If you’ve ever browsed the supplement shelves or walked down the skincare aisle, you’ve probably seen an abundance of collagen powders, capsules, moisturizers, serums, and face masks.
But do collagen supplements and skincare actually work?
You may be surprised to learn that collagen can improve your skin’s health and appearance, as well as encourage joint comfort and better bone health, among other things. Keep reading to learn about collagen’s benefits and how to use this super protein.
Key Takeaways
✔ Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein and provides structure to the skin, bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues
✔ Collagen production naturally decreases with age and may also be affected by sun exposure, smoking, diet, and lack of sleep
✔ Research suggests that oral collagen peptides may support skin elasticity, hydration, joint comfort, and exercise recovery
✔ Collagen powders, foods, teas, and topical skincare products support a collagen-conscious routine in different ways
What is Collagen?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, collagen is the most common protein in your body, accounting for around 30% of your body’s protein. Collagen is a foundational building block for your skin, tendons, muscles, bones, connective tissue, and ligaments. Plus, it’s found in your organs, intestinal lining, and blood vessels.
All this to say, collagen is a critical component for the body!
Collagen Benefits
We often think of collagen in regard to skin care and promoting more youthful, radiant complexions, but it has many other health benefits. Here are just a few:
- May improve skin elasticity: The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shares that research has found that collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity.
- Might decrease joint pain: Research on collagen supplements and joint comfort has examined their potential to support joint comfort and mobility, including in people with osteoarthritis.
- Supports recovery from joint injury or exercise: A 2021 review of collagen peptide research found that collagen peptide supplements had a positive impact on joint health, including improving joint pain and functionality. Participants taking daily doses of collagen peptides recovered more quickly and had improved muscle recovery after a joint injury in this study.
- May slow skin aging: A 2022 review of oral and topical collagen reported that both oral and topical collagen contributed to slowing or reducing signs of skin aging. Based on the review's findings, collagen may improve skin elasticity and hydration while reducing roughness and wrinkles.
Why Does Collagen Decrease?
Collagen naturally decreases with age, while certain lifestyle habits that contribute to collagen loss include smoking, exposure to UV rays, and eating too many refined carbs or sugar. Sunblock is one of the best ways to protect your skin against UV light, which reduces collagen production and can break down the collagen in your skin faster—so always use sunblock, cover up, and avoid sun exposure when you can.
As we age, collagen also breaks down at a faster rate. Menopause, in particular, comes with a sharp decrease in collagen production. If you're noticing other changes during this transition, explore our guide to surprising perimenopause symptoms and natural remedies. Lack of sleep can also impact collagen production and quality. Fortunately, there are ways to boost collagen production in addition to a healthy lifestyle and sun protection.
Collagen Supplements
Interested in supporting your collagen intake and production? Explore these collagen supplements and collagen-supporting options for healthy skin, joints, muscles, and bones.
- Collagen Peptides: Made from hydrolyzed, grass-fed bovine collagen, this easy-to-mix powder provides a convenient protein boost to your everyday diet. Take it daily to support healthy joints, muscles, bones, hair, skin, nails, and more!
- Chocolate Coconut Collagen Peptides: If you love adding your protein powders to your morning shake, coffee, baking, or savory bowls, this is a scrumptious option. Flavored with organic coconut milk powder and cacao powder, it provides a creamy protein boost packed with premium nutrition.
- Collagen Booster Tea: This soft white tea has zesty citrus tones paired with delicate blueberry to create an enjoyable, lightly caffeinated white tea. We love this tea as a delicious way to support the body's natural collagen and elastin for the appearance of youthful, glowing skin.
- Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid by Amen: This comprehensive formula is packed with five types of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to promote plump, firm skin. Its rich collagen peptides support healthy joints, cartilage, hair, skin, and nails, making it an all-around powerhouse formula for joint and skin health.
- Beef Bone Broth Powder: This natural beef broth powder is highly soluble, low in fat, and packed with protein and collagen peptides. This is a quick way to increase your protein and collagen intake, and it has a surprisingly mild flavor that makes it easy to add to water, shakes, soups, sauces, and many other foods.
Collagen Skincare
Collagen in skincare is popular for a reason! It promotes hydrated, smooth, and plump skin.
Moisturizers
- Heavenly Hyaluronic Lotion: Suitable for almost all skin types, this lotion is truly heavenly for the body and face! Hyaluronic acid and marine collagen are the star ingredients that promote luscious, firm, and youthful skin—whether that’s hydrating your dry knees, elbows, or neck.
- Anti-Oxidant Cream: Soothing and toning ingredients, such as hibiscus, DMAE, and rosehip oil, encourage hydration and softened skin. In this formula, MSM encourages collagen production to help soothe and hydrate dry, itchy skin and support a youthful glow and help reduce the appearance of redness.
Serums
- Lifting Peptide Serum: Struggling with dry or dull skin? This argireline and collagen serum packs an age-defying punch with its purported plumping, firming, and radiance-boosting benefits. This serum suits mature, dry, normal, and combination skin types.
- DMAE & MSM Tightening Serum: MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound compound commonly used in skincare to support hydration and the appearance of firm, smooth skin! We recommend this serum for those interested in firming and toning the skin or hydrating dry, itchy skin.
- Love My Face Serum: This rich oil blend contains powerful botanical oils and essential oils to nourish and rejuvenate your skin by promoting collagen production. If you’re worried about uneven, aging, or lackluster skin, this serum is an encouraging option free of harsh ingredients or artificial fragrances (which can irritate sensitive skin).
- Ageless Beauty Serum: If you have dry or mature skin, this one’s for you. We’ve packed this formula with soothing aloe vera, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and marine collagen to promote improved elasticity and a supple complexion.
So, are collagen supplements actually worth it? We think so! With potential benefits for skin elasticity and hydration, joint comfort, and exercise recovery, collagen can be an easy and versatile addition to your daily routine.
Interested in improving your skin’s appearance even more? Read our guide to argireline benefits for the skin — commonly called nature’s Botox!
Thanks for reading!
Well Wishes,
Herbalist Natalie
 |
Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting herbalist and the owner of The Herb Stop, with over 28 years of hands-on experience in crafting herbal remedies and promoting natural wellness. |
*The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use.