Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bovine gelatin is used in skin care products primarily for its collagen content, as collagen is a key structural protein in the skin. The rationale is that consuming or applying gelatin—which is derived from the collagen of cows—may support skin elasticity, hydration, and repair. Scientific validation for these claims is limited but present. Some studies suggest that oral supplementation with collagen peptides (which can be derived from bovine gelatin) may improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. For example, small randomized controlled trials have found modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity among participants who took collagen supplements for several weeks to months. However, the evidence is not robust and often involves small sample sizes, short durations, and potential conflicts of interest due to industry funding.

Topical application of gelatin is less studied and is unlikely to deliver collagen deep enough into the skin to have significant effects, due to the large size of the collagen molecules. Most of the skin benefits attributed to gelatin are therefore linked to oral ingestion rather than topical use. The overall evidence is rated as low to moderate (2/5), as while there is some scientific support for the use of hydrolyzed collagen (from sources such as bovine gelatin) in skin care, more high-quality, long-term studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and mechanism of action.

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