3 Common Myths About Skin Supplements & The Facts You Should Know

Everyone has their own goals when it comes to taking supplements. Some people take probiotics to encourage better gut health, some swear by vitamin D for brain health, and others love taking collagen for plumper, healthier skin. 

However, the beauty supplement category tends to feel a bit more broad. While these products do cast a rather large net (even collagen peptides or probiotics can technically be considered beauty supplements), that doesn't mean we should brush them under the rug. It does mean, however, that we should dive into the specifics so that we can separate fact from fiction.

This has to be one of the most common: Some people say that collagen supplements don't work because they can't be absorbed into the body. While this is a valid concern, it's not true of every form of collagen. 

In fact, hydrolyzed collagen peptides, by definition, have been broken down into digestible, short-chain amino acids. Research has shown that hydrolyzed collagen peptides are absorbed more easily1 by your bloodstream and body than normal-sized collagen molecules, which is why they're more often used in clinical studies.

"Hydrolyzed collagen is predigested so it does not go through that first-pass digestion in the GI tract," said board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. "The collagen fragments can be absorbed as is and circulate throughout the body to exert their effects."

Another myth? Vitamin C supplements don't help with skin health. See, most folks give vitamin C serums all of the love for easing dark spots and brightening complexions, but why does oral vitamin C get left out of the conversation?

Yes, ingesting vitamin C has solid research to prove it will support overall skin health2. According to a study3 published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, higher vitamin C intake is associated with less wrinkled skin. This could be due to the fact that your body literally needs vitamin C to produce collagen4.

Some people will only prioritize beauty supplements weeks before a big event or take them every few days, but that's not the best practice. See, the benefits from ingesting ingredients like collagen and vitamin C have come from research where the supplements were taken daily, not weekly or on occasion.