With aging, collagen and elastin in the skin decrease, leading to sagging, fine lines and deep wrinkles. These changes often arise from oxidative stress, inflammation, and changes in enzyme activities.
Collagen is the main structural protein of extracellular matrix of connective tissue, and has a positive role in healing, bone regeneration and anti-aging of skin. The active collagen tripeptides (CPs), such as Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH) and Pro-Hyp (PH), have shown effectiveness in anti-skin aging. In particular, CPs and elastin peptides (EPs) supplements can repair wrinkles, accelerate collagen synthesis, and play an anti-aging effect. However, despite oligopeptide collagen, CP, and EP exhibiting skin soothing and anti-aging effect confirmed in other fields, their combination effects in anti-aging have rarely been investigated.
In a study published in the Volume 1, Issue 2 of Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology, 70 volunteers were recruited with the aim to evaluate the effects of an orally administered collagen drink combining CP and EP on the skin health of young and middle-aged women.
"The participants were partitioned into two groups: one treated by collagen-rich drink (combination effects of different CP including tripeptide) and the other, as the placebo group," shares the study's lead author Shan Lu.
Compared to the placebo group, the collagen drink group showed significant improvements in skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, dermal collagen content, pore size, wrinkle length, skin smoothness and skin roughness decrease.
"Further, mass spectrometry demonstrated a significant increase in collagen efficacy components, including blood pH and GPH levels," adds Lu.
Overall, the study's findings support the combined use of CP and EP as dietary supplements to effectively combat skin aging in the skin of young and middle-aged.
