Collagen is a protein produced naturally in the body that provides support for muscles, vision, joints and bones and ensures elasticity in connective tissue. With increasing age, the body can no longer maintain the collagen production it once had. Reduced amounts of the protein eventually lead to wrinkles, less elastic skin, brittle bones and joint problems. There are thousands of collagen supplements on the market in all possible forms that are supposed to remedy this. But do these products really have the desired effect? In this article, we reveal whether it is really worth investing in collagen-containing care products, drinks or capsules.
Artificial vs. natural
The collagen in skincare products and dietary supplements is industrially produced and therefore differs from our body's own collagen in its origin alone. It is added to a wide variety of preparations, the use of which promises more freshness, support and youthfulness.
Skin care
Collagen in creams and other skin care products penetrates the body through the skin and is supposed to help fight wrinkles. However, this does not work because the collagen does not penetrate beyond the top layer of the skin and therefore cannot make a lasting contribution to elasticity and wrinkle reduction. However, skin care products containing collagen often also contain many other important ingredients that are essential for the care of stressed skin.
Drinks
If drinks contain collagen, the manufacturers promise that regular intake can compensate for the body's own collagen deficiency. This should ultimately reduce wrinkles. From a scientific point of view, there is no clear evidence of effectiveness here, but there is also no evidence to the contrary.
Capsules
As well as reducing wrinkles, collagen-enriched capsules are also said to restore youthfulness to joints, bones and muscles by delivering collagen directly to where it is urgently needed in the body. However, it is not quite as simple as that, because collagen is made up of several amino acids and only these individual components actually make it to the joints or bones that have a lack of the body's own collagen.
Pros vs. cons
Vegetarians and vegans need to take a closer look, as most of the collagen in commercially available preparations is of animal origin. There is also a lack of concrete information on the possible harm of long-term collagen intake. However, there are many users who swear by collagen - in whatever form. If a rejuvenation of the skin is actually visible or noticeable, then the product in question has certainly not been a mistake.
