Noticing fine lines or uneven skin after spending time outdoors?
If you spend time outside frequently, you may have seen subtle changes in your skin like fine lines, uneven tone, or rough patches, that don’t seem to fade away easily. That’s because sun damage isn’t just skin deep, it happens beneath the surface and can cause damage that builds up over time (Jariashvili et al., 2011)
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- How sun exposure impacts your skin’s collagen
- What science says about collagen supplements
- How to choose the right supplement
1. What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, making up about 75–80% of your skin’s dry weight. It acts like the building block that keeps your skin firm, smooth, and resilient. (ScienceDirect, 2025)
From your mid-20s, collagen production decreases by about 1% every year (Myung, 2025), because the fibroblast cells responsible for making collagen become less active and fewer in number. This results in reduced collagen synthesis, meaning your skin creates less new collagen to replace fibers that naturally break down with age.
Other Factors That Cause Collagen Loss in Your Skin
- Sun Exposure: UV rays penetrate deep into your skin, damaging collagen fibers, speeding up skin ageing (Gromkowska‐Kępka et al., 2021)
- Lifestyle Habits: Smoking, excess sugar or processed foods, and chronic stress, all accelerate collagen breakdown (Knuutinen et al., 2002) (Vinmec, 2025)
- Environmental Pollution: From vehicle emissions, and industrial chemicals increases free radicals that damage collagen and speed up skin aging (Martic et al., 2022)
- Lack of Sleep: Poor sleep slows down your skin’s natural repair and renewal process, further reducing collagen production (Xerfan et al., 2025)
2. Collagen’s Role in Skin Health and Barrier Protection
Collagen works alongside elastin (helps skin stretch) and hyaluronic acid (keeps skin hydrated) to keep your skin smooth, firm, and resilient (ScienceDirect, 2025)
It also supports your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin, that acts like a protective shield, locking in moisture while keeping out harmful irritants and pollutants. A strong barrier keeps skin hydrated, balanced, and better protected from environmental stress like sun exposure. (Pu et al., 2023)
When collagen levels drop, it leads to:
- Loss of skin firmness and smoothness
- Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth
- Dryness, rough skin texture, & uneven skin tone
- Weakened skin barrier, causing slower healing of cuts, wounds, and blemishes
Collagen is your skin’s internal support system. When it’s strong, your skin looks smooth, plump, and resilient. And when it’s depleted, your skin weakens and shows visible signs of damage more quickly (OAEPublish, 2021).
3. Sun Exposure Speeds Up (Causes Faster) Collagen Loss More Than Natural Aging
While aging slowly reduces collagen over time, sun exposure accelerates this process drastically. UV rays penetrate your skin and damage the collagen fibers, the protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic.
How UVA and UVB Rays Damage Your Skin
- UVA Rays:
Penetrates deep into the dermis (the skin’s thickest layer), that contains collagen & elastin fibers that keep skin smooth & firm (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
- Directly damage these collagen and elastin fibers
- Leads to loss of firmness, reduced elasticity, wrinkles, and skin sagging
- UVB Rays:
Mostly affect the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis)
- Cause sunburn by damaging skin cells and triggering inflammation
- Also harm the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to increased skin cancer risk (PMC, 2021).
- Leads to faster skin aging, uneven tone, and a weakened skin barrier
Both UVA & UVB activate enzymes called MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) that break down collagen up to 20× faster than your body can replace it
[While MMPs are naturally responsible for breaking down collagen during skin renewal process, excess activity from UV exposure accelerates collagen loss, causing wrinkles, sagging, and premature aging.]
4. Collagen Protects Your Skin Against Sun Damage
While collagen cannot replace a sunscreen, it plays a key role in helping your skin defend against and recover from UV damage.
Improves Skin Elasticity and Hydration
- Collagen supports moisture retention, keeping skin hydrated
- Hydrated skin is more elastic and less prone to sun damage
- Elastic skin recovers more quickly from daily sun exposure (Bolke et al., 2019)
Supports Firmness and Smoothness
- Collagen forms the foundation that supports your skin cells
- Helps your skin stay firm and smooth, even after sun exposure
- Prevents sagging and rough patches caused by the sunburn
Speeds Up DNA and Tissue Repair
- Provides amino acids (the building blocks) essential for skin cell renewal (Lin et al., 2020)
- Helps prevent small sun induced damage from becoming permanent
Reduces Oxidative Stress from UV Exposure
- Collagen peptides boost antioxidants in your skin
- Antioxidants neutralize free radicals generated by UV rays
- Reduces cellular damage and inflammation caused by sun exposure
5. Repairing Sun Damaged Skin with Collagen Supplements
So what about the damage that’s already done? Here’s where collagen supplementation may help your skin bounce back.
What “Reversing” Sun Damage Really Means:
Collagen supplements can’t erase years of deep UV damage overnight. However, they support your skin by restoring lost collagen in the dermis, improving skin texture, and boosting hydration. These changes help sun-damaged skin feel smoother, firmer, and more resilient.
How Collagen Supplements Work
Restore Lost Collagen:
- Collagen supplements contain small proteins called peptides (small chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins) (Al-Atif, 2022)
- Peptides send signals to fibroblasts, the skin cells that make collagen (Dierckx et al., 2024)
- This helps replace old and damaged collagen fibers with new, healthy ones.
Support Skin Repair at the Cellular Level:
- Provide important amino acids such as glycine (Builds collagen) and proline (promotes skin firmness & elasticity)
- These amino acids help rebuild and strengthen damaged skin tissue
- Speeds up healing of small wounds, dryness, and rough patches caused by sun exposure
When to Expect Results / Results and Timelines for Visible Improvement
Collagen supplements take some time to work, as your skin gradually rebuilds and repairs itself. But with consistent use, you can expect to see visible results (Bolke et al., 2019):
- 8–12 weeks: Noticeable improvement in skin elasticity and hydration
- 12–16 weeks: Collagen levels rise, reducing fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage, while improving skin firmness and texture
"I started taking collagen supplements about 3 months ago after noticing more sun spots and fine lines from daily sun exposure. My skin feels noticeably smoother and more hydrated, and the fine lines around my eyes have softened. It’s helped me feel confident again in my skin!"
— Ashu F., 28
Supporting Collagen Repair with Lifestyle and Skincare
For the best results, combine collagen supplements with:
- Vitamin C and antioxidants for collagen synthesis
- Retinoids to speed up skin cell turnover, revealing fresher, smoother skin
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF to shield your skin from UV rays and prevent collagen breakdown
- Hydrating moisturizers to lock in moisture and support collagen
- Adequate sleep to help your skin repair and regenerate effectively
6. What to Look For When Buying a Collagen Supplement
Not all collagen supplements deliver the same benefits. To get the best results, consider these key factors when buying a collagen supplement:
Collagen Type and Source
- Choose supplements with Type I and III collagen, which are most effective for skin health, firmness, and elasticity
- Source: Marine Collagen as it absorbs more efficiently compared to other sources like bovine collagen
Bioavailability and Form
- Look for Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are easily broken down into smaller pieces, making it easier for your body to absorb and use effectively. (Sun et al., 2023).
Added Nutrients for Better Collagen Synthesis
- Look for vitamin C, zinc, and copper to boost collagen production and repair
- Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid boost skin hydration, keeping skin plump
- Antioxidants like Glutathione, Astaxanthin, & Vitamin E protect skin’s collagen from damage caused by UV rays and other free radicals
- Also look for biotin, for added benefits, as it works with collagen to support hair and skin health
Third-Party Testing and Purity
- Marine collagen may contain trace mercury, so purity testing is especially important (Cammilleri et al., 2025)
- Choose supplements with third-party testing to ensure they are free from heavy metals and contaminants
Clinically Backed Dosage
Aim for about 8 grams of collagen peptides daily to improve skin firmness and elasticity. (Sun et al., 2023)
7. FAQs About Collagen and Sun Damage
Q: Can collagen fix deep wrinkles from sun damage?
A: It can improve texture and elasticity, but deep wrinkles may need additional treatments like lasers or micro-needling.
Q: How long does it take to see results from collagen supplements?
A: Most individuals notice improvements in skin elasticity and hydration within 8–12 weeks of consistent collagen supplementation
Q: Does collagen prevent sunburn or UV damage?
A: No, collagen supplements do not prevent sunburn. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential to protect skin from UV damage.
Q: Can I take collagen with other skincare supplements?
A: Yes, collagen can be safely combined with other supplements like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to support skin health and repair.
8. Final Reminder: Restore, Repair, and Protect Your Skin
Your skin may not be able to turn back the clock, but it can become stronger and healthier from starting today. Collagen supplementation offers a clinically proven way to restore elasticity, support natural repair, and build resilience, especially when combined with consistent sun protection and a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
Support your skin from the inside out with our dermatologist formulated collagen blend, with 16 added nutrients designed to help repair and protect for visible results in 8–12 weeks.