Do collagen supplements really give you better skin?

If you're looking for ways to get better skin, there's tons of products out there that claim to work miracles. Cleansers, toners, skin creams, supplements... all very popular ways for people to keep their skin and hair looking great. 

However, there's not always a lot of scientific evidence that these products really work beyond the usual advice of staying hydrated (with one of our best water bottles), a healthy diet and getting a good night's sleep with properly adjusted circadian rhythms (helped with one of our best sunrise alarm clocks, which can promote healthy sleep). 

However, collagen supplements, a pill or drink which allegedly helps the skin stay hydrated, elastic and contributes to better skin health, has some scientific recommendation. A study by German researchers, published in the journal Nutrients, looked at whether drinks with 2.5g of added collagen, along with other beneficial properties like added vitamins C and E, would improve the health of participants' skin. 

The study examined 72 healthy women aged 35 years or older. Tested against a placebo, the study found that twelve weeks of drinking the supplement showed "statistically significant" increases of "significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density".

After 12 weeks, skin hydration had increased by an average of 28%, while skin roughness improved by up to 41%. It's a clear indicator that additional supplements, especially vitamins and collagen, really benefit the skin.

What is collagen, and how does it help your skin?

Collagen is a protein in the body, found in bones, hair, muscle, skin and cartilage. It's naturally made by the body, and helps to stop your skin sagging or creasing with age. 

However, as you age, your production of collagen begins to decrease, which is why we get wrinkles, bags under our eyes, saggy skin, thinner hair and other signs of ageing. Taking additional collagen can support this natural collagen production. Vitamin C also stimulates the body's natural collagen production, while B vitamins can decrease feelings of fatigue, create new blood cells and help maintain healthy skin. 

Otherwise, one of the most important ways to maintain healthy skin is to drink plenty of water, as proper hydration will maintain your skin's elasticity.