Key Takeaway
Oral hydrolyzed collagen significantly improves skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkle depth, with low-molecular-weight peptides (under 5 kDa) showing superior bioavailability and efficacy.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of oral hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin rejuvenation outcomes. The authors conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and other databases, ultimately including 17 randomized controlled trials.
The pooled results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkle depth following hydrolyzed collagen supplementation. The analysis highlighted that low-molecular-weight collagen peptides (under 5 kDa) showed superior absorption and bioavailability, translating to greater skin benefits. Supplementation durations of at least 8 weeks were associated with more pronounced effects.
The authors also explored the mechanistic basis for these findings, noting that collagen peptides appear to stimulate fibroblast activity and promote endogenous collagen synthesis in the dermis. While the overall quality of included studies was deemed acceptable, the review flagged variability in dosing protocols and collagen sources as limitations. The authors concluded that hydrolyzed collagen is a safe and effective oral supplement for skin rejuvenation, with low-molecular-weight formulations offering the best results.