Supplementing with collagen has become incredibly popular over the last couple of years, as a way to support the natural ageing process. You may be wondering, does it really live up to the hype? When it comes to marine collagen, which is composed primarily of type 1 collagen, there’s definitely some impressive studies.
Here are some of the incredible benefits that marine collagen may provide you with, according to the research:
WRINKLES
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the impact of a specific bioactive collagen peptide (VERISOL®) on eye wrinkle formation and stimulation of procollagen I, elastin and fibrillin biosynthesis in the skin. Wrinkles were assessed in all volunteers prior to starting treatment. Results showed that the oral consumption of specific bioactive collagen peptides decreased the production of wrinkles and had a beneficial impact on the skin.
A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a hydrolyzed marine collagen (Vinh Wellness Collagen, VWC) on aspects of skin health and quality in women between 45 and 60 years of age. At week 12, participants in the VWC group reported greater percentage improvements in overall skin score (9%) and wrinkle (15%), elasticity (23%), hydration (14%), radiance (22%), and firmness (25%) scores vs placebo. The results of this study support the use of fish-derived hydrolyzed collagen for the improvement of skin health in an aging population.
References:
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27(3):113-119.
- Evans M, Lewis ED, Zakaria N, Pelipyagina T, Guthrie N. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021 Mar;20(3):825-834.
SKIN ELASTICITY
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, including 69 women ages 35-55 were randomised and received collagen peptides or a placebo once per day for 8 weeks. Results indicated that skin elasticity in both collagen groups improved more than the placebo group, while skin moisture also improved in both groups. This shows that collagen peptides can have a beneficial impact on skin physiology.
References:
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27(3):113-119.
ANTI-AGEING
A reduction in total collagen production is a characteristic of ageing skin. Marine collagen hydrolysates are anti-ageing for human skin. Studies have shown skin elasticity in a group of women 35-55 years of age improved after marine collagen was consumed.
References:
- Varani J, Dame M, Rittie L, Fligiel S, Kang S, Fisher G et al. Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. The American Journal of Pathology. 2006;168(6):1861-1868.
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27(3):113-119.
SUN-DAMAGED SKIN
The deposition of collagen reduces with ageing, and even more so with exposure to the sun. Research evaluated the influence of daily ingestion of collagen peptides on skin damage induced by repeated UV radiation from the sun. Collagen peptides suppressed UV induced decreases in skin hydration, hyperplasia and type 1 collagen. Results demonstrated that collagen peptides are beneficial in repairing UV-induced skin damage and ageing.
References:
- Tanaka M, Koyama Y, Nomura Y. Effects of Collagen Peptide Ingestion on UV-B-Induced Skin Damage. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 2009;73(4):930-932.
SKIN HYDRATION
A study evaluated the impact of hydrolysed collagen on the skin hydration of 20 healthy Japanese women, comparing their results to a placebo group of 19. After 60 days, an improvement in skin hydration was seen in the group who ingested collagen peptides, compared to the placebo group. Another study showed an improvement in skin conditions of women after ingesting marine collagen peptides for 6 weeks.
Another study showed that fish collagen peptides increased hydration and skin moisture by 12% in 8 weeks.
References:
- Sumida E, Hirota A, Kuwaba K. The effect of oral ingestion of collagen peptide on skin hydration and biochemical data of blood. J Nutr Food 2004;7:45-52.
- Matsumoto H, Ohara H, Ito K, Nakamura Y, Takahashi S. Clinical effect of fish type I collagen hydrolysate on skin properties. ITE Lett 2006;(7):386-90.
- Asserin J, Lati E, Shioya T, Prawitt J. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2015;14(4):291-301.