Techies, celebrities, and wellness fanatics are on the hunt for ways to stop the body from aging, and some, like Jennifer Aniston, say collagen can set the clock back on your skin.
Collagen is the main protein that makes up skin, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It's produced naturally in the body, but your collagen supply starts to diminish after age 20 — which, in part, makes the skin become saggier.
A bevy of collagen creams, drinks, pills, and powders that have entered the market in the last decade promise to reverse this phenomenon and keep the skin plump for longer.
But dermatologists say there's no research that shows drinking collagen lattes will stop skin from aging. That's because the body might not process collagen that you ingest in the same way that it processes the collagen you make internally.
Collagen might have anti-aging benefits — but the data isn't conclusive
Scientists are still studying the way the body breaks down and processes collagen once ingested said Ohara Aivaz, board certified dermatologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in a blog post. It's possible the body does not use collagen from food or supplements to help the skin, but rather to strengthen bones and prevent injury.
Early studies on collagen and anti-aging are promising, but inconclusive, according to Shari Lipner, a board certified dermatologist and an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Lipner told Insider that researchers haven't seen conclusive evidence that collagen supplementation prevents skin sagging and wrinkles when studied in clinical trials.
She pointed to a 2021 review of 19 controlled clinical trials, which studied collagen supplementation in 1125 participants. Though most trials showed improvement in skin elasticity and facial wrinkles from taking supplements, Lipner said that the "concentration of collagen, dose, manufacturer, and time course varied, so it is hard to draw hard and fast conclusions."
Lipner said there is not enough data to support recommending collagen supplementation right now, as most people get all the collagen they need through eating grains, chicken, fish, nuts, and beans.
But people dead set on collagen supplements likely aren't in any danger, as the dermatologist said the only known side effect of the product is an upset stomach.
For now, stick to sunscreen to prevent skin aging
Collagen isn't the only supplement touted for its age defying properties. According to Lipner, melatonin, vitamins A, C, D, E, niacinamide, and zinc are all supplements marketed to promote anti-aging.
But there just isn't enough data that shows these supplements actually work, she said, which is why she does not recommend taking any so-called "anti-aging supplement."
For tried, true, and science-backed ways to prevent signs of aging, Lipner said to stick to the basics.
"For now, the best advice is to protect yourself from the sun, use sunscreen when outdoors, and consider applying a topical retinoid to prevent skin aging," she said.
