| Posted 16 March 2026 If there is one claim that should irritate any nutritionist who values scientific evidence, it is the promise that hydrolyzed collagen can reduce wrinkles and visibly improve the skin. This opinion concludes: “When it comes to collagen supplementation, reported benefits generally appear mainly in small, weakly designed, or stakeholder-funded studies. As methodological rigor improves and conflicts of interest lessen, the observed effects tend to decrease and often vanish.” Read the article at the American Council on Science and Health website In the event the article is not available, it is reproduced here: Collagen for Skin Health: Science or Marketing?By Mauro Proença — Mar 12, 2026 At first glance, the idea sounds persuasive. However, after ingestion, the body breaks down collagen, like any other protein, into amino acids and peptides. These compounds enter the bloodstream and support the body’s broader metabolic needs. This fact alone doesn’t … Read the rest Posted 27 February 2026 BBC Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Taking daily collagen supplements can rejuvenate the skin by boosting elasticity and hydration or moisture – but it won’t stop wrinkles, says a new scientific review. Experts looked at the available evidence and say they are highly confident that collagen pills or powder provide “some legitimate” skin gains if taken over time but are no quick fix. The supplements may also ease wear and tear, arthritis joint pain and stiffness, according to the results from 113 trials involving nearly 8,000 people. Collagen is a type of protein made naturally in the body but that declines with age. It supports and strengthens skin, nails, bones and connective tissues, including tendons and cartilage. ‘Collagen is not a cure-all’From early adulthood onwards, the body produces less collagen and existing collagen breaks down at a slightly faster rate. Smoking and sun damage make … Read the rest Posted 01 August 2024 Scott Gavura, B.Sc.Phm., M.B.A., RPh. has noted that supplement products of collagen, the major component of connective tissue in the body and the most abundant protein, have been increasingly promoted for the health of skin and hair, and for longevity. Reference: Gavura, S. Collagen supplementation: Hype and hope. Science-Based Medicine, June 6, 2024] He concluded: Based on what collagen is, how it’s absorbed, and how we know collagen is actually synthesized in the body, it’s highly implausible that the tiny amounts of additional protein consumed in most collagen peptide supplements consumed daily will have any meaningful therapeutic effects. Moreover, there is no evidence that if you take a collagen supplement, it will definitively end up in your skin, hair, or joints. Collagen peptides and other forms of collagen are sources of protein that are absorbed and used by the body. But there is no compelling … Read the rest Posted 11 March 2022 Collagen, a component of skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, tendons, and cartilage, is marketed by major retailers as a dietary supplement product for health and beauty. Noting that there are over 8.5 million posts with the hashtag “collagen” on Instagram alone and Google searches for collagen supplements have increased rapidly since 2015, researchers: (a) watched and analyzed the first 100 YouTube videos resulting from a search of “collagen,” (b) analyzed the top 50 Instagram photographs with the hashtag “collagen,” (c) reviewed the scientific literature regarding skin, nail, and hair effects of collagen, and (d) reviewed websites of popular collagen brands for claims related to skin, nail, and hair.
Reference: Rustad AM. Myths and media in oral collagen supplementation for the skin, nails, and hair: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 21:438-443, 2022 Their findings included: - Over 75% of YouTube videos and Instagram posts recommended collagen
… Read the rest Posted 19 November 2020 Consumer Reports has spotlighted the lack of scientific support for claims that consuming collagen powders, pills, and foods can result in smoother skin, shinier hair, stronger nails, healthier joints, and more lean muscle mass.
Reference: Wadyka S. The real deal on collagen. Consumer Reports, Oct 13, 2020 The article notes that Nutrition Business Journal projects collagen supplement sales in the U.S. to reach $298 million this year—up from $73 million in 2015. Collagen is a protein that holds skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage together. But that doesn’t mean that consumers benefit from collagen in supplements or added to foods, such as energy bars, oatmeal, smoothies, coffee creamers, and popcorn. The human body makes collagen from glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and other amino acids when proteins (not limited to collagen) are digested. The bottom line in the article is that “until there’s more conclusive evidence in … Read the rest Posted 30 August 2018 From ScienceAlert written by Mike McRae 16 May 2018 No longer satisfied with injecting it into tired-looking, wrinkled skin, an increasing number of people are buying collagen in a powdered form to chow down as the newest fad in superfoods. For a while it’s been popular in the form of a ‘paleo diet’ meal, bone broth. But now we’re starting to see desiccated connective tissue as an ingredient in snacks and drinks. This isn’t small beans either. There are roughly 300 products on the market advertising collagen additives, with sales estimated to have reached US$60 million over the past year. What gives? … Read the rest Posted 28 November 2017  Biogen (a Dischem brand) has been advertising Biogen Peptan Collagen extensively on Cape Talk, among other. This product is essentially hydrolyzed collagen.
Does taking collagen have any benefits? Here is a good review published in Time magazine online, which gives the low down on this ‘supplement’. “There are many preliminary trials showing potential benefits for everything from osteoarthritis to skin improvement,” Moyad says. Research has also linked collagen supplements to improved skin elasticity and skin moisture. But Moyad emphasizes that all of this research is preliminary. “The studies are weak in general,” he says—meaning small in scope, short in duration or not yet replicated by follow-up experiments. Another recent review of the claims is dissected in an article in Business Insider: It’s supposed to help your skin, improve joint health, and assist with gastrointestinal distress. “Verdict? The cheapest way to get the supposed benefits of … Read the rest Posted 05 January 2017 The latest advertising craze appears to be claiming that drinking/eating a collagen supplement, will improve a range of aspects of your body, in particular wrinkles. The UK ASA received a complaint against one similar product: “A poster for Gold Collagen, seen on 7 January, which stated “More and more women are waking up to GOLD COLLAGEN what about you? Younger-looking skin Healthier hair Stronger nails”. A footnote stated “*Based on UK clinical trials on 108 voluteers [sic] taking PURE GOLD COLLAGEN daily (Double Blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial). Results published in leading medical journals. Includes vitamin C which contributes to normal collagen formation and the normal function of cartilage and skin. Includes zinc which contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails. Includes biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal hair”. A complainant challenged whether the following claims breached … Read the rest | |