Soluble Collagen
Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Collagen Amino Acids
Humectant ingredient that promotes hydration | Traps moisture and reduces transepidermal water loss
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
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What Is Soluble Collagen?
Soluble collagen is a humectant skin care ingredient that promotes hydration. It’s derived from the connective tissues and skins of animals, most commonly bovine or fish. It’s referred to as soluble collagen because it’s soluble in water.
Unlike hydrolyzed collagen, soluble collagen does not undergo hydrolysis, meaning it retains its large molecular size. Because of this, it can’t penetrate skin, but instead it sits atop it, promoting optimal, balanced hydration through the attraction of moisture and mitigation of transepidermal water loss. Through enhanced hydration, this ingredient can also help shore up the skin barrier.
There’s a common misconception that applying collagen topically will help with anti-aging concerns. This is simply not true! Collagen within skin and collagen applied to skin work differently. Unfortunately, administering collagen-derived ingredients to the stratum corneum (skin’s outermost layer) doesn’t improve skin laxity or crepiness, but it can help temporarily decrease the look of wrinkles and fine lines due to a plumping effect caused by increased hydration.
Soluble collagen and other collagen-related cosmetic ingredients are constantly undergoing research, so more information about these ingredients and their benefits might soon be revealed. For example, research has revealed early insights that marine-derived soluble collagen might assist with wound healing and aging, however, more research is needed to come to a firm conclusion.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel revealed that this hydrator is made up of good-for-skin amino acids like hydroxyproline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, glycine, alanine and arginine. The panel’s review also disclosed that this ingredient is safe for skin and most used in leave-on cosmetic formats (like moisturizers) in concentrations between 0.00003% and 16.5%.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Personal Care Products Council, Accessed October 2024, Webpage [https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/tsupep092017final.pdf]
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Marine Drugs, January 2024, ePublication [https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/22/2/60]
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Marine Drugs, January 2023, ePublication [https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/3/159]
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International Journal of Toxicology, August 2022, pages 21S-42S [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10915818221104783]
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sodium Bicarbonate
A synthetic inorganic salt more commonly known as baking soda | Used as a pH adjuster, buffering agent, and abrasive in cosmetics
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
A carbohydrate ingredient with a gel-like texture, it functions
Sodium Magnesium Fluorosilicate
A silicate-based abrasive and absorbent ingredient used primarily in exfoliating formulations
Subtilisin
A protease enzyme that gently dissolves dead skin cells to support skin renewal
Synthetic Wax
A synthetic stabiliser that thickens formulations and can provide gentle exfoliating properties
Tamarindus Indica Extract
A plant extract with antioxidant and gentle exfoliating properties
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