It’s the latest ‘IT’ beauty trend, with everyone from the Kardashians to Jennifer Aniston swearing drinking collagen is the secret to their youthful, glowing skin. But does it actually work? We dig behind the science of beauty collagen drinks.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is the largest structural protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin and tendons. In relation to skin health, collagen is skins largest structural component, comprising around 80% of its dry weight.

There are 16 different types of collagen, however 90% of them can be divided three ways; into Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.

Type 1 Collagen is defined as a fibrillar type collagen and is the most abundant type within the human body; a key structural element of skin, bones, muscles, eyes and connective tissues. In relation to skin, deficiency in type 1 collagen directly correlates to lack of hydration and reduced skin elasticity as well as the increased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, depleted nail strength and hair health.

Type 2 Collagen is the basis for much of the human body’s cartilage and as such, is key for the health of bones and joints. Type 2 is also important for spinal and eye health.

Type 3 Collagen is most prominent within the body’s intestines, blood vessels and muscles. Paired with Type 1 collagen, Type 3 can be utilised for gut health, skin elasticity and hydration. 

Q: What type of Collagen does Dewty use?

A: Glow Stick contains both Type 1 and Type 3 collagen.

Your bodies supply of endogenous (or natural) Collagen depletes over time; reducing by 1.7% each year from the age of 25 and dropping by almost half by the age of 45. It is this drop in collagen levels which leads to fine lines and wrinkles; but also damage to your bones, joints, muscles and eyesight.

The most effective way to replace your body’s supply of collagen is to take a collagen supplement.

What Damages Collagen?

Ageing is the most determining factor when it comes to a reduction in natural collagen levels within the human body; but there are numerous external and environmental factors which can also contribute considerably.

Pollution – Exposure to pollutants such as car fumes, cigarette smoke and other highly unstable molecules, often referred to as ‘free radicals’, damage the skins natural protective barrier. Once this barrier is broken, collagen begins to break down, resulting in a dehydrated, dull complexion.

Sugar – A high sugar diet increases the rate of AGE’s (when blood sugars attaching to proteins to form molecules). These damage nearby proteins, rapidly weakening collagen.

Smoking – Not only does tobacco damage collagen production, but Nicotine also narrows the blood vessels within the outer dermis, leading to a reduction in oxygen to the skin.

Sunlight – UV exposure accelerates the breakdown of collagen and damages the collagen within the dermis, which when rebuilt forms fine lines and wrinkles. 

Whilst it is difficult to measure how much collagen you have in supply at any one time, the effects are clear:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Stiffer tendons and ligaments
• Shrinking, weakening muscles
• Joint pain due to worn cartilage
• Gastrointestinal problems due to thinning of digestive tract.  

How Can You Increase Your Supply of Collagen?

There are two main ways to boost your supply of collagen: 

Diet – Foods such as bone broth, chicken, eggs, seafood and citrus fruits are rich sources of dietary collagen, but consistently consuming enough can be difficult.

Supplements – Taking collagen in a supplement form not only makes for a more convenient format, but also increases the bioavailability of the collagen (or effectiveness of your ability to absorb it). Most collagen powders are hydrolysed into collagen peptides, and Glow Stick also contains other beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin C, which assists the absorption rate and efficiency of collagen within the body. 

What are Collagen Peptides? 

Collagen Peptides, also known as Hydrolysed Collagen are small molecules derived from collagen proteins, optimised for human digestion. Each peptide is comprised of between two and 100 amino acids; easily absorbed into your body by your gut. The method of hydrolysing the collagen; or breaking it down into tiny molecules, changes the format of the powder into smaller compounds, which must be absorbed by the small intestine and circulated into your bloodstream to be effective.

What is VERISOL B ®?

VERISOL B ® is a clinically proven form of exogenous hydrolysed collagen, derived from Bovine, and consisting of both Type 1 and Type 3 collagen peptides. Taking VERISOL B ® can stimulate skins metabolism, countering collagen depletion from the inside.  VERISOL B® has been specifically formulated for skin and beauty benefits, although consuming VERISOL B® also has a positive effect on bone and joint health. Orally applied, VERISOL^® systematically effects the collagen metabolism in the dermis rather than just reaching the outer layers of the skin like creams and other topical products do.

How Does VERISOL B® Work?

When consumed, the peptides within VERISOL B® are recognised by the fibroblast cells within the dermal layer of the skin as collagen fragments; not unlike those which result from catabolic activities. This reaction stimulates the collagens metabolism to counter-act the perceived degradation in the dermis. The positive result of this process is a much higher production of dermal collagen, replacing what is lost by the ageing process and environmental factors.

Clinical Study One – Wrinkle Reduction

In a study of more than 100 women aged between 45 and 65, the oral administration of 2.5g VERISOL B® a day significantly reduced wrinkles after 4 weeks, leading to a significantly higher skin collagen concentration of up to 60%.

VERISOL^® significantly reduces wrinkles: The collagen in the skin increases by 60%.

² Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis
Proksch E., Schunck M., Zague V., Segger D., Degwert J., Oesser S. Skin Pharmacol Physiology, December 2013

 Clinical Study Two – Cellulite Reduction

 A randomised study of 105 women aged between 25 and 50 years showed that the daily oral intake of 2.5g VERISOL B® significantly decreased the cellulite score after both 3 and 6 months of supplementation. Taking VERISOL B® reduced the waviness of the skin, with the first results visible after just 12 weeks, but more pronounced after 6 months.

As part of the study, changes in the dermal density were investigated. The two ultrasound scans show side by side the skin of a participant in the placebo group compared to the skin of a participant from the VERISOL^® group. The increase in elastin and collagen is clearly visible.

³ JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD, J Med Food 00 (0) 2015, 1–9, DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2015.0022, Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology
Michael Schunck, 1 Vivian Zague, 2 Steffen Oesser, 1 Ehrhardt Proksch, 3 

Clinical Study Three – Higher Skin Elasticity

A study with 69 women aged between 35 and 55 showed up to a 15% increase in skin elasticity in comparison to a placebo treatment after just 4 weeks.

Clinical Study Four – Nail Growth

A recent study showed a decrease in cracked and chipped nails after just 8 weeks of treatment, decreasing by up to 42% after 6 months. In comparison to a control group, participants saw a faster nail growth speed and notable improvement in nail peeling and edge irregularity. 80% of women were completely satisfied with the treatment, with 75% perceiving their nails to be longer and 71% agreeing their nails grew faster. 

The key to collagen supplementation, like anything in health, is consistency. Drinking a collagen supplement every day is undoubtedly the most efficient way to improve your skin and nail health. 

Meet Glow Stick 

7 Clinically Proven Beauty Benefits

Significantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles (after just 4 weeks)
Marked decrease in nail chips and cracks (after just 8 weeks)
Significantly reduces the appearance of cellulite (after 12 weeks)
Improvement in nail growth (after 12 weeks)
Improves skins surface structure
Ingested collagen has a bigger impact than applied skin creams and topical products
Influences skins collagen metabolism
Noticeably firmer and smoother skin with fewer wrinkles.
Increases skins moisture and delays the formation of wrinkles.