Hydrolyzed collagen for improving cosmetic markers of facial skin aging Original paper

Age-related loss of collagen from the skin contributes to the appearance of skin aging. Although some research suggests that supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen (i.e., collagen that has been broken down into easily digestible peptides) may improve skin appearance, more clinical studies are needed to investigate the potential benefits of hydrolyzed collagen on the skin.

In this 56-day randomized controlled trial, 52 healthy women (ages 40–60) with face wrinkles and low skin elasticity took either hydrolyzed collagen powder or maltodextrin (placebo).

The daily dose was 1 gram per 10 kilograms of bodyweight for the first 28 days and 5 grams in total for the remaining 28 days. The supplements were dissolved in water and taken during or immediately after breakfast.

The instrumentally evaluated outcomes were skin moisturization, skin elasticity, and wrinkle depth. The outcomes subjectively evaluated by a dermatologist were skin softness, skin firmness, skin smoothness, and the visibility of wrinkles.

Skin moisturization, skin elasticity, and wrinkle depth improved from before to after the study in the hydrolyzed collagen group. Although these parameters also improved in the placebo group, the researchers did not report whether the improvements in the placebo group or the differences between groups were statistically significant.

The outcomes evaluated by a dermatologist improved from before to after the study in 38–58% of the participants in the hydrolyzed collagen group. However, the researchers did not report the changes in these outcomes in the placebo group or the between-group differences.

Because of the poor reporting of the results, the findings of the study should be taken with great caution. It’s also worth noting that the study was funded by the manufacturer of the hydrolyzed collagen supplement.