A powerful anti-aging ingredient is the holy grail of skin care, and some experts say collagen may be the key to a more youthful appearance. But is collagen good for skin, or is it just another beauty and health trend with little evidence to back it up?
As one of the body's most important proteins, collagen helps keep skin looking radiant, youthful and healthy. Unfortunately, with age it disappears, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Collagen as a dietary supplement or cream is becoming big business, and experts are predicting a $16.7 billion (opens in new tab) boom in the global collagen market over the next five years. A major driver is the promise that collagen supplements can be effective antiaging agents. What if taking a collagen supplement or applying a topical collagen cream could turn back the clock on the epidermis?
We dig deeper into the research and consult with a board-certified dermatologist to better understand how collagen can improve skin, how the research supports collagen supplements, and if there are other ways to add collagen to our diet.
How can collagen improve your skin?
Collagen is necessary to give the skin elasticity. It makes the skin plump, plump and smooth. Unfortunately, according to the journal Plastic and Aesthetic Research (opens on a new page) , our collagen levels drop by an average of 1% to 1.5% starting in early puberty. Increasing our collagen levels can slow down this natural breakdown and give us plump, plump skin.
However, how creams or dietary supplements do this is still a matter of debate. According to the National Eczema Association (opens in new tab) , despite the growing popularity of collagen supplements among celebrities and influencers, there is insufficient evidence that they improve the appearance of skin.
However, more research is emerging. Live Science Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Alison Ehrlich spoke to learn more (opens in new tab) . He directed us to a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis (opens in new tab) in which researchers found that hydrolyzed collagen supplements increased skin hydration and elasticity in more than a thousand participants, with improvements that lasted about four weeks after supplementation.