Is Collagen Supplementation Efficacious for Anti-Aging?

The popularity of ingestible collagen has been on the rise over the last few years, but the question remains, does it make a difference in skin quality and anti-aging?

In an effort to answer this question, a literature search in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology was conducted to assess available randomized, controlled trials using collagen supplements for the treatment of skin quality, anti-aging, and potential applications in medical dermatology.

Using PudMed to search the terms collagen, supplement, food or nutrition, study researchers included trials that were randomized and placebo-controlled using collagen supplements in human subjects and related to dermatology. No lower limit on publication year was set and only studies written in English were included.

Of the studies searched, 11 were included in the review, totaling 805 patients. Of the 11, eight examined collagen hydrolysate at 2.5 g to 10g per day for eight to 24 weeks. The collagen hydrolysate was used to study the treatment of pressure ulcers, xerosis, skin aging, and cellulite.

Two studies used collagen tripeptide at 3g per day for four to 12 weeks with notable improvements in skin elasticity and hydration.

The last study included in the review examined collagen dipeptide, with findings that suggest anti-aging efficacy is proportionate to collagen dipeptide content.

Study researchers for the literature review concluded that short- and long-term use of oral collagen supplements for wound healing and skin aging have promising preliminary results, but also suggest that further studies are needed to determine optimal dosing and potential medical use in skin barrier diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

Reference:

Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz MLW, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral collagen supplementation: a systematic review of dermatological applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1):9-16.