Do Collagen Drinks Really Work? We Asked The Experts To Explain

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Do they actually deliver better skin or is it just another viral fad? The experts tell-all. enzyme jelly vendor

From Instagram to Tiktok, collagen drinks are making a splash in the social-media sea of wellness content (the current you is perfectly fine, FYI). Much like the now viral apple cider vinegar, the hashtag #collagen has even racked up over 1.6 million posts on TikTok – each one either in support of the supplement or de-bunking its myth.

As conversations around enhancing skin health now go beyond simply cleansing and moisturising, more in-depth approaches - whether through skin-boosting tweakment alternatives or banking your collagen - seem to the hot topic, with collagen supplements being the next natural step.

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But are these wonder powders as effective as their makers would have you believe, or are they simply a #sponcon fad? And if they do work, exactly how much liquid collagen would you need to knock back to notice a difference in your skin?

We've got the experts involved to find out if there's any solid science behind collagen drinks and their supplement sisters, and reveal the true benefits of drinking collagen.

First things first, what actually is collagen? 'Collagen itself is a particular protein which contains many important amino acids: the building blocks that keep tissues and bones together,' explains nutritional consultant Amanda Griggs. 'It helps give your skin strength and elasticity, as well as stimulating production of hyaluronic acid.'

There are many different types of collagen found throughout the body, from your bones and muscles to your hair and skin. Research shows that certain forms are responsible for the structure and elasticity in our skin, but after the age of 25, we tend to lose approximately 1.5% of our natural stores every year. 'Many factors can further slow our collagen production, including ageing, smoking, excess sugar, UV rays, excess alcohol consumption and eating denatured processed food,' says Griggs. Long-term results include slacker skin and fine lines.

These changes are perfectly normal and there's no need to worry about them, but companies are now capitalising on our well-ingrained fear of pre-mature ageing, by flooding the market with collagen drinks.

As collagen is the key component for our skin's structure and elasticity, brands claim that ingesting collagen daily will help with:

There is actually some evidence in support of these beauty shots. A growing number of laboratory-based studies demonstrate the potential for collagen peptides in drinks or supplements to improve skin hydration and to reduce wrinkles by strengthening our own network of collagen. In fact, one independent study conducted in 2019 found collagen supplements to show promise in terms of improving skin elasticity and dermal collagen density.

However, evidence for liquid collagen's effectiveness on human skin outside of the laboratory setting is still scarce – something Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London explains further...

'During the digestive process, collagen is broken down in the gut to smaller molecules such as peptides and subsequently amino acids,' Dr Mahto says. 'There is little evidence that ingesting whole collagen will survive digestion and then travel in the bloodstream to the skin in high enough quantities to make any meaningful change to the skin’s structure or function.'

That said, anecdotal evidence from ELLE editors have shown that regular consumption of collagen has improved the strength of our nails, especially. Unlike topical creams, you can't tell the ingested collagen exactly where to go, so there's a high chance it will target the areas that need it most, such as weakened nails. Reputable collagen formulas contain nutritional vitamins and minerals that can help with our overall wellbeing and encourage the body's own natural collagen production rather than directly replenishing it with new ones.

If you're keen to commit to a collagen drink or supplement, it's best to opt for a high-grade, hydrolysed version that has a much better chance of making it through the digestive process. Be cautious about filler ingredients such as added sugars, too.

Another factor to consider is that much of the research in support of collagen drinks has been sponsored by – you guessed it – a collagen drink manufacturer.

Unlike some liquid and powder supplmenets, these capsules allow collagen to pass through the stomach intact, that way it's able to directly enter the bloodstream and stimulate your own collagen production. Plus, they don't have an unpleasant taste and are totally fuss-free.

This one doesn't actually contain collagen: rather, it's a supercharged supplement designed to aid the skin's own production. Vitamin C and zinc are combined with nutrient-dense berry extracts via a signature fermentation process, which ensures all the goodness is bioavailable to the body. It's also genuinely pleasant to drink.

With one of the highest collagen doses on the market, this supplement can be squeezed straight from the sachet. It does have a rather earthy, strong taste so we recommend mixing it into a smoothie.

The 28-day pods contain four supplement capsules to encourage collagen production. The tablets, which feature useful ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc, MSM, grapeseed extract and superoxide dismutase, work together to build and maintain collagen levels.

A daily dose of collagen to plump lines and stop sagging sounds a little too good to be true – yet sales are soaring and anecdotal approval abounds.

While there a few studies that support the skin-boosting benefits of consuming collagen drinks, these studies can't ascertain whether it's the collagen itself that is causing the aesthetic improvements, or something else in the formula (such as hyaluronic acid or vitamins).

The key issue at play is absorption – the jury is really still out on how much, if any, collagen peptides are actually absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Many believe that hydrolysed (or 'broken down') collagen is the solution, as these molecules are small enough to make it unscathed through our systems, ending up where we really want them.

As Griggs explains: 'Many of these drinks contain collagen which has been hydrolysed in order to break down the protein structure – this means it can be more easily absorbed and the collagen peptides become more bioavailable,' says Griggs.

Unfortunately, collagen isn't a vegan-friendly supplement, as it's derived either from bovine (the connective tissue of cows) or marine (fish skin) sources. Many of today's brands use by-products from the meat and fishing industries to source their collagen.

Vegan products that claim to boost your body's natural production of collagen do exist, however this is not the same thing as a vegan-friendly collagen supplement, so read your labels carefully.

'Vegan collagen may differ from animal-derived collagen, but by harnessing plant-based amino acids and combining them with supportive nutrients and botanicals, you can still achieve impressive benefits on a vegan diet,' agrees Dr Jenna Macciochi, head of innovation at the B-Corp collagen brand, Ancient + Brave.

'This approach allows you to support your body's natural collagen production by giving your body the building blocks, while adhering to a plant-based lifestyle. The studies are still emerging for vegan collagen (and there are many more studies on bovine or marine collagen in comparison) so it is too early to be able to clearly compare the two.'

Ancient + Brave's Radiant Collagyn uses a cocktail of amino acids, plant proteins, vitamin C, and prebiotics for a holistic approach to healthier skin. It is a tablet, rather than a drink so rest assured there is no unpleasant taste.

Meanwhile, Revive Collagen has a plant-based liquid collagen substitute proven to mimic human collagen itself. Not only that, but the raspberry-flavoured sachets contain 100% of an adult's RDA of vitamin C, anti-inflammatory ginseng and vitamin A.

So, back to those promising hydrolysed collagen drinks. There's now a whole host of advanced options available, many of which come backed by independent nutritionists and dermatologists. If you're keen to put collagen to the test yourself, these are the best brands to look to.

Vida Glow sachets contain marine collagen sourced from fishing industry waste, hydrolysed to an especially low weight to ensure maximum biocompatibility. Even better, the Original iteration is flavourless and heat-compatible, so can simply be stirred into your morning coffee.

Ingenious Collagen+ boasts an independent clinical trial where testers noticed a marked improvement in their skin quality after 12 weeks of taking the supplement.

Dose & Co. is another editor-favourite. It uses either bovine or marine collagen and doesn't include any filler ingredients. The flavourless ones doesn't change the taste of your latte and there are also options which feature added vitamin C and protein.

This flavourless powder dissolves quickly into your morning coffee without altering its taste. You'll only find pure bovine collagen peptides and nothing else in the formula. One ELLE beauty editor found her nails getting significantly stronger after consistent use.

Even our favourite members club is getting in on the collagen game. Beauty Pie's marine-based powder also contains tremella mushroom and biotin, so you're getting an all-round boost with every gulp. The berry flavour is best blended with a fruit juice or smoothie, but you can knock it back neat too.

This new generation of supplement uses cutting edge technology to deliver hydrolysed marine collagen tripeptides in the smallest molecule possible for better absorption. Additional Hyaluronic Acid plumps fine lines and boosts moisture while digestive enzymes to further break down the collagen peptides.

'Your body goes into a regeneration and rejuvenation phase when you sleep, so you could take your collagen supplement before bed,' advises Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and co-founder of Ingenious. That said, Ghatora agrees that consistency is key. 'As long as you are consistent with your taking of the supplement, then any time of day is better than missing doses.'

However, if you exercise, it's worth timing your collagen intake respectively. 'If you are training then your collagen ‘burn’ or degradation will be higher than someone who does not exercise,' says Ghatora. 'In this instance, I often suggest taking your collagen supplement about half an hour before you train. This can help your muscles and joints deal with the exercise strain a bit better and help you recover more efficiently.'

Drinking your collagen isn’t the only way to boost your skin’s plumpness: topical skincare can lend a hand, too. However, we’re not necessarily talking about 'collagen' skincare – these products, like their ingestible sisters, can be lacking in efficacy, due to the fact that collagen molecules are too large to actually penetrate the skin barrier. If a brand claims to directly drop a bucketload of collagen into your complexion, approach with caution.

Instead, look to alternative ingredients that support the cells working on your skin's natural collagen production.

Retinoids should be your first port of call, according to the experts. They're often referred to as the gold standard in skincare, thanks to their ability to prompt cell turnover at lightning speed.

'The retinoid family consists of a group of compounds that are derived from vitamin A,' explains Dr Mahto. 'They are the only topical agents (meaning you apply them directly onto the skin) that repeatedly demonstrate anti-ageing effects in scientific studies.'

'Retinoids are able to minimise the appearance of wrinkles, slow the breakdown of collagen and fade pigmentation or age spots,' Dr Mahto continues. 'They work by improving skin cell renewal and stimulating collagen production.'

A gentle formula that's kind on sensitive complexions. A great starter retinol for those new to the ingredient, too.

The retinol we recommend to everyone, Medik8's Crystal Retinal 1 is a fail-safe choice. Medik8 often has stellar Black Friday offers, so watch this space.

Combining retinol with ceramides and peptides, this silky serum absorbs quickly to not only renew the complexion, but strengthen the skin barrier at the same time. Keep an eye out for Elizabeth Arden's much anticipated Black Friday sale for offers.

This powerful formula combines both time-released retinol and retinal (a more fast-acting form of vitamin A) to help iron out fine lines and minimise discolouration.

'Vitamin C is also needed for collagen production: it provides the skin with support,' says Dr Mahto. 'It's an antioxidant, a skin-brightening agent and anti-inflammatory, and it is also required for the synthesis of collagen, which gives our skin its structure.'

However, it pays to do your research when it comes to vitamin C skincare, as formulations on the market vary wildly in terms of concentration, potency and stability. 'Vitamin C should be used for skincare in concentrations of up to 20 per cent. Higher percentages can potentially cause irritation,' says Dr Mahto. What's more, the product you choose needs to be properly stabilised to ensure maximum absorption into the skin.

If a multi-step routine isn't your thing, this lightweight moisturiser combines the glow-giving benefits of vitamin C with enough hydration to keep skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Smells fairly horrendous, works like nothing else. For performance over pampering, right this way...

Tatcha's nailed the art of elegant textures and sensitive skin-friendly formulations. This silky serum combines vitamin C with brightening AHAs but is padded with plenty of hydrating ingredients as to not upset the skin barrier.

This straightforward vitamin C serum gets the (brightening) job done without any frills. Just apply in the evening and wake up with happier-looking skin.

Of course, slathering on the skincare isn't the only way to top up your collagen levels.

'Eating a balanced diet with adequate protein – either plant-based or animal – will boost collagen production,' says Griggs. What's more, vitamin C is found in abundance in most fruits and vegetables, so make sure you're getting your 5 a day.

Griggs also advises adding chicken, beef or fish bone broth into your diet – either homemade or store-bought. 'It's healing and rich in some collagens, gelatine and amino acids, which will help to repair the gut. For this reason, bone broth is especially beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as anyone who is finishing a long course of antibiotics or steroids.'

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Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.

Roberta has more than 15 years' experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.

When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find. Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder

Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.

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