Explore how marine collagen, in the form of bioactive collagen peptides, may support the health of your skin, hair, and nails as part of your overall wellness routine.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found throughout the body, providing structural support to tissues such as the skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As we age, the body’s natural collagen production may decrease, which can affect the overall appearance and flexibility of the skin and joints. Collagen plays a role in supporting the body’s structural integrity, and supplementation may help support skin and joint health as part of a balanced wellness routine.
The role of Collagen in the body
Collagen is an essential protein that provides structural support to tissues such as the skin, muscles, cartilage, joints, teeth, and bones. As we age, the body’s natural collagen production may decline, which can impact the appearance and flexibility of the skin and the health of the joints. Supplementing with collagen may help support skin and joint health, contributing to an overall balanced approach to wellbeing.
Understanding Collagen variants and Collagen peptides
There are several types of collagen found throughout the body, with Type I being the most abundant, particularly in the skin, bones, teeth, ligaments, and organs. Collagen can be sourced from both animal and non-animal origins, including marine sources, which provide collagen derived from fish skins. Marine collagen is primarily composed of Type I collagen.
Marine collagen is processed through hydrolysis, breaking it down into smaller peptides that may be more readily absorbed by the body. These bioactive collagen peptides may support skin hydration and overall skin health, as well as contribute to the health of hair and nails, offering a neutral taste and good bioavailability.
Our Marine Collagen supplement
Our supplement contains bioactive collagen peptides derived from marine collagen (fish). These peptides are hydrolysed into a form that may be more readily absorbed by the body, potentially supporting overall skin health and joint mobility.
Below, we highlight independent scientific studies that suggest potential benefits of these bioactive collagen peptides for skin health and other areas. Individual results may vary.
E. Proksch, D. Segger, J. Degwert, M. Schunck, V. Zague, S. Oesser; Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen Peptides Has Beneficial Effects on Human Skin Physiology: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 1 August 2013; 27 (1): 47–55.
Participants: 69 women aged 35-55
Treatment: Either 2.5 g or 5.0 g of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (VERISOL®) or a placebo once a day for 8 weeks.
Results: Both groups receiving collagen demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity after just 4 weeks of treatment.
Notable Outcomes: Increase in skin elasticity, with a maximum enhancement of up to 30% at the end of the 8-week treatment period. The effect was even more pronounced in women aged 50 years and older. The beneficial effect was still detectable 4-week after the end of treatment.
Schunck, M., Zague, V., Oesser, S., & Proksch, E. (2015). Dietary supplementation with specific collagen peptides has a body mass index-dependent beneficial effect on cellulite morphology. Journal of medicinal food, 18(12), 1340-1348.
Participants: 105 women between the ages of 24 and 50
Treatment: Either 2.5 g of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (VERISOL®) or a placebo once a day.
Results: Significant improvements in cellulite, both visually and through the pinch test, with cellulite score reduction after just 3 months of treatment and significant reduction in skin waviness measured through 3D skin surface profile analysis after 6 months of treatment.
Notable Outcomes: The effect was even more pronounced in the normal BMI group, showcasing an 11.1% decrease in thigh skin waviness. Dermal density was improved compared to the placebo group, as the skin tissue became measurably more compact, reflecting enhanced connective tissue. The border length between the dermis and subcutis, which correlates with cellulite severity, was also shorter after collagen peptide supplementation, highlighting a reduction in cellulite.
E. Proksch, M. Schunck, V. Zague, D. Segger, J. Degwert, S. Oesser; Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 1 February 2014; 27 (3): 113–119.
Participants: 114 women aged 45-65
Treatment: Either 2.5 g of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (VERISOL®) or a placebo once a day for 8 weeks.
Results: Observed significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume after just 4 weeks.
Notable Outcomes: The reduction in wrinkle volume became even more pronounced after 8 weeks, with a maximum reduction of 50%. Results still detectible 4 weeks after the last dose. These effects were reinforced by the enhancement of pro-collagen type I by 65%, elastin by 18%, and fibrillin by 6% – the vital dermal macromolecules responsible for skin elasticity and wrinkle formation.
Oesser, S. (2020). The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness. International Journal on Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Novel Foods.
Participants: 44 women between the ages of 39 and 75
Treatment: Either 2.5 g of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (VERISOL®) or a placebo once a day for 16 weeks.
Results: Significant improvement in hair thickness and hair growth.
Notable Outcomes: Hair thickness in the collagen group significantly increased by 1.93 μm (p<0.01), while the placebo group experienced a slight decrease. Collagen had a profound impact on hair follicle cell proliferation, with a statistically significant increase of 31% compared to the control cells.
Hexsel, D., Zague, V., Schunck, M., Siega, C., Camozzato, F. O., & Oesser, S. (2017). Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 16(4), 520-526.
Participants: 25 women
Treatment: Either 2.5 g of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (VERISOL®) or a placebo once a day for 24 weeks.
Results: Significant improvement in nail growth rate and reduction in frequency of broken nails with visibly enhanced appearance.
Notable Outcomes: The bioactive collagen peptides treatment led to a 12% increase in nail growth rate and 42% reduction in the frequency of broken nails. 64% of participants reported a global clinical improvement in their brittle nails, and even after the treatment period 88% of participants experienced ongoing improvements.
