Scientists confirm collagen supplements do work, but there's a catch

They're marketed for anti-ageing purposes

This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group will make a commission on anything purchased

Danielle Fowler

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/ Ekaterina Goncharova

Topics: Beauty

Danielle Fowler

Danielle Fowler is the Affiliates Writer at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, Tyla, GAMINGbible, SPORTbible and UNILAD. She covers the latest trends in fashion and beauty, writes about standout gadgets, and reviews the must-have products everyone's talking about.

Scientists have confirmed collagen supplements do work to 'boost elasticity and hydration', but there's a catch.

According to a new review of 8,000 patients, taking daily collagen supplements over a long period of time can improve the skin's texture and moisture.

Collagen supplements don't directly reduce wrinkles, they instead 'restore volume and firmness'.

Natural collagen production declines over time (Getty Image/MTStock Studio)

Collagen is a protein naturally produced by the body to support the skin, nails, and bones. As we get older, the natural production of collagen declines.

Interestingly, collagen supplements are marketed towards the reduction of wrinkles, but the new research suggests collagen might not help to soften the appearance of ageing.

So, how can you use collagen, and what is the best time of day to take it? Find out more below.

What are the benefits of taking collagen?

A new study conducted by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University suggests collagen can help to improve skin tone and texture, but might not reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

In an interview with the BBC, lead investigator Professor Lee Smith said, "This study brings together the strongest evidence to date on collagen supplementation.

"Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis. Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy ageing, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use."

Collagen can be taken as a supplement or powder (Getty Images/Anastasiia Krivenok)

How much collagen do you need to take to see results?

As confirmed in the study, collagen supplements are not a quick fix, and you will need to take them long term in order to see results.

"Taking collagen supplements consistently can help provide the building blocks your skin needs to support collagen synthesis," Harley Street skin and aesthetics expert Nina Prisk of Update Aesthetics, tells Tyla.

"In clinic, I tend to see improvements in elasticity, hydration, and overall skin resilience at around the 12-week mark. While supplements don't directly reduce wrinkles, they can subtly restore volume and firmness in a way that looks and feels completely natural."

New research suggests collagen supplements might not reduce appearance of wrinkles (Getty Images/Catherine Falls Commercial)

But with a wide range of tablets, powders, and shakes on the market, what are the best collagen supplements to take?

According to Prisk, there is no evidence to suggest that powders are more effective than tablets, but what matters most is a 'high-quality, hydrolysed formulation taken consistently'.

"Collagen supplements are generally better supported by research than topical collagen, because they provide amino acids that the body can use to support its own collagen synthesis," she explains. "Over time, this helps strengthen the skin’s framework to create a more elastic, hydrated, and resilient complexion."

Prisk emphasises that there is no 'right time' to take the supplement and recommends creating a routine that works for you.

You can find the best collagen supplements and powders available on Amazon below.