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Col9.0
Collagen Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
35 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Collagen appears to help in 5 of 5 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2008–2026 with a typical study size of 85 participants.
Based on 35 studies · 6 meta-analyses · 23 RCTs · 7,017 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
5helped· 30 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Skin healthImproved skin elasticity and hydration within 8-12 weeks · 8-12 weeks
Likely helps28 studies
Joint pain & arthritisImproved joint comfort and cartilage support within 8-12 weeks · 8-12 weeks
InflammationReduced joint pain and improved mobility · 8-12 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 27 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
7,017
typical study: 85 people
Strongest designs
29
6 pooled, 23 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
5/5 studies
How long studies ran
1–3 months
8
3+ months
2
Populations Studied
Adults5
General population2
Adults with skin aging2
Adults with knee osteoarthritis1
Active research area
23 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200820172026
1Meta-Analysisn=1,474 · large study2025
23 RCTs showed improvements in hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles, though quality of studies varied.
Almohanna HM et al. · The American Journal of Medicine (2025)
23 RCTs with 1474 participants
High-quality studies showed less effect
Funding source influenced outcomes
2Knee osteoarthritis symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 2×n=870 · large study2025
The results of this meta-analysis suggest that oral collagen administration relieves OA symptoms.
Simental-Mendía M et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The meta-analysis revealed an overall significant improvement of both function [MD, -6.46 (95% CI -9.52, -3.40); I2=75%; p=0.00001] and pain scores [MD, -13.63 (95% CI -20.67, -6.58); I2=88%; p=0.00001], favouring collagen supplementation.
The results of this meta-analysis suggest that oral collagen administration relieves OA symptoms.
Our findings revealed noteworthy improvements, statistically and clinically, in both functional and pain scores.
This systematic review and meta-analysis represents the first comprehensive investigation into the effects of long-term CP supplementation combined with regular physical training on various aspects of musculoskeletal health in adults.
Bischof K et al. · Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2024)
This systematic review and meta-analysis represents the first comprehensive investigation into the effects of long-term CP supplementation combined with regular physical training on various aspects of musculoskeletal health in adults.
The findings indicate significant, though of low to moderate certainty, evidence of improvements in fat-free mass (FFM), tendon morphology, muscle mass, maximal strength, and recovery in reactive strength following exercise-induced muscle damage.
However, further research is required to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly regarding tendon mechanical properties and short-term adaptations to collagen peptide (CP) intake without exercise, as observed in recovery outcomes.
The overall analysis including all trials showed that supplements provided moderate and clinically meaningful treatment effects on pain and function in patients with hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis at short term, although the quality of evidence was very low.
Liu X et al. · British journal of sports medicine (2018)
Another six (undenatured type II collagen, avocado soybean unsaponifiables, methylsulfonylmethane, diacerein, glucosamine and chondroitin) revealed statistically significant improvements on pain, but were of unclear clinical importance.
Chondroitin demonstrated statistically significant, but not clinically important structural improvement (effect size -0.30, -0.42 to -0.17).
The overall analysis including all trials showed that supplements provided moderate and clinically meaningful treatment effects on pain and function in patients with hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis at short term, although the quality of evidence was very low.
6Skin health mechanismsSystematic ReviewCited 31×2020
In this systematic review, three different mechanisms of action were clarified for the intervention.
Barati M et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2020)
In this systematic review, three different mechanisms of action were clarified for the intervention.
Direct effects of collagen peptides on fibroblasts, M2-like macrophages, and oral tolerance-related mechanisms are the possible mechanisms for the beneficial effects of collagen supplementation.
8Skin density and textureRCTCited 4×n=87 · small study2024
Therefore, the ability of supplementation with HA to improve the effects on investigated skin parameters beyond the supplementation of collagen alone cannot be confirmed.
Žmitek K et al. · Nutrients (2024)
The results showed beneficial effects of both test products, with notable enhancements in dermis density, skin texture, and a reduction in the severity of wrinkles.
In contrast, the administration of either of the products did not yield any significant impacts on skin elasticity or hydration.
Observation of the investigated skin parameters did not show superior effects of the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) to collagen.
9Pain and quality of life in meniscopathy patientsRCTCited 7×n=32 · small study2025
The results of the study showed that the eight-week collagen-based supplement had a positive effect on pain and quality of life levels and some functional test results in patients with meniscopathy.
Genç AS et al. · BMC musculoskeletal disorders (2025)
The study showed that eight weeks of supplementation with various collagen types had statistically significant effects on pain, quality of life, kinesiophobia, and foot function scale scores in patients with meniscopathy (p < 0.05).
Similarly, eight weeks of supplementation showed a statistically significant difference in leg strength (p = 0.057), but no significant difference was found in back strength, proprioception, balance, and various functional test results (p > 0.05).
Longer-term studies and diversification of subject groups will help to understand better the effects of the product on meniscal tears and symptoms.
10Knee joint ROM flexibilityRCTCited 16×n=96 · small study2022
Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that daily supplementation of 40 mg of undenatured collagen improved knee joint ROM flexibility and extensibility in healthy subjects with ArJD.
Schön C et al. · Journal of integrative and complementary medicine (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Results: At the end of the study, a statistically significant increase in knee ROM flexion was observed in the undenatured collagen group versus the PLA group (3.23° vs. 0.21°; p = 0.025).
In addition, an increase in knee ROM extension by 2.21° was observed over time in the undenatured collagen group (p = 0.0061), while the PLA group showed a nonsignificant increase by 1.27° (p > 0.05).
Subgroup analysis by age showed a significant increase in knee ROM flexion in subjects >35 years old in the undenatured collagen supplemented group compared with PLA (6.79° vs. 0.30°; p = 0.0092).
11Skin wrinkling, hydration, and elasticityRCTCited 16×n=100 · medium study2024
Taken together, these findings suggest that low-molecular-weight collagen peptides supplementation can safely ehance human skin wrinkling, hydration, elasticity, and whitening properties.
Seong SH et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2024)
Compared with the placebo group, the average skin roughness, maximum of all peak-to-valley values, maximum peak height of the wrinkle, and average maximum height of the wrinkle were significantly improved in the test group.
Parameters of skin elasticity, including overall elasticity, net elasticity, and biological elasticity, were also significantly improved in the test group at Week 12 as compared with the placebo group.
Taken together, these findings suggest that low-molecular-weight collagen peptides supplementation can safely ehance human skin wrinkling, hydration, elasticity, and whitening properties.
12Skin and nail aging signsRCTCited 2×n=85 · small study2024
Taken together, these results show that, in addition to a standardized skin care, daily supplementation with 5 g of collagen peptides positively affects visible signs of skin and nail aging in the East Asian population.
Vleminckx S et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2024)
After 84 days, a significant improvement of dermis density and skin moisture was observed in the collagen peptides group compared to the placebo group.
Taken together, these results show that, in addition to a standardized skin care, daily supplementation with 5 g of collagen peptides positively affects visible signs of skin and nail aging in the East Asian population.
13Skin wrinkles and biophysical propertiesRCTCited 19×n=84 · small study2022
This clinical study was registered with the Korean Clinical Research Information Service and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (No: KCT0006500).
Kim J et al. · Journal of medicinal food (2022)
After 12 weeks, the 10-grade crow's feet photo scale score, eye wrinkle volume, skin roughness parameters (Rz, Ra, and Rv), skin elasticity (R2 and R7), skin hydration, and TEWL were significantly improved in the test product group compared to the placebo group.
There were no adverse events or abnormalities according to laboratory analysis associated with using the test material during the study period.
This study showed that the oral supplementation of low-molecular-weight collagen peptides could improve the wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, and barrier integrity of photoaged facial skin.
15Skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinklingRCTCited 103×n=64 · small study2018
These results suggest that LMWCP can be used as a health functional food ingredient to improve human skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling.
Kim DU et al. · Nutrients (2018)
The aim of this study was to conduct a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to clinically evaluate the effect on human skin hydration, wrinkling, and elasticity of Low-molecular-weight Collagen peptide (LMWCP) with a tripetide (Gly-X-Y) content >15% including 3% Gly-Pro-Hyp.
After 12 weeks in the LMWCP group, visual assessment score and three parameters of skin wrinkling were significantly improved compared with the placebo group.
In case of skin elasticity, one parameter out of three was significantly improved in the LMWCP group from the baseline after 12 weeks, while, compared with the placebo group, two parameters out of three in the LMWCP group were higher with significance after 12 weeks.
16Hair loss treatment efficacyRCTCited 9×n=83 · small study2023
An oral supplement containing hydrolysed fish-origin collagen, taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium has demonstrated to improve the clinical efficacy of specific anti-hair loss treatments in subjects with AGA/FAGA or chronic TE.
Milani M et al. · Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Seventy-six participants (91.6%) completed the 12-week study period.
At week 12 the GAS score in Group A was statistically significant higher in comparison with Group B (1.67 ± 0.16 and 0.66 ± 0.20, p < 0.001; Mann-Whitney test).
A higher percentage of Group A subjects achieved a GAS score of ≥2 in comparison with group B (50% vs. 23%).
17Skin morphological and structural characteristicsRCTCited 22×n=46 · small study2021
The present study showed the clinical benefits for the skin obtained with oral supplementation with a low dose of collagen peptides from hydrolyzed fish cartilage.
Maia Campos PMBG et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
A significant reduction in wrinkles and an increase of dermis echogenicity were observed after a 90-day period of treatment with hydrolyzed fish cartilage compared to the placebo and baseline values.
In addition, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) image analysis showed improved collagen morphology and reduced elastosis after treatment with hydrolyzed fish cartilage.
The present study showed the clinical benefits for the skin obtained with oral supplementation with a low dose of collagen peptides from hydrolyzed fish cartilage.
Subjects consuming the test product had an overall significant increase in skin elasticity (+40%; P < .0001) when compared to placebo.
Czajka A et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2018)
Subjects consuming the test product had an overall significant increase in skin elasticity (+40%; P < .0001) when compared to placebo.
In addition, the consumption of the test product reduced joint pain by -43% and improved joint mobility by +39%.
As reported in the self-perception questionnaires, these results were confirmed by the subjects' own perceptions in that participants agreed their skin was more hydrated and more elastic.
19Activity-related knee joint painRCTCited 54×n=139 · medium study2017
The study demonstrated that the supplementation of specific collagen peptides in young adults with functional knee problems led to a statistically significant improvement of activity-related joint pain.
Zdzieblik D et al. · Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme (2017)
Likely real
The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in activity-related pain intensity in the verum group compared with placebo. (ΔVASBCP = 19.5 ± 2.4; ΔVASPlacebo = 13.9 ± 2.1; p = 0.046).
The results were confirmed by the physician's assessment. (ΔVASBCP = 16.7 ± 1.8; ΔVASPlacebo = 12.2 ± 1.8; p = 0.021).
Pain under resting conditions was also improved, but no significance compared with placebo was detected (ΔVASBCP = 10.2 ± 18.4; ΔVASPlacebo = 7.4 ± 15.2; p = 0.209).
20Facial skin moisture and elasticityRCTCited 71×2016
This study demonstrated that the use of the collagen hydrolysate with a higher content of Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly led to more improvement in facial skin conditions, including facial skin moisture, elasticity, wrinkles and roughness.
Inoue N et al. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture (2016)
This study demonstrated that the use of the collagen hydrolysate with a higher content of Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly led to more improvement in facial skin conditions, including facial skin moisture, elasticity, wrinkles and roughness.