Last updated: October 2026
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and the main structural protein of your skin. It is primarily found in the dermis, the layer beneath your epidermis, where it forms a firm network together with elastin and hyaluronic acid. Your body produces collagen itself from amino acids, with vitamin C as an essential helper.
You can read more below about how that network works, why it changes over the years, and what a supplement does and does not do.
What does collagen do in your skin?
Imagine your skin as a mattress. The epidermis is the cover, the dermis is the springs. Collagen fibers form those springs: long, strong protein chains that give the skin its structure. In between are elastin fibers for resilience and hyaluronic acid, which retains water.
The cells that produce collagen are called fibroblasts. They continuously build new collagen and break down old collagen. As long as those two are in balance, the network remains intact.
Which types of collagen exist?
More than 25 types of collagen have been identified. Two are most important for your skin:
| Type | Where it is found | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | Skin, bones, tendons | The most abundant type; provides tensile strength |
| Type III | Skin, blood vessels | Found in the skin together with type I |
| Type II | Cartilage | Primarily important outside the skin |
Why does collagen change over the years?
As you age, collagen production slows down, while degradation continues. This is a normal biological process, not a deficiency or a disease. It occurs gradually and varies from person to person.
A few factors that play a role:
- UV light: the most significant external factor. Using an SPF daily is the most evidence-based habit for your skin.
- Smoking: affects the skin in multiple ways.
- Sleep, stress, and nutrition: they help determine the conditions under which your skin renews itself.
Can you apply collagen topically?
Collagen is a large protein. In a cream, it mostly remains on the skin's surface. That is why more and more people are choosing an "inside-out" approach as a complement to their skincare. Collagen is then a supplementary ingredient; skincare remains your foundation.
What can you expect from a collagen supplement?
Honesty is important here. Collagen itself has no approved health claim in the EU. A brand that promises that collagen eliminates wrinkles is saying more than the law allows.
Vitamin C does have an approved claim: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. A good collagen supplement therefore always combines collagen with vitamin C.
Practical example: how to read a collagen supplement label
- Look for the amount per serving in grams. "Rich in collagen" without a number means nothing.
- Check the form: does it say "hydrolyzed collagen" or "collagen peptides"? Read more about this in Hydrolyzed collagen: what does it mean?
- Look at the source: bovine or fish, and which type (I, III).
- Look for vitamin C in the ingredients list and the nutritional table.
- Read the ingredients list for sugars and sweeteners, such as fructose, glucose syrup, sucralose, and steviol glycosides.
- Check the claims: disease claims or promises such as "wrinkles disappear" are a red flag.
This is what it looks like for Collagen Advance+: 10 g of hydrolyzed Peptan® collagen peptides (type I and III, from pasteurized, HALAL-certified bovine), 80 mg of vitamin C, and 10 mg of zinc per shot, without sugars or sweeteners. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
Frequently asked questions about collagen
What is collagen in one sentence?
Collagen is the most important structural protein of your skin, which together with elastin and hyaluronic acid forms a firm network in the dermis.
Does your body produce collagen itself?
Yes. Fibroblasts in your skin produce collagen from amino acids. Vitamin C is required for this: it contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin.
Is collagen vegan?
No. Collagen always comes from animal sources, such as bovine or fish. Vegan products with "collagen" in the name usually contain other ingredients, such as amino acids and vitamin C.
From what age should you take collagen?
There is no official age for this. Collagen Advance+ is intended for use from age 25: under 35, take one shot every two days; from 35, take one shot per day.
Does collagen work against wrinkles?
Collagen has no approved health claim in the EU, so no brand is allowed to make such a promise. What is allowed: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin.
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
