Collagen Supplements Boost Skin Elasticity and Hydration but Do Not Erase Wrinkles, Major Review Finds
Daily collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity and hydration when taken over time, but they are not a quick fix for wrinkles, researchers conclude. The finding matters because millions use collagen supplements seeking anti-ageing results, yet the evidence shows specific benefits and clear limitations.
Collagen Supplements and the Anglia Ruskin University review
A systematic assessment from Anglia Ruskin University pooled evidence from 16 reviews and 113 clinical trials involving almost 8, 000 patients worldwide. The review, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, found that long-term use of collagen pills or powders produces measurable gains in skin elasticity and moisture while offering symptom relief for osteoarthritis.
Prof Lee Smith on benefits and limits
Prof Lee Smith, a lead investigator at Anglia Ruskin University, cautioned that collagen is not a cure-all but has credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis. He said manufacturers have sometimes made bold promises of rapid, full-body anti-ageing; the review instead found legitimate, incremental effects rather than dramatic reversal of ageing signs.
menopause and the 'one-third' collagen loss
The researchers highlighted how collagen biology changes with age: from early adulthood the body produces less collagen and existing collagen breaks down more quickly. Around the menopause, when women stop having periods, skin loses about a third of its collagen. That decline helps explain why a sustained supplement strategy may improve skin tone and moisture but cannot completely prevent wrinkle formation.
arthritis and relief for stiff and painful joints
Beyond skin outcomes, the review identified reductions in arthritis symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. The authors described benefits for wear-and-tear conditions and osteoarthritis, concluding that supplements can be a legitimate adjunct for people seeking to ease joint symptoms alongside other treatments.
marine, bovine and vegan supplements
The analysis noted several supplement types on the market, including marine, bovine and vegan collagen products, but was unable to determine whether any one type is superior. Researchers stressed that many individual trials had industry funding, while the review itself did not receive supplement industry support.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum publication and positioning
Researchers argued collagen supplements are better framed as foundational dermal support that works from the "inside out"—acting as agents of deeper tissue regeneration rather than as superficial cosmetic remedies. They recommended positioning the products for people seeking holistic skin maintenance and as a legitimate additional anti-ageing option for women post-menopause or patients with UV-damaged skin.
Not all measured outcomes improved: the review found no significant effect on skin roughness, and it emphasized that supplements will not stop existing wrinkles. Bridget Benelam, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, reminded readers that diet is also important for external skin health.
What makes this notable is the scale and consistency of the evidence—16 reviews and 113 trials spanning almost 8, 000 participants—pointing to repeatable, modest gains rather than transformational results. For consumers, the cause-and-effect is clear: age-related collagen loss and accelerated breakdown lead to thinner, drier skin, and sustained supplementation can restore some elasticity and moisture; the effect, however, falls short of erasing wrinkles or improving surface roughness markedly.
