Soluble Collagen

Soluble collagen is a humectant skin care ingredient that promotes hydration. It’s derived from the connective tissues and skins of animals, most commonly bovine or fish. It’s referred to as soluble collagen because it’s soluble in water. Unlike hydrolyzed collagen, soluble collagen does not undergo hydrolysis, meaning it retains its large molecular size. Because of this, it can’t penetrate skin, but instead it sits atop it, promoting optimal, balanced hydration through the attraction of moisture and mitigation of transepidermal water loss. Through enhanced hydration, this ingredient can also help shore up the skin barrier. There’s a common misconception that applying collagen topically will help with anti-aging concerns. This is simply not true! Collagen within skin and collagen applied to skin work differently. Unfortunately, administering collagen-derived ingredients to the stratum corneum (skin’s outermost layer) doesn’t improve skin laxity or crepiness, but it can help temporarily decrease the look of wrinkles and fine lines due to a plumping effect caused by increased hydration. Soluble collagen and other collagen-related cosmetic ingredients are constantly undergoing research, so more information about these ingredients and their benefits might soon be revealed. For example, research has revealed early insights that marine-derived soluble collagen might assist with wound healing and aging, however, more research is needed to come to a firm conclusion. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel revealed that this hydrator is made up of good-for-skin amino acids like hydroxyproline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, glycine, alanine and arginine. The panel’s review also disclosed that this ingredient is safe for skin and most used in leave-on cosmetic formats (like moisturizers) in concentrations between 0.00003% and 16.5%.

Related ingredients: Collagen Amino Acids