ARTICLE: Clinical Evidence of the Anti-Aging Effects of a Collagen Peptide Nutraceutical Drink on the Skin

January 2020 | Volume 19 | Issue 1 | Supplement Individual Articles | 5 | Copyright © January 2020


Published online December 23, 2019

Kathy L. Anderson DO FAOCD

Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology, Clearwater, FL Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, FL

Abstract
Nutraceutical supplementation has been shown to have effects on skin. The aim of this article is to establish the acceptability and feasibility of modifying dietary routines to include use of a collagen peptide-based nutraceutical drink (Skinade®, Bottled Science Ltd, London, UK) in order to improve skin quality. Several studies have shown the effects of this nutraceutical drink, which targets the skin as a whole organ by addressing overall skin health through the product’s formulation and mechanism of action. Aesthetic professionals have noted improvements in skin appearance and texture, as well as skin healing, after daily intake of the drink, which is derived from ingredients known to improve skin health and ameliorate the effects of skin aging. Maintenance of collagen levels through aesthetic procedures and topical skincare application can produce localized reductions in signs of aging. Dermatologists should be aware of the potential benefits of nutraceuticals used in conjunction with these other aesthetic treatments.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(1 Suppl 1):s5-10.

INTRODUCTION

Dermatologists know that collagen is a building block of healthy skin. Collagen is a structural protein that gives the skin its strength and shape. This building block acts as a “frame” for the skin, while elastin and hyaluronic acid act as “paddings” on the frame. The skin specifically needs Types 1 and 3 collagen, which support the skin, muscles, bone health, hair, and nails. Collagen Type 2 comprises the fluids and functions in the cartilage and joints. More than 90% of collagen in the body is comprised of Types 1 and 3 collagen. Over time, the ideal levels of collagen the human body naturally produce begin to decrease. Like most things in the skin, collagen diminishes with age, which is why, after 30 years of age, most individuals start to notice such changes as sagging skin and wrinkles. Genetics, skin type, and exposure to the effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays that can cause damage to the skin are other factors that affect how human skin ages.

Collagen supplementation has been introduced to the market in an attempt to address this situation, but absorption of collagen is a problem. clin is more, many supplements introduced to the market contain only Type 1 or Type 2 collagen. A collagen-based nutraceutical drink has been developed (Skinade®, Bottled Science, Ltd, London, UK) that targets the skin as a whole organ by addressing overall skin health through this product’s formulation and mechanism of action. This review of the evidence shows how the patented formula of the product promotes hydration and overall skin health and why its mechanism of action is superior to other collagen-based supplements that target the effects of aging on skin health.

KEY FACTORS IN SKIN AGING

Skin health and appearance depend on a sufficient supply of essential nutrients. The emergence of nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) for the enhancement of skin quality and for antiaging has become increasingly popular. They are used to boost the human body’s health and functioning. Ingredients at the forefront of antiaging strategies include vitamins (eg, vitamins B, and C), omega-3 fatty acids, minerals (eg, copper and zinc), botanicals, and amino acids. Antiaging supplements generally contain nutrients.1 Among the nutraceuticals that are currently available are ingestible products that boost the skin’s hyaluronan, collagen, and elastin production.
Collagen peptides are used as a bioactive ingredient in nutraceutical products and have been shown to improve barrier function,2 to induce the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, and to promote fibroblast growth activation and proliferation.

Hyaluronan
Hyaluronan is a water-sorbed macromolecule supplied from keratinocytes beneath the stratum corneum layer and is present in the normal stratum corneum.3 Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan with the key role of retaining moisture within the skin structure. It is one of the chief components of the extracellular matrix and contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration. Hyaluronic acid is involved in skin tissue repair and skin healing. The amount of hyaluronic acid in the human skin decreases with age, and this is reflected in the stratum corneum’s reduced capacity to retain moisture, leading to dry skin and impairment of the epidermal-barrier function.

Collagen
A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of collagen peptides to improve parameters of skin physiology in pre-clinical studies. Collagen peptides have been shown to