Scientists Find Major Flaws in The Research Behind Collagen Supplements

Key Points:

• A new review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology by David Robert Grimes and Anjali Mahto finds that current evidence supporting collagen supplements for skin aging is methodologically weak, inconsistent, and biased, often due to industry funding and small, varied trials.
• Despite the popularity of hydrolyzed collagen supplements promoted by celebrities and influencers, the authors found no significant relationship between collagen dose and improvements in skin hydration or elasticity after correcting errors in previous meta-analyses.
• Many studies combined collagen with other bioactive ingredients, making it difficult to attribute any observed skin benefits specifically to collagen peptides, and human research on collagen absorption and efficacy remains limited.
• The authors caution that collagen supplements should not be routinely recommended in dermatological practice until more rigorous, independent clinical trials provide clear evidence of their effectiveness.
• They urge professional dermatology societies and regulatory bodies to issue guidance against endorsing collagen supplements for anti-aging purposes in the absence of high-quality scientific support.