What is collagen and do collagen supplements actually work?

Updated: Jan 15, 2025

  • Aishani Rajarai

    BSc, Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Why Avea?

Benefits

Case study

Definition

Supplements

What to look out for

Why Avea?

Benefits

Case study

Collagen isn’t just another social media trend. It’s taking over the wellness and longevity space for a reason. Collagen isn’t just another social media trend. It’s taking over the wellness and longevity space for a reason.

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein made up of 19 different building blocks called amino acids. The key ones are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids work together, along with nutrients like Vitamin C, zinc, copper, and manganese, to form strong, rope-like structures.

 

The collagen proteins provide structural integrity to your skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissues - essentially acting as the glue that holds your entire body together. A strong collagen structure helps your skin keep its hydration and elasticity in other words makes you look youthful and gives you a radiant glow.

Unfortunately, As you hit your 20s, collagen synthesis naturally declines by roughly 1-2% each year.  This eventually leads to the visible signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and sagging skin, and a decrease in joint flexibility. It's likely that 50% of your collagen will be depleted by in your 60s.

To make matters worse, premature collagen loss is also triggered by:

smoking

alcohol consumption

high sugar intake

UV exposure

lack of sleep

lack of physical activity

unresolved stress

micronutrient deficiencies

poor protein digestion

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Do collagen supplements actually work?

Collagen isn’t just another social media trend. It’s taking over the wellness and longevity space for a reason. While a lot of doctors and experts used to dismiss collagen supplements, various new studies show that collagen supplementation can enhance skin elasticity and even support joint health and accelerate muscle recovery[1][2][3][4].

 

Collagen supplements can actually help the skin combat some of the signs of ageing from within as opposed to most topical skincare products, like creams, lotions, and serums with struggle to penetrate deep enough to truly impact the process that make our skin lose its elasticity and glow over time. 

What to look out for in a Collagen supplement?

1. Highly absorbable and bioavailable collagen

Collagen is a very large molecule and can most likely not be directly absorbed into your cells. Instead, the body has to expend energy to take the collagen apart into its building blocks, the amino acids and then reuse these to synthesise collagen. This is also why marine collagen is considered more popular than collagen from bovine origin as it is a smaller molecule.

 

Avea has taken a new approach and worked with ETH Zurich scientists to develop Colgevity™. Instead of using whole collagen molecules—which are too large to be absorbed—we focus on highly bioavailable building blocks like proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These are directly used in the body to stimulate collagen turnover, making our blend 4x more effective than traditional collagen supplements.

2. Combination with other essential ingredients

Collagen synthesis requires Vitamin C and in our current busy lifestyle it's often hard to get enough through your diet. There are also quite a few other ingredients that can work synergistically to strengthen and rejuvenate your skin, so why not combine them all together for a stronger effect. 

 

Avea’s Collagen Activator formula integrates powerful natural Vitamin C from Acerola Cherry with Astaxanthin algae extract, a potent antioxidant known for its ability to protect the skin from sun damage. The last ingredient, Calcium - AKG, is a special form of mineral calcium that doesn’t just support collagen production, but also optimises energy pathways, reducing cellular damage at the DNA level.

3. No nasty additives

Most collagen is made of fish waste and often a lot of nasty additives are added. Especially chemical flavours and sugar can act inflammatory and actually counteract the effect of a collagen supplement.

 

Avea’s Collagen Activator is 100% vegan, it uses amino acids that can be synthesised from plant material. We use natural fruit essences and the plant based sweetener Stevia with 0 calories for a nice refreshing taste.

4. Scientifically tested

Many supplement manufacturers just create products without testing their efficacy. Clinical trials are considered the gold standard to show that a supplement actually works.

 

Our Collagen Activator has undergone rigorous testing at ETH Zurich university and was then tested in a clinical trial with the dermatology experts at Hautwerk Clinic in Zurich. We validated the efficacy of our ingredients and dosage in the Collagen Activator.

strengthens skin, hair & nails

Collagen Activator

Clinically proven to boost collagen from within for stronger skin, hair, and nails. Highly effective Colgevity™, Acerola Cherry, Astaxanthin Algae Extract, and Calcium-AKG. 

who it's for

Designed for individuals seeking to enhance their skin's health and appearance by boosting natural collagen production. 

 

It's particularly beneficial for those experiencing signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity, or anyone aiming to maintain a youthful complexion.

benefits

Stimulates collagen production

Our own research conducted at ETH Zurich showed that our vegan collagen precursor compound, Colgevity™, in our Collagen Activator, increases collagen synthesis 4x more than regular collagen intake.*

*Based on an in vitro study in human skin cells and model organisms.

Boosts skin hydration from within

Elevate your skin's moisture levels with our Collagen Activator. Clinically observed to boost skin hydration by 95%, it leaves the
complexion deeply moisturised and resilient.

Improves skin texture & smoothness

Our Collagen Activator effectively refines skin texture, offering a significant reduction in pore appearance by 9% and enhancing smoothness by 21%, resulting in a polished and refined complexion.


Enhances skin protection against UV damage

Studies suggest astaxanthin supplementation may inhibit age-related skin deterioration and maintain skin conditions associated with environmentally induced damage via its anti-inflammatory effect.

Promotes healthy joints by supporting cartilage growth
All ingredients in our Collagen Activator have been shown to either increase or protect collagen levels as well as reduce inflammation which contributes to joint health by slowing cartilage wear down.

May reduce biological age over time

Numerous studies, including ours, show that AKG can extend lifespan in various organisms. A human study showed significant biological age reduction after supplementing for 7 months with 1g Ca-AKG.

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Mirela B.C. | Age: 3 | 4 months

Skin texture improved, energy level increased, better sleep quality. Definitely will stay in my daily routine in the future.

Gerrit M. | Age: 31 | 3 months

It seems I need to cut my nails twice as often as previously, and my skin feels softer and smoother than ever before.

Karin T. | Age: 42 | 1 month

The skin looks and feels better after almost 1 month.

Maria | Age: 34 | 5 months

I am very satisfied with the Collagen Activator. It has a pleasant taste and gives me physical strength.

Liesbet | Age: 37 |  1 months

After a month of collagen I already see improvements in my skin which just looks more even and plump somehow.

Why Choose AVEA?

Competitor 1

Competitor 2

Boosts the bodys natural ability to produce collagen

Plant based, 100% vegan

Fish-based

Beef-based

Natural flavour, no sugar

Artificial flavouring

Added sugar

Key support factors for collagen production (Vitamin C, Ca-AKG).

Vitamin C only

Clinically tested 

Why Choose AVEA?

Competitor 1

Competitor 2

Boosts the bodys natural ability to produce collagen

Plant based, 100% vegan

Fish-based

Beef-based

Natural flavour, no sugar

Artificial flavouring

Added sugar

Key support factors for collagen production (Vitamin C, Ca-AKG)

Vitamin C only

Clinically tested

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How to get the optimal effects?

Once you choose the ideal collagen supplement for yourself it's essential to use the supplement regularly for a continuous period. Your cells need some time to renew their collagen structure to show the full effects.

 

First results can be expected after 6-8 weeks. A recent clinical study with AVEA Collagen activator has shown first significant effects on skin texture and moisture after 4 weeks of use. After 3 months over 60% of users doubled the improvement of their skin texture compared to the first month. This shows how consistent use over extended time really pays off.

Save up to 25% with 
Avea's Collagen Activator annual Subscription

Shop Now

Customer case study: Real results with Avea’s Collagen Activator

Still wondering whether you should get the Collagen Activator? Isabel’s story might just convince you.  

 

As a wellness professional, Isabel has dedicated her life to exploring holistic approaches to health and longevity. When given the opportunity to participate in Avea’s 6-month clinical study, she was eager to see if our Collagen Activator could make a difference. 

 

“All-around changes were noticeable - improved hydration, elasticity, and a more even skin tone, with fine lines visibly reduced. I was surprised at how quickly I saw these changes.” - Isabel

Isabel’s skin transformation after 3 months on Avea’s Collagen Activator

Hydration: Skin hydration levels surged by 18.6%, especially on her cheeks and arms.

Spots & hyperpigmentation: Saw a dramatic 144.4% improvement, leading to a more even skin tone and reduced dark spots.

Wrinkles: Initial increase, then smoothed out to a 7.1% decrease, giving her skin a more youthful look.

Texture: Rapid enhancement of 73.9% within the first month, stabilising at 39.1%, leaving her skin smoother and more refined.

Sun damage (UV spots): Reduced by 42.9% in the first month, settling at a 14.3% improvement after three months.

Brown spots: Minor but steady reduction of 4.3% in the first month and 2.2% by the third month.

Red areas (Inflammation): Reduced inflammation by 11.8% initially, with continued improvement to 4.4% by three months.

Skin microbiome: No change in porphyrins, suggesting a stable, healthy skin balance.

Not only did she experience enhanced hydration and reduced wrinkles, but her biological age also dropped by over 8 years. Isabel’s results prove that Avea’s Collagen Activator goes beyond surface-level benefits, supporting cellular vitality from the inside out.

References

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8308696/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37133292/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31627309/
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464623005558

The Avea Promise

Supplements crafted to support lasting energy and health. Developed with leading longevity experts. Clinicially tested. Swiss made.

made in switzerland

We manufacture in state-of-the-art, GMP-certified facilities that are regularly audited by Swiss authorities. Each product batch is sent to an independent Swiss laboratory for additional purity testing, ensuring the highest quality and safety.

backed by science

Our formulations are based on cutting-edge Longevity research. Led by Chief Science Officer Sophie Chabloz, our team collaborates with longevity experts from top institutions to create highly effective, science-backed products.

transparent ingredients

We carefully select the purest and most bioavailable plant extracts and compounds available. Our product descriptions clearly outline the production methods and origins of each ingredient.

AS SEEN IN:
Collagen Activator

Collagen Activator

£66.00