Do collagen shots give you firmer skin?

Collagen is a protein naturally found in your skin that provides firmness and elasticity. As you age, its production decreases, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.

With oral collagen supplements (shots, powders, capsules), the collagen is broken down into small pieces (peptides) in your digestive system. Some of these would enter your bloodstream. Some studies show very slight improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle depth after using collagen peptides for several weeks to months.

However, the effects are very modest and the studies too small to recommend collagen shots for firmer skin. Almost all studies were also funded by the manufacturers. Independent, large-scale studies are scarce but necessary to obtain scientific evidence of their effectiveness.

Contrary to what manufacturers' advertisements promise, collagen shots are not a miracle cure. They even have little to no supporting effect. Other factors (sun protection, sufficient sleep, not smoking, healthy diet, stress levels) have a much greater influence on skin aging.

Source: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/fo/d2fo02958h

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-09-18 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2026