Collagen will make your skin glow with radiance, your bones and nails stronger and your hair longer. Are collagen supplements really worth the hype, or are they just empty promises? How can something that you consume orally have such a big influence on how you look on the outside? Here is what we know based on recent scientific research.

What is collagen?

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins of the body, it is also known as our body’s scaffolding. It forms our connective tissue throughout our body, from our skin to bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Interestingly, our skin is made up of 80% collagen and works with elastin to keep our skin elastic. As we grow older, we break down collagen faster than our body can replace it. We begin to lose about 1% of our collagen every year when we hit the mid-20s, and as much as 30% during the first 5 years of menopause.

Ingesting collagen is an ancient practice

Collagen, when applied, is not well absorbed by the skin. For centuries, Chinese women have used collagen as their fountain of youth. They consumed food rich in collagen such as pig’s trotters, fish maws, sea cucumbers and bone broths. Even today, these foods are widely popular for their ability to smoothen wrinkled skin and protect ageing joints. It is only in recent years that companies, big or small, have come up with more convenient and appetising ways to consume collagen.

Do collagen supplements work?

Collagen that is used in supplements is also known as hydrolysed collagen, are more easily absorbed and used by our bodies. Hydrolysed Collagen Type I is extracted from the skin and bones of animals, or fish scales, and there is no such thing as a vegan collagen supplement. Recent studies have shown that taking collagen supplements for at least 3 months, can improve signs of ageing, skin elasticity, improve knee pain and product hair growth. While a lot of research is still being carried out, and there are many of sceptics out there, it is undeniable that hundreds of thousands of women who ingest collagen supplements who have witnessed noticeable benefits in their appearances. Furthermore, ingesting collagen has proved to be safe and effective for centuries, eating collagen supplements should definitely form part of your regular beauty routine.

How to choose?

Collagen supplements come in various forms, powder, liquid, capsules and soft gels. The forms of ingestible collagen are not as important as looking for a trusted brand, preferably backed by clinical evidence and formulated with safe ingredients. Check out the company’s website for their ingredients certificates, or email them for verification on quality control if you must. As for results, oral supplements will take at least 12 weeks of diligent consumption for results to show.

Our collagen supplement options for you

There are many choices out there, and we have sourced and shortlisted 2 brands for you. Our criteria for supplements is very stringent, we choose only those that are research-proven and are made with high quality, safe ingredients.

We highly recommend kosher friendly Beauty Miracle Capsule from IOMA. It is the first encapsulated anti-wrinkle treatment with patented technology that renews collagen, formulated after 10 years of research, 12 million EUROs of investment and 4 years of clinical trials on 550 women. At the heart of Beauty Miracle Capsule is a unique complex of Omega 3, Soy isoflavones, Vitamin C, Lycopene and Vitamin E that supports firmer skin, stronger nails and healthier hairs in as early as 9 weeks. Take 3 capsules a day for 14 weeks to guarantee efficacy.

Our other option for you is BioCode Brightening Beverages. Its primary functions are to support the brightening of your skin tone and lighten pigmentation by improving the detoxifying function of the liver. It contains hydrolysed collagen of small molecular weight made from fish scales that supports collagen production.

Ultimately, it is up to you if you want to include oral collagen supplements in your beauty regime. Remember though, collagen supplementation does not mean you stop eating healthy meals that contain plant-based, animal-based and dairy-based proteins.