There is a fundamental difference between the collagen you produce and the collagen you choose to take. The first is a structural protein that your body manufactures—with the help of fibroblasts, vitamin C, and various enzymatic cofactors—and which begins to decline measurably after the age of 25. The second is an ingredient that, depending on its origin, processing, and presentation format, can contribute in very different ways to support this process. Understanding the difference is not a technical detail. It is the basis for making informed skincare decisions.
What is collagen and why does it start to decline at age 25?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body: it accounts for approximately 30% of total proteins and is the main structural component of skin, bones, tendons, and blood vessels. In the skin specifically, collagen—especially type I—makes up about 70-80% of the dry weight of the dermis and is directly responsible for its firmness, density, and mechanical resistance capacity.
After the age of 25, collagen synthesis begins to progressively slow down: an estimated loss of approximately 1-1.5% per year. This process accelerates significantly during perimenopause and menopause, when the drop in estrogen directly reduces fibroblast activity. The visible result—reduced elasticity, appearance of expression lines, loss of density—is the consequence of an internal biological process, not just external factors.
Types of collagen: marine vs. bovine, type I vs. type II
There are at least 28 identified types of collagen, although the most relevant in a nutricosmetic context are type I and type II. Type I collagen is predominant in skin, bones, and tendons; it is the most studied in relation to skin parameters. Type II collagen is found mainly in cartilage and is more relevant in an joint context.
Regarding origin, marine collagen—extracted from fish skin and scales—has an amino acid composition very similar to human type I collagen and a lower molecular weight than bovine collagen, which is associated with easier intestinal absorption. Bovine collagen comes from cattle hide and bones; it is more economical but has a lower bioavailability profile in hydrolyzed format. LEVIAL uses Peptan® from Rousselot, marine collagen with more than 30 published clinical trials on specific skin parameters.
What is hydrolyzed collagen and why does molecular weight matter?
Collagen in its native form is a molecule too large to be absorbed intact by the intestine. Enzymatic hydrolysis breaks this molecule into smaller fragments—peptides—with a molecular weight that ranges, depending on the process, between 1,000 and 10,000 daltons. The lower the molecular weight, the greater the capacity for intestinal absorption and passage into systemic circulation.
Di- and tripeptidic peptides—especially Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly—are the fragments that studies have identified as active signals for dermal fibroblasts: they stimulate endogenous collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. This is why the quality of the hydrolysate—and not just the gross dose—determines the actual efficacy of the supplement.
Liquid vs. capsules vs. powder format: compared bioavailability
The format in which a collagen supplement is taken is not a matter of convenience: it directly affects its bioavailability. Capsules and tablets require a disintegration and dissolution process prior to absorption, which adds time and can lead to losses depending on individual gastric acidity. Powder dissolved in water improves this process somewhat, but still depends on the concentration and temperature of the liquid used.
The single-dose liquid format presents the active ingredients already dissolved and available, eliminating the disintegration step. A 25 ml vial like LEVIAL's concentrates the equivalent active load of between 25 and 30 capsules of the same formula. Furthermore, it solves the main problem of long-term supplementation: adherence. A three-second intake, without measuring or preparing, makes the daily habit that any collagen supplement requires to work sustainable.
The role of vitamin C: why collagen doesn't work without it
Collagen synthesis is an enzymatic process that critically depends on vitamin C. Prolyl-4-hydroxylase and lysyl-hydroxylase—the enzymes that stabilize the collagen triple helix—require vitamin C as an essential cofactor. Without it, the synthesized collagen is structurally unstable and degrades rapidly. That's why formulating a collagen supplement without vitamin C is, from a biochemical point of view, a design flaw.
LEVIAL includes 80 mg of vitamin C per vial, covering 100% of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). The EFSA-authorized claim is explicit: "Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin." This synergy is not optional: it is the scientific foundation of any well-constructed nutricosmetic formula.
How long does it take to see results? What science says
Clinical trials with hydrolyzed collagen peptides show measurable results in parameters such as elasticity, dermal hydration, and wrinkle reduction starting from 8 weeks of continuous use, with more consolidated improvements at 12 weeks. The study by Proksch et al. (Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014) observed statistically significant improvements in skin elasticity with 2.5 g/day of collagen peptides at 4 and 8 weeks in women aged 35 to 55.
This has a direct practical implication: collagen is not a product with immediate effects. The biology of dermal turnover works in cycles of weeks. Someone who expects visible results in ten days is not understanding the mechanism. Someone who plans three months of continuous use is making a decision consistent with what research says.
How to integrate it into your routine without it being an effort
The most effective way to integrate a collagen supplement is to make it part of an existing routine, not a new task. Associating it with breakfast, morning coffee, or any established daily habit reduces friction and increases the likelihood of continuity. LEVIAL's single-dose liquid format is designed for exactly that: a direct intake or dissolved in water or juice, in three seconds, with no additional management.
Internal skin care does not compete with external care: it complements it. A well-structured skincare routine—with cleansing, topical actives, and photoprotection—and sustained nutricosmetic support over time are two levels that act on different layers of the skin and mutually reinforce each other.
