Collagen supplements have become a beauty essential for celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Victoria Beckham.
A comprehensive review now confirms that these supplements can genuinely enhance skin elasticity and support joint health. However, they might not be the immediate solution for reducing wrinkles.
Researchers suggest positioning collagen products for individuals interested in ‘holistic’ skin care, considering them a valid complementary treatment for women post-menopause or those with sun-damaged skin.
Additionally, these supplements may offer relief for arthritis symptoms.
Collagen, the body’s most prevalent protein, acts as the ‘scaffolding’ that provides structure and resilience to skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues.
It plays a crucial role in maintaining plump skin and healthy hair. But as we age, collagen production diminishes, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and thinning hair.
Collagen is found in the connective tissues, skin, bones, and cartilage of animals, making foods such as chicken breast and salmon excellent dietary sources of the protein.
Levels typically peak around the age of 20, after which the dermis – the deeper layer of skin made up of blood vessels and connective tissue – produces roughly one per cent less collagen each year.
Lifestyle factors can accelerate this loss. Smoking, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, and a poor diet are all known to deplete collagen more rapidly, contributing to thinner, less resilient skin over time.
Taking collagen supplements over a long period has been linked to better skin elasticity and increased hydration
With age, collagen production starts to decline, leading to wrinkles and stiff joints.
Supplements – taken as tablets, liquids or powder mixed into drinks – allegedly counteract this reduction.
There are two main types of collagen on the market: marine, made from fish, and bovine, from cows.
Previously, BBC Morning Live reported that the collagen industry will be worth £26–29 million by 2028 in the UK alone.
So it’s unsurprising that celebrities – famed for their timeless looks and great skin – have jumped onto the trend.
Amanda Holden, 55, Davina McCall, 58, and Jennifer Aniston, 57, have publicly endorsed often costly collagen supplements as part of their skincare regimes.
And there is some evidence behind the claims. A 2023 review of 26 studies found collagen supplements were associated with improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.
However, it was discovered that ‘bold claims’ have been made about their anti-ageing benefits.
The latest study by experts at Anglia Ruskin University included evidence from 16 reviews and 113 trials involving almost 8,000 patients.
It found that taking collagen over a long period was linked to improvements in skin elasticity and hydration, with the supplements acting as ‘agents of deeper tissue regeneration’ rather than ‘superficial cosmetic aids’.
However, the review, published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, suggested that taking collagen did not significantly affect skin roughness.
The ARU team said: ‘This distinction matters. Collagen may be best positioned not as an anti-wrinkle ‘quick fix’ but as a foundational dermal support for holistic skin maintenance.’
Meanwhile, taking supplements was ‘consistently’ linked to reducing the symptoms of arthritis, such as stiff and painful joints.
It was also associated with improvements in muscle health.
Lee Smith, a professor of public health at ARU, said: ‘Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis.
‘Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy ageing, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use.
‘If we define anti-ageing as a product or technique designed to prevent the appearance of getting older, then I believe our findings do support this claim for some parameters.
‘For example, an improvement in skin tone and moisture is associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.’
Reacting to the findings, Shefalee Loth, a nutritionist at consumer group Which?, said: ‘Collagen supplements are often marketed with bold anti-ageing claims, but scientific evidence to support them is limited.
‘It’s worth remembering that there are currently no approved health claims for collagen supplements on the nutrition and health claims register.
‘The cost of taking collagen can mount up quickly. Most supplements cost at least £25 a month for daily use, and studies suggest they need to be taken consistently for the best results.
‘Consumers should be cautious about brand claims and weigh up the potential benefits against the cost before committing to long-term use.’
