Co
Collagen
CollagenHydrator
Animal collagen that holds water in a light surface film. It doesn’t replace your skin’s own collagen.
What it does
It’s the protein found in cartilage and other connective tissue in animals. On skin it holds water and leaves a light film. It stays on the surface and doesn’t rebuild your skin’s own collagen.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2022) assessed 19 proteins and peptides that come from skin and connective tissue. Their index lists hydrolyzed collagen and soluble collagen under that report, and its conclusion names collagen. They say these are used mainly to condition skin and hair, and judged all 19 safe as used in cosmetics.Burnett 2022 · International Journal of Toxicology ↗
expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2022) noted that fish proteins are known food allergens, which can set off immediate allergic reactions when eaten by people sensitized to them. Collagen and hydrolyzed collagen may come from fish, though “fish” isn’t in the ingredient name. The reviewers were concerned that people sensitized to fish wouldn’t recognize these products. So they advised makers to label products with fish-derived collagen, to let them know. They judged these proteins safe as used.Burnett 2022 · International Journal of Toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
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