Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen Peptides Has Beneficial Effects on Human Skin Physiology: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Various dietary supplements are claimed to have cutaneous anti-aging properties; however, there are a limited number of research studies supporting these claims. The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of collagen hydrolysate (CH) composed of specific collagen peptides on skin biophysical parameters related to cutaneous aging. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 69 women aged 35-55 years were randomized to receive 2.5 g or 5.0 g of CH or placebo once daily for 8 weeks, with 23 subjects being allocated to each treatment group. Skin elasticity, skin moisture, transepidermal water loss and skin roughness were objectively measured before the first oral product application (t0) and after 4 (t1) and 8 weeks (t2) of regular intake. Skin elasticity (primary interest) was also assessed at follow-up 4 weeks after the last intake of CH (t3, 4-week regression phase). At the end of the study, skin elasticity in both CH dosage groups showed a statistically significant improvement in comparison to placebo. After 4 weeks of follow-up treatment, a statistically significantly higher skin elasticity level was determined in elderly women. With regard to skin moisture and skin evaporation, a positive influence of CH treatment could be observed in a subgroup analysis, but data failed to reach a level of statistical significance. No side effects were noted throughout the study.

Collagen peptide and vitamin C additively attenuate age-related skin atrophy in Sod1-deficient mice

“…4) Oral treatment with CP and/or gelatin also increases the type I collagen expression in the bones and skin. [5][6][7] Notably, Sato and colleagues identified that CP ingestion increases collagen oligopeptides (COPs) composed of two or three amino acids, including Ala-Hyp-Gly, Pro-Hyp, Pro-Hyp-Gly, Ile-Hyp, LeuHyp, and Phe-Hyp, in human blood, 8,9) suggesting that ingested CP is at least, in part, digested and absorbed as COP.…”

A dietary supplement improves age-related dermatological changes. Observational, anecdotal, spontaneous study.

“…35,36 In a study by Proksch et al, oral supplementation of collagen hydrolysate composed of specific collagen peptides (2.5 g/d or 5.0 g/d for 8 weeks) increased skin elasticity in middle-aged women after 4 weeks of supplementation. 37 Previous studies confirmed that collagen hydrolysate is degraded to small peptides by the gastrointestinal tract, that appear later in the blood stream and reach the skin in 8 up to 96 hours. 38 These peptides are chemotactic for dermal fibroblasts, 39 and promote the migration and growth of mouse skin fibroblasts.…”

An Insight into the Changes in Skin Texture and Properties following Dietary Intervention with a Nutricosmeceutical Containing a Blend of Collagen Bioactive Peptides and Antioxidants

“…Similarly, there is extensive literature showing the benefits of hydrolyzed collagen-based nutraceutical supplements on human skin [21][22][23][24][25][26] .…”