PlainPill

Collagen vs Hyaluronic Acid for skin & hair

Short answer: For skin & hair, more users report improvement with Collagen — 96% of 71 reports, versus 90% of 20 for Hyaluronic Acid.

Collagen has 9 meta-analyses and 22 randomized trials on PubMed; Hyaluronic Acid has 816 and 1,179.

Based on 292 reports about Collagen and 91 about Hyaluronic Acid. Not medical advice.

Collagen
Supplement
Hyaluronic Acid
Supplement
Users say it helped56%helped120 reports · high confidence76%helped23 reports · medium confidence
Verdict
Mixed
Mostly positive
ResearchAResearch: StrongAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs9 / 22816 / 1,179
Mainly used for
Skin & hair
% reporting improvement
96% (71)90% (20)
Recovery
% reporting improvement
94% (47)100% (4)
Pain & inflammation
% reporting improvement
92% (24)80% (5)
Sleep
% reporting improvement
100% (8)—
Performance
% reporting improvement
100% (5)—
Common side effectsfatigue, insomnia, drowsiness, histamine episodestomach issues, irritation
Typical dose reported7 g / daily200 mg / not every day
Collagen
Latest review conclusion

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 ↗
What a user said
“Within hours of consumption my consistent upper back pain is literally gone, but along with it comes dizziness and a feeling of aloofness.”
Full Collagen profile →
Hyaluronic Acid
Latest review conclusion

The current study found that PRP and PRP + HA were the most successful in improving function and alleviating pain after 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. CSC, HA, PRP, and combination therapy did not result in an increase in the incidence of treatment-related side events as compared to placebo.

BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2023 ↗
What a user said
“From day 2 of my taking the capsule of hyaluronic acid, my lips stopped peeling. When I stopped taking it, my lips started peeling again.”
Full Hyaluronic Acid profile →

Related comparisons

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