NeoCell Collagen Review

Index of Contents →

Share this article

Watch this on YouTube.

NeoCell Collagen Peptides claims to provide “superior absorption,” but superior compared to what? When you look at the fine print, the comparison is made against non-enzymatically treated gelatin. That’s not a particularly impressive benchmark. Almost any collagen peptide supplement will be absorbed more efficiently than regular gelatin, so this comparison doesn’t tell us much about how NeoCell performs against other collagen peptide products.

The more important question is whether NeoCell absorbs better than competing collagen supplements. Based on the available evidence, there’s no clear reason to believe it does. Instead, the company appears to be comparing its product to a completely different type of ingredient rather than to other collagen peptide supplements on the market. NeoCell also claims to support healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints, but the strength of the evidence varies depending on the benefit being advertised.

Benefits of NeoCell Collagen

Skin Benefits

When it comes to skin health, collagen peptides have shown some potential benefits. Research suggests that oral collagen supplementation may help improve skin hydration and elasticity. It’s important to note that these studies involve collagen peptides taken by mouth, not collagen applied directly to the skin.

Clinical studies have found that daily doses ranging from 400 milligrams to 12 grams can improve measures of skin hydration and elasticity, particularly in older adults. However, not all collagen sources appear to perform equally. Fish-derived collagen peptides tend to produce the strongest results, while chicken-derived collagen generally shows the weakest effects. NeoCell uses bovine, or cow-derived, collagen. While bovine collagen is not the least effective option, current research does not suggest that it provides the greatest benefits either.

That said, it’s important to keep these findings in perspective. Many studies measure skin hydration and elasticity using specialized instruments or dermatologist assessments. While these measurements may improve, it’s less certain whether the average person would notice visibly smoother skin or a meaningful reduction in wrinkles.

In fact, some studies have reported early improvements among participants taking collagen, only for the differences between the collagen and placebo groups to disappear by the end of the study. This suggests that while collagen peptides may influence certain skin measurements, their long-term cosmetic impact may be relatively modest.

Collagen peptides may also help support skin repair after damage has occurred. For example, one study involving women with sun-damaged skin found that a specific collagen peptide supplement produced small improvements in wrinkles, hydration, and elasticity. Another study found that burn patients who consumed a collagen peptide beverage experienced faster wound healing and shorter hospital stays.

Overall, the evidence suggests that collagen peptides can improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wound healing. However, their ability to noticeably reduce wrinkles remains less convincing, and results can vary significantly from person to person.

Hair and Nail Benefits

The evidence supporting collagen for hair and nail health is much weaker.

For hair growth, one study found that a supplement containing hydrolyzed collagen, combined with standard treatment, reduced hair loss more than the treatment alone. However, because the supplement contained multiple ingredients, researchers could not determine whether collagen was actually responsible for the benefit.

Research on nails is similarly limited. One small study found that people with brittle nails who took collagen peptides for six months experienced faster nail growth and fewer symptoms. However, the study did not include a placebo group, making it difficult to know whether collagen was truly responsible for the improvements.

From a practical standpoint, collagen peptides are unlikely to produce dramatic changes in hair growth or nail strength in otherwise healthy individuals. Any benefits are likely to be mild and may be more noticeable in people who already have specific concerns, such as hair thinning or brittle nail syndrome.

Joint Benefits

While the evidence for hair and nail benefits remains uncertain, the research on joint health is somewhat stronger.

Several studies have found that collagen peptides may help reduce joint pain in people with osteoarthritis. The potential benefits may extend beyond osteoarthritis as well. In one study, student athletes experiencing exercise-related joint pain reported modest improvements after taking a collagen peptide supplement daily.

Another study involving older adults found that eight weeks of collagen peptide supplementation helped reduce both joint pain and stiffness. While the improvements were not dramatic, they were consistent with findings from other studies examining collagen and joint health.

Taken together, the current research suggests that collagen supplements are more likely to provide meaningful support for joint comfort than for hair growth or nail health. While collagen peptides may offer modest skin benefits as well, joint health remains one of the areas where the evidence appears most encouraging.

What Are Collagen Peptides?

NeoCell describes its product as containing “hydrolyzed collagen peptides,” but what exactly does that mean?

When you start looking into collagen supplements, you’ll quickly discover that collagen comes in several forms. The two most common are native collagen and collagen peptides, and they work quite differently in the body.

native-collagen-vs-collagen-peptides — Comparing native (whole) collagen vs collagen peptides

Native collagen is collagen in its natural, intact form—the same structure found in your skin, cartilage, bones, and other connective tissues. Because it is a large, tightly packed protein, your body may have a harder time breaking it down during digestion.

Collagen peptides, on the other hand, are collagen proteins that have been broken into much smaller pieces through a process called hydrolysis. These smaller fragments are easier for your body to digest and absorb. This is why most modern collagen supplements, including NeoCell Collagen Peptides, use the hydrolyzed form.

It’s important to understand that these different forms of collagen are often used for different purposes. Native collagen, especially native Type II collagen, is commonly studied for joint health and osteoarthritis. Researchers believe it may help the immune system become more tolerant of cartilage proteins, which could reduce some of the immune-related processes involved in joint damage. As a result, native collagen has attracted interest for certain inflammatory joint conditions.

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides work in a different way. Rather than influencing the immune system, they primarily provide the body with amino acids and collagen-building blocks needed to support connective tissues. Most of the research on collagen peptides focuses on their potential role in tissue maintenance, repair, skin health, and overall connective tissue support.

Dr. Brian’s Verdict

Overall, collagen supplements may provide some benefits, but the specific type and source of collagen matter. When it comes to skin health, hydrolyzed collagen peptides like those found in NeoCell may help improve skin hydration and elasticity. However, the evidence for reducing visible wrinkles is less convincing, and any improvements tend to be relatively modest.

comparing-different-types-of-collagen-benefits — Comparing the benefits of different types of collagen (I, II, III)

The research supporting collagen for hair and nail growth is much weaker. At this time, there is no strong evidence showing that collagen supplements significantly improve normal hair growth or nail growth in healthy individuals.

It’s also worth considering the source of the collagen. NeoCell uses bovine collagen, which is derived from cows. While bovine collagen is a perfectly reasonable source of collagen peptides, some research suggests that fish-derived collagen peptides may produce greater improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.

If your primary goal is healthier skin, NeoCell Collagen Peptides may offer some modest benefits. However, if you’re expecting dramatic improvements in wrinkles, hair growth, or nail growth, the current scientific evidence does not strongly support those expectations.

Overall Rating

NeoCell-collagen-growth-review-overall-summary-rating — Overall rating NeoCell collagen supplement review summary

Rating NeoCell Collagen by effectiveness for improving skin, I’m giving it a B. Collagen peptides have reasonably good evidence for improving skin hydration, even if the cosmetic improvements may not always be obvious. Rating NeoCell by effectiveness for improving hair and nails though, I’m giving it a D. The current evidence simply doesn’t show reliable benefits for normal hair or nail growth.

Rating it by cost, I’m giving it a B. Compared to other collagen peptide supplements on the market, NeoCell is priced fairly competitively.

Rating it for safety, I’m giving it a B. Collagen is generally well tolerated.

Overall rating, I’m giving a B. Like many other collagen peptide supplements, it may be a useful option for supporting skin hydration, elasticity, and joint health. However, if skin benefits are your primary goal, you might be better served with collagen peptides sourced from fish, rather than those derived from cows like NeoCell.

Top alternatives to NeoCell Collagen Peptides

Collagen (BioCell) – 1 to 2 caps / day
Collagen (marine) – 1 to 2 scoops / day
Collagen (NeoCell) – 1 scoop / day
Collagen (Type 2) – 1 cap / day

Learn more about

Citations

Alipoor E, Jazayeri S, Dahmardehei M, Salehi S, Yaseri M, Emami MR, Rezayat SM, Hosseinzadeh-Attar MJ. Effect of a collagen-enriched beverage with or without omega-3 fatty acids on wound healing, metabolic biomarkers, and adipokines in patients with major burns. Clin Nutr. 2023 Mar;42(3):298-308. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.12.014. Epub 2023 Jan 6. PMID: 36724726.

Choi SY, Kim WG, Ko EJ, Lee YH, Kim BG, Shin HJ, Choi YS, Ahn JY, Kim BJ, Lee HJ. Effect of high advanced-collagen tripeptide on wound healing and skin recovery after fractional photothermolysis treatment. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2014 Dec;39(8):874-80. doi: 10.1111/ced.12405. Epub 2014 Oct 4. PMID: 25283252.

Clark KL, Sebastianelli W, Flechsenhar KR, Aukermann DF, Meza F, Millard RL, Deitch JR, Sherbondy PS, Albert A. 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 May;24(5):1485-96. doi: 10.1185/030079908×291967. Epub 2008 Apr 15. PMID: 18416885.

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 Dec;16(4):520-526. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12393. Epub 2017 Aug 8. PMID: 28786550.

Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 26;10(7):826. doi: 10.3390/nu10070826. PMID: 29949889; PMCID: PMC6073484.

Lee SK, Posthauer ME, Dorner B, Redovian V, Maloney MJ. Pressure ulcer healing with a concentrated, fortified, collagen protein hydrolysate supplement: a randomized controlled trial. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2006 Mar;19(2):92-6. doi: 10.1097/00129334-200603000-00011. PMID: 16557055.

Lin CR, Tsai SHL, Huang KY, Tsai PA, Chou H, Chang SH. Analgesic efficacy of collagen peptide in knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Sep 16;18(1):694. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04182-w. PMID: 37717022; PMCID: PMC10505327.

Milani M, Colombo F; GFM-O-Trial Investigators Group: Chiara Baraldo (Padova), Mauro Barbareschi (Milano), Paolo Chieco (Ruvo di Puglia), Laura Colonna (Roma), Mandel Victor Desmond (Modena), Maria Cristina Fiorucci (Genova). Efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jun;29(6):e13381. doi: 10.1111/srt.13381. PMID: 37357646; PMCID: PMC10240182.

Pu SY, Huang YL, Pu CM, Kang YN, Hoang KD, Chen KH, Chen C. Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 26;15(9):2080. doi: 10.3390/nu15092080. PMID: 37432180; PMCID: PMC10180699.

Vleminckx S, Virgilio N, Asserin J, Prawitt J, Silva CIF. Influence of collagen peptide supplementation on visible signs of skin and nail health and -aging in an East Asian population: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Nov;23(11):3645-3653. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16458. Epub 2024 Aug 15. PMID: 39143887.