Taking Collagen Keeps Skin More Elastic but Doesn’t Stop Wrinkles

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

New research suggests that oral collagen supplements can help maintain skin elasticity, but they do not prevent the formation of wrinkles, contrary to widespread marketing claims. Scientists say the findings refine public understanding of how collagen affects skin health, and caution that supplements are not a magic solution for age‑related changes in appearance.

Collagen — a structural protein abundant in skin, bone and connective tissue — gradually declines with age. As levels fall, skin can become thinner and less resilient, contributing to sagging and lines. In recent years, collagen peptides sold in supplement form have become hugely popular, often promoted with claims of anti‑ageing benefits including wrinkle reduction.

In a review of clinical trials and laboratory data, researchers found that people taking daily collagen supplements showed measurable improvements in skin elasticity compared with control groups. Increased elasticity means the skin can better return to its original shape after stretching, a quality associated with youthful firmness. However, the same studies showed no consistent evidence that collagen ingestion halted or reversed wrinkle formation once lines have begun to appear.

Scientists explain the distinction this way: collagen supplements may support certain biomechanical properties of the dermis, such as elasticity and hydration, but wrinkles arise from complex structural and cellular changes involving multiple layers of skin, long‑term ultraviolet damage, and the cumulative effects of facial expressions. These processes are not simply corrected by adding external collagen.

Dermatologists emphasise that wrinkles are influenced by a variety of factors including sun exposure, smoking, sleep patterns, diet and genetics. While maintaining skin elasticity could contribute to overall skin health, no supplement — including collagen — has been shown to provide a reliable “stop wrinkle” effect.

In practical terms, scientists say collagen supplements may be most beneficial as part of a broader skin‑care and wellness strategy rather than a standalone cure. Combining good nutrition, sun protection, hydration and clinically proven topical treatments like retinoids or peptides is likely to deliver more substantial outcomes for skin appearance over time.

The new insights do not undermine the value of collagen in the body, but they encourage realistic expectations. “Collagen supplementation appears to confer modest benefits for elasticity,” said one researcher involved in the review, “but it’s not a replacement for comprehensive skin care or lifestyle measures proven to reduce wrinkle risk.”

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