The review draws on a broad and heterogeneous body of preclinical and human research rather than a formally defined dataset, reflecting the evolving nature of evidence in this area. Studies discussed span mechanistic investigations, animal models and human clinical trials, with a focus on more recent work exploring skin-specific outcomes.  

The authors describe how hydrolysed marine collagen peptides are absorbed following oral intake and appear to act as biological signals rather than passive structural substrates. Once in circulation, these peptides may influence fibroblast activity, collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix turnover within the skin.  

Across the human studies discussed, supplementation with hydrolysed marine collagen was associated with improvements in parameters such as skin elasticity, hydration and wrinkle appearance. Benefits were most consistently reported when collagen was combined with supportive nutrients including vitamin C, zinc or hyaluronic acid, reflecting the multi-step biology of collagen production and dermal remodelling.  

The review also addresses limitations within the current literature, noting that many studies are small, vary in formulation, dosage and duration, and differ in outcome measures. As a result, the authors caution against overgeneralisation and call for larger, well-designed clinical trials to better define efficacy and optimal use.