The Truth Behind the Hype—And the Science That Proves It
It’s the question on every health-conscious shopper’s mind: Do collagen supplements actually work—or is it just marketing gloss in a pretty bottle?
For years, collagen was dismissed as a protein too large to be absorbed in supplement form. But today, we know better. Thanks to advances in hydrolysis—the process of breaking down collagen into absorbable peptides—science is catching up with the hype.
A landmark 2014 study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that women aged 35–55 who took 2.5–5g of collagen peptides daily for 8 weeks showed a significant improvement in skin elasticity compared to a placebo group.
Read the study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208
And it’s not just skin deep. “Hydrolyzed collagen peptides have been shown to accumulate in the skin, stimulate fibroblasts, and increase hyaluronic acid and elastin production,” explains Dr. Steffen Oesser, a leading collagen researcher at the University of Kiel in Germany.
Other clinical trials have shown collagen supplementation can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin hydration, and support joint health and bone density—benefits especially important for women over 35, when natural collagen production begins to decline.
Still sceptical? The European Journal of Nutrition reported in 2019 that postmenopausal women who took 5g of collagen peptides daily for a year saw improved bone mineral density.
Study link
The key is consistency and dose. Many gummies and capsules on the market contain such low levels—sometimes under 1000mg per serving—that they’re unlikely to yield results. “To see measurable benefits, aim for 10,000–12,500mg of high-quality hydrolyzed marine collagen daily,” advises Dr. Sara Palmer Hussey, a longevity researcher and health writer.
So yes, collagen supplements can work—but only if you choose the right product, at the right strength, and take it regularly.
Next time you sip your daily dose, know this: you’re not just hoping for glow—you’re giving your body the building blocks it needs to rebuild from within.