (studies)
- Improves skin firmness and elasticity
- Reduces dark circles and undereye bags
- Synergistic with retinol, vitamin C, and growth factors
- Suitable for all skin types including sensitive
- Well-studied with published clinical data
- Side Effects
- Excellent safety profile
- Mild injection site reactions
- Rare: transient hypotension
- Rare: mild arrhythmia at initiation in cardiac patients
- Exceptional safety profile
- Non-irritating, suitable for sensitive skin
- No known adverse effects at cosmetic concentrations
- Stacks With
- —
- —