May 22, 2020

Collagen For Acne: The How-to, And Does It Decrease Acne?

Written by Hannah Marchese
Updated on June 24, 2021

Countless people suffer from skin issues. Sometimes it seems that no matter what skincare you use, how many times you go to the dermatologist, and how clean you eat, pimples still magically appear.

Breakouts are upsetting and stressful to deal with. Our skin health is often a reflection of our internal health, especially when it comes to issues with our gut. If your gut health is in bad shape, it can have an effect on your skin.

When it comes to clear, healthy skin, the key really is being patient, and a lot of trial and error. Something you may not have tried to help your skin is collagen supplements. Collagen production is responsible for skin elasticity. All skin types can benefit from collagen supplements. There are many different types, such as hydrolyzed collagen, collagen peptides, collagen powder, liquid collagen, and more. This means there's plenty of varieties for you to try and see what works for you.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and it's made with chains of amino acids. Once we reach our 20's, our natural production begins to decline. This is why we start to see signs of aging. If you haven't tried collagen yet, it could be what you need to get your skin on track. Read on to learn about collagen and if it has an effect on acne.

Can collagen cause acne?

There is no evidence to suggest that collagen can cause acne. In fact, it's more likely to help clear up your acne.

Collagen, especially marine collagen, can do wonders for your skin, even beyond acne. From skin hydration to anti-aging concerns, collagen supplements can tackle most issues. Ingestible things that typically cause acne are dairy or junk food.

As long as your supplement is clean and made with high-quality ingredients, there should be no reason for it to cause skin flare-ups of any kind.

So what are some other things that do cause acne? Processed food can inflame acne-prone skin, causing oil production and excess sebum. Your diet plays a huge role in your skin health. Some people claim eating vegan, making bone broth, and taking probiotics have helped their acne clear up. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and green leafy vegetables can help calm skin down and give it a boost of antioxidants.

Our Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars have the potential to help your skin as well. Each bar contains 8 grams of hydrolyzed marine collagen and 11-13 grams of protein. The delicious and clean ingredient list consists of other beauty-boosting ingredients such as sweet potatoes which contain beta-carotene (vitamin-A) and cocoa butter. The bars are not just great for your skin but overall wellness too! They're convenient for everyday use, whether you're on the go or need a snack at home.

What is the link between collagen and acne?

There is more research and evidence needed to support any claims that there is a direct relation between collagen and clearing up acne. However, there is evidence to support the fact that collagen can help with other skin-related issues that may indirectly help clear up your acne. For example, collagen can help to hydrate the skin and repair damage caused by dehydration/dryness.

When our skin is dry, we often produce more oil to try and compensate for the dryness. More oil and more sebum mean more acne! Similarly, when we have pimples, we tend to use harsh products that can dry out all of your skin, rather than just the intended bumps.

If collagen helps to hydrate your skin and normalize its oil production, your skin will be well hydrated and, as a result, your acne could clear up. It also can depend on what else is in your collagen product, if anything.

Perhaps there are some other beauty-boosting ingredients such as turmeric, vitamin C, or vitamin A. These are known as anti-inflammatories and huge components of helping skin become clear and beautiful. These ingredients could be working with or without the collagen to help clear up your acne.

Like we mentioned, our bars contain collagen and active, clean ingredients that work to address skin issues. Sometimes, when you resolve one issue, it may help to correct another one.

Learn more about our consumer study results here

Does collagen help acne scars?

Collagen helps more with issues that are beneath the surface, rather than completely superficial/topical ones. Acne scarring mostly requires the removal of layers of skin in order to heal and eventually disappear. However, there are different types of scarring. Some scars are red or dark discolorations on the surface of the skin. Other people may have crater-like scars that require more extensive treatments. Products you can use that can help with scarring include vitamin C, hyaluronic acid (or a good moisturizer), retinol, and SPF.

Using sunscreen will help to prevent the scarring from worsening. You can also try different lasers and treatments in dermatology. Microneedling is a treatment that is performed by a dermatologist. It uses small needles to puncture the skin, which triggers wound healing. This treatment also helps to stimulate collagen and can help with hyperpigmentation and issues like fine lines. In this case, collagen does help to heal acne scars.

Which products should I use for acne?

The best resource for acne products? Your dermatologist.

Acne is one of the trickiest and hardest skin-related issues to deal with. Acne can be hormonal, relating to puberty, birth control, or uneven hormone levels. These varying hormonal issues will all be treated differently.

It could also be related to your diet. There may be a specific food, such as dairy, that is causing your pores to clog and result in acne. In this case, you would likely be able to clear your acne up through changing your diet.

It could also be the products you're using, which is something you would discuss with your dermatologist. In some cases, if topicals and diet changes don't work, you may have to resort to stronger remedies such as Accutane.

If you have mild acne, there are some proven ingredients that can help you manage it. Things like salicylic acid and tea tree oil are helpful. It's important that you use a great moisturizer when using any acne treatments. While they are meant to target the acne and dry it out, they can also dry out the rest of your skin.

You want to try and use very calming products to help keep inflammation at bay. Taking supplements like turmeric may also be helpful, as turmeric is one of the greatest anti-inflammatories you can put in your body.

Remember, what works for one person may not work for another or for you. With patience and proper diet and skincare, your skin will be glowing before you know it.