Hydrolyzed collagen has consolidated as one of the most demanded supplements in the global welfare market, backed by the promise to improve skin health, joints and hair, among other benefits. However, the popularity of this ingredient has generated a constant flow of incomplete information, myths and expectations that require a deep and grounded analysis. The first thing that should be known is that collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, representing approximately 30% of total proteins and being an essential structural component of tissues such as skin, tendons, cartilage and bones. Its relevance in the structure and function of the body is indisputable, and therefore its study and application in nutrition have been subject to scientific interest in decades.
Historically, collagen knowledge dates back to the early twentieth century, when its structural function and their role in skin health and connective tissues were identified. From then on, the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry began to explore methods to extract and process it with the aim of taking advantage of its benefits in forms that could be easily absorbed by the body. It was until the end of the 20th century that the hydrolyzed collagen, a fragmented form through enzymatic processes to facilitate its bioavailability, began to popularize in dietary supplements. Its advance has been parallel to the Revolution of Welfare and Preventive Health, which seek not only to treat diseases but also optimize the quality of life through nutrition.
Supplementation, a complementary ‘tool’
It is important to know that with age, the natural production of collagen decreases approximately 1% per year from the age of 25, which translates into loss of elasticity, joint stiffness, appearance of wrinkles and greater bone fragility. Given this scenario, supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen is presented as a tool to complement the diet and mitigate these effects. Its hydrolysis process fragments protein in smaller peptides, facilitating its intestinal absorption and subsequent distribution to tissues that require repair and maintenance.
Recent scientific evidence has documented concrete benefits of hydrolyzed collagen consumption. Studies published in specialized magazines such as Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology y Nutrients They report improvements in the hydration and elasticity of the skin after 8 to 12 weeks of daily consumption. In addition, significant reductions in joint pain have been observed in populations with osteoarthritis or sports injuries, as well as improvements in bone density in older adults. These findings support the therapeutic use of collagen as a nutritional complement, provided that their quality, dose and origin are properly controlled.
The overall collagen market reached an estimated value exceeding 4.5 billion dollars in 2023, with an annual projected growth rate close to 9% around 2030. This impulse responds not only to the rise of nutritional cosmetics and the tendency of “beauty from within”, but also to a cultural change where the consumer requires products that provide real and measurable functional benefits. In Mexico, the food supplements market, in which this ingredient is framed, maintains sustained growth driven by an increasingly informed population, with greater access to scientific information and a growing disposition to invest in products that combine aesthetics and health.
However, the potential of this supplement is not exempt from complexities, its effectiveness depends on multiple critical variables: the quality of the raw material, the degree of hydrolysis, the purity of the product, the applied dose and the form of administration. There are substantial differences between a collagen developed with rigorous technical control and another that occurs without a deep knowledge of the manufacturing processes. Aspects such as temperature during production, the type of enzymes used for hydrolysis and storage conditions directly influence the stability and bioavailability of active peptides.
In addition, the global market has witnessed a proliferation of brands that excessively simplify the message, reducing a complex supplement to advertising messages that promise universal and rapid results, without attending to the need for customization or solid scientific evidence. Irresponsible communication and the absence of strict regulations in certain markets have led consumers to acquire products with low collagen content or formulations with inactive ingredients that do not generate significant benefits.
It is essential to understand that it is not a compound of immediate or miraculous action. To observe visible or functional improvements, it is essential to maintain constant daily consumption -specified in preceding paragraphs -in addition to continuing its intake to sustain long -term benefits. Individual variability also plays an important role, so the results may differ between people according to factors such as age, diet, general health status and physical activity level.
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Beyond myths
A common myth is that any type of collagen will have the same effect on the body. In reality, hydrolyzed collagen occurs in different profiles of peptides derived from varied sources: bovine, pig, sailor or egg membrane, among others. Each source has particular properties and variable levels of scientific support. The choice should be based on technical criteria such as bioavailability, amino acid profile, digestive tolerance and specific application, not only on commercial decisions or market preferences (in a nutshell, which “is fashionable”).
From the scientific perspective, hydrolyzed collagen is a support tool, not a definitive cure. Its effectiveness is maximized when it is integrated into a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, adequate hydration, sun protection and regular exercise. In this sense, the challenge for the industry is double: offer products with transparent formulations and backed by robust scientific evidence, and educate the consumer to distinguish between unfounded promises and possible and verifiable benefits.
The future of the market will depend on the ability of its actors to professionalize the entire value chain. This implies from the rigorous selection of raw material to manufacturing with good practices and clear and honest communication about what the product can and cannot do. Avoid sensationalism and excessive simplification is crucial to recover consumer confidence and position this supplement as a real ally of health and beauty without falling into empty promises.
In a market saturated with promises and slogans Attractive, hydrolyzed collagen will only reach its true potential when scientific rigor and transparency are the pillars of its production and marketing. Health optimization is a growing and legitimate demand among consumers, who seek not only aesthetic well -being, but also functionality and a tangible improvement in their quality of life.
This supplement, when used in a responsible manner and under the support of reliable labels and with solid technical evidence, can be a valuable tool to complement a healthy lifestyle, in addition to addressing specific needs and conditions. However, and despite the boom Of recent years, the success of the hydrolyzed collagen does not lies in marketing, but in real science that supports its effectiveness and commitment of those who make up the industry to educate, protect and deliver true quality products. Consumer confidence, this fundamental basis for any brand in the well -being sector, is only built with integrity, knowledge and responsibility.
This article is part of the printed edition from Forbes Mexico October 2025.
The author is an investor in more than 12 companies and Co-founder of Sesén Company, a factory and brand of specialized supplements, leader in the Wellness space. Faithful believer of a profitable, human and purposeful business model, has shared its business vision in different forums on leadership and entrepreneurship, as well as in various printed and online publications. Instagram: @marieffdzcelis
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