Collagen: what it can do, and what it can't

Collagen is one of the most marketed supplements going, which makes it one of the harder ones to think clearly about.

What it is

Collagen is the structural protein in skin, hair, nails and connective tissue. Production declines gradually with age — that part isn't controversial.

Hydrolysed collagen has been broken into smaller peptides so it can be absorbed. Glow uses hydrolysed marine collagen at 5g, which is within the range used in most published work.

Why vitamin C is in the formula

Your body can't synthesise collagen without vitamin C — it's a required cofactor in the process. Taking collagen without adequate vitamin C leaves part of the pathway short. Glow includes 90mg alongside hyaluronic acid 100mg and biotin 2500mcg.

Realistic timelines

Skin and nail turnover is slow. Studies that report changes generally run eight to twelve weeks, not one. If a product promises visible results in a week, the timeline is a marketing decision rather than a biological one.

Collagen also isn't a substitute for sun protection or sleep, both of which do more for skin than any capsule. It's a contributor, not a replacement.