Collagen peptides and skin elasticity in women
What it found
In 69 women aged 35 to 55, taking collagen peptides daily for 8 weeks improved skin elasticity compared with a placebo.
Skin moisture, water loss and roughness showed no clear difference overall.
What they found
Studies in people
Skin elasticity improved
Both collagen groups showed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity compared with placebo after 4 and 8 weeks. The average improvement was 7%. There was no significant difference between the 2.5 g and 5.0 g doses.
Effect lasted after stopping
Four weeks after the last intake, women over 50 in the collagen groups still had significantly higher skin elasticity than the placebo group. About 98% of the positive effect remained.
Older women responded more
In a subgroup analysis, the improvement in skin elasticity was more pronounced in women aged over 50 years.
Skin moisture unchanged overall
For the whole group, there was no statistically significant difference in skin hydration between collagen and placebo after 4 or 8 weeks. In women over 50, hydration increased by 11 to 14%, but this did not reach statistical significance.
Water loss unchanged overall
There was no statistically significant difference in transepidermal water loss between collagen and placebo after 4 or 8 weeks. In women over 50, water loss was reduced by 6 to 7%, but this was not statistically significant.
Skin roughness unchanged
Changes in skin roughness did not reach statistical significance between collagen and placebo after 4 or 8 weeks.
No side effects reported
No discomfort or adverse reactions were reported throughout the study.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, the results of the study clearly demonstrated that the oral intake of a specific CH led to a statistically significant increase in skin elasticity.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that oral intake of a specific collagen hydrolysate led to a statistically significant increase in skin elasticity.
- They state that a skin moisturizing effect was observed in elderly women, although results did not reach statistical significance.
- They note that the demonstrated efficacy refers to the specific collagen peptide composition used in this study and could not be extrapolated to collagen hydrolysate in general.
How it was done
The authors note that many dietary supplements claim anti-aging skin benefits, but few research studies support these claims. They wanted to test a specific collagen hydrolysate on skin properties linked to aging.
They randomly assigned 69 healthy women aged 35 to 55 to take 2.5 g or 5.0 g of collagen hydrolysate or a placebo (maltodextrin) once daily for 8 weeks, with 23 women per group. Skin elasticity, moisture, water loss and roughness were measured before, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks, with a follow-up 4 weeks after the last intake for elasticity.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial tested one specific collagen peptide product, so the results may not apply to other collagen supplements.
- The study lasted 8 weeks with a 4-week follow-up, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
- The findings are in healthy women aged 35 to 55, so they may not apply to men, other age groups, or people with skin conditions.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Kiel, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S (2014). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin pharmacology and physiology. doi:10.1159/000351376Free full textPubMed 23949208DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error