Collagen is now being added into everything from our skincare to our morning coffee. It’s a protein found in skin, hair, nails, bones and muscles and is said to help improve skin elasticity and volume. The natural ageing process, sun damage and lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet can affect our collagen levels, which is why collagen in drink and supplement form, usually animal derived, has become so popular.
Yet there’s still doubt over whether it works. Laura Dowling, a pharmacist specialising in female health, cites a study from 2019 that “found very good evidence to support the use of oral collagen supplements to improve skin health”. But aesthetic practitioner Dr Yannis Alexandrides, founder of the 111 Harley St Clinic, says: “Collagen supplements have not been proven to improve the quality of the skin. More research is necessary to establish effectiveness.”
What advice do you follow? Out of curiosity I’ve been taking collagen for a couple of months and haven’t seen any changes to my skin or hair. But Dowling says: “People come into the pharmacy and buy collagen products as they’ve reported seeing their skin becoming more bouncy and less dry.”
If anything I’ll continue taking them to hedge my bets. But is this safe? Dowling says: “The main side-effect you may experience with them is digestive issues, but they are generally well tolerated.” If you find them too pricey, you could up your intake with collagen-rich foods such as bone broth, fish and egg whites.
This is Anita Bhagwandas’s final beauty advice column for The Guardian Saturday