The effects and mechanisms of collagen peptides for alleviating skin ageing

Abstract The roles of food protein-derived bioactive peptides in improving human health have been increasingly recognized. As a major type of bioactive peptides, collagen peptides have received growing attention for their potential benefits for skin health, particularly in delaying skin aging. This review summarizes the physiological effects of collagen peptides, including their role in enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and reducing wrinkles. Numerous clinical trials have further validated these effects, with many studies reporting improvements in skin-related parameters such as elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle-related outcomes following oral collagen peptide supplementation. However, the extent of these effects varies among studies due to differences in study design, dosage, intervention duration, and participant characteristics. Most trials have reported good tolerability, with no serious adverse events observed during the intervention periods. In addition to oral supplementation, this review also discusses the potential and limitations of topical applications of collagen peptides, including challenges associated with transdermal delivery and skin penetration. Despite these promising findings, further well-designed studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and to optimize formulations for evidence-based applications of collagen peptides in skin health.