Collagen has become one of the UK’s biggest beauty and wellness trends, with around 1.3 million UK searches in the past month for the protein and its associated products.
Consumers are increasingly putting their money where their interest is. According to YouGov research, 10% of UK adults have used collagen since January 2025, rising to 15% of women, making it the most popular of the emerging wellness supplements measured. TikTok is also helping drive the trend, with 22% of people who have encountered collagen saying they first saw it on the platform.
But while collagen powders, drinks, and gummies promise everything from firmer skin to fewer wrinkles, new research suggests consumers may want to think twice before spending money on them.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomised controlled trials involving 1,474 people found that collagen supplementation appeared to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles when all studies were considered. However, the researchers found no significant benefits in higher-quality studies or studies without pharmaceutical industry funding, concluding that there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to support collagen supplements for preventing or treating skin ageing.
Dr Conal Perrett, Consultant Dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic, says consumers should therefore be wary of taking marketing claims at face value. “Collagen is an important structural protein in the skin, but that doesn’t automatically mean that consuming collagen will make your skin younger. The evidence around oral collagen is interesting, but it remains mixed and the quality of the studies varies.”
Unlike the impression often given by beauty marketing, collagen consumed in a drink or powder is not simply transported directly to the skin. The digestive system breaks collagen down into amino acids and smaller peptides, which the body can then use.
“Your body doesn’t simply take the collagen from a supplement and deliver it directly to your skin,” explains Dr Perrett. “Some research suggests certain collagen peptides may have biological effects, but this shouldn’t be interpreted as proof that every collagen product will reduce wrinkles or improve skin firmness.”
Focusing on nutritional fundamentals
Dr Perrett says consumers should not overlook the basics of nutrition when considering skin health. Vitamin C is essential for normal collagen production, while protein provides the amino acids the body needs to make proteins. He recommends the following as foundations for supporting the skin’s natural collagen
- Eat a varied diet: Include a range of colourful fruit and vegetables alongside a good source of protein at meals. “Don’t look for one miracle food for your skin,” Dr Perrett said.
- Prioritise vitamin C: Peppers, citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, and tomatoes are all good sources, and vitamin C is easy to get through food.
- Don’t overlook protein: Eggs, fish, meat, dairy, beans, and lentils throughout the day help supply the amino acids the body needs.
- Treat supplements as optional, not a replacement: “A collagen supplement isn’t a shortcut to younger-looking skin,” Dr Perrett added. “I’d prioritise a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle before spending money on an expensive supplement.”
- Protect skin from UV exposure: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and limit prolonged sun exposure, particularly on the face, neck, and hands. “When it comes to collagen, we shouldn’t just think about making more, we should also think about protecting what we already have. UV exposure is a major contributor to premature skin ageing,” Dr Perrett said.
Perrett said: “Before spending money on an expensive beauty supplement, I’d focus on the fundamentals: a varied diet, adequate protein, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and good sun protection. These are far more important foundations for skin health than relying on a single supplement.”
Collagen is not necessarily a scam, but it is not a miracle cure either. With collagen use continuing to grow despite 7 in 10 adults saying most wellness supplements are overhyped, Dr Perrett’s advice is to approach the trend with realistic expectations.
“If someone enjoys taking a collagen supplement and understands that the evidence is still developing, there may be a place for it within their routine. But I wouldn’t want people to feel that they need to spend significant amounts of money on collagen to have healthy skin,” Dr Perrett added.
“The biggest mistake is to confuse a popular wellness trend with an established medical treatment. Collagen is an important protein in our skin, but that doesn’t automatically mean that consuming collagen will reverse skin ageing.”