If You Think Collagen Supplements Are All Hype, This Will Make You Reconsider

Certain supplements have a longer history and, consequently, more extensive research supporting their benefits. This is why newer supplements, such as collagen peptides, have stirred considerable controversy in recent years due to a lack of established research backing their effects.

Luckily, more and more research on this skin-boosting supplement is breaking the surface year after year.

But it's not just collagen and elastin fibers that dip with age—skin hydration often follows suit. This happens for several reasons, including skin barrier dysfunction and the age-related decline of ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the skin. So, even if you keep up with the same hydration routine from the outside (say, using a great face cream), your skin will still feel drier with age because of that internal hydration deficit.

Now, while these findings are another positive tick on the board for collagen supplements, I have to point out one major distinction: These beneficial effects come from hydrolyzed collagen peptides—a crucial component researchers call out in the study.

This is because hydrolyzed peptides are easier to digest and thus, easier for your body to use. See, when hydrolyzed collagen is ingested, it travels through the bloodstream in the form of dipeptides and tripeptides. These collagen-derived peptides, researchers say, are then distributed to various tissues (including the skin) where they accumulate as peptides or amino acids. Then, the accumulation triggers a cellular response in skin fibroblasts, increasing their activity. Pretty cool, right?

A recent meta-analysis found that 12 weeks of collagen supplementation can lead to improvements in both skin elasticity and moisture levels.