Do collagen supplements work?

[Howdiditgetsobad]

Just that really - will they really improve my skin and appearance? I’ve checked out a couple and the reviews are very favourable but I’d like to hear real life experiences before I take the plunge and buy some.

Following

Following, have bought a load of Ingenious Collagen supplements after Liz Earle recommendation..haven't had many yet so too early to tell!

I'm using marine collagen and the difference in my skin is huge. DP is taking them now too and getting a good response too.
I read up on the benefits before I tried and marine is apparently better than bovine. Possibly one brand is better than another and I wouldn't buy the cheapest.

How long have you been taking them
@Exasperatedusername1001? Which ones did you go for?

I don’t really want to spend as much as £50-60 per month so that rules out some of the more expensive ones.

Doing a bit more research I found this useful article in Vogue: www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/best-collagen-supplements/amp

I’m thinking I’ll go with Vida Glow.

I take some ones from Holland and Barrett (can't think of the name/brand) and can't say I've noticed a huge difference in my appearance but recovering from a workout is definitely easier. I am on the younger side though (mid 20's) so I'm not expecting anything drastic.

I’ve been taking for a good couple of years. I don’t think there is any difference to my skin or hair but my knees which were very creaky are much better. Having said that (and not meaning to stealth boast) I have pretty decent skin anyway so not sure if I would notice a difference because I’ve also used tret.

Thanks both. I am 41 and feeling it right now. My skin itself us actually pretty good. I’m also not fussed so much about wrinkles but a plumping/glowing sort of effect would be amazing. My hollowed out under eyes are my most aging feature. I need to check if they’re safe whilst breastfeeding I’ve just realized.

@LondonQueen

I take some ones from Holland and Barrett (can't think of the name/brand) and can't say I've noticed a huge difference in my appearance but recovering from a workout is definitely easier. I am on the younger side though (mid 20's) so I'm not expecting anything drastic.

H&B doesn't seem to have good ones.

I like to believe they do work, but my latest order has been blocked by the government (not UK).

@Martinisarebetterdirty Which ones do you use? I am creaky of knee..

My dermatologist says no .

Might benefit the body generally but no specific skin benefit

@Luredbyapomegranate currently on ancient and brave, have used wellguard in the past but sometimes I can taste it. Have also tried J S Health (but this was expensive). Out of these ancient and brave genuinely doesn’t taste in coffee (I find they all go gloopy in cold drinks).

I’ve also had the beauty chef collagen inner beauty boost which apparently helps you to build collagen, I really liked it but it’s quite sweet and I dabble with low carb and I don’t think that one is suitable.
All of them seem to have the same effect on my knees though.

@Martinisarebetterdirty thank you! I’ll give it a whirl

I'll try anything to delay the onset of wrinkles! So I've got both collagen tablets as well as collagen serum. I've heard that it must be really finely ground collagen, otherwise it doesn't absorb.

My friend used to work for one of the trendy brands which advertises heavily on social media and says it’s all rubbish and they know it..

It’s no more rubbish than anything we put on a scan I’m in quite frankly we all have a brain and we know that the skins whole purpose is that nothing can penetrate the dermis that’s what skin does. So I would suggest the anything coming from the inside out is going to be more affective

I've been taking marine collagen for a couple of years. I already had thick hair, but I've now constantly got new growth, too. My skin is better and knees less squeaky.

@stevalnamechanger

My dermatologist says no .

Might benefit the body generally but no specific skin benefit

Not all dermatologists agree though.

I'm due to repurchase a pack of Revive Collagen but not sure if I will. I have used it for the past month but I have also bought some better skincare products and have improved my night time skin care routine. I am not sure if improvements are down to collagen, new skin care or a bit of both. One thing for sure is that my knees do not make old creaking door noises anymore

The science behind it is very sketchy.

The women advertising it dont look great "You'd never know I was 50!" well sit down because this might be a shock but yes I would know you are 50 when you look like that. The roll up smoking nurse I work with looks better for 51 than you do and I dont imagine she's using collagen.

I’ve recently discovered I have a connective tissue disorder (including collagen) and have been told it could have negative effects rather than positive.

I take marine collagen and it has made my skin so much softer if I haven’t taken it for a few days I really notice the difference. I haven’t noticed any difference with my wrinkles though. I bought mine on Amazon and compared doses and prices and reviews.

Sorry, haven't had time to reply. I bought some marine collagen from Healthspan online. It was about £12 for 120/1 a day. I researched and their's is hydrolysed which apparently makes it more easily absorbed. I think you have to try these things and see if they work for you.
Also, I must admit that once I'm taking a supplement I also pull back after an initial splurge because I reckon my body shouldn't get reliant on things and maybe I was a bit short and needed a top up so now I take every few days.
It has made a massive difference to my skin. Maybe I should say though that I've been veggie for years so I'm not getting animal protein. I have reluctantly started eating fish occasionally.

Thanks for all the really helpful responses. I think I will research across the different supplements but sounds like hydrolised marine collagen is what I’m looking for.

If anyone would highly recommend their specific supplement then please do let me know! The cost of some is prohibitive for me - there’s ones that are £50-60+ for a month.

Thanks @Exasperatedusername1001thats quite cheap too relative to others I’ve looked at. Maybe I will start there and see how I get on.

Everything I have read says no it doesn't.

It can't be absorbed by the gut to get to the skin.

Just because skin contains collagen it doesn't follow that swallowing it will make your skin better. Complete pseudo science.

The way to help your skin is to avoid collagen breakdown.

One of the worst things for this is sugar. It causes inflammation which destroys collagen.

You need to focus on diet, not supplements.

Avocado
almonds
olive oil
fatty oily fish
Omega 3 in leafy green veg

Little alcohol
Sun block spf 50 every single day
No sunbathing
No smoking

The rest is your genes.

@Howdiditgetsobad Spend your £50 a month on better food :)