Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. At Sera & Mattina, we love a good skin-glow moment, but we also love knowing why something works. Over the past ten years, we’ve seen everything from cryo facials to adaptogenic elixirs. Some things are just hype, but collagen peptides? They’re worth talking about.
As a brand rooted in women’s health and science, I wanted to understand what collagen peptides really do on a cellular level. So when we started developing our formula, I focused on three questions that I still hear every week from our community.
1. Do collagen supplements for skin actually work?
Short answer: Yes, with consistency and the right type, supplementing collagen peptides can support skin health in meaningful ways.
Longer answer: One double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that women who took 2.5 grams of collagen peptides daily for eight weeks saw improved skin elasticity and hydration compared to the placebo group*.
Do they erase fine lines overnight? No. But they do support the internal structure of your skin in ways that matter.
2. What’s happening inside my skin when I take peptides?
When you take hydrolyzed collagen peptides, they’re absorbed into your bloodstream and accumulate in your skin’s dermal layer. There, they promote your body’s own collagen production and help reduce the breakdown of existing collagen caused by things like UV exposure and oxidative stress.
This process strengthens your skin’s barrier function, which helps you retain hydration and defend against environmental aggressors. That’s the foundation of a plumper, more resilient complexion, not just surface-level “glow.”
3. Which collagen is best if I want maximum snap‑back elasticity?
If you’re after that firm, bouncy, snap-back feel, you can’t just grab any collagen off the shelf.
Here’s exactly what to look for (and what our Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides provides):
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Type I & III collagen: These are the primary types found in skin, and they're the real MVPs when it comes to structure, firmness, and elasticity.
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Hydrolyzed peptides: This is collagen that’s been broken down into smaller chains so your body can actually absorb it and put it to work.
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Grass-fed bovine source: We source ours from pasture-raised cattle for a cleaner, more nutrient-rich profile because quality starts at the source.
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Purity above 90%: No fillers. No fluff. Just clean, highly bioavailable protein your skin can use.
Bonus: Some research suggests combining collagen peptides with vitamin C can amplify results by supporting the enzymatic process that builds new collagen fibers**.
“Your skin’s an organ - feed it, move it, and protect it.” - Chelcie May
The Cellular Story
1. Signal Peptides Trigger Fibroblasts
The hydrolyzed collagen peptides in our blend are extremely small, around 2 kilodaltons (kDa), which means they can pass through the intestinal wall intact and circulate in your bloodstream. Once they reach your skin’s dermis, they act as signal molecules, binding to receptors on fibroblast cells and triggering them to ramp up collagen production1.
Think of it as your skin’s natural “rebuild and restore” command. This is how oral collagen can stimulate visible and structural improvements from the inside out.
2. Collagen & Elastin Double Team
Here’s where it gets really good. When fibroblasts are activated, they make more collagen AND boost something called tropoelastin, the building block of elastin. Elastin is what gives your skin that springy, resilient, snap-back feel that makes everything look lifted and alive.
So yes, more collagen is a win, but collagen and elastin together? That’s how you get real elasticity.
3. Hyaluronic‑Acid Boost = Deeper Hydration
Last piece of the puzzle: hydration. Your skin’s ability to hold water is just as important as collagen and elastin when it comes to that plump, smooth glow.
Studies show that oral collagen peptides can increase endogenous hyaluronic acid production by up to 20%, enriching the matrix that holds water in your skin. This means fewer dry patches, more bounce, and a complexion that stays dewy even before you layer on skincare.
More FAQs about Collagen Peptides
Q: What’s the difference between collagen peptides for skin health vs. standard protein powders?
A: Peptides are enzymatically “predigested,” giving them much higher bioavailability for skin‑specific amino acids like hydroxyproline.
Q: How many grams do I need for skin elasticity?
A: 10 g daily is the clinically validated sweet spot which is, conveniently, the amount in one scoop of our Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides.
Q: Can collagen supplements for skin elasticity replace topical serums?
A: Think “inside‑out meets outside‑in.” Combining oral peptides with topical vitamin C or retinol amplifies results.
Consistency & Routine
Here at Sera & Mattina, we say that small rituals define the journey that allows you to feel, be, and do your best. Consistency matters more than timing for regular collagen intake, and your routine is great because you made it. If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s my routine that I use in South Beach:
Chelcie’s Elastic‑Skin Blueprint
- AM (Step 1): Blend 1 scoop of Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides into a spinach‑matcha smoothie, then apply SPF 50.
- Midday (Step 2): Pause for a 2‑minute facial massage. Index fingers trace gentle circles along the jawline, cheeks, and forehead to boost micro‑circulation.
- PM (Step 3): Pat on vitamin C serum, sip a warm collagen latte, and log 7‑9 hours of sleep for overnight repair.
Shop Chelcie’s Summer Reset (15% off with SUMMER15)
* Shigemura Y, Kubomura D, Sato Y, Sato K. Collagen-derived dipeptide, proline-hydroxyproline, stimulates cell proliferation and hyaluronic acid synthesis in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol. 2010;37(4):330–338.
** Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520–526.
