A recent 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Wisutthathum S, Sutti T, Pimjuk P, et al. evaluated the effects of a hydrolysed collagen formulation (HYCOS) containing hydrolysed collagen, glutathione, and vitamin E in healthy Thai adults with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles. The study found that HYCOS supplementation improved several objective measures of skin elasticity and skin roughness compared with placebo.
Improvements in skin elasticity were observed as early as week 4 and were sustained throughout the intervention period for several elasticity parameters. Participants receiving HYCOS also demonstrated greater improvements in skin roughness and wrinkle-related parameters compared with placebo.
No notable differences between groups were observed for skin hydration. The formulation was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported and no clinically meaningful changes in blood or urine safety markers.
Overall, these findings suggest that daily supplementation with HYCOS may support skin elasticity and improve objective measures of skin texture and skin appearance. While further research is needed to confirm the findings in broader populations, the results add to the growing body of evidence supporting oral collagen supplementation as a strategy for healthy skin ageing.
The PICO Framework
Population
135 healthy Thai adults aged 30-60 years with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles completed the study (HYCOS, n=66; placebo, n=69). Participants were recruited based on visible signs of facial skin ageing.
Intervention
HYCOS hydrolysed collagen formulation containing hydrolysed collagen peptides (500 mg), glutathione (250 mg), and vitamin E (11.5 mg), consumed daily for 12 weeks.
Comparison
Placebo beverage containing excipients found in HYCOS supplement (maltodextrin, citric acid anhydrous, orange flavour, and stevia leaf extract) consumed daily for 12 weeks.
Outcome
Skin elasticity
HYCOS supplementation improved several objective measures of skin elasticity compared with placebo. Improvements were observed from week 4 onwards and were sustained for selected elasticity measures throughout the trial.
Skin wrinkles and roughness
Participants receiving HYCOS demonstrated greater improvements in skin roughness and wrinkle-related parameters, with more sustained changes observed compared with placebo. Improvements were observed across several objective measures of crow’s feet wrinkles and skin texture.
Skin hydration
Both groups experienced improvements in skin hydration over the study period; however, no notable differences between the HYCOS and placebo groups were observed.
Participant satisfaction
Participant satisfaction increased over time in both groups, with higher levels of satisfaction reported in the HYCOS group by week 12.
Safety and tolerability
HYCOS was well tolerated throughout the 12-week intervention. No adverse events were reported, and biochemical safety markers remained within normal physiological ranges.
Study: Wisutthathum S, Sutti T, Pimjuk P, et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Hydrolyzed Collagen Formulation (HYCOS) for Facial Skin Elasticity and Wrinkles: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026. doi:10.1111/jocd.71121 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.71121?mkt_tok=Nzc2LVJMWi0zMzAAAAGkRrOD_yj0bO9vq6rR3kuJjAge-aAu49ZoZRGfYhSSUA50PWeCvp2AnSwQyJ2oqJr7J7Ql9dLxBmeU83w8cbDn8KQsuRSVCqif-2qYT4gZ-o9pxA
