Collagen Supplements & Skin Health

Do you know what the largest organ of the human body is? It’s not your brain, your stomach, or even your intestines. It’s your skin! We often don’t think of our skin as an organ, but it is just as important – if not more – than some of your “hidden” internal organs.

Skin helps us absorb UV rays to regulate vitamin D and calcium absorption, provides an important first defense for your immune system, generates enzymes that help stop free radicals, regulates our body temperature, prevents water loss, plays important parts in both our endocrine and metabolic systems, and, of course, allows us feel things.

So for such a vital organ, it’s critical to help keep it healthy. One easy way to do so is through supplementation of collagen. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in our skin and has a long history of use in the beauty and cosmetic world for topical application. However, oral supplementation of collagen may be a new idea.

Original research on oral supplementation suggested that collagen was broken down into other amino acids in the GI tract, and provided little benefit to skin health. New researches shedding new light and showing that most of the collagen molecules were absorbed directly and weren’t broken down at all.

However, further studies found that oral supplementation over periods of time showed marked results in skin health, including: 

  • Increased skin hydration
  • Reduced skin aging
  • Decreased skin dryness
  • Reduced cytokine production (which may be linked to reduced chance of skin cancer and even cardiovascular disease)

After only 6-12 weeks of treatment, research has shown promise in the effectiveness of collagen as an oral supplement:

  • Increased elasticity and pliability of the skin
  • Smoother skin
  • Fewer wrinkles
  • Less dryness
  • Increased blood flow to the face
  • Increased skin hydration
  • Faster wound healing
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Stronger fingernails

With such strong results, you may be tempted to begin using collagen supplements. Collagen is able to be sourced from a number of animal and plant products. Some of the most common types of collagen on the market are bovine, porcine, marine and plant based.

Plant-based collagen is a great option for those who are vegetarian or have concerns about using animal products. Marine sources of collagen seem to have the highest rates of absorption, however, and have been found to have lower levels of toxins and inflammatory effects. In a test to see the effectiveness of different sources of collagen, collagen made from fish scales were found to be the most absorbable for humans.

Your skin doesn’t just have to look good, it can make you feel good too! Don’t ignore one of your hardest working organs.

Source: Bharat Kwatra. “Collagen Supplementation: Therapy For Skin Disorders: A Review.” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 9, no. 5, May 2020, pp. 2504–2518.