What Happens When You Stop Taking Collagen? An Expert Explains 

Ever since collagen supplements exploded onto the market, there has been some controversy over whether or not they, well, work. (Our take? They absolutely do, and there's plenty of research to back us up!) U.K.-based doctor and nutrition research expert Iddy Mughal, MBBS, MRes, agrees; recently, he even posted a quick summary of collagen supplement research, with some pretty interesting takeaways. 

Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have been shown to promote the body's natural levels of collagen2.* This is important, especially for those with concerns about skin aging (think fine lines and wrinkles), as collagen production decreases with age2.

Let's dive further into the research, shall we? One clinical trial found that participants who took 2.5 grams of collagen peptides once daily for 24 weeks experienced stronger nails and improved growth rate—and four weeks post-supplementation, 88% of them had maintained that improvement4. Another randomized controlled trial measuring eye wrinkle formation5 also found positive, long-lasting effects four weeks after the last time participants took collagen peptides (again 2.5 grams). Finally, a 2019 study found that a liquid collagen supplement (which included collagen peptides, acerola fruit extract, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, and a vitamin E complex) was associated with positive effects on skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density6—and after a follow-up period of four weeks, those benefits were "substantially retained."*

In context, this means that if you skip a day or two of your collagen supplement, you're not going to see a dramatic drop-off (although, we still recommend you stick to a daily routine if you can!). Again, that doesn't mean you should slack off when it comes to collagen; the benefits noted in the clinical trials above came from a routine supplement routine. Emphasis on routine.