Collagen for Cellulite (Why it Works)

Does collagen help with cellulite? Or is it just a waste of money…

Many women have some level of cellulite. According to studies, over 85% of women are affected with some level of cellulite.1 Cellulite starts to appear for most women in the mid-’20s to mid-’30s and can worsen with age.

Many women say they feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit because of the cellulite. if your cellulite is very noticeable to the point you don’t even want to wear shorts, then you’re definitely not alone.

It’s possible you could still have cellulite even if you’re not overweight. And just losing weight can make your cellulite appear even worse due to the “deflating” effect. It’s best to use a multi-factor approach to get rid of cellulite, and adding collagen is a big part.

Here you’ll uncover why using a collagen powder is a simple yet necessary solution to the dreaded “orange peel” and “cottage cheese” cellulite skin problem.

Does Collagen Really Work for Cellulite

Cellulite might not be harmful to your health, but many people with it feel it’s physically unsightly. Even if you have a great physique, cellulite could still cause anyone to feel self-conscious about their body.

It can also give the impression that you have a skin health problem when, in fact, the connective tissues have weakened. If your collagen fibers are weakened, you’ll also be much more likely to have cellulite.

collagen formation fat pushing

Post-pubescent women are significantly more likely to suffer from cellulite due to their collagen structure. Women’s connective tissue has a “picket fence” shaped collagen pattern, while men’s is in a “criss-cross” structure.

This, unfortunately, allows women’s fat cells and deposits to push through the skin, causing the dimpling appearance of cellulite morphology.2 This causes the appearance of cellulite on the skin with the typical cottage cheese and skin waviness.

As you age, collagen production is reduced and weakens your skin structure.3 If it seems like you suddenly have cellulite, then this is the big cause. This allows the fat cells and deposits under your skin to push through more easily, causing the appearance of cellulite.

Skin elasticity (its ability to snap back) can also weaken as your body makes less collagen. Your skin will loosen as elasticity declines, contributing to the cellulite appearance.4

So, the trick to reducing cellulite is replenishing collagen in your body. This will prevent fat deposits under your skin from pushing through. Collagen deficiency is one of the biggest causes of cellulite. Improving skin health by increasing dermal density will also lessen the appearance of cellulite by re-tightening the skin.5

Key Takeaways:

  • Weakened collagen fibers allow fat below the skin to push through, increasing cellulite appearance.
  • Collagen production naturally decreases with age, which worsens appearance the older you get.
  • Replenishing lost collagen in the body through supplementation can help strengthen skin and reduce cellulite.

Why Collagen Peptides Improve Cellulite

best type of collagen for cellulite

What are collagen peptides good for?

Studies have found supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen peptides can significantly boost skin elasticity. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are broken down collagen proteins that are easier for your body to absorb. People take them as supplements to help improve their skin, hair, nails, joints, and gut health.

One randomized, placebo-controlled study found specific collagen peptides oral supplementation contributed to improved human skin physiology, hydration, and density. All of these will help reduce the appearance of cellulite.6

If you want to get rid of cellulite, you have to get to the root of the problem, which, in this case, is the integrity of the skin itself. Otherwise, your results will always be hindered since the integrity of the skin has weakened.

before and after of womans legs

Since collagen levels diminish with age, your cellulite will also worsen. Reduced collagen production causes not only wrinkling and sagging of the skin but also cellulite.

This is why supplementing with collagen peptides can be so effective for reducing cellulite.

Just losing weight isn’t the answer because the collagen in your skin structure is still weakened. This is why some women who are “skinny fat” may be thin but can still suffer from cellulite and loose skin.

Collagen peptides have been found to offer a clear and significant improvement in the skin appearance of moderate cellulite after a short time of taking it.7 This is accomplished by collagen strengthening your skin structure, thickening the skin, and improving skin waviness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Multiple studies have found collagen peptides are effective at reducing wrinkles, tightening loose skin, and reducing cellulite.
  • Weight loss alone usually doesn’t get rid of cellulite, since the skin’s integrity and elasticity are still weakened due to lost collagen.

How Long Does It Take for Collagen to Work on Cellulite?

This will depend on the strength of your connective tissues and any damage done to your skin’s dermis layer. However, many women see a noticeable improvement in cellulite reduction in a matter of weeks or months.

You can also try other methods besides taking more collagen to speed up your results. Water retention can also lead to cellulite, so flushing out the water weight can be key to getting results.

Dry brushing can boost lymphatic drainage, which will help improve blood flow and fight cellulite. Foam rolling can also help break up cellulite by massaging it away. Your lymphatic system eliminates toxins that can contribute to the dimpled appearance of cellulite.

It’s also good to lower your body mass index by eating a healthier diet and doing resistance training. Improving your body composition will reduce fat and build muscle, both of which help to tone and tighten the body.

Laser therapy has shown beneficial effects on reducing dimpled skin. Dehydration can also worsen cellulite appearance so drinking water to make sure you’re hydrated should help too.

And some more vitamins that can help to reduce cellulite include:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • B-complex Vitamins
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Bioflavonoids

Best Types of Collagen for Cellulite

best types of collagen cellulite

There are quite a few different types of collagen peptides you need to know about if you’re trying to get the best results for smoothing out skin waviness.

Most collagen peptide supplements only contain one or two different forms of collagen. This can only produce some results, but you should look for a collagen supplement containing multiple collagen peptides.

You should take at least 10g of collagen per day to reduce cellulite. Collagen is essentially just a type of protein, so it’ll be helpful fat burning and won’t add to belly fat.

Here are the best types of collagen for reducing cellulite…

Type I Collagen

Type I collagen is the most well-known for its skin-strengthening properties. It’s by far the most abundant type of collagen you’ll find in the human body. It’s primarily responsible for providing strength to structures like skin, tendons, bones, and teeth.

It’ll not only support your skin structure but also your hair, nails, and bones. Type I collagen also starts to decline once you hit your mid-20s, which is why it’s so critical to supplement with it.

You can find Type I collagen sources from marine, bovine, porcine, chicken, and eggshells.

Type II Collagen

Type II collagen is primarily associated with cartilage, the flexible tissue that provides cushions between our bones, especially in the joints.

While most studies associate Type II collagen with joint health, there are studies that have found Type II collagen to produce visibly reduced signs of aging in women’s skin.9

Type III Collagen

Type III collagen is another well-established collagen type for improving skin integrity and elasticity. It provides structure to connective tissues while strengthening them as well.

Type III collagen is found in high concentrations in your skin and blood vessels. It also supports skin hydration and fullness while helping to maintain moisture in the skin.

Type V Collagen

Type V collagen plays a crucial role in your skin tissue quality by optimizing the benefits of Type I and III collagen. Type V collagen is also found around hair follicles, so it can help thicken and promote hair growth.

Type V collagen controls the initiation of the assembly of collagen fibrils. This is crucial in building strong fibril structure and matrix in the skin collagen.10

Type X Collagen

Type X collagen is less common but can benefit your bone strength by promoting bone mineralization. Type X is also primarily known for its role in cartilage formation. Cartilage is the smooth white tissue that covers the ends of your bones where they meet for joints.

It’ll help to prevent you from having a knee or hip replacement. While it may not be the best collagen type for your skin, it’ll help to keep your bones and joints strong.

Collagen for Cellulite Results: Before and After

collagen cellulite before and after

Since collagen rebuilds the strength and integrity of your skin, you should expect clear results from taking it even after a short while. However, your results will also depend on a couple of other factors.

The degree of severity of your cellulite will be a major factor in the results you’ll get from taking collagen. The worse your cellulite is, the harder it will be for your skin to retighten and smooth out the cellulite.

The first signs that collagen is working are stronger nails, thicker hair, and plumper skin. Wrinkles will start to smooth out, and then joints usually start feeling better gradually.

If you’re actively trying to lose weight, taking collagen is even more important for getting rid of cellulite. Cellulite rarely goes away by losing weight alone since your skin may have become too loose and saggy.8 When you lose a lot of weight quickly, you could possibly end up with even worse-looking cellulite because of this skin loosening.

Collagen peptides can help get to the root cause of the problem by replenishing your skin’s connective tissue structure. The key to cellulite treatment is to rebuild your skin thickness, skin density, and skin elasticity.

How Much Collagen Should You Take for Cellulite?

how much collagen

You’ll get the best results by taking 5 to 10g of collagen daily. You can spread it out into a couple of servings throughout the day or take it in one serving.

If you’re looking to jumpstart your results, then you can take up to 20g per day split out over a couple of servings. Collagen is just a type of protein, so you shouldn’t worry about side effects or overdoing it.

Since collagen is just a protein, you really can’t take too much of it. But I would limit it at 20g a day since you don’t want to go through your collagen peptides too quickly.

You’re never too old to start taking collagen since it’s just a protein. Studies have found that elderly people can reverse signs of aging by taking collagen peptides.9

There are some possible side effects with taking collagen peptides if you’re allergic to shellfish or eggs. Some collagen peptide supplements source their collagen from shellfish or eggs so be sure to check the supplement facts label before using.

It’s best to mix it in with other liquids. But do not add it to scalding hot coffee. The high heat from coffee can cause the collagen to denature, giving you fewer results. If you’re worried the collagen powder could cause an upset stomach, then start off with a small half scoop, and work your way up.

Don’t take collagen while you’re fasting. Collagen protein and amino acids make up collagen. So collagen peptides will break your fast since protein and amino acids cause an insulin release.

I prefer to take it post-workout in a protein shake. Taking it post-workout will also help replenish your joints and reduce cellulite. I just mix the collagen powder into my low-carb protein shake and can’t even tell it’s in there taste wise.

Best Collagen for Cellulite

collagen skin aging

Not all collagen on store shelves is created equal. Here are some tips and strategies when picking a collagen peptide supplement that will actually give you results.

First, you will want to find a collagen peptide supplement that contains specific bioactive collagen peptides that are hydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides have been broken down via a process called hydrolysis.

This makes it easier for your body to digest and absorb the collagen.11 If the collagen supplement you’re taking doesn’t have collagen in this form, you won’t absorb as much and thus not get as good results.

Try to find a hydrolyzed collagen peptide supplement that contains multiple collagen forms from different sources. Most collagen supplements only contain one or two different forms of collagen, but you’ll get the best results with one with at least 4 to 5.

Marine collagen is a viable alternative to collagen that has been sourced from bovine or porcine sources. But there are a lot of questions about the effectiveness of marine collagen because it’s harder for your body to absorb. So you may get less results.

Unfortunately, vegan-based collagen supplements do not actually contain any collagen themselves but are supposedly able to help increase collagen production in your body. It’s unclear how effective they are at boosting your collagen production.

I’d also take vitamin C with collagen since it’s the vitamin that helps collagen synthesize in the body. Vitamins A and E are also useful for reducing the appearance of cellulite by promoting skin health and circulation.

biotrust collagen where to buy

I take Ageless Multi-Collagen by BioTrust because it contains hydrolyzed bioactive collagen peptides. It also uses four different collagen sources and includes five of the best types.

Many collagen supplements have a weird bone broth taste that doesn’t encourage you to continue using them. But Ageless Collagen is odorless, flavorless and mixes easily into liquids. I place a scoop into my daily protein shake and can hardly even tell it’s in there.

My Pick
BioTrust Ageless Multi-Collagen

Contains 5 of the key types of collagen in scientifically ideal forms. Uses hydrolyzed collagne peptides making it easier to digest. Mixes easily, no clumping, with no odor or taste.

Benefits:
  • Supports healthy, youthful looking skin & skin elasticity
  • Supports joint health & comfort
  • Supports hair health & growth
  • Supports healthy body composition

Summary

If you’re like most women with the skin structure genetics for cellulite, then that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. You may not 100% eliminate cellulite completely, but you can at least drastically reduce its appearance.

You can only really get rid of cellulite when the skin is improved, and fat is reduced in the area. Weightlifting, weight loss, and massage are all ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

So, if you’re overweight, then you should also try losing weight and building muscle with resistance training. Lifting weights will lower your body fat and help shape and tone your body. Lowering your body fat and building some lean muscle will further help get rid of cellulite.

As we age, our production of collagen decreases, lowering the integrity of our skin’s connective tissues. This allows fat deposits to poke through the skin, causing the appearance of cellulite.

But taking a collagen peptide supplement is an easy way to rebuild your weakened skin structure. Cellulite treatments that promote skin health and reduce underlying fat cells can also reduce cellulite formation.

Collagen will get to the root of the problem: a weakened skin structure that pushes the fatty lumps through the skin. Your skin will become stronger, and you’ll be more likely to get rid of cellulite for good.