Collagen for the skin: Is it really good?

The objective of this randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study was to investigate the effects of the drinkable nutraceutical ELASTEN® (QUIRIS Healthcare, Gütersloh, Germany) on skin aging and health. The drinking ampoules provide a blend of 2.5 g of collagen peptides, acerola extract, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, and a native vitamin E complex. This controlled interventional study was conducted on 72 healthy women aged 35 or older. They received either the food supplement (n = 36) or a placebo (n = 36) for twelve weeks. Skin assessment was performed based on validated objective methods, including corneometry (skin hydration), cutometry (elasticity), the use of silicone skin replicas with rapid in vivo measurements (PRIMOS) (roughness), 3D phase-shifting optical measurements (roughness), and skin ultrasonography (density). The verum group was followed for an additional four weeks (without intake of the test product) to evaluate the sustainability of the changes induced by the test product intake. The test product significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density. Differences between the verum group and the placebo group were statistically significant for all test parameters. These positive effects were substantially retained during follow-up. The measured effects were entirely consistent with the subjective assessments of the study participants. The nutraceutical was well tolerated.

This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study confirmed that skin aging could be treated with nutrients capable of restoring skin hydration, elasticity, and density. Objective dermatological measures, such as cutometry and corneometry, proved that oral collagen peptides, along with other dermo-nutrients, significantly improve skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density after three months of intake.

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