Tier 2 — strong

An insight into the changes in skin texture and properties following dietary intervention with a nutricosmeceutical containing a blend of collagen bioactive peptides and antioxidants

Licia Genovese, Andrea Corbo, Sara Sibilla
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 2017 30(3):146–158

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 28528342
DOI
10.1159/000464470
Funding
Funding statement (verbatim): "The study was funded by MINERVA Research Labs (London, UK)."
Competing interests
Competing interests statement (verbatim): "The nutricosmeceutical supplement (GOLD COLLAGEN® FORTE) and placebo used in this study were provided by MINERVA Research Labs (London, UK). […] The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest regarding the material discussed in this manuscript." However, co-authors Licia Genovese and Sara Sibilla are affiliated with Minerva Research Labs — the commercial manufacturer and marketer of GOLD COLLAGEN® FORTE and the study funder. Andrea Corbo was affiliated with Master II livello Università degli Studi di Camerino at time of publication. Substantial commercial conflict of interest despite the formal declaration.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with independent aesthetic clinic assessment
ModelHealthy adults; 111 women and 9 men were randomized.
Sample120 randomized 1:1 (60 GOLD COLLAGEN® FORTE, 60 placebo); the cohort comprised 111 women and 9 men. Histological skin-biopsy analysis was performed in a four-participant subset.
Intervention50 mL/day of GOLD COLLAGEN® FORTE liquid nutricosmeceutical (collagen bioactive peptides plus antioxidants) versus 50 mL/day matched placebo, once daily for 90 days
Duration90 days
EndpointsSkin elasticity (Young's elasticity modulus); Skin architecture (histological analysis via biopsy); Self-assessment questionnaires on skin quality

What the study showed, in plain terms

This 90-day placebo-controlled trial evaluated the multi-ingredient GOLD COLLAGEN® FORTE formulation in 120 healthy adults. The randomized cohort was strongly female-predominant—111 women and 9 men—but was not female-only.

Participants were assigned 1:1 to the active liquid supplement or placebo. Objective skin elasticity was measured, participant-reported outcomes were collected, and a much smaller four-person subset underwent histological skin-biopsy assessment.

The active group showed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity relative to placebo. The biopsy observations were interpreted as favorable changes in skin architecture, but with only four participants they should be treated as exploratory biological support rather than structural confirmation across the full 120-person cohort. Because the product combined collagen peptides with multiple other ingredients, the trial cannot isolate collagen's individual contribution.

Key findings

  • Skin elasticity measured by Young's elasticity modulus improved significantly in the active group relative to placebo over 90 days.
  • Histological skin-biopsy observations in a four-participant subset were interpreted as improved skin architecture; because n=4, this is exploratory biological support rather than a cohort-wide structural endpoint.
  • Participant self-assessment was generally favorable in the active group, providing supportive but subjective evidence alongside the instrumental measurements.
  • A total of 120 participants were randomized, 60 per arm: 111 women and 9 men, so the cohort was strongly female-predominant but not female-only.
  • The intervention was a multi-ingredient nutricosmetic formulation, so the result applies to the tested finished product and cannot establish that collagen alone caused the benefit.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • The tested product contained collagen peptides together with other bioactive ingredients and antioxidants, so the trial cannot isolate the specific contribution of collagen.
  • The study had direct commercial involvement from the product manufacturer, which should be considered when weighing the findings.
  • The cohort was strongly female-predominant (111 women, 9 men); only nine men were enrolled, so male-specific inference is weak.
  • The publication does not support detailed subgroup conclusions by ethnicity or Fitzpatrick phototype.
  • Histological analysis was performed in only four participants, so those structural observations are exploratory and should not be generalized to the full cohort.
  • The 90-day duration captures short-term skin outcomes but does not establish persistence after discontinuation or prove a long-term structural-remodeling mechanism.

Related papers in the corpus

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A collagen supplement improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study
Liane Bolke et al. · Nutrients · 2019
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24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain
Kristine L. Clark et al. · Current Medical Research and Opinion · 2008

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology