Effects of collagen tripeptide supplement on skin properties: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

Experimental and clinical trials have indicated that dietary supplements can have beneficial effects on skin health.

We investigated to evaluate the effect of daily collagen peptide (CP) supplement on skin properties.

Thirty-two healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either no supplement (Group A), CP 3 g (Group B), CP 3 g, and vitamin C 500 mg (Group C), or vitamin C 500 mg (Group D) daily for 12 weeks. Skin properties evaluated included hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and elasticity using a corneometer, tewameter, and cutometer, respectively.

Changes from baseline in the corneometer were statistically significant between Groups A and B (p = 0.011) and Groups A and C (p = 0.004). There were statistically significant differences in cutometer from baseline between Groups A and B (p = 0.005) and Groups A and C (p = 0.015). There was no significant difference from baseline in the corneometer and cutometer between Groups B and C. The greatest changes in TEWL from baseline were seen in Group B, and the second greatest changes were seen in Group C.

Daily CP supplementation may improve skin hydration and elasticity, but concomitant intake of low-dose vitamin C did not enhance the effect of CP on skin properties.