The explorer Ponce de Leon famously went to Florida in search of the fountain of youth. But if you listen to social media influencers, he should probably have headed to the supplement aisle to pick up some collagen.

"I'm in my 40s and if I shave, I look like I'm in my mid-20s," a Tiktok creator who goes by Shop By Jake claims in one paid promotion . "People ask me all the time, what do you do for your skin? I take collagen," he says.

Claims about the health and beauty benefits of collagen supplements are commonplace these days, especially online. But does the evidence back the hype?

The claim

Collagen supplements can promote healthier skin, hair and nails, and stronger joints.

The theory

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body . It's found in skin, hair, nails, tendo

See Full Page