There is a growing buzz on the internet about collagen and its potential benefits for individuals with eczema. Claims suggest that collagen supplements or collagen-rich skincare products may help alleviate eczema symptoms.
But what does scientific research reveal about the connection between collagen, eczema, and overall skin health? Let's explore the facts.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It affects people of all ages, with various environmental and hereditary factors contributing to its development. While there is no cure for eczema, treatments aim to manage symptoms such as itching, red rashes, and dry, bumpy skin.
The symptoms of eczema can vary from person to person, but they typically include:
Itching
Skin flushing
Dry, bumpy skin
Red rashes
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a vital protein responsible for skin strength and elasticity. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Found in connective tissue, collagen comprises amino acids essential for skin suppleness and firmness.
Can Collagen Help with Eczema?
Certain properties of collagen may be beneficial for eczema sufferers. Glycine, a component of collagen, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Since eczema involves an inflammatory response, glycine's anti-inflammatory action could help reduce flare-ups.
Hydrolyzed collagen has been suggested to possess anti-infective properties against bacteria beneath the skin's surface, which may contribute to alleviating eczema symptoms triggered by bacterial infections.
The Benefits of Collagen for Eczema
Skin Barrier Reinforcement: Collagen is a crucial component of the skin's extracellular matrix, which forms the structural framework of the skin. By supplementing with collagen, there's potential for fortifying the skin barrier, making it more resilient to external irritants and reducing moisture loss.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Some amino acids found in collagen, such as glycine and proline, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This could be particularly beneficial for individuals with eczema, where chronic inflammation plays a role in exacerbating symptoms.
Wound Healing Support: Collagen is involved in the wound healing process, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. For eczema-prone skin, which is often susceptible to scratches and breaks, collagen supplementation might contribute to faster healing.
Moisture Retention: Collagen helps the skin retain moisture, a key factor for individuals with eczema who often contend with dry and dehydrated skin. Improved hydration can contribute to overall skin comfort and health.
Potential Antioxidant Protection: Collagen supplements may also contain antioxidants, offering protection against oxidative stress and free radicals, which can be triggers for eczema flare-ups.
Scientific Support
While anecdotal evidence is promising, more research is needed to confirm the effects of collagen on eczema. A study on oral collagen supplementation showed improvements in skin roughness and dryness, both of which are common eczema symptoms.
Collagen supplementation also demonstrated potential in improving skin moisture and repairing the dermal collagen network, which is often damaged in people with eczema.
While more research needs to be done, collagen appears to be a promising treatment for eczema. If you suffer from this condition, it may be worth giving collagen a try.
Top 5 Collagen Supplements for Eczema
We here at Superfood Reviews have done the research to find out what the best option for collagen supplements in the market. We have graded each choice through a stringent grading based on the following criteria:
Our evaluation criteria:
1. The Purest Co Collagen Glow Berries
Key differentiators: Superior ingredients, large amount of collagen
Price: $115
Pros:
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides from Japan
Contains complementary ingredients
Made in an FDA-approved facility
Cons:
Frequently out of stock
The Purest Co’s Collagen Glow Berries contains a potent dose (5500mg) of marine collagen sourced from Japan in each sachet, and follows it up with supporting ingredients like vitamin C (250mg), bilberry extract, and mixed berries concentrate juice.
Collagen Glow Berries uses a patented technology to extract their collagen peptides, ensuring faster and more effective absorption of collagen into the body.
With its mixed berries concentrate juice, the taste is a hit amongst consumers and feedback is that it is just right in terms of sweetness. Not only does this make for a delicious supplement, but the Vitamin C in these berries provide added antioxidant support and improve your body’s rate of absorption.
2. Laneige Youth Collagen Drink
Key differentiators: Promotes sleep, moisturizing
Price: $120
Pros:
Contains GABA to promote deep sleep
Contains pomegranate and red orange extract
Made in an FDA-approved facility
If the goal is to tighten the skin and replace fine lines and wrinkles into supple skin, Laneige aims to do just that. Their Youth Collagen Drink contains fish collagen peptides that replenishes the body’s collagen supply while helping you maintain healthy skin. This drink also contains minerals that promote relaxation and help one have better sleep.
This collagen supplement, however, is on the pricey side. Laneige is one of the more well-known skincare brands worldwide so this is a hit with more mature customers who experience some sogginess and lack of collagen.
3. Renew+ Marine Collagen Powder
Key differentiator: Comes in 4 flavors (Watermelon, Mixed Berry, Mango and Pineapple)
Price: $99
Pros:
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides from Japan
Contains hyaluronic acid
Delicious taste
Each pack of Renew+ Marine Collagen Powder contains 30 servings of powdered collagen, recommended to be mixed into cold water. Their collagen drink contains complementary ingredients, which can also be found in most collagen supplements, such as Vitamin C and natural fruit flavors. Among their key ingredients, at the forefront is hyaluronic acid. This substance, naturally produced by the body, assists in retaining moisture levels.
It’s also helpful to note that most customer reviews for Renew+ Marine Collagen Powder mention its benefit of keeping the skin complexion healthy along with the drink’s distinctly fruity taste.
4. Meiji Amino Collagen Powder
Key differentiator: Budget-friendly collagen supplement
Price: $122
Pros:
Budget-friendly, one pack can go for months
With 5,000mg of low-molecular fish collagen
Another collagen supplement in powder-form, the Meiji Amino Collagen Powder is an odorless and neutral-tasting collagen supplement you can mix in hot or cold drinks. The formulation contains arginine, glucosamine, and Vitamin C that help the skin become softer and smoother to combat wrinkles and spots from recurring.
A single scoop of this powder contains about 5000mg of collagen. Consumer feedback states that a pack can last them months, making Meiji’s Amino Collagen Powder the budget-friendly choice among the products in the list.
5. Sato Hakubi Collagen Drink
Key differentiator: Contains Coix Seed Extract
Price: $56.50
Pros:
Contains Vitamins B2 and B6, and Coix Seed Extract
With 10,000mg of hydrolyzed collagen
An order of Sato’s Hakubi Collagen Drink contains 10 50ml collaged drinks to be consumed daily. It is one of the pricier options for collagen supplements, but each bottle contains up to 10,000mg of low-molecular fish collagen and essential vitamins that reduce the skin’s sebum production - which helps maintain smooth skin and reduces the occurrence of blemishes.
This collagen supplement boasts its Coix Seed Extract content, a commonly used treatment for anti-inflammatory issues of the skin. It is known as a beauty ingredient that derives from Chinese herbal medicine.
Buying The Best Collagen Supplement for Eczema
Our body’s collagen production naturally decreases over time, so it’s ideal to take collagen supplements that prevent a lack of this substance that keeps our skin, nails, hair, joints, and bones in their top shape.
When buying a collagen supplement for eczema, it's essential to scrutinize the nutritional values of the available drinks and powders. Comparing their health standards, with a focus on collagen content, is particularly important for optimal collagen absorption and to unlock the associated benefits for eczema management.
Best Product Overall:
Collagen Glow Berries
30 Sachets
Clinically proven to: Firm, Lift, & Moisturize skin
Collagen peptide: 5,500mg premium grade Japan Nitta-Wellnex™
Infused with: 250mg Vitamin C & 100mg Bilberry extract
Lightly sweetened with: Real fruit juice
Risk-free money back guarantee
Sustainably-harvested from: Tilapia fishes
