Aesthetic Surg J Open Forum

Collagen supplements: Meaningful clinical benefits or just another wellness trend?

March 3, 2026

An umbrella review of 16 systematic reviews, including 113 randomized controlled trials and 7,983 participants, found that oral collagen supplementation was consistently associated with improved skin elasticity and hydration and favorable outcomes in musculoskeletal and osteoarthritis-related measures. Effects on oral health and cardiometabolic parameters were mixed, underscoring variable benefits outside dermal and structural domains.

Clinical takeaway: For patients seeking evidence‑based options to support skin hydration, elasticity, or osteoarthritis symptoms, clinicians can consider recommending sustained oral collagen supplementation—while counseling that benefits are modest, require consistent use, and should not replace established dermatologic or musculoskeletal therapies.

Source:

Ravindran R, et al. (2026, January 30). Aesthetic Surg J Open Forum. Collagen Supplementation for Skin and Musculoskeletal Health: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses on Elasticity, Hydration, and Structural Outcomes. https://academic.oup.com/asjopenforum/advance-article/doi/10.1093/asjof/ojag018/8446510