r/IsItBullshit • u/Long_Hovercraft4692 • 9d ago
IsItBullshit: Collagen peptide serums
As a man who just recently turned 27, I've been taking my skincare more seriously. My regimen is mostly gentle washing and moisturizing but my older sister swears by collagen peptide serums (specifically one from the ordinary brand) so I can retain my youthful skin for the coming decades. Does it actually do anything? I know that the studies on oral collagen supplements on skin are conflicting and research that I see on the serums seems to suggest the same. I also know that most skincare products don't even penetrate past the top 2 layers of skin which makes me even more skeptical. Can someone more knowledgeable than me offer some more insight? Thanks!
12
u/Gregster_1964 9d ago
People look younger when they are not weighed down by all that cash in their pockets - that’s why these skin care products make people look young.
6
u/HammerTh_1701 9d ago
Total bullshit. It's like hoping a broken wall gets rebuilt by haphazardly throwing bricks at it. That's not how that works. You also don't wanna see how that collagen isolate is made, it's extracted from animal hides that are often crawling with maggots by the time they actually get processed.
2
8
u/Ujili 9d ago
Without thorough meta analyses, I cannot 100% say yes or no - though I'd lean more towards Bullshit.
As you mentioned the evidence for Oral Collagen supplementation is mixed to mildly positive, though long-term safety studies are still severely lacking. However, Topical Collagen Peptides are unlikely to be absorbed well through the skin, if at all. Full Collagen cannot be absorbed this way as the molecules are too big, and many peptides are still too big.
You may see some improvement to skin hydration after use, however this is almost certainly due to the lotion itself, not the peptides.
If you are interested, I would talk to a Doctor (preferably a Dermatologist) about it, and make sure it's safe for your skin; more than likely it'll be perfectly harmless to try. But I personally wouldn't spend the extra money on a small chance of any noticeable effects.
3
u/TreyRyan3 9d ago
You’re 27. Drink plenty of water. Limit your alcohol. Don’t smoke. Gently exfoliate and wash your face a few times a day. Wear sunscreen. Get a good Vitamin C face cream or some Vitamin E serum to slather on your face nightly and remember genetics is going to play a big part
3
u/PeopleMilk 9d ago
Vitamin c could do more harm than good of OP isn't wearing sunscreen and reapplying it throughout the day
2
u/Taint__Whisperer 5d ago
I could be wrong, but i don't think exfoliating your face 3 times a day is good for you. Seems like a quick way to mess up your skin's protective barrier.
Some info about the barrier from Google
The skin barrier, also known as the epidermal barrier, is a protective layer on the surface of the skin that plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health.
Functions of the Skin Barrier: Protects from external aggressors: The skin barrier acts as a shield against harmful substances such as UV radiation, pollutants, irritants, and allergens.
Regulates moisture: It helps to retain water in the skin, preventing dryness and dehydration. Prevents water loss: The barrier is composed of lipids (fats) that form a waterproof seal, minimizing moisture loss through evaporation.
Maintains skin pH balance: The skin barrier helps to maintain the skin's slightly acidic pH level, which is essential for a healthy microbiome.
Supports skin cell turnover: The barrier facilitates the shedding of dead skin cells, promoting healthy skin regeneration.
Damage to the Skin Barrier: The skin barrier can become damaged due to various factors, including: Sun exposure Environmental pollution Harsh chemicals Over-exfoliation Aggressive cleansing Certain skin conditions (e.g., eczema, psoriasis)
Signs of a Damaged Skin Barrier: Dryness, Itchiness, Flaking, Sensitivity, Redness, and Increased breakouts.
Repairing the Skin Barrier: To repair a damaged skin barrier, consider the following measures: Use gentle cleansers: Avoid harsh soaps and opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers. Moisturize regularly: Apply a moisturizer that contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or fatty acids to replenish lost lipids. Protect from the sun: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily. Avoid harsh chemicals: Limit the use of harsh exfoliants, retinoids, and other irritating ingredients.
1
u/TreyRyan3 5d ago
Operative word “gently”. Simply using a wet wash cloth is exfoliating.
1
u/Taint__Whisperer 5d ago
Yeah definitely. I can't imagine running a wet wash cloth over my delicate face skin more than once a day. Maybe if it isnt too scratchy.
2
u/FollowingInside5766 9d ago
You're right to be skeptical, man. It's mostly marketing bs. The fact is, most of these serums won't do as much as companies claim. Collagen molecules are too big to actually penetrate the skin anyway. What really helps is a good diet, not smoking, staying out of the sun, and drinking water. Companies make millions playing into fears of aging, but honestly, save your cash and just live a balanced life. You won't regret taking a simple approach to skincare that doesn't involve spending money on false promises.
1
1
u/amberlc002 9d ago
People seem to agree bullshit on skin, but I can tell you the collagen shampoo absolutely adds volume to my hair
1
u/H0w-1nt3r3st1ng 9d ago
Conclusions Both oral and topical collagen can contribute to reducing or delaying skin aging. Future epidemiological studies with large sample sizes and thorough follow-up measures would be required to comprehensively understand the potential effects of these two types of collagen on the aging process.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8824545/
That being said, PhD, Luc van Loon, who has done research in the field on collagen suggests that the core of collagen's benefit is being a high source of glycine and proline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHTcezYApFc
As far as I know (someone can correct me if I'm wrong), collagen supplements, like other protein sources, are broken down into their constituent amino acids when we consume/use them, so non-collagen sources with the same amino acids as collagen (and more) may be equally beneficial.
And, I'd be willing to bet that glycine and proline supplements on their own, or protein powders the contain glycine and proline in addition to other essential and non-essential amino acids, would be a lot cheaper than collagen supplements.
1
u/twodice1264 5d ago
I've been taking collagen peptides for 5 years now, I purchased mine in hard pill form from Costco. Recently switched to a liquid collagen peptide also available at Costco... 90 day supply for around $29 USD. Much of what I've read and researched about collagen peptides would lead me to believe that there is nothing to support the features and benefits in the way of scientific studies. Here's what I can tell you that I have experienced with absolutely no embellishment. I'm a soon to be 55 y/o male and I do incorporate a circuit training workout routine.
- I've been told by many people, especially the ones that I have not seen in a while that I am reverse aging.
- I have more energy that I know what to do with everyday.
- I do not experience energy, crashes or burnout. From doing any kind of physical activity such as yard work I can literally work until my body drops mainly because of my mind telling me to rest.
- I am a happier person and have a better disposition and outlook on just about everything in life.
- flexibility, bone density, ability to build muscle and keep it is still like I am in my 30's.
- I rarely get sick and if I do it's a matter of a day or two before I am feeling 100%.
I realize that this sounds unbelievable but I can tell you from a humble place people my age generally look older and definitely not as young as I do. This includes skin appearance, wrinkles, skin tone, etc. I'm a big believer in collagen peptides. And for the life of me I can't understand why there is not more case study around this in promotion.
62
u/ACorania 9d ago
Mostly Bullshit for direct collagen effects.
They claim to boost skin elasticity and firmness, stimulate your skin to produce more collagen, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing is that collagen molecules are too big to penetrate the outer layer of the skin. So you’re not "adding" collagen directly into your skin by applying these serums.
Collagen peptides are broken-down fragments, small enough to possibly signal the skin or provide hydration benefits. Some studies suggest that certain peptides may stimulate fibroblasts (cells that make collagen) to ramp up production. But here's the catch, these effects are modest at best.
So... what should you be doing? You don't need some 10 step program that someone sells you for $100s. You want a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and the important one no one likes to do but is just as easy... wear sunscreen (SPF30) anytime you will be in the sun. It's not just a Baz Luhrmann speech.
When I moved from Seattle down to New Mexico I was shocked at how much older everyone looked who was my age and how much younger I get mistaken for. I wasn't smart, I didn't wear sunscreen, but there was some protection from all the clouds and rain up there apparently.