There has always been a connection between beauty and health: good skin quickly communicates to those around us that we are healthy - and, in fact, looking good can make us feel better physically and mentally. Healthy skin is, in short, associated with attractiveness and self-confidence. This holistic well-being is one of Peptan's key pillars: we are here to help consumers look their best.

Collagen and beauty

Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, is crucial for our skin. It is responsible for its strength and flexibility (Box 1: Structure of the skin). Collagen also supports hair and nails, the main appendages of the skin, even though they are not made of collagen.

Around our mid-20s, collagen production in our skin declines, leading to well-known signs of aging: wrinkles, dry skin, and loss of elasticity. And the hair becomes thinner and weaker, which can eventually lead to hair loss.

Why does science use collagen?

Our scientific portfolio continues to grow with new discoveries, as we use the latest technologies to better understand the role of collagen in promoting
beauty from within. Discover the latest insights on Peptan and beauty from within! (Box 2: Science of Peptan for the beauty of skin and hair)

The future of beauty

Rousselot's scientific research has shown that collagen peptides can delay the signs of aging and improve the appearance of skin and hair. More than 10 years of studies from Rousselot demonstrate that taking Peptan collagen peptides orally can help us achieve firmer skin and healthier-looking hair.

Structure of the skin as we age

As we age, endogenous collagen production decreases, causing thinner, drier and less elastic skin, leading to wrinkles.

Daily supplementation with collagen peptides may play a key role in delaying and diminishing the signs of aging.

Summary of referenced studies

This table summarizes the studies referenced on collagen and beauty.

Skin density

The scientific study by Asserin et al. on 99 Caucasian women (aged 40 to 65 years) showed that ingestion of 10g of Peptan F for 12 weeks significantly increased skin density compared to placebo.
Similar positive results were observed in the study by Vleminckx et al. on 85 Chinese women (aged 40 to 65 years), where a significant improvement in skin density was observed after taking 5g of Peptan P for 12 weeks, compared to the placebo group.

Skin elasticity

Skin elasticity is vital for a healthy appearance, as loss of elasticity leads to sagging and wrinkling of the skin. In the study by Vleminckx et al., a dermatology expert assessed skin elasticity using a clinical score (0-9) based on visual and tactile assessment. The results demonstrate that after four weeks of oral supplementation with 5 g of PeptanP, participants' skin elasticity improved by 7% compared to placebo. This beneficial influence on skin elasticity was confirmed in the study by Kuninty et al. in 40 Caucasian women (aged 35 to 48 years) using reference elasticity measurement technology, after 12 weeks of supplementation with different dosages of Peptan F. Positive effects could already be observed with 2.5 g of Peptan after 12 weeks. Oral intake of 5 to 10 g of Peptan F significantly increased skin elasticity compared to placebo after 12 weeks.

Skin hydration

For a natural glow, our skin needs sufficient hydration. Peptan has been observed to improve skin hydration levels. The study conducted by Asserin et al. showed that a daily dose of 10 g of Peptan P significantly improved skin hydration in 33 healthy Japanese women within 8 weeks, compared to a placebo.

The study by Vleminckx et al. carried out on 85 Chinese women (aged 40 to 65 years) shows that daily supplementation with only half the dose (5 g) of Peptan P is sufficient to increase skin hydration.
This study shows a significant difference between the Peptan group and the placebo group after 12 weeks. Notably, participants also used a facial cream during the study period to standardize their facial care, which highlights the effectiveness of Peptan in combination with usual facial care and makes these results valuable as they imitate real-life beauty habits.
The study showed that 10 g of Peptan F significantly improved skin hydration over 12 weeks compared to placebo. After 24 weeks, beneficial effects could also be observed for lower doses (2.5 - 5 g), while in the placebo group, skin hydration decreased over time.

The positive effects of Peptan supplementation on skin hydration were again confirmed in the study by Kuninty et al.

Wrinkle reduction

We call them "laughter lines," but many of us don't look forward to those lines around the eyes or mouth, which are one of the most common physical signs of aging. Our research found that Peptan can reduce the visibility of wrinkles in women. In the placebo group, this significant effect was only observed after 12 weeks, perhaps due to the properties of the face cream. This study shows that Peptan works faster against wrinkles than using a face cream alone. Finally, if we add to these results and consider that Peptan can help improve the hydration, density and elasticity of the skin, we can conclude that the overall appearance of wrinkles can be reduced by Peptan supplementation.

Dosage and origin: what is the best choice?

All of the studies mentioned above show that Peptan can have a positive impact on the beauty of the skin and the visibility of wrinkles. Beneficial effects have been achieved after administration of different dosages, but it should be noted that the desired result can be achieved more quickly with a higher daily dose. The demonstrated effects were observed regardless of the Peptanraw material used and in populations of different ethnicities.

Focus on the hair

First of all, we need to take a closer look at our hair. In addition to the part visible on the scalp, hair contains a second structure, called a hair follicle, located inside the skin. This hair follicle is a living mini-organ, containing hair follicle stem cells (CSF) responsible for the growth and structure of our hair. The presence of these CSFH ensures the growth and renewal of our hair thanks to the regulation of the hair cycle. Disruptions in the growth cycle of these hair cells lead to (age-induced) hair loss. If we want to keep our hair, we need to keep our stem cells alive.

Grow beautiful hair from the inside

Since hair follicles are located in the skin, hair health starts from within. Peptan is a promising solution. The pioneering ex vivo study by Pappelbaum et al. on hair follicles taken from 6 people (men and women, ages 27 to 59) revealed that Peptan B digested in vitro (mimicking the body's digestive process) increases the amount of active stem cells (HFSCs) in the hair follicle and inhibits their death. As the aging process is linked to a decline in CSHF, these results suggest that Peptan could play a positive role in combating (age-induced) hair loss by strengthening stem cells and, therefore, preserving the hair follicle health.

As hair does not contain collagen, this pioneering study demonstrates that the benefits of Peptan may extend beyond the effects of collagen production. It clearly indicates that collagen peptides could support HFSCs and keep them active and alive, which, in turn, could contribute to the effectiveness of hair care and beauty.