Do Collagen Drinks For Skin Give You A Youthful Look?

What Are Collagen Drinks?

Collagen drinks are supplements that claim to promote natural collagen production in your body, reduce the effects of collagen depletion with age, and keep the skin youthful by maintaining its integrity.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and the collagen content of healthy skin is more than 75% (1). Collagen maintains skin integrity. Different types of collagen in the human body support the cartilages, tendons, tissue membranes, muscles, joints, bones, blood vessels, and other internal organs.

Trivia

Collagen drinks were first invented in Japan with an aim to achieve healthier skin from within and more conveniently.

With age, collagen production starts to deplete. As a result, your skin loses its integrity, and your experience sagging, wrinkles, fine lines. Most of us start using skin care products with collagen to make up for the skin damage, while many often resort to collagen drinks and supplements. However, is drinking collagen a feasible option? Let’s find out.

Does Drinking Collagen For Skin Work?

Yes, it may work. However, the mechanism is different.

Drinking collagen will not add those collagen peptides directly to your skin layers. Experts believe that the collagen peptides in the drink signal the body to promote its natural collagen production by stimulating the fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen).

A recent study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity evaluated the effects of drinking fish collagen on skin aging (2). It found that collagen drinks could have anti-aging effects by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative stress, boosting cell functionality, and reducing the harmful effects of UVA radiation.

Most collagen drinks contain hydrolyzed collagen, which is easily absorbed by the body, and the collagen peptides are bioavailable.

Another independent study involving 805 patients demonstrated that oral collagen supplements could promote wound healing, increase skin elasticity, dermal collagen density, and skin hydration levels, and slow down skin aging (3).

Clinical studies conducted by the brands also found similar results. A study evaluating the effects of Pure Gold Collagen supplement found that taking 50 mL of the supplement for two months could reduce wrinkles, dryness, and the depth of nasolabial folds (laugh lines) and counteract the signs of skin aging (4). However, most clinical studies conducted are funded by manufacturers. A recent study questioned the efficacy of collagen supplements on skin aging and concluded that data available so far is limited, and the possible effects of supplements on the skin are yet to be fully explored (5).

Based on these findings, taking collagen supplements can have several benefits.

Benefits Of Collagen Drinks

1. Improve Skin Elasticity

Consuming collagen drinks ensures that your skin retains its moisture and does not dry. Hydrated skin stays plump and tight and does not sag easily.

2. Keep Joints Healthy

Age affects the health of your bones and joints. As you grow older, your knees and joints may creak and cause pain. Collagen is also found in the joints and ligaments of the body. Drinking collagen supplements maintains healthy joints and ligaments. They support the muscles and tendons to maintain your mobility and overall health of the internal organs and tissues. However, collagen that helps in maintaining joint health is different from that of the skin.

3. May Improve Gut Health

Collagen drink has an overall positive effect on gut health. It may help reduce bloating and relieve mild digestive symptoms such as flatulence, stomach pain, irregular bowel movements, acid reflux, constipation diarrhea, and stomach cramps (6).

4. May Improve Heart Health

Collagen may help to lower the risk of heart conditions. As a result, it may provide structure to the arteries, which transport blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Deficiency of collagen in the body can lead to the contraction of arteries and cause it to weaken. Thereby these fragile arteries may increase the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) which in turn may lead to a heart attack and stroke (7).

5. Keep The Nails And Hair Healthy

Amino acids are also present in hair and nails. Collagen is nothing but a cluster of amino acids and helps keep hair and nails strong. Due to nutritional deficiency or certain underlying factors, you may sometimes notice hair loss or weak nails. Drinking collagen supplements could ensure that your nails and hair remain healthy. However, consult a doctor to ensure you do not have any other deficiencies, which may also affect nail and hair health.

Increased collagen levels in your body can give you healthy and firm skin and help maintain your overall health. In the next sections, we have answered some common doubts and queries that you may have regarding collagen drinks.

Can Drinking Collagen For Skin Help You Look Young?

It might. So far, robust evidence is not available to prove that collagen is really a fountain of youth. Collagen might maintain skin integrity and make up for the collagen loss due to aging. This can help maintain a youthful appearance. While nothing can keep you looking just as young forever, collagen will help you age gracefully and retain healthy skin.

Why Is Supplementary Collagen Necessary?

Collagen is an addition to the multitude of anti-aging approaches available currently. Collagen might keep skin healthy and maintains joints, nails, muscles, and bone health.  Collagen supplements may contain type I, II, or III collagen, which is sourced from animals.

Collagen type II is mostly found in the cartilages that cushion the joints (8). Hence, taking collagen supplements may help relieve joint pains and osteoarthritis. Collagen type I is crucial for bone health. A study on postmenopausal women found that taking 5 grams of specific collagen supplements improved bone density in the spine (3%) and femur (7%) (9).

Oral collagen peptides (15 grams) also help build muscles when combined with resistance training. They increase muscle mass and improve muscle strength (10).

Trivia

Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston, Kourtney Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, Olivia Culpo, and Busy Philipps are all known for adding collagen supplements, powders, and drinks to their wellness regimens.

Thus, taking collagen supplements can help in maintaining your overall health in many ways. This is why taking supplements may become necessary after a certain age.

Can Anyone Consume Collagen For Skin?

So far, none of the studies have indicated the side effects of taking collagen supplements. However, there has been no conclusive evidence from all these studies that states with conviction that collagen drinks do give excellent benefits to the consumers.

Anyone who wants to improve their skin elasticity and keep their joints lubricated can consume collagen supplements. However, we strictly recommend consulting a doctor as there are different types of collagen supplements with specific benefits.

Also, if you are lactating or pregnant, avoid collagen drinks and supplements as there is not enough evidence to support their safety.

Although collagen drinks are safe to consume, you may feel dubious about consuming them. You can go the holistic way in such cases and ensure to prevent collagen depletion and maintaining healthy skin and body.

How To Increase And Maintain Collagen In The Body And Skin

1. Consume Collagen-Rich Foods

You can take the dietary approach to boost collagen levels in your body. Consume foods like bone broth, chicken, fish and shellfish, and eggs to promote collagen development. If you do not prefer an animal-based diet, consume foods like garlic, citrus fruits, berries, cashew, beans, bell peppers, lentils, tomatoes, and tropical fruits like guava, mango, kiwi, pineapple.

2. Use Sun Protection

UV rays can impact collagen production in the skin and cause photodamage. Hence, wear sunscreen with high SPF to protect your skin against sunburns and cancer.

3. Topical Creams And Serums

Topical creams that contain antioxidants and humectants can help the skin retain elasticity and collagen. Serums containing vitamin C also help boost collagen and antioxidants in the skin. You can also use skin care products with collagen, peptides, and retinol to reduce oxidative stress, fine lines, and wrinkles and stimulate collagen production.

4. Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic procedures like intense pulse light (IPL), fraxel lasers, and microneedling can smoothen the skin and encourage collagen production to maintain a youthful appearance.

5. Lifestyle

Besides good food, skin care, and cosmetic procedures, you also need to ensure that you follow a healthy lifestyle to maintain overall fitness levels. Avoid smoking, have a good sleeping schedule, stay stress-free, and follow a fitness regimen. Unless you are healthy, no supplements can boost collagen production in your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I drink collagen?

The best time to consume collagen depends on why you’re taking it. Some people swear to take collagen first thing in the morning while their stomach is empty to enhance absorption. Others recommend taking it at night, so the body has enough time to metabolize the collagen.

How long does collagen take to work?

Collagen turnover is a time-consuming procedure. As a result, regardless of your collagen goals, it will take at least 8 weeks to see apparent benefits (1).

How much collagen should a female take?

Health officials have issued no formal guidelines on how much collagen to take each day. As a result, the amount of collagen you should take is determined by the type of collagen you use and why you use it.

Watch this useful video guide for delicious and easy recipes to prepare collagen-rich drinks at home. Explore the benefits of each ingredient and why you should add them to your drink to elevate your wellness journey.

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Dr. Surbhi MahajanMBBS, MD (Dermatology)

   

Dr. Surbhi is a dermatologist with over 13 years of experience. After a few months into practice as a consultant dermatologist, she realized that there is more to explore in dermatology when her patients asked questions like, "What is my skin type?", “Which face wash or anti-aging cream should I buy?", or "Do natural skincare products work?" This led her...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more