• Collagen peptide creams improve skin hydration and elasticity but only affect the specific area where they are applied.
• While topical collagen creams directly target the skin's surface, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides extend beyond just the skin, offering whole-body improvements, including enhanced hair, nails, joints, and overall skin health.
• Studies show that while both methods are effective, oral collagen peptide powders have more science to support their use and provide broader whole-body benefits compared to the localized effects of creams

Collagen, an essential structural protein, is vital in maintaining skin elasticity, hydration, and youthful appearance. Over time, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and other visible signs of aging.1,2 To counteract this, collagen supplements have emerged in various forms, including topical creams and oral powders, each claiming unique benefits.3-5 While creams offer surface-level benefits, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides extend to whole-body improvements.

There are several ways to deliver collagen to your body. Topical applications, like creams and serums, are applied directly to the skin, aiming to hydrate and improve skin texture. On the other hand, oral collagen peptides are ingested, allowing collagen to be absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body.

Topical collagen creams provide localized effects for skin issues like dryness and wrinkles but do not penetrate deeply enough to offer long-term or whole-body benefits. In contrast, Collagen peptide powders contain hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken down into smaller peptides that are easily absorbed by the body. The benefits of drinking collagen peptides are not limited to skin health; they also include hair, skin, nail, and joint health.6 Furthermore, recent studies have shown that oral collagen can improve gut health by enhancing intestinal tissue healing and modulating gut microbiota.7

Topical collagen creams are designed to be applied directly to the skin, delivering hydration and improving skin texture. However, one major limitation is that collagen molecules in many creams are too large to penetrate deeply into the skin.8 This restricts the benefits of these creams to surface-level improvements, such as reducing dryness and fine lines in the specific areas where they are applied.

Recent advancements have led to the development of creams with low-molecular-weight collagen peptides, which can better penetrate the skin's outer layers.4,9 A 2022 study found that using micronized collagen cream applied twice daily significantly improved skin hydration (nearly 200%), elasticity, and reduced fine lines after four weeks​.

To better understand this, think of collagen creams as a bandage that temporarily fixes an issue on the skin's surface. They help plump and hydrate the skin, but their impact is short-term and confined to the areas where they are applied.

In contrast, consuming collagen peptides through oral supplements offers much broader benefits. When you drink collagen peptides, they are absorbed through the digestive system, enter the bloodstream, and are distributed throughout the body.10 This means that the benefits of drinking collagen peptides go beyond just improving the skin; they also positively impact hair, nails, joints, and even gut health.

Research has shown that the benefits of drinking collagen peptides are systemic. For example, participants who consumed collagen supplements experienced improvements in skin elasticity, joint pain relief, and stronger hair and nails​.11 Unlike creams, which only affect the area of skin they are applied to, oral collagen supports collagen production throughout the entire body, leading to more comprehensive health improvements.

One key example is joint health. Our natural collagen production declines as we age, leading to joint stiffness and discomfort. Drinking collagen peptides has been shown to stimulate collagen production in joints, improving mobility and reducing pain. Similarly, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides extend to stronger hair and nails, as the peptides work to rebuild and strengthen these structures from within​​.

The main distinction between collagen peptide creams and powders lies in the scope of their benefits. Topical collagen creams provide localized relief for skin issues like dryness and wrinkles, but their effects are confined to the specific areas where they are applied. They do not penetrate deep enough to offer long-term or whole-body benefits.

In contrast, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides extend beyond the skin. Oral collagen peptide supplements improve the skin, hair, nails, joints, and even gut health from the inside out. Over time, drinking collagen peptides helps to replenish the body's natural collagen supply, leading to deeper, more lasting health benefits.

Moreover, the bioavailability of collagen is higher in oral supplements. This means the body can absorb and use the collagen peptides more effectively when consumed, compared to creams that only act on the surface.

While collagen peptide creams are excellent for providing immediate hydration and addressing surface-level skin issues, they are limited to the areas where they are applied. For those seeking more comprehensive improvements, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides offer a much broader impact. Drinking collagen peptides supports whole-body health, improving skin, hair, nails, joints, and more.

For consumers looking to enhance their overall health, it's important to recognize the distinction between topical collagen creams and oral collagen supplements. If you're looking to fine-tune a specific area of the skin, a collagen peptide cream is a good choice. However, the benefits of drinking collagen peptides should not be overlooked for those seeking comprehensive and long-term health benefits. Oral consumption of collagen peptides supports skin health and nail, hair, gut, and joint health. Remember, consistency is key to unlocking the full benefits of drinking collagen peptides, with results becoming noticeable after several weeks of regular use.

References

1 Seong, S. H. et al. Low‐molecular‐weight Collagen Peptides Supplement Promotes a Healthy Skin: A Randomized, Double‐blinded, Placebo‐controlled Study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 23, 554-562 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16026

2 Rustad, A. M., Nickles, M. A., McKenney, J. E., Bilimoria, S. & Lio, P. A. Myths and Media in Oral Collagen Supplementation for the Skin, Nails, and Hair: A Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 21, 438-443 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14567

3 Gold, M. H., Biron, J., Wilson, A. & Nelson, D. B. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Hyaluronic Acid‐based Serum and a Peptide‐rich Cream for the Face and Neck in Subjects With Photodamaged Skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 21, 3458-3463 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14981

4 Lubart, R. & Lipovsky, A. Immediate and Long Term Clinical Benefits of a Novel Topical Micronized Collagen Face Cream. Journal of Cosmetics Dermatological Sciences and Applications 12, 153-163 (2022). https://doi.org/10.4236/jcdsa.2022.124013

5 Badenhorst, T., Svirskis, D. M. & Wu, Z.

6 Lin, C.-R. et al. Analgesic Efficacy of Collagen Peptide in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. (2023). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3138309/v1

7 Larder, C. E., Iskandar, M. M. & Kubow, S. Gastrointestinal Digestion Model Assessment of Peptide Diversity and Microbial Fermentation Products of Collagen Hydrolysates. Nutrients 13 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082720

8 Wakeman, M. A Review of the Literature Relating to Collagen Hydrolysate and Its Potential Clinical Applications. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 6-20 (2021). https://doi.org/10.9734/jammr/2021/v33i1530981

9 Avila Rodríguez, M. I., Rodriguez Barroso, L. G. & Sánchez, M. L. Collagen: A review on its sources and potential cosmetic applications. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 17, 20 - 26 (2018). 

10 Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerß, J. & Voss, W. A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients 11 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102494

11Al-Atif, H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Fields of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual12 (2022).