Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok or by the office coffee machine, oral collagen supplements like marine collagen are the new anti-ageing step on the tip of everyone’s lips – or thumbs. Google has racked up over 300,000+ searches on “collagen” in the last 90 days, with people either supporting the supplement, selling it, or debunking the myths around its benefits.

Why Everyone Is Talking About Oral Collagen Supplements

Skincare is changing. We’re thinking about long-term investments over short-term quick-fixes like Botox. Beyond cleansing and moisturising, we’re now looking for alternatives to Botox or whether “banking” your collagen reserves is possible. So it’s no surprise collagen supplements are a natural next step.

But are the benefits of collagen powders – like marine collagen (fish) or bovine (beef) – too good to be true? Or, if they do work, how much collagen would make a noticeable difference to your skin?

Our experts found the answers to all these questions and more while researching and developing Collagen Complex. We’ll share whether there’s any promising science behind marine collagen and oral collagen, and reveal if your skin could benefit from marine collagen supplements, too.

(Spoiler: There is and you could.)

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein that contains many important amino acids. These amino acids act as building blocks that maintain the integrity of your skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and other tissues in your body. When it comes to your skin, collagen is found in the dermis (the second, thicker layer of skin). It helps provide strength, firmness and elasticity.

Our bodies naturally produce collagen on their own, constantly. However, after the age of 25, our collagen production gradually slows down, and we lose it faster. [1] This is a natural part of ageing, but many factors can slow our collagen production even more, including smoking, excess sugar, UV rays, alcohol and highly processed food. Long-term, low collagen levels will result in slacker skin, fine lines and a less radiant appearance. [2]

What Is Marine Collagen?

Marine collagen is derived from fish or marine animals that primarily contain Type I collagen. This type of collagen is also the most abundant protein in the human body and it is essential for skin, hair, nails, bone health, as well as other connective tissues. [3]

What Are Marine Collagen Supplements?

Marine collagen is often found in oral collagen supplements, in the form of powders, daily capsules, food supplements or liquids. People mix them into water, smoothies, coffee, or other drinks.

Discover 3 Healthy, Collagen-Boosting Recipes, Created By Chefs

Since collagen is a large and complex molecule, it isn’t easy to get enough collagen from the food we eat to enter the bloodstream and benefit our skin.

This is why oral collagen supplements are often broken down during their manufacturing process into tiny fragments called peptides (also known as hydrolysed collagen) to potentially aid its digestion and help with absorption.

What Are The Benefits Of Marine Collagen?

Collagen is a key component for our skin’s structure and elasticity. [4]

The idea behind taking a source of collagen like a marine collagen supplement is that it may help with:

– Improving how plump and smooth the skin looks.
– Supporting healthy, shiny hair and strong nails.
– Boosting overall skin hydration.
– Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
– Delaying signs of skin ageing. [5]

Avoid Taking Marine Collagen If…

– You have a fish or shellfish allergy.
– You are vegetarian or vegan.

All marine collagen will have ingredients derived from marine sources including fish, and it may contain shellfish. Most sources of collagen are derived from animals, and will not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans, so it’s important to check the label before purchasing or trying it.

Marine Collagen: The Hard Evidence

There are promising results to support marine collagen’s beauty benefits.

Strengthening Collagen Levels

Studies have demonstrated how marine collagen peptides can help improve skin hydration and reduce wrinkles by strengthening our own network of collagen.

A 2019 independent study, which reviewed all the existing research on oral collagen, found that it improves skin elasticity and dermal collagen density – leading to thicker, plumper skin. This supports the idea of “banking” collagen to help delay the signs of ageing.

Similarly, a 2023 systematic review involving 1,721 participants found that taking powdered collagen peptides can support skin elasticity, hydration, and overall smoothness. The study reported significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity (effect size 0.72) with oral collagen, showing potential benefits for skin health. [6] [9]

Boosting Collagen Production

Oral collagen supplementation may also boost collagen production by waking up cells in your body called fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are found in the skin, and they’re responsible for producing collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. [7]

Hyaluronic acid and elastin are just as important as collagen for anti-ageing. They keep our skin looking youthful, hydrated and smooth. Hyaluronic acid helps our cells hold on to moisture, which keeps your skin barrier healthy and strong. Elastin is what keeps your skin elastic. So along with collagen, the more hyaluronic acid and elastin our skin can produce, the better. [8]

Side effects from collagen supplements are rare. However, peptides from fish collagen have the lowest reported risk of side effects. [5]

How Much Marine Collagen Should You Take?

Studies suggest that a daily dose of at least 2,500mg, for around 6-8 weeks, is the minimum to see noticeable improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and overall skin, hair and nail health. [9]

Collagen Complex by Dermatica doubles this recommended dose, giving you 5,000mg per serving. Our experts also fortified it with potent antioxidants, including: Vitamins C, D and B, biotin and zinc. These can help prevent free radical damage and collagen loss, and support collagen production and overall skin health, too.

Along with a healthy lifestyle and a consistent skincare routine, you’ll need to take your marine collagen powder every day to see the benefits. Your results will get better over time, but they will also fade if you stop taking your collagen supplement regularly.

Like many skin treatments, a marine collagen supplement should boost your skincare routine – not replace it. You’ll see the best results from taking collagen if you already have a science-backed cleansing and moisturising routine, and a personalised formula that is tailored by experts to your skin and your goals.

Find out which personalised formula is suitable for your skin by visiting our website.

References

1. Wu M, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/
2. The skin aging exposome. Journal of Dermatological Science [Internet]. 2017 Mar 1;85(3):152–61. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923181116308167
3. Evans M, Lewis ED, Zakaria N, Pelipyagina T, Guthrie N. A randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Parallel Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Freshwater Marine Collagen on Skin Wrinkles and Elasticity. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020 Sep 15;20(3).
4. 6. León-López A, Morales-Peñaloza A, Martínez-Juárez VM, Vargas-Torres A, Zeugolis DI, Aguirre-Álvarez G. Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications. Molecules. 2019 Nov 7;24(22):4031.
5. Geahchan S, Baharlouei P, Rahman A. Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration. Marine Drugs. 2022 Jan 10;20(1):61
6. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications [Internet]. JDDonline – Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Available from: https://jddonline.com/articles/oral-collagen-supplementation-a-systematic-review-of-dermatological-applications-S1545961619P0009X/
7. Al-Atif H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: a Paradigm Shift in the Field of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual [Internet]. 2022 Feb 2;12(1):e2022018. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/
8. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology [Internet]. 2012 Jul 1;4(3):253–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
9. Pu SY, Huang YL, Pu CM, Kang YN, Hoang KD, Chen KH, et al. Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients [Internet]. 2023 Jan 1;15(9):2080. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/9/2080