Collagen creams claim to be a "glow-up in a jar"—formulated to boost firmness, smooth out texture and dial up hydration, all while tapping into collagen-enhancing ingredients that promise to bring back skin’s natural bounce. And, by all accounts, they do have some impressive benefits—"collagen creams are definitely having a moment," says Dallas dermatologist Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD——with some dermatologist-stressed footnotes.
Featured Experts
- Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas
- Dr. Karan Lal is a board-certified dermatologist in Phoenix, AZ
"Collagen is a great ingredient, but it doesn’t build collagen in your skin in the form of a cream," says Phoenix, AZ dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, explaining that collagen creams primarily are used as "anti-aging" creams with the thought that people are replacing their skin’s collagen loss with collagen.
"Unfortunately, this isn't the case, but that doesn't mean they don't do something," Dr. Lal adds. "Collagen creams are made up of large molecular collagens that are great for hydrating the skin and assisting with wound repair. The concept behind these creams is that, over time, they will help hydrate the skin and help us 'heal' as we age. So, over time the skin will appear firmer and less crepey, which is often the case with consistent hydration."
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