As a lifestyle reporter, I constantly search for ways to promote better skin, hair and an overall sense of well-being. And as my social media feed keeps filling with ambitious claims about collagen, I wanted to see whether the supplements really live up to the hype.
I am in my late twenties, and two decades of sun exposure are finally catching up to me. So far, the most noticeable signs of ageing have surfaced around my eyes and mouth.
While wrinkles aren't a major concern, one issue I've been hoping to rectify is lacklustre skin and weak nails, so I wanted to explore collagen supplementation as a potential solution.
The promises surrounding collagen are alluring, with scores of online users reporting firmer and more hydrated skin after weeks of use.
Marine collagen has been found to support nail and skin health
GETTY / GB NEWS
Other health platforms highlight the capacity of marine collagen to help store moisture, and plump and firm skin from within, so I was sold.
I opted for the Marine Collagen by SixWays, which according to their website, has a remarkable capacity to “support collagen production and promote healthier hair, skin and joints” with “fish sustainably sources in Atlantic waters”.
Sixways' collagen comes as a pink powder with raspberry flavouring to mask the taste of fish, taking on a squash-like consistency when mixed with water.
The practical scooper provided with the supplement made it straightforward to measure daily doses at the office.
Although the sweetness was a bit excessive for my liking, one colleague found the concoction enjoyable and refreshing.
The results:
After nearly three weeks, my typically dry skin needed noticeably less moisturising, allowing me to skip my usual facial serum on multiple occasions.
While I maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise and hydration, the collagen supplement drastically enhanced my skin’s natural radiance.
One colleague at work also noticed a difference, validating this observation.
The benefits were less apparent in my nails, however, though this may have changed with prolonged use.
To my surprise, the most striking change was on my arms and legs, which felt significantly smoother and softer by the end of the trial.
While some studies have shown that collagen supplements increase hair thickness and scalp coverage, a thirty-day trial didn't leave enough time to see a difference.
What does the science say?
The research on collagen is still in its infancy, but evidence of the benefits appears promising so far.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
I noticed a difference in my skin within weeks
GB NEWS
Some studies suggest that supplements containing collagen significantly reverse signs of ageing, but the devil is in the details.
Nutrition Patrick Farrell told GB News: “When you read scientific papers on this, you will see them say 'significant', but with regards to wrinkles, this generally means they are improved by somewhere in the region of seven to 12 per cent.”
One scientific review found that marine collagen appears to be significantly more advantageous than land animal sources, highlighting the product's ability to promote faster wound healing rates.
The review also highlighted marine collagen’s “highly promising” anti-ageing effects, particularly for skin elasticity and wrinkle reduction.
Although my trial conclusively found that collagen supplements do wonders for the skin, further testing would be warranted to investigate its purported benefits for hair and nails.
