Can you really eat your way to better skin? Many foods and supplements advertise their benefits for the skin, but do they really work? Some studies say YES!

Collagen peptides, in powder form, have been popping up on many Instagram feeds and magazines promising to “plump your skin!”, “increase hydration!”, “decrease aging!” So, naturally we had to try some! Brooke purchased some Vital Proteins collagen peptides three months ago and has been using it a few times a week since then. Before we dive into her experience, lets dish on the facts.

Collagen is an essential protein that exists in the extracellular matrix of the skin and is responsible for hydration and that nice, plump, youthful appearance. Unfortunately, as we mature our stores of collagen deplete which often times leaves skin looking dull, feeling dry, and sagging. So can eating collagen actually turn back the clock? Hydroxyproline (Pro Hyp) is a major component of collagen as it is found in humans. When Pro Hyp is broken down in the body it produces hyaluronic acid (HA) – one of the workhorses of skin hydration and a favorite products to use topically for moisturizing.

However, what you put ON your skin isn’t the same as those same things when they are found IN your body. Studies of both animals and humans who have ingested collagen found increased amounts of hyaluronic acid in the blood, but how do we know how much of that HA is actually expressed on the skin? One study we read showed a “significantly increased skin hydration after 8 weeks of intake” of a collagen peptide supplement with increased density of collagen in the dermis (the second layer of your skin).

Enough with the scientific talk — let’s tell you about Brooke’s experience! First of all – the powder tastes like absolutely nothing. You can add it to tea, hot chocolate, smoothies and you’d never know it was there. It’s powdery fine though and I did find that a thin layer was all over my counter tops each time I used it. To be honest, I do notice that my skin is looking great recently; however, I can’t pinpoint if it is truly the collagen peptides, since I’ve been switching some other products up in my routine.

Our key takeaway: we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If you’re already taking a form of ingested collagen and you feel like its working, then stick with it! We wouldn’t run out to spend your hard earned dollars on this type of product though. The research is too varied, the studies aren’t controlled enough, and there are lots of other proven ways to increase skin hydration, reduce signs of aging and all the other miracles collagen peptides promise to deliver.