Collagen Peptides May Improve Skin Hydration

As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and we form more wrinkles. Two recent studies suggest that taking collagen peptide supplements may improve skin hydration by approximately 30%.

Participants in the first study included 33 women between the ages of 40 and 59 who were given 10 grams of collagen peptide of fish origin, 10 grams of collagen peptide of porcine origin, or a placebo daily for eight weeks.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that the fish collagen was associated with a 12% increase in skin moisture. The porcine collagen was associated with a 16% increase in hydration after four weeks and a 28% increase after eight weeks.

Participants in the second study included 106 women with an average age of 53 who were given 10 grams of collagen peptide of fish origin or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that the collage peptide group had a 9% increase in density of collagen in the dermis. They also found that fragmentation of collagen in the deep layer of the dermis was decreased by 31% in the collagen peptide group when compared with the placebo.

Researchers from the Laboratory Cosderma and EC Biolab in France and the Souken Laboratory in Japan conducted the studies. They were published online ahead of print on September 12, 2015, in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Previous studies suggest that collagen peptides may help with joint and bone health, particularly as we get older. Because collagen peptides dissolve in water, it’s best to take them in the form of a drink supplement.