Key Takeaway
Hydrolyzed collagen supplementation significantly improves skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction compared to placebo in a pooled analysis of 19 RCTs.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of oral hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging parameters. The authors searched multiple databases and included 19 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,125 participants aged 20 to 70.
The pooled analysis found that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles compared to placebo. Subgroup analyses showed benefits across different collagen doses (ranging from 1 to 10 g/day) and supplementation durations (4 to 24 weeks). The collagen peptides used were primarily derived from fish and porcine sources.
While heterogeneity across studies was moderate to high for some outcomes, the overall direction of effect was consistent. The authors concluded that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation appears to be a promising approach for improving skin aging markers, though they noted that more standardized trials with longer follow-up periods would strengthen the evidence base.