Also known as Hydrolysed collagen, Collagen protein
Hydrolysed collagen protein broken into short peptides for absorption; provides glycine and proline as substrate for the body's own collagen synthesis, with trials showing improved skin elasticity and joint comfort after 8-12 weeks.
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
Also measured alongside: Knee range of movement (no clear benefit); Use of other treatments (reported a benefit).
Every resultWhat sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | No pregnancy safety guidance found in any chain source checked (no UK SmPC, BNF/NICE, NHS, NIH ODS or EMA HMPC entry exists for collagen peptides); the systematic reviews of skin trials (1,125 participants, 95% women) excluded pregnancy. Not studied in pregnancy — assume nothing and ask a clinician. | Choi FD, et al. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol 2019;18(1):9-16 (PMID 30681787) |
| breastfeeding | No breastfeeding safety guidance found in any chain source checked (no UK SmPC, BNF/NICE, NHS, NIH ODS or EMA HMPC entry exists for collagen peptides); no lactation data in the reviewed trials. Not studied while breastfeeding — assume nothing and ask a clinician. | Choi FD, et al. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol 2019;18(1):9-16 (PMID 30681787) |
Choi FD, et al. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol 2019;18(1):9-16 (PMID 30681787)de Miranda RB, et al. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol 2021;60(12):1449-61 (PMID 33742704)
Audited published research for Collagen Peptides by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.
| Compound and condition | Findings (count) | Studies (count) | Reported results (finding counts) | How sure? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Pain | 5 | 1 | Benefit: 3; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0 | Not formally graded |
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Hydrolysed collagen with respectable small RCTs for skin elasticity/hydration and OA pain; protein-replacement or muscle-growth claims are wrong.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Efficacy, Durability, and Safety of Collagen Biostimulators Based on Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) in the Face: A Systematic ReviewFerreira ACM, et al. · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026PMID 41184662 ↗02Effect of collagen supplementation on knee osteoarthritis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsSimental-Mendía M, et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · 2025PMID 39212129 ↗03Effects of Collagen Supplements on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsMyung SK, et al. · The American journal of medicine · 2025PMID 40324552 ↗04Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-AnalysisZhang Y, et al. · Nutrients · 2025PMID 40806131 ↗05Effects of collagen-based supplements on skin's hydration and elasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysisDanessa G, et al. · Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology · 2025PMID 40826844 ↗06Nutritional interventions for preventing and treating pressure ulcersLanger G, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024PMID 38345088 ↗Reported results grouped by condition. Values and units are preserved as recorded; missing information is not estimated.
How to read this table
Reported direction, numerical results and study design are separate. Certainty has not been formally graded in this table.
| What was measured | Reported findings | Result and units | Reported sample and duration | Study / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| activity-related pain intensity (participant assessment) | Activity-related pain improved by 19.5 vs placebo in 139 people over 12 weeks. (p = 0.046)Benefit seen | 19.5 Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 139 Follow-up: 12 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| activity-related pain intensity (physician assessment) | Activity-related pain improved by 16.7 vs placebo in 139 people over 12 weeks. (p = 0.021)Benefit seen | 16.7 Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 139 Follow-up: 12 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| pain intensity under resting conditions | No significant benefit for resting pain vs placebo in 139 people over 12 weeks. (p = 0.209)No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 139 Follow-up: 12 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| range of motion of the knee joint | No significant change in knee range of motion vs placebo in 139 people over 12 weeks.No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 139 Follow-up: 12 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| use of additional therapeutic options | Use of additional treatments significantly reduced vs placebo in 139 people over 12 weeks.Benefit seen | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 139 Follow-up: 12 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsImprovement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Randomized Controlled Trial |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
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