Evidence supporting the use of: Hydrolyzed beef collagen
For the body system: Hair
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Hydrolyzed beef collagen is commonly marketed as a supplement to support hair health, largely due to its rich content of amino acids—especially glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—which are structural components of keratin, the primary protein in hair. Scientifically, there is some rationale for this use: collagen peptides can provide building blocks necessary for the synthesis of hair proteins. However, direct high-quality clinical evidence specifically linking hydrolyzed beef collagen supplementation to improved hair growth or quality in humans is limited. Most available studies focus on skin health, with only a handful addressing hair, often with small sample sizes or in combination with other ingredients, making it difficult to isolate the effects of collagen alone. A few studies suggest that collagen supplementation may help improve dermal health and, by extension, create a healthier scalp environment, which could indirectly support hair health. Animal studies and in vitro data support the idea that collagen-derived peptides can influence extracellular matrix production, which is pertinent to hair follicle function. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials in humans are lacking, and claims about hair growth or thickness are not strongly substantiated by the existing literature. In sum, scientific support exists at a basic mechanistic level, but robust clinical evidence is currently insufficient, warranting a moderate-low score of 2 out of 5 for the strength of evidence supporting hydrolyzed beef collagen's use for hair health.
Other ingredients that support Hair
amino acidsashwagandha
bamboo
biotin
bovine gelatin
ceramides
collagen
copper
fish oil
fish protein
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gelatin
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
horsetail
iron
kelp
l-cysteine
l-cystine
l-lysine
l-methionine
l-proline
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
nettle
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
pollen
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
protein
pumpkin
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rosemary
sage
saw palmetto
selenium
silicon
keratin
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
seaweed
zinc
zinc
lingzhi
sunflower
trace minerals
wheat germ
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
bladderwrack
Argan nut oil
Alkanna
Animal protein
Black Seed
Babchi
Beef
Beef liver
Bovine Protein
Curry leaf
Cetearyl alcohol
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cymbopogon Martini
Castile Soap
Cystine
DL-Methionine
Drynaria
Egg
Eclipta
Emu Oil
Egg protein
Molasses
Quinoa Protein
Silk protein
Other body systems supported by Hydrolyzed beef collagen
Gastrointestinal TractHair
Joints
Nails
Skeletal System (Bones)
Skin