Collagen Type I
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Collagen Type I (Type I Collagen (Collagen Alpha-1(I) chain)) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,820 participants, researched for Skin Elasticity & Hydration, Wound Healing, Bone Density and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Skin Elasticity & Hydration
StrongWound Healing
ModerateBone Density
ModerateAnti-ageing
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Skin Elasticity & Hydration
To study the effectiveness of collagen hydrolysate (predominantly type I) on skin biophysical parameters related to cutaneous ageing.
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT
Purpose
To study the effectiveness of collagen hydrolysate (predominantly type I) on skin biophysical parameters related to cutaneous ageing.
Dose
2.5 g or 5.0 g/day collagen hydrolysate
Participants
69 women aged 35-55
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Both doses significantly improved skin elasticity vs placebo. The 2.5 g dose showed a 7% increase in skin elasticity at 4 weeks. Effects persisted 4 weeks post-supplementation.
How They Measured It
Skin elasticity (Cutometer), periorbital wrinkle volume, TEWL
To investigate the effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network.
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network.
Dose
10 g/day collagen peptides
Participants
105 women aged 40-60
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Oral collagen peptides significantly increased skin moisture and collagen density, and significantly reduced collagen fragmentation vs placebo. Effects maintained 4 weeks post-supplementation.
How They Measured It
Corneometry (skin hydration), high-resolution ultrasound (collagen density), reflectance confocal microscopy
To review the mechanistic and clinical evidence for oral collagen supplementation (predominantly type I collagen) on skin health.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To review the mechanistic and clinical evidence for oral collagen supplementation (predominantly type I collagen) on skin health.
Dose
Various (2.5–15 g/day)
Participants
Multiple RCTs reviewed
Duration
Various
Results
Oral administration of intact or hydrolysed collagen improved skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density. Evidence was predominantly positive for type I collagen-enriched products.
How They Measured It
Synthesis of clinical outcomes across eligible RCTs — skin elasticity, hydration, collagen density
To evaluate the effects of oral collagen on skin anti-ageing outcomes in a meta-analytical framework.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of oral collagen on skin anti-ageing outcomes in a meta-analytical framework.
Dose
Various
Participants
1,125 participants across 19 studies
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Collagen supplementation for up to 90 days resulted in significant improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle depth vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Pooled analysis of skin elasticity, hydration, wrinkles across 19 RCTs
Wound Healing
To assess the effect of hydrolysed collagen supplementation on wound healing in burn patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind pilot clinical trial
Purpose
To assess the effect of hydrolysed collagen supplementation on wound healing in burn patients.
Dose
1.5 g/day hydrolysed collagen
Participants
40 burn patients
Duration
Until wound closure
Results
Collagen supplementation resulted in a 3.7-fold greater hazard ratio of wound healing vs control (P=0.007). Serum albumin was significantly higher in the collagen group.
How They Measured It
Time to wound closure, serum albumin, hospital stay
To assess vitamin C-enriched gelatin (type I collagen precursor) effect on collagen synthesis markers during intermittent exercise.
Study Type
Randomised clinical trial
Purpose
To assess vitamin C-enriched gelatin (type I collagen precursor) effect on collagen synthesis markers during intermittent exercise.
Dose
5, 15, or 48 g gelatin enriched with 48 mg vitamin C
Participants
8 healthy males
Duration
3 days
Results
Gelatin supplementation dose-dependently increased serum P1NP. The 15 g dose doubled P1NP vs placebo. Proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine peaked 1 hour post-supplementation.
How They Measured It
Serum procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), plasma amino acids
Bone Density
To investigate whether specific collagen peptides derived from type I collagen improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with primary osteopenia.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate whether specific collagen peptides derived from type I collagen improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with primary osteopenia.
Dose
5 g/day specific collagen peptides
Participants
131 postmenopausal women with primary osteopenia
Duration
12 months
Results
Collagen peptides significantly increased BMD at spine and femur. Osteocalcin (bone formation) increased and CTX-1 (bone resorption) decreased, indicating net bone anabolism.
How They Measured It
DXA (lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD), serum osteocalcin, CTX-1
Anti-ageing
To evaluate sustained effects of bioactive collagen peptides on skin ageing outcomes.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate sustained effects of bioactive collagen peptides on skin ageing outcomes.
Dose
2.5 g/day bioactive collagen peptides
Participants
114 women aged 45-65
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Bioactive collagen peptides significantly improved skin elasticity and hydration throughout the 16-week trial. Wrinkle depth was significantly reduced. Improvements maintained during 4-week wash-out.
How They Measured It
Skin elasticity (Cutometer), skin moisture (Corneometry), wrinkle depth
To evaluate whether collagen supplements prevent or treat skin ageing.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Purpose
To evaluate whether collagen supplements prevent or treat skin ageing.
Dose
Various (2.5–15 g/day)
Participants
Meta-analysis across multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Systematic review identified heterogeneous individual RCT results. While positive results for skin hydration and elasticity were noted, the 2025 meta-analysis called for larger standardised RCTs to confirm collagen's anti-ageing efficacy.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of skin elasticity, hydration, wrinkle data
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Collagen Type I research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Collagen Type I (Type I Collagen (Collagen Alpha-1(I) chain)), involving 1,820 total participants. Research covers Skin elasticity & hydration, Wound healing, Bone density and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Collagen Type I has been researched for: Skin elasticity & hydration, Wound healing, Bone density, Anti-ageing. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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