COLLAGEN
Collagen is a fibrous protein found in animal connective tissues; its three peptide chains are especially rich in proline and hydroxyproline. On a cosmetic label, COLLAGEN identifies this protein material and its characteristic structure, rather than a promise to replace the skin's own collagen.
COLLAGEN: what it is
Collagen is a fibrous protein found in animal connective tissues; its three peptide chains are especially rich in proline and hydroxyproline. On a cosmetic label, COLLAGEN identifies this protein material and its characteristic structure, rather than a promise to replace the skin's own collagen.
The starting material can vary. A scientific review describes collagen extracted from animal sources, recombinant production systems, and materials designed to mimic some collagen characteristics; COLLAGEN alone does not disclose which origin was used. It is also different from hydrolyzed collagen: when the protein has been hydrolyzed, the ingredient is usually listed under a different name.
COLLAGEN: what it does in cosmetics
In skin-care products, collagen can contribute to a conditioned feel and to moisture retention. In everyday terms, a moisturizing role aims to help the surface feel less dry, while skin conditioning relates to a softer after-feel. In hair products, conditioning concerns the feel and manageability of the hair, not the treatment of internal hair damage.
One study of type I collagen isolated from salmon and cod skin found water-retention capacity and assessed the material in a reconstructed human dermis model. That finding concerns those fish-derived collagens in a laboratory setting; it does not show that every cream containing COLLAGEN increases skin collagen, removes wrinkles, or treats a skin condition.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
