Collagen vs Gelatin for skin & hair
Short answer: For skin & hair, users rate them about the same: 96% report improvement with Collagen (71 reports) and 100% with Gelatin (7 reports).
Collagen has 9 meta-analyses and 22 randomized trials on PubMed; Gelatin has 116 and 552.
Based on 292 reports about Collagen and 35 about Gelatin. Not medical advice.
| Collagen Supplement | Gelatin Supplement | |
|---|---|---|
| Users say it helped | 56%helped120 reports · high confidence | 85%helped14 reports · few reports |
| Verdict | Mixed | Mostly positive |
| Research | AResearch: Strong | AResearch: Strong |
| Meta-analyses / RCTs | 9 / 22 | 116 / 552 |
| Mainly used for | ||
| Skin & hair % reporting improvement | 96% (71) | 100% (7) |
| Recovery % reporting improvement | 94% (47) | 86% (7) |
| Pain & inflammation % reporting improvement | 92% (24) | 100% (3) |
| Sleep % reporting improvement | 100% (8) | 50% (2) |
| Performance % reporting improvement | 100% (5) | — |
| Common side effects | fatigue, insomnia, drowsiness, histamine episode | None reported |
| Typical dose reported | 7 g / daily | 8 g / morning |
The findings of improved hydration and elasticity were also confirmed in the subgroup meta-analysis. Based on results, ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen for 90 days is effective in reducing skin aging, as it reduces wrinkles and improves skin elasticity and hydration.
Int J Dermatol, 2021 ↗“Within hours of consumption my consistent upper back pain is literally gone, but along with it comes dizziness and a feeling of aloofness.”
Collagen synthesis rates were elevated with 15 g/day COL but did not have a significant impact on MPS when compared to isonitrogenous higher quality protein sources. Exact mechanisms for these adaptations are unclear, with future research using larger sample sizes, elite athletes, female participants and more precise outcome measures such as muscle biopsies and magnetic imagery.
Amino Acids, 2021 ↗“I've been taking a few teaspoons of rehydrated gelatin in warm water before bed for the last few months. One thing I've noticed is that it has *dramatically* reduced my GERD symptoms(I have a hiatal hernia).”
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Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate