Best Vitamins for Skin? Try Collagen and Zinc

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and can tell you a lot about your overall health, especially as you age. That’s why it’s so important to support skin health with vital nutrients it needs to thrive. But what nutrients are the most important? Two stand out: collagen and zinc.

Collagen for Skin Elasticity

Collagen is a protein that is a central structural component of skin and other connective tissues throughout the body that supports skin elasticity.¹ With age, skin can become thinner because collagen production declines.²

A 2019 review of 11 different studies found that taking a collagen supplement helped support healthy skin.³ This is consistent with a 2021 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial that found that marine collagen in particular helped support skin elasticity, hydration, and radiance compared to placebo.⁴

It’s important to remember that not all collagen forms are equally beneficial for the skin. For general wellness and glowing skin, choose marine collagen because it contains type I and III collagen which are the types associated with a more youthful appearance and the types used in many of the studies. 

Zinc for Skin Health

Zinc is also important to skin health. Zinc is used both topically and orally to help support skin health because it is an essential mineral for cellular function, including skin cells.⁵ The skin contains the third most zinc in the human body and is necessary for healthy skin function.⁶ As an added benefit, zinc also helps support muscle health and immune function.⁶ 

Because foods high in zinc include oysters, crab, lobster, meat, fish, and poultry, vegans and vegetarians may have difficulty getting enough zinc from their diet alone.⁷

Support Healthy Skin with This Key Combo

Collagen and zinc work together to support healthy skin. They are a valuable synergistic combination that is available as a dietary supplement.

KAL Marine Collagen provides Type l and lll collagen, with added vitamin C for collagen synthesis.* Try Zinc + C ActivMelt® if you’re looking for instant dissolve tablets.

For more tips on nutrition, mindful wellness practices, and helping your family feel their best, follow us on Facebook @kalvits and Instagram at @kalvitamins! 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Holwerda AM, van Loon, L. The impact of collagen protein ingestion on musculoskeletal connective tissue remodeling: a narrative review. Nutrition Reviews. 2022;80(6):1-18. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/80/6/1497/6380930
2. Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 2021;8(2). https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863
3. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz M, Mesinkovsk N. Oral collagen supplementation: a systematic review of dermatological applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1):9-16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/
4. Evans M, Lewis ED, Zakaria N, et al. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(3):825-834. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32799362/
5. Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/
6. Zou P, Du Y, Yang C, Cao Y. Trace element zinc and skin disorders. Front Med. 2023;9. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.1093868/full
7. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc fact sheet for consumers. 2022;Oct 4. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/