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Safety and Efficacy of a Hydrolyzed Collagen Formulation (HYCOS) for Facial Skin Elasticity and Wrinkles: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Sutthinee Wisutthathum, Preeyanuch Pimjuk, Nitina Yeesibsean, Katechan Jampachaisri, Panlop Chakkavittumrong, Warisara Pasri, Pichet Kittikun, Supaporn Tuanthai, Thanwarat Suebwongfag, Tanyarat Sutti, Anjana Fuangchan, Neti Waranuch
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2026 25(9):e71121

Bibliography

DOI
10.1111/jocd.71121
Trial registry
View on ClinicalTrials.gov Registered trial — results not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Funding
Funded by Blackmores Institute, Australia, which supplied HYCOS and placebo and supported trial conduct; additional support came from Naresuan University research funds and PERCH-CIC. The paper states the sponsor had no role in data analysis, interpretation, or the publication decision.
Competing interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Study snapshot

Design12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
ModelHealthy Thai adults aged 30–60 years with mild-to-moderate facial crow's-feet wrinkles
Sample140 randomized; 135 completed (66 active, 69 placebo)
InterventionOne HYCOS sachet daily containing hydrolyzed collagen peptides 5,000 mg, glutathione 250 mg, and vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol succinate) 11.5 mg, plus excipients, versus matched placebo.
Duration12 weeks
EndpointsSkin hydration by Corneometer; Skin elasticity by Cutometer (R2, R5, R7); Crow's-feet wrinkle roughness by PRIMOS 3D imaging; Dermatologist wrinkle grading; Participant self-assessment; Adverse events and laboratory safety

What the study showed, in plain terms

In 140 Thai adults, a 12-week multi-ingredient drink containing 5 g hydrolyzed collagen plus glutathione and vitamin E improved some elasticity and wrinkle-roughness measures versus placebo, while hydration improved similarly in both groups. Because three active ingredients were combined, the trial does not show that collagen alone caused the effect.

Key findings

Compared with placebo, the HYCOS group showed greater improvement in several Cutometer elasticity parameters and crow's-feet roughness at week 12. Skin hydration increased in both groups without a significant between-group difference. No product-related adverse events were reported.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Multi-ingredient formulation prevents attribution to collagen; single Thai population and 12-week duration limit generalizability; one dose only; efficacy analysis relied on completers/per-protocol data; not a trial of DoNotAge's finished product.

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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