“Collagen is what gives our skin its firm and toned appearance, but as we age, we begin to lose natural collagen,” board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jeannette Graff, MD, once told mbg. But the good news: collagen supplements they have been shown to promote the natural production of collagen in the body1.

However, when buying these products, the formula does matter. “While there may be some truth to the claim that collagen supplements stimulate collagen production, it’s important not to skimp on quality when purchasing collagen supplements,” emphasizes Graf.

She recommends looking for hydrolyzed collagen peptides (FYI: the aforementioned study also emphasizes hydrolyzed collagen peptides). Although collagen research is still developing, the most promising results can be seen with this form.

More specifically, research shows that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density2. What’s more, “the amino acids in collagen supplements can increase the skin’s hydration levels,” Graf adds.

Here’s a list of the best collagen supplements, backed by a PhD in nutrition, if you want to start your search.