Condition

Skin Health

Skin aging reflects a natural decline in collagen and elastin, plus damage from sunlight, pollution, and oxidative stress that brings wrinkles, sagging, and dryness. Collagen peptides have the most support, and a meta-analysis of randomized trials found skin elasticity improved. The evidence is moderate and the effect was small, while a 44-person trial found bakuchiol eased wrinkles about as well as retinol, so that result is early.

Sources: PMID 40324552

Supplements studied: 38
Medicines and peptides: 11
Graded outcomes: 53
Trials: 46
People studied: 4,998

Evidence by supplement

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

38 supplements

Collagen Peptides

Collagen Peptides: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Skin Elasticity Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	1,474 people
Studies that measured skin elasticity Effects of Collagen Supplements on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Am J Med · PMID 40324552
	Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)			1,474 people

Diosmin

Diosmin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Venous Ulcer Healing Meta-analysis (5 trials): MPFF may hasten healing of venous leg ulcers. Effect demonstrated in ulcers 5-10cm² and present 6-12 months. Cochrane review: Low-certainty evidence for ulcer healing benefit.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect

Bakuchi

Wrinkle Surface Area: improves
Hyperpigmentation: improves
Tolerability (Scaling/Stinging): changes; see studies

Bakuchi: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	People
Wrinkle Surface Area RCT (PMID: 29947134): 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily comparable to 0.5% retinol at 12 weeks; significant wrinkle reduction (p<0.05)	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	44 people
Hyperpigmentation Significant improvement in pigment intensity and surface area at 12 weeks; no statistical difference from retinol	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	44 people
Tolerability (Scaling/Stinging) Bakuchiol significantly better tolerated than retinol - less scaling and stinging at all timepoints	Changes; see studies	Moderate effect	44 people

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Skin Hydration: improves
Skin Roughness: improves

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Hydration Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect		350 people
	Skin Roughness Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		280 people

Phlebodium aureum

Polymorphic Light Eruptions: improves
UV Skin Damage: improves

Phlebodium aureum: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Polymorphic Light Eruptions Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	3 studies	25 people
Studies that measured polymorphic light eruptions Oral polypodium leucotomos extract photoprotective activity in 57 patients with idiopathic photodermatosesG Ital Dermatol Venereol · PMID 21505393 Photoprotective activity of oral polypodium leucotomos extract in 25 patients with idiopathic photodermatosesPhotodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed · PMID 17254039 Oral administration of a hydrophilic extract of Polypodium leucotomos for the prevention of polymorphic light eruptionJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 21696853
	UV Skin Damage Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	1 study	9 people
Studies that measured uv skin damage Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skinJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 15583582

Ginkgo Biloba

Blood Flow
Wrinkles: improves
Skin Dryness: improves

Ginkgo Biloba: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Studies	People
	Blood Flow Mixed effect		2 studies	54 people
Studies that measured blood flow Effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on treadmill walking time among adults with peripheral artery disease: a randomized clinical trialJ Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev · PMID 18628657 Evidence of the regulatory effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on skin blood flow and study of its effects on urinary metabolites in healthy humansPlanta Med · PMID 15549661
	Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)	1 study	20 people
Studies that measured wrinkles Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoidsInt J Cosmet Sci · PMID 20412217
	Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)		20 people
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		20 people

Cocoa Extract

Blood Flow: improves
Skin Dryness: improves
Photoprotection: improves

Cocoa Extract: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood Flow Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	2 studies	24 people
Studies that measured blood flow NOX2-mediated arterial dysfunction in smokers: acute effect of dark chocolateHeart · PMID 21807659 Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in womenJ Nutr · PMID 16702322
	Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	141 people
Studies that measured skin dryness Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trialNutr J · PMID 24970388 Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled TrialJ Nutr · PMID 26581682
	Photoprotection	Improves (the measure goes up)			141 people
	Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			117 people

Fish Oil

Erythema: improves
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves
Photoprotection: improves

Fish Oil: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Erythema Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	15 people
Studies that measured erythema Dietary fish-oil supplementation in humans reduces UVB-erythemal sensitivity but increases epidermal lipid peroxidationJ Invest Dermatol · PMID 8040603
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	15 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers Oxidative stress reduction related to the efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first episode schizophrenia: Secondary outcome analysis of the OFFER randomized trialProstaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · PMID 28651701
	Photoprotection	Improves (the measure goes up)			15 people

Boswellia

Skin Elasticity: improves
Skin Quality: improves

Boswellia: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Skin Elasticity Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	15 people
Studies that measured skin elasticity Effects of topical boswellic acid on photo and age-damaged skin: clinical, biophysical, and echographic evaluations in a double-blind, randomized, split-face studyPlanta Med · PMID 19918712
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)			15 people

Green Tea Extract

Photoprotection: improves
Skin Quality: improves

Green Tea Extract: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Photoprotection Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	60 people
Studies that measured photoprotection Green tea polyphenols provide photoprotection, increase microcirculation, and modulate skin properties of womenJ Nutr · PMID 21525260
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people

White Mulberry

Hyperpigmentation: improves

White Mulberry: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Hyperpigmentation Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	50 people
Studies that measured hyperpigmentation A comparative study of the safety and efficacy of 75% mulberry (Morus alba) extract oil versus placebo as a topical treatment for melasma: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Drugs Dermatol · PMID 22052272

Chia seeds

Itching: improves
Skin Dryness: improves

Chia seeds: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Itching Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	5 people
Studies that measured itching Effectiveness of Topical Chia Seed Oil on Pruritus of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients and Healthy VolunteersAnn Dermatol · PMID 20548903
	Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)			5 people

Rose Essential Oil

Cortisol: improves
Stress Signs and Symptoms: improves

Rose Essential Oil: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Cortisol Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	20 people
	Stress Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			20 people

Nicotinamide

Erythema: improves
Skin Quality: improves
Hyperpigmentation: changes; see studies

Nicotinamide: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Erythema Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	50 people
Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	188 people
Hyperpigmentation	Changes; see studies			138 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			50 people
Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)			50 people

Hemp Protein

Eczema Symptoms: improves
Skin Quality: improves

Hemp Protein: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Eczema Symptoms Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		16 people
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	16 people

Moringa

Skin Dryness: improves
Wrinkles: improves

Moringa: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Dryness Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		11 people
	Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	11 people

Rose Hip

Skin Dryness: improves
Wrinkles: improves
Skin Elasticity: improves

Rose Hip: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Skin Dryness Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		34 people
Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	34 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			34 people

Calendula Officinalis

Skin Dryness: improves
Skin Thickness: improves
Skin Elasticity: improves

Calendula Officinalis: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Skin Dryness Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		21 people
Skin Thickness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	21 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			21 people

Gelatin

Skin Elasticity: improves

Gelatin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Elasticity Modest improvement in skin elasticity and hydration	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		300 people

Lycopene

UV Protection: improves

Lycopene: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	UV Protection Protects skin from UV radiation damage; accumulates in skin tissue	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		150 people

King Oyster

Skin Quality: improves
Skin Dryness

King Oyster: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Quality Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		77 people
	Skin Dryness No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	77 people

Pycnogenol

Skin Elasticity: improves
Skin Quality: improves

Pycnogenol: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Elasticity Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		20 people
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	20 people

Lactoferrin

Skin Hydration: improves

Lactoferrin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Hydration Small Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		400 people

Vitamin A

Collagen Content: improves
Hyperpigmentation: changes; see studies
Skin Quality: improves

Vitamin A: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Collagen Content Small Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		33 people
Hyperpigmentation	Changes; see studies		3 studies	406 people
Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	326 people
Skin Thickness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	128 people
Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)			394 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			263 people
Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)			326 people

Copper

Skin Elasticity: improves

Copper: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Elasticity Small Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		120 people

Vitamin K

Bruising
Erythema: improves

Vitamin K: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Bruising No effect		NoneNo effect	2 studies	54 people
	Erythema	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	40 people

Coenzyme Q10

Skin Dryness
UV Skin Damage: changes; see studies
Skin Elasticity: improves

Coenzyme Q10: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Skin Dryness No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	33 people
UV Skin Damage	Changes; see studies		1 study	41 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)			33 people
Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)			33 people

Aloe Vera

Pain
Psoriasis Symptoms: changes; see studies

Aloe Vera: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Pain No effect on skin-related pain		NoneNo effect		456 people
	Psoriasis Symptoms	Changes; see studies		1 study	120 people

Neem

Acne: improves

Neem: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Acne Limited evidence for acne improvement with topical neem	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		60 people

Astaxanthin

Bilirubin
Skin Dryness: improves
Skin Elasticity: improves

Astaxanthin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Bilirubin No effect		NoneNo effect		65 people
Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	609 people
Skin Elasticity	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	131 people
Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		2 studies	65 people
Blood glucose	Changes; see studies		1 study	65 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	65 people
HbA1c	Changes; see studies			65 people
Interleukin 1-alpha	Improves (the measure goes up)			65 people
Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			65 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			65 people
Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)			89 people
Uric Acid	Changes; see studies			65 people
UV Skin Damage	Changes; see studies			23 people
Wrinkles	Improves (the measure goes up)			65 people

Vitamin E

Scar Healing: improves
Erythema: worsens

Vitamin E: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Scar Healing	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	169 people
	Erythema Small Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes down)	Small effect		169 people

Peppermint

Nipple Cracks: improves

Peppermint: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Nipple Cracks	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	72 people

Saffron

Skin Dryness: improves

Saffron: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Dryness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	6 people

Resveratrol

Acne Symptoms: improves

Resveratrol: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Acne Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	20 people

Grape Seed Extract

Hyperpigmentation: changes; see studies

Grape Seed Extract: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Hyperpigmentation	Changes; see studies		1 study	12 people

Cat's whiskers

Skin Quality: improves

Cat's whiskers: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	50 people

Gotu Kola

Wound Healing: improves

Gotu Kola: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Wound Healing	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	400 people

Brown Seaweed Extract

Skin Quality: improves

Brown Seaweed Extract: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	10 people

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use. They are listed so the supplement evidence above can be read against them.

11 medicines and peptides

Afamelanotide

Eumelanin Production: improves

Afamelanotide: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Eumelanin Production Consistent melanogenic activity in all subjects	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	3 studies

Bacitracin

Wound Infection Prevention: improves
Sternal Wound Prophylaxis: improves
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: worsens

Bacitracin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies
Wound Infection Prevention Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 trials: Topical antibiotics reduce wound infections vs placebo. Cardiac surgery (n=1495): Zero deep sternal wound infections with routine bacitracin. Widely used for minor cuts, scrapes, burns.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	9 studies
Sternal Wound Prophylaxis Retrospective review (n=1495 cardiac surgeries): Routine topical bacitracin on incision associated with absence of deep sternal wound infections. Safe and inexpensive adjunct strategy.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	9 studies
Allergic Contact Dermatitis SAFETY CONCERN: Allergic contact dermatitis in 7.7-9.2% with prolonged use. Delayed hypersensitivity may not appear until 96 hours. Rare anaphylactic reactions reported. Patch test before extended use.	Worsens (the measure goes up)	Small effect	4 studies

LL-37

Venous Leg Ulcer Healing: improves
Re-epithelialization: improves
Granulation Tissue Formation: improves

LL-37: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Venous Leg Ulcer Healing 6-fold higher healing rate at optimal dose	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	8 studies	182 people
Re-epithelialization Significant improvement in wound closure	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	6 studies	240 people
Granulation Tissue Formation Enhanced tissue regeneration	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	2 studies	75 people

GHK-Cu

Wound Healing Rate: improves
Collagen Synthesis: improves
Skin Thickness: improves

GHK-Cu: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Wound Healing Rate Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	7 studies	320 people
Collagen Synthesis Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	5 studies	185 people
Skin Thickness Small Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	7 studies	140 people

Gramicidin

Wound Infections: improves

Gramicidin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Wound Infections Component of Neosporin ointment for wound infection prevention. Combined with neomycin and polymyxin B. Widely used OTC for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	7 studies

Tyrothricin

Skin Wound Infections: improves

Tyrothricin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Wound Infections Used for infected superficial and small-area wounds. Broad spectrum gram-positive and antifungal activity. Available in various topical formulations. Long history of safe and effective use.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	5 studies

Sermorelin

Skin Thickness: improves

Sermorelin: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Skin Thickness A significant increase in skin thickness was observed in both elderly men and women following 4 months of GHRH analog treatment.	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	1 study

BPC-157

Wound Healing Rate: improves

BPC-157: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Wound Healing Rate Moderate Improvement (mostly animal data)	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	11 studies	100 people

TB-500

Wound Healing: improves

TB-500: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Wound Healing Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	10 studies	55 people

GHRP-6

Wound Healing Rate: improves
Hypertrophic Scar Prevention: improves

GHRP-6: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Wound Healing Rate Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	6 studies	100 people
	Hypertrophic Scar Prevention Notable Reduction	Improves (the measure goes down)	Large effect	5 studies	80 people

KPV

Anti-inflammatory (Topical): improves

KPV: outcomes studied for Skin Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Anti-inflammatory (Topical) Anti-inflammatory effect in crystal-induced peritonitis model	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	68 studies	30 people

Key findings

Skin ElasticityCollagen PeptidesImproves (the measure goes up)
Venous Ulcer HealingDiosminImproves (the measure goes up)
Wrinkle Surface AreaBakuchiImproves (the measure goes down)

The Skin Health & Anti-Aging protocol

2 primary supplements · 2 supporting supplements

Collagen Peptides2.5–10 g daily
Vitamin C500–1,000 mg daily (or topical 10–20%)

See the full protocol

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Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

Treatment of human skin with an extract of Fucus vesiculosus changes its thickness and mechanical propertiesJ Cosmet Sci · PMID 11917251