Collagen Supplements boost skin elasticity and hydration but won’t stop wrinkles, study finds
Daily collagen supplements can rejuvenate skin by boosting elasticity and hydration, but they will not stop wrinkles, a new scientific review finds. The review’s findings matter for people weighing long-term use of collagen supplements for ageing skin and joint symptoms.
Collagen Supplements and skin elasticity, hydration
The review found that collagen supplements taken over a long period could improve skin elasticity and hydration or moisture, delivering what the authors describe as "some legitimate" skin gains when used consistently over time. At the same time, the supplements should not be seen as a "quick fix" for wrinkles: the analysis did not show that they prevent the appearance of wrinkles, and it also found they did not significantly affect skin roughness.
Scope of the Anglia Ruskin University review: 16 reviews, 113 trials, almost 8, 000 people
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analysed evidence drawn from 16 reviews and 113 trials involving almost 8, 000 people worldwide. Their findings were published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum and are presented as the strongest synthesis of evidence to date on the topic.
Effects beyond skin: osteoarthritis, joint pain and stiffness
Beyond cosmetic outcomes, the review found collagen supplements may ease wear and tear and reduce symptoms of arthritis, including joint pain and stiffness. The trials reported improvements for osteoarthritis-related complaints such as stiff and painful joints, and investigators highlighted credible benefits for both skin and osteoarthritis when supplements are taken consistently.
Types of collagen, industry funding and researchers' cautions
There are several types of supplements people can take, including marine, bovine and vegan collagen, but the review was unable to show whether certain types worked better than others. The authors also stressed that many of the studies conducted with supplements have been funded by the supplement industry and that "bold claims" have been made by manufacturers promising rapid or full-body anti-ageing effects. The review itself did not have any industry funding.
Ageing, menopause and a complementary role for collagen
Collagen is a protein made naturally in the body that supports and strengthens skin, nails, bones and connective tissues, including tendons and cartilage. From early adulthood onwards the body produces less collagen and existing collagen breaks down at a slightly faster rate. Around the menopause — when women stop having periods — skin loses even more collagen, about a third, the researchers note.
Lead investigator Prof Lee Smith said the study "brings together the strongest evidence to date on collagen supplementation" and cautioned that "collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis. " The team suggested collagen may be best positioned not as an anti-wrinkle treatment but as a foundation for "holistic" maintenance of ageing and sun-damaged skin, supporting an "inside-out model of skin rejuvenation" as "agents of deeper tissue regeneration" rather than "superficial cosmetic aids. " Smith added that improvements in skin tone and moisture are associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.
Expert note on diet and external skin health
Bridget Benelam, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said diet was also important for skin health, external.
