Does collagen do anything for your skin?

What we can tell you today: how thoroughly this has been studied.

Thoroughly studied

22 studies, of which 6 bring together the results of several trials in people. This is as strong as evidence gets.

5 Repeated evidence 6 studies

4 Large controlled trial 6 studies

3 Small study in people 10 studies

This says how thoroughly something has been studied — not whether it works for you. What each study actually found is in the study itself, and in the plain-language write-ups we are adding.

Appears under: Skin aging · Hair and nails

The studies

5 Repeated evidence Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
2023 · Nutrients · 1,721 participants
5 Repeated evidence Efficacy, Durability, and Safety of Collagen Biostimulators Based on Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) in the Face: A Systematic Review.
2026 · Aesthetic plastic surgery
5 Repeated evidence Collagen supplementation for skin health: A mechanistic systematic review.
2021 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology
5 Repeated evidence Effects of collagen-based supplements on skin's hydration and elasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
2025 · Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprolog · 646 participants
5 Repeated evidence Optimizing Collagen Biostimulator Choice in LATAM: Expert Consensus on Patient Selection, Ethnic Skin Phenotypes, and Accessibility.
2025 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology
4 Large controlled trial Low-molecular-weight collagen peptides supplement promotes a healthy skin: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.
2024 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 100 participants
4 Large controlled trial Prospective comparative clinical study: Efficacy evaluation of collagen combined with hyaluronic acid injections for tear trough deformity.
2024 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2,023 participants
5 Repeated evidence Hypo-collagenesis in photoaged skin predicts response to anti-aging cosmeceuticals.
2014 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 20 participants
4 Large controlled trial Efficacy and Safety of Collagen Filler for Intradermal Injection: A Randomized Prospective Controlled Multicenter Study.
2025 · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 480 participants
4 Large controlled trial A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.
2015 · Photomedicine and laser surgery · 136 participants
4 Large controlled trial A randomized study of the efficacy and safety of injectable poly-L-lactic acid versus human-based collagen implant in the treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles.
2010 · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 117 participants
4 Large controlled trial Twelve-month persistency of a novel ribose-cross-linked collagen dermal filler.
2008 · Dermatologic surgery : official publication for America · 149 participants
3 Small study in people A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity.
2021 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 12 participants
3 Small study in people The evidence from in vitro primary fibroblasts and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of tuna collagen peptides intake on skin health.
2024 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 72 participants
3 Small study in people Effect of Topical Human Platelet Extract (HPE) for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: A Histological Study of Collagen and Elastin.
2024 · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD
3 Small study in people Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Alleviates Skin Photoaging by Increasing Collagen Density and Elasticity.
2025 · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 36 participants
3 Small study in people Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study.
2017 · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3 Small study in people Effects of Composite Supplement Containing Collagen Peptide and Ornithine on Skin Conditions and Plasma IGF-1 Levels-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
2019 · Marine drugs
3 Small study in people Combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser with recombinant human collagen in periocular skin rejuvenation.
2024 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 26 participants · manufacturer helped fund this
3 Small study in people 2-kDa hyaluronan ameliorates human facial wrinkles through increased dermal collagen density related to promotion of collagen remodeling.
2023 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · manufacturer helped fund this
3 Small study in people Effects of a Combination of Water-Soluble CoenzymeQ10 and Collagen on Skin Parameters and Condition:Results of a Randomised, Placebo-Controlled,Double-Blind Study.
2020 · Nutrients · 17 participants
3 Small study in people Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails.
2018 · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 25 participants