Can good sleep quality enhance the benefits of oral collagen supplementation in the prevention of skin aging? A brief report

Abstract

Introduction: Collagen is essential to skin structure and integrity, and it is continually degraded with aging due to higher oxidative stress. Sleep deprivation accelerates skin aging and reduces collagen production. Good sleep may be a potential adjuvant to the efficacy of oral supplementation with collagenic peptides for the skin.

Objectives: To summarize clinical benefits to the skin of collagen intake, and consider the role of sleep in its effectiveness.

Methods: Studies in the PubMed database that reported the effects of oral administration of collagen peptides were searched; and studies presenting the association of collagen metabolism with sleep.

Results: A total of 1117 articles were initially identified; 66 were reviewed in full. Most involved women at third or fourth decade of life. Daily collagen doses ranged from 1 to 10 g, with intervention periods lasting from 4 to 8 weeks. Consistent improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle reduction were observed, with increase in dermal density and structural proteins. Collagen combined with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provided additional benefits, including improved skin radiance and reduced pore size. Studies on sleep and skin indicated that poor sleep can impair skin hydration, increase transepidermic water loss, and reduce elasticity, highlighting the potential role of sleep in maximizing the benefits of collagen supplementation.

Conclusions: Hydrolyzed collagen supplementation, particularly at 2.5 g/day, has shown benefits for skin after 4 weeks of use. Sleep quality may enhance these effects by supporting immune function and reducing oxidative stress. Further studies are needed on sleep's role in enhancing collagen supplementation benefits.

Keywords: Collagen; Collagen supplementation; Extracellular matrix; Skin aging; Sleep; Sleep deprivation.