You probably know that too much sun isn't great for your skin.
But here's the interesting part: UV exposure doesn't just affect the surface of your skin. It can damage the collagen network that gives skin much of its structure, strength and elasticity.
So if sun exposure contributes to collagen breakdown, can consuming collagen peptides help?
The human research is encouraging.
What does the sun do to collagen?
Your skin is constantly maintaining and rebuilding its connective tissue.
Collagen is a major structural protein within the dermis, helping provide strength, firmness and elasticity. Repeated UV exposure can accelerate the breakdown and disorganisation of this collagen network, contributing to the changes we associate with photoaged skin.
Think fine lines, reduced elasticity, rougher texture and changes in skin hydration.
That's why collagen has become such an interesting area of nutritional research.
Can eating collagen help sun-exposed skin?
This is where things get interesting.
Researchers have investigated whether hydrolysed collagen peptides taken orally can improve measurable characteristics of photoaged skin.
And there is human evidence.
In one randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, post-menopausal women consumed 5 g of marine collagen hydrolysate daily for four weeks.
The researchers found a significant improvement in skin elasticity compared with placebo, with the effect particularly evident in sun-exposed areas of the skin. PubMed
That's a useful finding because it looked specifically at skin that receives regular environmental exposure.
What about wrinkles and skin hydration?
Another randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked specifically at people with photoaged and dry facial skin.
After 12 weeks of collagen peptide supplementation, researchers reported improvements in:
- crow's feet
- skin roughness
- skin hydration
- skin elasticity
- transepidermal water loss
The study involved 100 participants, with 84 included in the final efficacy analysis. PubMed
So the interesting question isn't simply whether collagen is present in your skin.
It's whether consuming collagen peptides can influence measurable characteristics of skin that has experienced photoageing.
The human research suggests it can.
Why does hydrolysed collagen matter?
Collagen supplements are generally made from hydrolysed collagen peptides.
Hydrolysis breaks collagen down into smaller peptides, making it suitable for oral consumption.
Once consumed, collagen peptides are digested and absorbed. Research has detected collagen-derived peptides in the circulation after ingestion, which helps explain why researchers have investigated oral collagen as a nutritional approach to skin health.
The important point is that we're not simply replacing collagen in the skin like topping up a tank.
We're providing collagen peptides that the body can digest and use within its normal biological processes.
Does the type of collagen matter?
This is an important question when choosing a collagen supplement.
The word “collagen” on a label doesn't tell you everything.
Collagen can come from different sources, including bovine and marine sources, and studies use different collagen ingredients, doses and formulations.
That's why it's worth asking:
Which collagen was used in the research?
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomised controlled trials involving 1,721 participants found that hydrolysed collagen supplementation was associated with improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, while also noting differences between studies in collagen source, duration and study quality. PubMed
So the broader evidence is interesting, but the individual ingredient still matters.
What should you look for in a collagen for skin?
If you're choosing collagen to support your skin, I'd look for three things.
1. A clearly identified collagen ingredient
Know what you're actually consuming.
2. Published human research
Look for human studies rather than relying on generic statements that “collagen is clinically proven”.
3. A meaningful daily dose
Check how much collagen you're getting and how that compares with the amounts used in human research.
It's a much better way to assess a collagen product than simply comparing the size of the tub or the number of claims on the label.
Where does CollagenX fit?
CollagenX uses 100% Peptan® hydrolysed collagen peptides across its collagen range.
Peptan® has been investigated in published human research examining aspects of skin health including hydration, elasticity and dermal structure.
That's why we believe the ingredient matters.
It's not enough to know that a product contains collagen. We want to know which collagen we're using and what research exists behind it.
What about protecting your skin from the sun?
Collagen supplementation is one part of looking after your skin.
Protecting skin from excessive UV exposure remains important. Sunscreen, shade, clothing and other sun-protection measures help reduce UV exposure in the first place.
Collagen peptides address a different part of the picture: supporting the body's nutritional environment for healthy skin structure.
The two ideas work well together.
The bottom line
Sun exposure can accelerate changes to the collagen structure of skin.
The interesting question is whether nutrition can help support skin that's exposed to that environment.
Human research suggests that oral collagen peptides can improve measurable characteristics of photoaged and sun-exposed skin, including elasticity, hydration and the appearance of wrinkles. PubMed
And that's why the collagen you choose matters.
Don't just look for “collagen”. Look for the ingredient behind it.
Explore Pure Fish Collagen
CollagenX Pure Fish Collagen contains 100% Peptan® hydrolysed collagen peptides in a simple 10 g daily serving.
