Evidence Level
Collagen is a well-researched supplement with demonstrated benefits across various health domains. For skin health, Myung and Park (2025) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1474 participants, showing that collagen supplementation significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction. However, the authors noted variability in outcomes influenced by funding sources and study quality. Similarly, Danessa et al. (2025) analyzed ten RCTs with 646 participants and found significant enhancements in skin hydration (SMD 1.25) and elasticity (SMD 0.61) following oral collagen supplementation.
In the context of joint health, Simental-Mendía et al. (2025) performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs with 870 participants, revealing that collagen supplementation significantly improved knee osteoarthritis function (MD -6.46) and pain scores (MD -13.63). This aligns with earlier findings by Shaw et al. (2017), who demonstrated that 15g of vitamin C-enriched collagen before exercise doubled tendon and ligament collagen synthesis rates in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Additionally, Bischof et al. (2024) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 768 adults, concluding that collagen peptide supplementation enhances musculoskeletal performance when combined with physical training. These studies collectively highlight collagen's efficacy across multiple domains, supported by rigorous evidence from randomized controlled trials.