Our landmark clinical trial on True Collagen for whole-body health

Dive into Ancient + Brave’s groundbreaking bovine collagen clinical trial and discover how True Collagen is clinically proven to support skin, joints and overall well-being.

At a glance:

+ Ancient + Brave’s evidence-based formulas are rigorously tested through consumer and clinical trials, so you can be confident in your choice 

+Led by Dr Jenna Macciochi, our BECOME collagen study is our landmark, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, collagen clinical trial

+This tested the efficacy of True Collagen’s hydrolysed collagen peptides for whole-body health markers

+ The results of our independent clinical study show collagen is effective at improving skin and gut health, joint health, energy, sleep quality and more

+ After 6 weeks, all of the participants self-reported an improvement in lines and wrinkles 

+ At 12 weeks, 70% reported better joint function, with 80% reporting improved energy

Our Commitment to science-backed collagen

At Ancient + Brave, we honour the intelligence of nature and the rigour of science to create powerful, proven wellbeing products. As experts in collagen, our approach has always centred on whole-body support - using high-quality, well-specified, correctly dosed collagen, underpinned by measured evidence.

We also actively contribute to the growing body of scientific evidence around the proven benefits of collagen - not just the skin, but the whole body. 

In this context, we are proud to share the Ancient + Brave BECOME Collagen Study (Benefits of Bovine Collagen vs. Placebo on Skin, Hair, Nails and Whole-Body Health in Healthy Adults) - an independently run clinical trial which reveals remarkable insights into the impact of taking True Collagen.

Before we dive into the BECOME Collagen study, let’s first understand the role of collagen in supporting the body.

Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein. It’s perhaps most celebrated for its role in building healthy skin, but its importance extends far beyond beauty.

Made of key amino acids like proline and glycine, collagen’s unique triple-helix structure forms the framework that holds together our skin, joints, bones, muscles, and even the gut’s connective tissues. 

Unfortunately, our natural supplies decline with age, making collagen supplementation essential for maintaining cell strength and resilience over time.

Why collagen is important to whole body health

The BECOME collagen clinical trial: gold-standard collagen research

While numerous studies have demonstrated collagen’s effectiveness in enhancing skin, hair, and nail health, our commitment to innovation drives us to explore collagen’s broader impact. 

That’s why we invested in the BECOME collagen study, our landmark clinical trial investigating the real-life impact of our True Collagen hydrolysed collagen peptides on whole-body health. 

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, The BECOME collagen study is one of the most comprehensive collagen trials of its kind. 

Approval by an independent research ethics committee and held to the highest standards of clinical research, this 12-week study enrolled ninety healthy female participants aged between 35 and 55 to assess the effects of True Collagen vs. a placebo in a real-world setting. 

To demonstrate the power of consistency, participants took a precise 10g daily dosage with neither the participants nor the study coordinators knowing which was being taken, ensuring unbiased and scientifically robust findings.

Population: Healthy females, aged 35–55, all Fitzpatrick skin types, healthy BMI, with visible signs of ageing. No changes to diet, lifestyle, supplements or topical skincare permitted during the study.

Ethics: Approved by an independent research ethics committee. Conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki principles and ICH GCP guidelines.

Supplement tested: True Collagen, 100% bovine hydrolysed collagen peptides (Type I) vs. placebo

ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT06603194 

Assessments were conducted at three key touchpoints—baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks using a three-tier assessment approach: bioinstrumental measurements (corneometry, cutometry, confocal imaging), expert clinical grading, and participant-validated self-perception questionnaires. 

Skin outcomes reported above are primarily based on objective bioinstrumental or clinical grading data and are statistically significant versus placebo unless otherwise noted.·

Inside the BECOME collagen study results

While individual responses to collagen may vary, and it is certainly not a quick fix, the results of the BECOME collagen study offer powerful, science-backed evidence of True Collagen’s ability to enhance skin health at a deep, cellular level. 

Across multiple measures, True Collagen supplementation demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, firmness, brightness, and resilience.

Beyond this, the BECOME collagen study explored the benefits of collagen across multiple areas of well-being, demonstrating that True Collagen can support wellbeing from the inside out.

See the results of the BECOME collagen clinical trial at a glance, or scroll on for a deeper dive into these significant collagen research findings.

“By investing in an independent collagen clinical trial, we not only give you our assurance that True Collagen peptides are backed by science, but we are setting a new benchmark for evidence-based supplementation in the wellness industry.”  - Dr Jenna Macciochi.

True Collagen supports healthier skin.

The BECOME collagen study’s results reaffirm the power of True Collagen to not only improve visible signs of ageing but also enhance deep structural resilience, reinforcing the skin’s natural collagen matrix.

In addition to helping target the signs of ageing, True Collagen helps improve the skin's ability to shield itself against environmental stressors such as pollution and UV exposure, supports skin healing, and reinforces the body’s natural ability to regenerate and maintain optimal skin health.

Skin Hydration

+ Skin hydration: True Collagen enhanced hydration by 63% at week 6 and 76% at week 12, with 100% of participants reporting better moisture retention

+ Skin barrier function: Skin barrier strength showed a 17% enhancement at week 6, rising to 27% by week 12. 100% of participants saw benefits at both timepoints, with 80% noticing better skin healing rates after 12 weeks

Skin strength

+ Fine lines and wrinkles: After six weeks, participants experienced a  8% reduction in fine lines and crow’s feet. At week 12, this had doubled. Remarkably, 100% of participants saw an improvement at both time points.

+ Collagen density: Imaging showed a 31% reduction in collagen fragmentation (the breakdown of collagen fibres) by week 12. This indicates that True Collagen helps slow sagging by preserving and reinforcing the skin’s natural collagen. By week 6, 66% of showed signs of improvement, rising to 87% by week 12.

+ Firmness and elasticity: True Collagen also supports skin firmness by 2% at week 6, progressing to a 9% increase by week 12. 73% of participants saw improvements within six weeks, and 100% experienced firmer skin by week 12

Skin tone

+ Skin brightness: At week 6, 96% of participants saw brighter skin, increasing to 100% by week 12. 

+ Pigmentation and redness: Skin microcirculation also improved (12% at week 6 and 43% at week 12), reducing redness and evening skin tone

True Collagen thickens and strengthens hair

In addition to skin health benefits, study participants who took True Collagen for 12 weeks reported notable improvements in hair and nail health.

• 73% of participants noticed an increase in hair thickness.

• 80% experienced enhanced hair strength.

• 77% observed less hair breakage.

Dr Jenna Macciochi explains the science: 

“Collagen supplies key amino acids—such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—that are crucial for keratin production, the protein hair is made of. By working at the cellular level, True Collagen not only improves the visible health of hair but also fortifies its structure, supporting strength and reducing breakage.” 

True Collagen strengthens nails

Collagen plays a vital role in reinforcing the structural integrity of nails, potentially supporting the growth and durability of the nail matrix.

In addition to the improvements in hair, 63% of participants noted increased nail growth and enhanced nail strength. Although these benefits did not reach statistical significance, they suggest a positive trend toward improved nail resilience. 

True Collagen improves whole body health

While many collagen studies focus solely on skin, hair, and nail improvements, our research with True Collagen is unique in that it takes a holistic approach and explores the benefits of collagen for whole-body health. 

It showed that, in addition to supporting skin-deep improvements, collagen eases digestive discomfort, enhances sleep quality, accelerates exercise recovery, boosts energy levels, and improves joint comfort, elevating the simple act of collagen supplementation from a beauty ritual to a comprehensive tool for whole-body health. 

Let’s dive into this in more detail:

Digestive health

• After taking True Collagen daily for 6 weeks, 70% of participants experienced fewer digestive issues, such as bloating or constipation. This shift may be explained by collagen’s ability to support the integrity of the gut lining and digestive function.

Sleep, recovery, and energy

• Enhanced rest: After 12 weeks of True Collagen, 70% of participants reported better sleep quality and felt more restored upon waking. 70% also said they fell asleep faster and enjoyed more restful nights. 

•  Physical recovery: A significant 90% reported faster recovery from exercise with less muscle soreness, suggesting that True Collagen aids in tissue repair and reduces exercise-induced inflammation

• Energy: Participants also reported feeling more energised throughout the day, with 80% noting an increase in daily energy levels. 

Mobility

• 70% of participants observed improved joint function, and 73% experienced less pain or stiffness, making daily movement easier and more comfortable. 

These results underscore collagen’s role in strengthening the connective tissues that support not just joints but the entire musculoskeletal system.

Why we invest in collagen research

Industry-funded research is a common practice in nutrition, leading some to view brand-backed trials with scepticism. The truth is that public bodies simply do not have enough funding to conduct the research here, so brand-led data is essential. 

At Ancient + Brave, The Brave Standard ensures that we prioritise integrity at every stage. By partnering with independent laboratories that adhere to the highest standards of scientific rigour and ethics, ensuring our data is as objective as possible.

“What matters isn’t who funds a study, but how the study is conducted. And in that regard, collagen science has come a long way." Dr Jenna Macciochi.

How our research aligns with broader collagen research

The latest scientific evidence around collagen for skin reflects our findings. A global umbrella review led by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University made BBC headlines in 2026 after demonstrating that daily collagen supplements can help “rejuvenate the skin by boosting elasticity, hydration or moisture”.

This scientific review evaluated multiple meta-analyses from more than 100 randomised controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, making it one of the most comprehensive reviews of collagen. 

While it stops short of claiming that collagen supplements will completely prevent wrinkles, it provides robust evidence that collagen supplementation can support the foundations needed for skin that’s not just radiant, but resilient.

The study also shone a spotlight on collagen's whole-body health benefits by affirming that the supportive power of collagen peptides extends beyond skin deep, supporting connective tissue systems throughout the body, including skin, joints, bone, and muscle.

Proven, Pure, Trusted: The future of Collagen

The groundbreaking BECOME collagen study isn’t just another study on skin-deep beauty. It is a bold step forward in understanding how collagen is proven to work as a comprehensive tool for whole-body health.

In a world where wellbeing can feel overwhelming, we hope that this research helps shape our new era of supplementation, one that is defined by transparency, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Are you ready to start your collagen journey? Take our collagen finder quiz and find out what your collagen journey could look like.

What is the BECOME collagen study?

Led by Dr Jenna Macciochi, Director of Science + innovation at Ancient + Brave, this gold-standard collagen clinical trial was designed to explore the efficacy of daily collagen -  not just for skin, but for whole-body health.

Who took part?

This study took 12 weeks to complete and involved a midlife cohort of 90 healthy women aged 35-55. All had Fitzpatrick skin types, a healthy BMI, and visible signs of ageing. 

Were controls made for participants' lifestyles? 

Yes. No changes to diet, lifestyle, supplements or topical skin care were permitted during the study.

Which Ancient + Brave product did the study focus on?

This double-blind, randomised collagen study evaluated Ancient + Brave’s True Collagen (Type I, bovine, hydrolysed collagen peptides) vs. a placebo.  This formula contains just one ingredient - pure hydrolysed collagen - demonstrating the power of collagen in its most simple, potent form.

To demonstrate the power of consistency, each participant took a 10g serving of True Collagen daily. For scientific rigour, this was tested against a placebo product in a real-world setting.

What did the BECOME collagen study prove?

This important collagen study demonstrated that True Collagen has proven benefits for skin, nail and hair strength in as little as 6 weeks. When taken consistently for 12 weeks or more, these benefits expand beyond skin to include supporting sleep, recovery and gut health, making collagen a comprehensive ally for whole-body wellbeing.

How long did it take to see results?

Participants were assessed at 6 and 12 weeks. By 6 weeks, 100% of participants reported signs of skin and hair improvement. By week 12, the benefits broadened to include joint comfort, sleep quality and energy levels. 

Why is the BECOME collagen study significant?

Most collagen studies focus on the benefits of collagen for cosmetic concerns. The BECOME collagen study moves the evidence for collagen beyond this by evaluating collagen’s benefits across multiple areas of wellbeing, including digestion, exercise recovery and sleep.

How does the BECOME collagen study align with broader evidence?

The BECOME collagen study aligns with a growing body of evidence for the whole-body benefits of hydrolysed collagen peptide supplementation. This includes the Anglia Ruskin umbrella review, which evaluated 100 randomised controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants, and concluded that collagen is a multi-beneficial supplement capable of supporting everything from skin health to joints, bone, muscle and more.

Will this clinical trial be registered?

It already is. The BECOME collagen clinical trial’s registration number is NCT06603194 and can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Are there plans to publish the clinical trial data in a peer-reviewed journal?

Yes. This study adds an important layer to the existing collagen science, and plans to publish the data in a peer-reviewed journal are already underway.

Supporting Research and References

Below are the key references underpinning the scientific context described in this article. All links open to the original published source.

• Smith L, Ravindran R, et al. (2026). Collagen Supplementation for Skin and Musculoskeletal Health: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses on Elasticity, Hydration, and Structural Outcomes. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.

• Kawai N, et al. (2015). The Sleep-Promoting and Hypothermic Effects of Glycine are Mediated by NMDA Receptors in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. Neuropsychopharmacology.

• Proksch E, et al. (2014). Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen Peptides Has Beneficial Effects on Human Skin Physiology: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.

• Shaw G, et al. (2017). Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

• Reilly DM, et al. (2024). A Clinical Trial Shows Improvement in Skin Collagen, Hydration, Elasticity, Wrinkles, Scalp, and Hair Condition Following 12-Week Oral Intake of a Supplement Containing Hydrolysed Collagen. Dermatology Research and Practice.