WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT COLLAGEN?

Collagen is suddenly everywhere. In powders, shots, gummies, drinks and approximately half your Instagram feed. But what actually is it, why does your body need it and why are so many people supplementing it? We investigated.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

Collagen is a protein. And quite an important one. Think of it as part of the structural framework that helps give different tissues in your body their strength and structure. Collagen is found throughout the body, including in your skin, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

And collagen isn't just one thing. Scientists have identified many different types, with different types appearing in different tissues and structures. Types I, II and III are some of the ones you'll hear about most often.
We'll save the collagen-type rabbit hole for another day, baddie.

SO WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT IT?

Because our bodies make collagen themselves, but that collagen-rich tissue doesn't stay exactly the same throughout our lives.

Let's take skin. The dermis is largely made up of a collagen-rich extracellular matrix, with type I collagen being particularly important. As skin ages, collagen fibres become increasingly fragmented and the cells responsible for maintaining that matrix become less effective at producing and organising it. The result is a gradual change in the structure and mechanical properties of the skin.

And ageing isn't the only thing involved. UV exposure is a major external contributor to collagen degradation in skin.
In other words: your collagen has quite a lot to deal with.

CAN'T WE JUST EAT COLLAGEN?

We can. Collagen is naturally present in animal connective tissues, and foods such as skin, cartilage and bone-containing preparations can provide collagen and its amino acids.

But collagen supplements generally use hydrolysed collagen, also called collagen peptides. Hydrolysis breaks the larger collagen proteins into smaller peptides. And this is important: drinking collagen doesn't mean a collagen molecule travels intact from your BADDIE straight to your cheek. Your digestive system gets involved first.

Collagen peptides are digested and absorbed, and research has detected collagen-derived peptides and amino acids after ingestion. What happens after that, and whether supplementing them actually produces measurable effects in skin, joints and other tissues, is where things get much more interesting scientifically.

And yes, we're giving that its own BADDIE LAB.

BUT DOES TAKING COLLAGEN ACTUALLY WORK?

Now we're asking the right question.

There are randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews investigating oral collagen supplementation for outcomes including skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles, as well as research into joints and musculoskeletal health. Some have reported positive results.

But this is also where we need to resist turning science into an Instagram caption.

A 2025 meta-analysis looked at 23 randomized controlled trials involving 1,474 participants. Across all studies, collagen supplementation was associated with improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles. But when researchers analysed studies according to funding source, studies without pharmaceutical-company funding did not show those benefits. The authors therefore questioned how conclusive the evidence currently is.

So is there scientific evidence behind collagen supplementation? Yes.

Does that mean every collagen product works, every claim is proven and we can all cancel our dermatologist appointments? No.

That's why we're going deeper.

WELCOME TO THE COLLAGEN RABBIT HOLE

Because “does collagen work?” is actually about five questions disguised as one.

Does the source matter?
Marine or bovine?
Liquid or powder?
How much do you need?
How long do you need to take it?
And what does the evidence actually say about skin, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscle?

We researched those separately.

THE BADDIE VERDICT

Collagen isn't a magical beauty ingredient invented by the wellness industry. It's a structural protein that's already all over your body.
Your body makes it. Your body uses it. And the collagen-rich structures in your body change as you age.

Whether adding collagen peptides to your diet can meaningfully influence those changes is a much bigger question.

Good thing we have a LAB. 🔬