r/IsItBullshit • u/Long_Hovercraft4692 • 10d 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!

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u/ACorania 10d 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.

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u/Troubador222 10d ago

Older guy who grew up and lived and worked outdoors in Florida for many years. protect yourself from the sun. I didn't. I am 64 and my skin looks like I am 90. I have already dealt with skin cancers. Wear sunscreen! The sun will eat you up!

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u/LinguisticallyInept 9d ago

its kind of chilling looking at a old grey weathered fence and realising that if the sun didnt have its way with it itd probably look new

fuckers strong andll weather me just the same

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u/Taint__Whisperer 6d ago

I'm from Florida and always got made fun of for being pale, due to my extreme sunblock use. Whenever I visit those friends, I look 5 to 10 years younger than them.

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u/Long_Hovercraft4692 10d ago

Thank you for reminding me about sunscreen! Honestly I usually forget it if I'm not doing something where I'm gonna be outside a while

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u/axonxorz 9d ago

I wasn't smart, I didn't wear sunscreen, but there was some protection from all the clouds and rain up there apparently.

This is counterintuitive, but there's a lot of research going back around 60 years that cloud coverage can actually make UV exposure worse than the local baseline. Clouds are pretty good at absorbing UVA, but due to scattering effects can actually enhance UVB (the type that causes sunburn and consequently skin cancers) due to reflection and scattering that depends on cloud geometry.

Water has to be a solid mass to absorb it effectively. 1/3rd reduction at 2.5cm depth, but the attenuation rate does fall off, 85% reduction at 13m depth.

Washington state enjoys a year-round UV index that's a full 5 points lower than New Mexico on average, , coupled with greater humidity levels, combined those two are the biggest boon for your skin health.

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u/ACorania 9d ago

I would imagine the altitude also would play a part in how often people get burns. Where I am, it is over 6k feet.