Oral Collagen Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity and Wrinkles in Women

by | May 18, 2020 | 2018, Skin Health, Women's Health

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A fish-derived collagen peptide (LMWCP) improves skin elasticity, hydration and wrinkling in UVB radiation-damaged skin.   

elderly womanThere are two main contributors to the aging of skin, intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic aging arises primarily from free radical damage 1 and extrinsic aging primarily from long-term sun exposure 2.  When skin becomes damaged from sun ultraviolet radiation, there is a loss of collagen and elastic fibers, when this is combined with a loss of hyaluronic acid, the end result is wrinkles, dry skin and loss of elasticity 3,4. The dermal layer of normal skin is made up of approximately 70% collagen fibers 3,5.  Collagen is now often being consumed as a supplement for skin health because exposure to sunlight is inevitable and eventually photo-aging will occur 3.  Low-molecular-weight Collagen peptide (LMWCP), is derived from fish collagen and promotes recovery of collagen and elastin fibers when damaged by UVB radiation 3,6.

The recent research included supplementing LMWCP (1000 mg) for 12 weeks in 64 female participants (40-60 years old) with photoaged skin.  The participants had to have crow’s feet as determined by the global photo damage scoring system (scores 2-6, determined by dermatologist) 3.  Participants were then randomly assigned to receive either collagen (LMWCP, n=33) or a placebo (n=31).  All participants took one bottle of supplement or placebo daily for 12 weeks.  They were not allowed to use any skincare treatments, such as masks, packs or massages for the duration of the study 3.

Participants visited the study center 4 times during the study, at baseline, week 6, week 12 and 2 days after completion.  Before each visit participants were not allowed to use cosmetic products for 12 hours.  At each visit, participants shaved the crow’s feet area, washed their face with foam cleanser and rested for 30 minutes under relative humidity (40-60%) and temperature (71.6-75.2 degrees Fahrenheit) 3. At each visit skin was assessed for hydration (Corneometer CM 825), wrinkling (by dermatologist via global photo damage scoring system & Visionmeter with silicone) and elasticity (Cutometer MPA 580) 3.

The following results were observed after 12 weeks:

Skin Hydration

  • Skin hydration improved in the collagen group at 6 weeks (p=0.000) and 12 weeks (p=0.000) compared to baseline.
  • The placebo group showed no change compared to baseline at 6 weeks but did show an increase at 12 weeks (p=0.001)
  • Skin hydration was significantly higher in the collagen group compared to the placebo group at both 6 weeks and 12 weeks (P=0.000 and p=0.003, respectively). The difference was a 7.23-fold greater hydration at 6 weeks and 2.9-fold greater hydration at 12 weeks in the collagen group

Skin Wrinkling

  • The collagen group had significant improvement in wrinkle formation at 12 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.000).
  • The collagen group also had significant improvement in the visual grade of wrinkles by a dermatologist compared to placebo (10.5 fold greater difference; p=0.000)
  • Measurements of skin roughness, average roughness and smoothness depth (p=0.043, p=0.025, p=0.004, respectively) all significantly improved in the collagen group compared to placebo. While there was no change in the placebo group.

Skin Elasticity

  • Skin elasticity also improved in the collagen group compared to the placebo group at 12 weeks (overall p=0.025, net p=0.027).
  • There was no significant change in the placebo group.

In conclusion, oral supplementation of 1 gram of collagen (LMWCP) daily for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in skin hydration, wrinkling and elasticity.  These results showed oral intake of collagen improved photo-aged skin for women from 40-60 years of age 3.

Source: Kim, Do-Un, Hee-Chul Chung, Jia Choi, Yasuo Sakai, and Boo-Yong Lee. “Oral intake of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide improves hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling in human skin: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Nutrients 10, no. 7 (2018): 826.

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted May 18, 2020.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Yaar M, Gilchrest BA. Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy. Br J Dermatol. 2007;157(5):874-887.
  2. Ichihashi M, Ando H, Yoshida M, Niki Y, Matsui M. Photoaging of the skin. Anti-Aging Medicine. 2009;6(6):46-59.
  3. Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018;10(7).
  4. Averbeck M, Gebhardt CA, Voigt S, et al. Differential regulation of hyaluronan metabolism in the epidermal and dermal compartments of human skin by UVB irradiation. The Journal of investigative dermatology. 2007;127(3):687-697.
  5. Hopkinson I. Molecular components of the extracellular matrix. J Wound Care. 1992;1(1):52-54.
  6. Pyun HB, Kim M, Park J, et al. Effects of Collagen Tripeptide Supplement on Photoaging and Epidermal Skin Barrier in UVB-exposed Hairless Mice. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2012;17(4):245-253.