Collagen is more important than you might think. For example, it’s a crucial part of your connective tissues (i.e. tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and skin). It helps a lot when it comes to maintaining strength, flexibility, and skin elasticity. The importance of your body being able to produce enough collagen (for both skin health and appearance) is well-supported by scientific research.
With the rising popularity of collagen supplements and skincare products, some people worry that collagen might cause acne and other skin conditions. Does collagen actually lead to breakouts, though? In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion about collagen and its link to acne. This should help you make an informed decision about whether or not this popular supplement is right for you. Let’s get started!
What Are Collagen Peptides?
Collagen is a protein that helps give the human body structure. Along with elastin, another abundant protein, it helps give your skin its elasticity. In the skin, it helps maintain strength and stability. It’s actually the most plentiful protein in our body, including in our bones.
Peptides and proteins are made of amino acids. A peptide contains 2 to 50 amino acids and forms the building blocks for proteins. Collagen peptides (also known as hydrolyzed collagen) are broken-down pieces of collagen proteins. They’re often sold as a powder-based dietary supplement that you can mix into your drinks or food.
How Collagen Peptides Affect Skin Health
Collagen has a high concentration of three main amino acids: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which form its classic triple-helix structure. These amino acids support your overall health, especially your skin health, by:
Providing structural support
Collagen fibers form the main part of the extracellular matrix, and help maintain the structure and integrity of the skin. They form a network of fibers that support the outer skin layer and make up more than 70% of the dry weight of the normal human dermis. This gives the skin a firm and plump appearance.
Promoting collagen synthesis and repair
Collagen peptides may also help to improve the production of new collagen fibers. This helps to support skin repair and regeneration. Collagen production starts to slow down by the age of 30, so a good time to start taking collagen powder or supplements might be in your mid-twenties.
Improving skin firmness
By replenishing collagen levels and promoting collagen synthesis, the amino acids in collagen peptides can help strengthen the skin's structural foundation. This will improve your skin’s firmness and make it look a bit more youthful.
Of course, you should keep in mind that the effectiveness of collagen peptides on skin health can be quite different depending on the person. Make sure to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist before taking collagen peptides — they’ll be able to provide you with personalized advice for your specific skin concerns.
Can Collagen Cause Acne?
Donna McIntyre, a nurse practitioner at Curology, says, “While there is some anecdotal evidence of collagen supplements and topicals causing acne in some individuals, no concrete scientific evidence supports this claim.” Acne is mainly influenced by factors like excess sebum production, clogged pores, bacterial growth, and inflammation.
Collagen is a protein that provides structural support to different tissues in your body, including the skin. It’s not inherently linked to acne. However, there are certain things in some collagen supplements that could potentially contribute to acne and other skin issues in acne-prone skin:
Additional ingredients
Some collagen supplements or skincare products may contain other ingredients that can clog your pores or cause skin irritation. This is why it’s so important to check the ingredient list and be aware of any potential allergens or substances that might cause acne.
Sensitivity and allergies
While collagen is generally safe, some people may have allergies or sensitivities to collagen or its sources (e.g., bovine, marine, or porcine). For example, people who have a fish allergy may react to collagen peptides derived from marine sources.
Lifestyle
Acne is mainly influenced by genetics, hormones, and diet. While collagen peptides may improve the health of your skin, you should also take your lifestyle choices into account. If you’re not eating a balanced diet, for example, this could potentially cause acne.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Collagen?
While taking collagen certainly has its perks, some people might experience side effects even with healthy skin. This might be because they have a collagen intolerance, but taking the wrong dosage of collagen can also cause issues. Let’s take a look at some of the most common side effects of taking collagen and how they affect different parts of your body below:
Skin
You might get rashes, acne, or skin inflammation issues after taking collagen. These reactions can be due to a collagen sensitivity, chemical additives in some supplements, or even contaminated natural collagen sources.
Liver
Too much collagen can lead to liver fibrosis, where type I collagen builds up in your liver tissue. If you don’t manage this problem quickly, it can gradually lead to liver cancer. This is one of the main reasons why it’s important to monitor your health while taking collagen supplements. If any issues come up, you’ll be able to stop taking collagen before they turn into full-blown health emergencies.
Kidneys
Collagen can also contribute to kidney stones. Hydroxyproline, which is an amino acid in collagen, is disposed of through the kidneys as oxalate. Unfortunately, this can sometimes trigger kidney stones.
Stomach
Digestive issues (like diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, bloating, and reduced appetite) are never fun, and, unfortunately, they can occur if you take too much collagen. Chemical additives in collagen supplements are often what cause these types of problems.
Heart
Collagen can also cause hypercalcemia (an overaccumulation of calcium). This can sometimes lead to abnormal heart rhythms. If you notice this issue while taking collagen, you should stop taking it right away and speak to a doctor.
Alternatives to Collagen: Light Therapy
Are you worried about collagen potentially causing acne (or making your acne worse)? This is a common concern, and a lot of people wonder about collagen alternatives for improving skin health. One excellent alternative to collagen that doesn’t cause acne is light therapy.
Our DermForge LED Mask is a great light therapy device to try out. Plenty of clinical studies have proven that it’s both safe and effective. If you want to treat your acne (or avoid getting acne in the first place), the
DermForge LED Mask is an excellent choice. If collagen works well for you, you can take it along with doing light therapy.
What is the Direct Impact of Collagen Supplements on Skin?
The connection between taking collagen supplements and developing acne isn't well-proven by science. It would seem that a bit more research is needed on this subject. That said, there are a few specific situations where collagen might contribute to acne breakouts.
One potential cause is an allergic reaction to the collagen supplement. When your body is allergic to something, it can show up on your skin as rashes or acne. If you start taking collagen supplements and then notice new acne forming, it could mean that your body doesn't agree with the supplement. This adverse reaction might be your body's way of telling you that it’s not handling the collagen well.
In some cases, it might not be the collagen itself causing the issue, but other ingredients in the supplement. A lot of collagen products contain flavorings, preservatives, or fillers, which could trigger skin problems in some people. This is why it’s important to read the ingredient list carefully.
Finally, everyone’s skin reacts differently to new substances. Some people might not have any issues with collagen supplements, while others could experience acne breakouts. If you notice any acne forming on your skin after you start taking collagen, it’s a good idea to stop using the supplement and see if your skin clears up.
The Bottom Line
Collagen supplements are often praised for their skin and health benefits, but it's important to understand how they might affect your skin, especially when it comes to acne. So, can collagen cause acne? The answer isn't straightforward and depends on a lot of things — like allergies, the quality of the collagen supplement you’re taking, how well your body is able to digest it, and the overall health of your digestive system.
Despite some concerns, collagen has been found to offer several potential benefits for your skin. These benefits include improving skin elasticity and hydration, improving skin texture, and even helping to reduce acne scars and acne lesions.
However, the benefits you get from collagen supplements can depend on choosing the right type of supplement. For example, collagen peptides are often more beneficial because they’re easier for your body to digest.
Ultimately, whether or not collagen will cause acne for you is a personal matter. If you're considering taking collagen supplements, you should pay close attention to how your body reacts (and choose high-quality products, like those offered by DermForge). If you notice any adverse effects, stop using the supplement and consult a healthcare professional for advice.
