Collagen peptides for eye wrinkles and skin matrix
What it found
In 114 women aged 45 to 65, a daily drink of specific collagen peptides reduced eye wrinkle volume compared with a placebo after 4 and 8 weeks.
Skin samples also showed more procollagen I and elastin after 8 weeks.
What they found
Studies in people
Eye wrinkle volume
After 4 weeks, the collagen peptide group had a statistically significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume of more than 7.2% compared with the placebo group. After 8 weeks, the reduction was 20.1% on average, and the largest reduction in one person was 49.9%.
Effect after stopping
Four weeks after the last intake, the collagen peptide group still had a statistically significant 11.5% decrease in eye wrinkle volume compared with placebo. The average eye wrinkle volume in the collagen peptide group at that point was the same as at the end of the 8-week treatment period.
Procollagen I in skin
After 8 weeks, the content of procollagen type I in suction blister fluid was 65% higher in the collagen peptide group than in the placebo group. This difference was statistically significant.
Elastin in skin
After 8 weeks, elastin content in suction blister fluid was 18% higher in the collagen peptide group than in the placebo group. This difference was statistically significant.
Fibrillin in skin
After 8 weeks, fibrillin content was 6% higher in the collagen peptide group than in the placebo group, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Side effects
No treatment side effects were observed in any of the volunteers.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides (Verisol®) reduced skin wrinkles and had positive effects on dermal matrix synthesis.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that taking specific collagen peptides by mouth led to a pronounced, statistically significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume.
- They say this effect seems to come from a direct impact on the turnover of the skin's supporting matrix, as shown by a significant increase in collagen and elastin production.
- They point out that the results are only valid for the specific collagen peptide composition used in this study, and that other collagen hydrolysates or peptides might have different effects.
How it was done
The authors say there was little clinical evidence that taking collagen peptides by mouth could reduce wrinkles and benefit skin metabolism in people, even though lab and animal studies had suggested effects.
They ran a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 114 healthy women aged 45 to 65. The women took 2.5 g of specific bioactive collagen peptides or a placebo (maltodextrin) once daily for 8 weeks, with 57 women in each group. Eye wrinkle volume was measured before treatment, after 4 and 8 weeks, and 4 weeks after the last intake; a subgroup of 48 women had suction blister biopsies to measure procollagen I, elastin and fibrillin before and after 8 weeks.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial tested one specific collagen peptide product in women aged 45 to 65, so the results may not apply to other collagen products or other groups of people.
- The study lasted 8 weeks with a 4-week follow-up, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Kiel, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S (2014). Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin pharmacology and physiology. doi:10.1159/000355523Free full textPubMed 24401291DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error