3 Common Myths About Skin Supplements & The Facts You Should Know

Everyone has their own goals when it comes to taking supplements. Some people take probiotics to encourage better gut health, some swear by vitamin D for brain health, and others love taking collagen for plumper, healthier skin. 

This has to be one of the most common: Some people say that collagen supplements don't work because they can't be absorbed into the body. While this is a valid concern, it's not true of every form of collagen. 

In fact, hydrolyzed collagen peptides, by definition, have been broken down into digestible, short-chain amino acids. Research has shown that hydrolyzed collagen peptides are absorbed more easily1 by your bloodstream and body than normal-sized collagen molecules, which is why they're more often used in clinical studies.

"Hydrolyzed collagen is predigested so it does not go through that first-pass digestion in the GI tract," said board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. "The collagen fragments can be absorbed as is and circulate throughout the body to exert their effects."

Another myth? Vitamin C supplements don't help with skin health. See, most folks give vitamin C serums all of the love for easing dark spots and brightening complexions, but why does oral vitamin C get left out of the conversation?

Yes, ingesting vitamin C has solid research to prove it will support overall skin health2. According to a study3 published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, higher vitamin C intake is associated with less wrinkled skin. This could be due to the fact that your body literally needs vitamin C to produce collagen4.

Some people will only prioritize beauty supplements weeks before a big event or take them every few days, but that's not the best practice. See, the benefits from ingesting ingredients like collagen and vitamin C have come from research where the supplements were taken daily, not weekly or on occasion.