Collagen is the most abundant protein in your skin. What it does, why it declines and what research says about collagen peptides and the substances that work with them.
Together with elastin and hyaluronic acid, collagen forms the extracellular matrix of the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. Three chains of amino acids wind around each other in a triple helix there and bundle into strong fibres.
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
From about the age of 25 collagen production falls by around 1 % a year. External factors speed up that breakdown, and the result shows in skin that becomes less dense, less firm and drier.
Indicative: production compared with age 25, assuming about 1 % less per year.
Unprocessed collagen, such as gelatine, is a large molecule of about 300,000 daltons. Enzymatic hydrolysis cuts it into peptides of less than 2,000 daltons. Research therefore looks at hydrolysed peptides, and at di- and tripeptides such as prolyl-hydroxyproline that can be found in the blood after intake.
Collagen naturally contains few sulphur-containing amino acids such as cysteine, and those are exactly what your hair needs. Without cofactors, collagen formation also proceeds less well. That is why the formulas studied combine structural proteins with their cofactors.
Building blocks and a signal for fibroblasts, for a firm dermis.
5 g of collagen peptides a day, 8 to 12 weeks, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Measured on hydration, elasticity and wrinkle depth.
Duteil et al., 2016; 2018Binds water in the matrix and supports volume and elasticity.
120 mg a day, 12 weeks, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Measured on skin hydration and wrinkle depth.
Hsu et al., 2021Sulphur-containing amino acid for keratin and the disulphide bridges that make hair strong.
5 g of fish collagen peptides with 500 mg of L-cystine a day, randomised and placebo-controlled. Measured on skin quality.
Perin et al., 2025The structural protein of hair and nails, rich in cysteine.
500 mg of keratin hydrolysate a day, randomised and placebo-controlled. Measured on hair strength, hair thickness and nail quality.
Tursi et al., 2025Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that protect collagen and elastin fibres against oxidative stress.
100 mg of proanthocyanidins a day, randomised and placebo-controlled. Measured on skin condition and oxidative stress.
Yamakoshi et al., 2004Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Zinc and biotin contribute to the maintenance of normal skin, copper to the maintenance of normal connective tissues.
Collagen peptides with vitamin C (60 mg), zinc (10 mg) and biotin (50 µg) a day, randomised and placebo-controlled. Measured on skin elasticity.
Czajka et al., 2018We describe how the studies were set up, not what you may expect for yourself. Food supplements do not replace a varied diet.
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