Effect of Collagen Peptides on Skin Health: A Clinical Trial (BCP-Skin)

Impact of Oral Supplementation of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Human Skin Physiology: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether daily oral supplementation with 2.5 g of specific bioactive collagen peptides (SCP) can improve skin physiology in healthy adult women aged 35-55 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does SCP supplementation increase skin hydration and barrier function? Does SCP improve skin elasticity, firmness, and collagen content? Does SCP reduce the appearance of periorbital wrinkles and improve overall skin appearance? Researchers will compare SCP supplementation to a placebo (a look-alike substance containing no collagen peptides) to see if SCP supports skin structure and appearance over eight weeks.

Participants will:

Consume one sachet of SCP or placebo daily for eight weeks Attend three study visits at baseline, week 4, and week 8 for facial imaging, instrumental skin measurements, and expert assessments Have objective measures taken, including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, elasticity, firmness, dermal collagen content, and 3D wrinkle morphology Complete subjective skin assessments rated by trained evaluators using a visual analogue scale Report any adverse events or intolerance reactions at each visit This study is designed to provide an integrated evaluation of multiple skin parameters, including barrier function, biomechanical properties, dermal matrix composition, and wrinkle characteristics, in a single trial. By combining objective and subjective measures, the study aims to generate robust and clinically interpretable evidence for the effects of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin health.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Age-related Changes in Skin Appearance and Physiology
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Specific Collagen Peptides; Dietary supplement: Placebo

Detailed Description

This clinical trial investigates whether daily oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides (SCP) can support healthy skin in adult women. Skin aging is a natural process influenced by genetics, hormones, and lifestyle, leading to wrinkles, reduced elasticity, and changes in skin structure. Collagen is a key protein that helps maintain skin strength and elasticity, and its levels decline with age.

The study will evaluate the effects of an 8-week course of SCP supplementation compared to a placebo in healthy women aged 35-55 years. Researchers aim to determine whether oral collagen peptides can improve skin hydration, elasticity, firmness, and overall appearance. This trial combines multiple objective and subjective measures to provide a comprehensive assessment of skin health, offering insights into non-invasive nutritional strategies to maintain skin structure and appearance over time.

The findings from this study are expected to enhance understanding of how collagen peptides affect skin physiology and contribute to evidence-based recommendations for supporting healthy skin.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 66
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Haidan
    • Beijing, Haidan, China, 100142
      • Beijing EWISH Testing Technology Co., Ltd

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fitzpatrick skin type III-IV
• Presence of crow's feet wrinkles graded 2-4
• Presence of under-eye fine lines graded 2-5
• Generally in good health
• Able to comply with study procedures and visit schedule

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of systemic or topical anti-inflammatory medication, including corticosteroids, within the 4 weeks prior to baseline
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to any ingredient of the investigational products
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intention to become pregnant during the study period
• History of relevant dermatological conditions: psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or severe acne
• Presence of birthmarks, hyperpigmentation, active inflammation, or other visible skin abnormalities in the test areas
• Recent aesthetic procedures Use of anti-aging or topical treatments
• Intake of nutritional supplements
• Participation in other clinical studies within the past 2 months
• Significant lifestyle or dietary changes during the study period
• Excessive UV exposure
• Systemic diseases, including heart, immune, vascular, liver, gallbladder, or kidney disorders
• Known allergies to foods, cosmetics, skincare products, or topical medications
• Any other condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would make the participant ineligible

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Specific Collagen Peptides; Participants in this arm receive 2.5 g of specific bioactive collagen peptides (VERISOL®) once daily for 8 weeks. The powder is dissolved in warm water and consumed orally. The supplement contains defined collagen peptides derived from bovine type I collagen, which have been shown to support skin hydration, elasticity, firmness, dermal collagen content, and wrinkle reduction. Participants continue their usual lifestyle habits while taking the supplement.	Dietary supplement: Specific Collagen Peptides; Participants in this arm receive 2.5 g of specific bioactive collagen peptides (VERISOL®) once daily for 8 weeks. The powder is dissolved in warm water and consumed orally. The supplement contains defined collagen peptides derived from bovine type I collagen, which have been shown to support skin hydration, elasticity, firmness, dermal collagen content, and wrinkle reduction. Participants continue their usual lifestyle habits while taking the supplement.
Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin; Participants in this arm receive a matching placebo sachet once daily for 8 weeks. The placebo contains plant-derived maltodextrin and is identical in appearance, taste, and texture to the collagen peptide supplement. It is dissolved in warm water and consumed orally. Participants continue their usual lifestyle habits while taking the placebo.	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Participants in this arm receive a matching placebo sachet once daily for 8 weeks. The placebo contains plant-derived maltodextrin and is identical in appearance, taste, and texture to the collagen peptide supplement. It is dissolved in warm water and consumed orally. Participants continue their usual lifestyle habits while taking the placebo.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
stratum corneum hydration (SCH)	Stratum corneum hydration (SCH) measures the water content in the outermost layer of the skin, reflecting the skin's ability to retain moisture and maintain a healthy barrier. In this study, SCH is the primary efficacy endpoint, used to compare the effect of daily oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides (SCP) versus placebo over an 8-week period. SCH is assessed using a Corneometer CM825 at the cheek. Each site is measured six times, and the mean value is used for analysis. Higher SCH values indicate better skin hydration, whereas lower values suggest dryness or impaired barrier function. Changes in SCH over time are compared between the treatment and placebo groups to evaluate the impact of collagen peptide supplementation on skin hydration.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)	TEWL measures the rate of water loss through the skin, indicating the integrity of the skin barrier. In this study, TEWL is assessed using the Tewameter TM 300 at the cheek in triplicate, with mean values used for analysis. Higher TEWL values suggest impaired barrier function, while lower values indicate better barrier integrity. Changes over the 8-week supplementation period are compared between the collagen peptide and placebo groups.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Skin Elasticity (R2 and R5) and Firmness (F4)	Skin elasticity and firmness are evaluated using the Cutometer MPA580, which applies controlled suction to assess the biomechanical properties of the cheek. R2 (gross elasticity): overall skin elasticity R5 (net elasticity): elastic recovery relative to total deformation F4 (firmness): resistance to deformation Measurements are performed in triplicate and averaged. These parameters provide insight into the skin's structural resilience and are compared between treatment and placebo groups over 8 weeks.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Dermal collagen content	Dermal collagen content is measured non-invasively using the SIAMETRICS SIAscope V at a 2 mm depth of the cheek. This device quantifies dermal chromophores, including collagen, to assess the integrity and composition of the dermal extracellular matrix. Changes over the 8-week intervention are compared between the SCP and placebo groups.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Wrinkle Morphology	Wrinkle characteristics around the eyes (area, volume, depth) are measured using the Derma TOP 3D imaging system.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Skin Appearance (3D Imaging + VAS)	Full-face 2D images are captured with VISIA-CR for additional objective assessments, including spots, skin tone, hydration, and elasticity. Subjective evaluations are performed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) by three trained evaluators, assessing: Smoothness Glossiness Fineness Elasticity Crow's feet and under-eye fine lines VAS scores range from 0 to 10. Higher values indicate better outcomes for attributes such as smoothness, elasticity, and glossiness, while lower values reflect improvement in periorbital wrinkles. Changes over the 8-week supplementation period are compared between treatment and placebo groups.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Collagen Research Institute
• Collaborators: GELITA
• Investigators: Study Director: Steffen Oesser, Dr, Collagen Research Institute, Schauenburgerstr. 116, D-24118 Kiel

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

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• Morgado-Carrasco D, Gil-Lianes J, Jourdain E, Piquero-Casals J. Oral Supplementation and Systemic Drugs for Skin Aging: A Narrative Review. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2023;114:114-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ad.2022.09.014.
• Czajka A, Kania EM, Genovese L, Corbo A, Merone G, Luci C, et al. Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing. Nutr Res. 2018;57:97-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.001.
• Proksch E, Zdzieblik D, Oesser S. The Oral Intake of Specific Bovine-Derived Bioactive Collagen Peptides Has a Stimulatory Effect on Dermal Matrix Synthesis and Improves Various Clinical Skin Parameters. Cosmetics. 2025;12:79. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12020079.
• Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27:113-9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000355523.
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Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 8, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 4, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): October 4, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 1, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 1, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 1, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Skin aging; Skin elasticity; Skin hydration; Oral supplementation; Skin barrier function; Skin firmness; Bioactive collagen peptides; Wrinkles / periorbital wrinkles; Dermal extracellular matrix; Skin physiology; Healthy adult women; Randomized controlled trial (
• Other Study ID Numbers: SECCR2024-97-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The data will not be publicly available due to privacy and ethical restrictions.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No