Collagen products: Do they really make the skin more beautiful

There are many collagen products on the market. The manufacturers promise that the powders or pills make the skin more beautiful. Dermatologists and consumer advocates are skeptical. As MDR reporter Stefan Kloss found out, they prefer to recommend fruit and sleep.

The body’s collagen production decreases with age

With a spoonful of collagen powder in your morning milkshake, your skin and hair will shine, and your joints won’t hurt as much. At least that’s what the manufacturers of collagen-containing products, which are available in most drugstores in the form of dietary supplements, advertise.

But what is collagen? Doctor Birgit Brendel from the Saxony Consumer Advice Center explains: “Collagen is a connective tissue protein found in skin, bones, and cartilage. As we age, the collagen layers in the deeper areas of the skin are damaged and broken down by environmental influences. As we get older, the body’s ability to produce collagen itself also decreases. This means that the skin then appears looser and wrinkled.”

Study situation on the effects of collagen products questionable

Can collagen-containing food supplements effectively help to rejuvenate the skin? Munich-based dermatologist Christoph Liebich is skeptical. A member of the German Dermatologists’ Association says: “The products are relatively poor in terms of studies. That means that there are certainly studies where little effectiveness is seen, better skin, firmer skin, and perhaps even small wrinkles disappear. But there are some places where nothing comes of it.”

Advertising with skin improvement promises banned in the EU

Consumers should be skeptical of advertising claims that promise that the skin would look younger and fresher after taking a specific collagen-containing product, says Birgit Brendel from the Saxony Consumer Advice Center.

Because the effectiveness of collagen-containing food supplements is questionable, there is a clear regulation in the EU, says Brendel: “In the European Union, advertising that collagen improves the appearance of the skin is prohibited because there is insufficient scientific evidence. Manufacturers usually circumvent this advertising ban by adding vitamins and minerals or even secondary plant substances, for which advertising is then permitted.”

What can you do to have good skin?

A balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables has a positive effect. Drink enough, that is, to consume energy-free and low-energy drinks. Avoiding nicotine and getting enough sleep are also particularly important. Good skincare and especially adequate sun protection have a positive effect on the skin,” advises Birgit Brendel from the Saxony Consumer Advice Center.

If you are not sure whether and which collagen-containing food supplements are good or whether it is worth taking them, you could talk to your family doctor beforehand or check the websites of the country’s consumer advice centers.