Can Collagen Actually Improve Your Skin’s Health, Appearance, and Structure? 

Sure enough, it does… from the inside out!

But not all collagens are equal. In fact, there are more than 30 different types of collagen that can be put in a supplement.

Here’s why your skin needs collagen, which type to choose, and the science-backed evidence that makes it this year’s best gift for your skin.

1.  Collagen Changes Skins’ Structure From the Inside Out

A recent 2017 study was conducted to see if collagen supplementation actually changed the collagen content in the skin itself.

The results?

It did! In fact, collagen consumption for 6 months increased the collagen in the skin and improved its structure. What’s more, scientists have also found that collagen supplementation improves the color and luster of hair (or fur) in mice studies (1).

2.  Collagen Can Actually Increase Skin Water Retention

In addition to the increase in the collagen content of the skin, these same researchers found that skin elasticity improved. Incredibly, the moisture content was significantly improved with less transepidermal water loss.

Another study of 20 Japanese women found that 10 grams of daily Hydrolyzed Collagen improved water absorption of skin (2).

Great news for all of us!

3.  Skin Elasticity, Collagen, and Healthy Skin

One of the reasons winter skin feels itchy is that it is drier and loses elasticity of the skin. In fact, a 2014 study of 46 women, ages 35-55, studied the elasticity of skin and collagen supplementation.

After 8 weeks of collagen powder supplementation, the researchers found that skin elasticity improved significantly within just 4 weeks (3).

Not only does improved elasticity improve how skin feels, but it also improves its ability to rebound, reduces sagging, and make it more youthful in appearance.

4.  Collagen vs. Wrinkles

In another 2014 study, researchers found that daily collagen supplementation reduced wrinkles after just 8 weeks of use (4).

Of course, this is fantastic news! But there’s more. Another study found that collagen supplementation improved skin moisture produced younger-looking skin, and reduced the appearance of fragmentation in the skin (5).

5.  More Antioxidant Activity Means Healthier Skin

Especially during winter, our skin is under attack from oxidative stress (from our own bodily reactions, the environment, foods, UV rays, etc.).

Collagen improves skin health and increases the antioxidants in the skin to fight aging free-radicals (6).

6.  Collagen Improves Digestion to Improve Skin

Digestion is vital to every other organ in the body, including the skin. When we digest and absorb nutrients better, more nutrients are delivered to the skin. Fortunately, collagen improves the health of the digestive tract.

How?

Type II Collagen is a vital part of the gut lining, and it improves the barrier to the rest of the body. This actually improves both digestion and immune function.

7.   Collagen Improves Heart Health to Improve Skin

Once nutrients are digested and absorbed, they depend on the circulatory system to get to all organs, including the skin.

Fortunately, collagen also improves heart health. In fact, it helps form stronger artery walls in the human body.

8.  Collagen Improves Wound Healing  

Collagen can help your skin heal better.

In fact, a 2009 lab study showed quicker wound closure, better tissue regeneration, and better skin structure with collagen supplementation (7).

Which Collagen Should You Buy?

The best collagen supplements have these 3 attributes:

• It’s hydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed collagen is absorbed and distributed throughout the body more efficiently than native collagen. It provides building blocks for skin fibers and stimulates the growth of new collagen (8).

• It’s a powder. It’s simply too tough to get a full 8-12 grams of collagen per day through pills, gummies, capsules, and other preparations. Powders make it much easier; usually just 1-2 scoops. Why is this important? Most human studies show benefits with 8-12 grams collagen per day, not the measly 1-2 grams found in many supplements.

• It contains 3 types of collagen: Type I, Type II, and Type III.  If you want all the benefits listed above, you need all 3 types.