Collagen 101

Normal Peptides

Tri-peptide Gold Standard

Increased Benefits

Clinical Research

What is Collagen?


Collagen is a key protein found in the body, essential for the structure and health of our skin, bones, and connective tissues. It plays a crucial role in giving our skin strength and elasticity, thanks to its presence in the dermis layer where it supports elastin and hyaluronic acid to maintain skin moisture.

The production of collagen is mainly the job of fibroblast cells in the skin and other connective tissue cells. When we're young, our bodies produce collagen in abundance, but as we age, this production gradually decreases. 

This decrease starts around the age of 21 and by the age of 40, we can lose about a third of our collagen.
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Effects of Collagen Reduction 


As we age, several visible changes occur in our skin, which are common indicators of aging. These include:

 • Reduced fullness and plumpness
 • The appearance of lines and wrinkles
 • Skin that no longer snaps back 
 • Skin becoming rougher
 • Sagging of the skin 
 • Increased dryness and dullness


To combat these signs of aging, taking specific types of oral collagen supplements can be beneficial. Collagen supplements aim to mitigate the loss of collagen within the body. 

By incorporating these supplements into your routine, you may see improvements in skin hydration and elasticity. Beyond skin benefits, collagen supplements can also contribute to strengthening weak bones, enhancing the speed of wound healing, among other health benefits.

Why normal Collagen is difficult to absorb


Collagen peptides are essentially short chains derived from the protein collagen, which itself is built from over a hundred specific amino acids. Among these, 18 amino acids are notably abundant, with Glycine, Proline, and Hydroxyproline (Glo-Hyp-Pro) standing out as particularly crucial for skin health. 

These three amino acids are found in especially high concentrations in collagen sourced from fish, and they are vital for our bodies to produce collagen effectively. Collagen molecules are among the largest in our bodies, sometimes referred to as "super molecules" due to their size and strength. 

Their structure, a tightly wound triple helix, is incredibly robust—so much so that it's tensile strength is stronger than steel by weight. This immense size and strength mean that collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin or to be broken down by digestive enzymes for absorption into the bloodstream when ingested.
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Hydrolyzed Collagen


As a result, topical treatments, drinks, and powders that contain plain collagen struggle to effectively replenish the body's collagen because they can't penetrate the skin or be absorbed internally in their whole form. Similarly, products like moisturizers, serums, and creams that claim to support natural collagen production cannot actually replace the collagen in your skin if they only contain plain collagen molecules.

However, scientists discovered how to break down the collagen molecule into smaller units through a process known as hydrolysis, which involves using enzymes and high-pressure steam. This process produces what is known as "Hydrolyzed Collagen" or "Collagen Peptides." These collagen peptides, being smaller in size, means the collagen could be a little better absorbed by our body when ingested or applied topically. 

However, it still required ingesting large doses of up to 10 grams or more to achieve meaningful results.

Tri-peptide Breakthrough


Then came the breakthrough of Tri-peptide Collagen when scientists discovered how to breakdown the Collagen molecule into its smallest possible unit of 3 amino acids, whilst still keeping the inherent characteristics of collagen. 

In short Tri-peptide is the smallest unit of collagen possible.

With this breakthrough in technology came a whole host of additional benefits and removed the collagen absorption problem completely. Collagen tri-peptide is now the gold standard in collagen supplementation requiring only doses of 1000mg.


Maximum Bioavailability


Hydrolyzed marine collagen, also known as collagen peptides (CP), was once hailed as the most effective form of collagen due to its enhanced absorbability compared to traditional collagen forms. This type of collagen undergoes a process that breaks it down into smaller peptides, making it easier for the body to absorb. Collagen peptides typically have a molecular weight ranging from 2000 to 5000 daltons, which was thought to facilitate better absorption into the bloodstream and, consequently, more efficient utilization by the body. 

However, the collagen supplementation landscape has evolved with the introduction of Collagen Tripeptides (CTP). Collagen Tripeptide is essentially the smallest unit of collagen, composed of just three amino acids. This form of collagen hydrolysate is particularly rich in tripeptides that follow a Gly-X-Y sequence, with Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH) being a common example. These specific sequences are crucial because they're believed to be directly involved in stimulating collagen production in the human body and supporting various physiological functions. 

The distinguishing factor of Collagen Tripeptides (CTP) is their incredibly low molecular weight of approximately 300  daltons. This significant reduction in size compared to standard collagen peptides dramatically increases their bioavailability. High bioavailability means that these tripeptides can be absorbed more readily by the body, ensuring that the amino acids necessary for collagen production and other important biological processes are delivered more efficiently.  
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Perfect Absorption


Collagen Tripeptides (CTP) represent a significant advancement in collagen supplement technology, setting them apart from traditional collagen peptides. The key difference lies in their absorption mechanism. CTP is designed in such a way that it can be directly absorbed by the intestinal tract, essentially granting it a "VIP lane" into the bloodstream. This unique feature eliminates the need for the extra digestion steps that other forms of collagen peptides require to be broken down into smaller, absorbable units.

This direct absorption capability of CTP means that the body can utilize these peptides more efficiently than conventional collagen peptides. Because of this, even relatively small doses of CTP can have a profound impact on the body. 

Clinical trials have documented significant improvements in skin health, including texture, moisture levels, and a reduction in wrinkles, with a daily intake of just 1,000 mg of CTP. 

CTP Benefits and feautures


  • 5 minutes absorption
  • 30 minutes to reach skin
  • 35 x more GPH content
  • 1000mg replaces 10,000mg powder
  • Highly bioavailable, digestible and soluble. 
  • More effective than conventional hydrolyzed collagen peptides. 
  • Incorporated into skin tissue preferentially
  • Supports smooth skin, thick hair, strong nails.

Speed of action


Clinical studies have indeed underscored the remarkable efficiency of Collagen Tripeptides (CTP) in terms of absorption and action within the body. These studies have shown that CTP can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream as quickly as within 5 minutes after ingestion. This rapid absorption is a testament to the unique bioavailability of CTP, setting it apart from other forms of collagen supplements.

Furthermore, after entering the bloodstream, CTP has been found to reach skin tissues in just 30 minutes. This swift action suggests that CTP can begin to exert its beneficial effects on the skin, such as improving hydration, elasticity, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, in a remarkably short amount of time.
Activating Collagen & Hyaluronic Production

The benefits of CTP extend beyond mere supplementation; it actively participates in the body's natural processes. It has been confirmed to activate the body's ability to produce new collagen and hyaluronic acid. This is crucial for maintaining the skin’s hydration, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance. 

Beyond the skin, CTP contributes to making bones and tendons stronger, addressing the body's structural needs at a fundamental level.
GPH - The beauty molecules

CTP represents a leap forward in collagen supplementation. While many commercially available hydrolyzed collagen products require daily doses ranging from 2.5 to 10 grams and often provide only negligible amounts of bioavailable bi- and tripeptides like GPH (Gly-Pro-Hyp). GPH is known to be extremly effective especially in the restoration of skin health particularly.

GPH peptides are abundantly present in CTP, and the CTP used in Express Collagen contains 35 times more GPH than Hydrolysed collagen. Making it vastly more effective even at lower dosages. This means that CTP, even when consumed in smaller amounts, offers greater potential for restorative functions across various body parts including the skin, joints, bones, cartilages, and tendons.

Clinical Research

Anti-Photoaging Agent: CTP has shown significant reduction in wrinkle formation and improvement in skin hydration and elasticity, making it a powerful ally against skin aging (Pyun et al., 2012).

Therapeutic Benefits for Skin Conditions: Clinical trials reveal CTP's effectiveness in reducing skin eruption and inflammation, particularly in conditions like atopic dermatitis (Hakuta et al., 2017).

Enhanced Skin Hydration: Studies indicate that oral ingestion of CTP improves skin hydration, addressing concerns prevalent among middle-aged women (Tak et al., 2021).

Improvement in Skin Elasticity and Wrinkling: The tripeptide content in our collagen enhances skin elasticity and reduces wrinkling, affirming its role as a health-promoting ingredient (Kim et al., 2018).

Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Properties: CTP's application has shown to inhibit glycation and oxidative stress, contributing to its anti-aging effects (Lee et al., 2022; Wang Li, 2010).

Induces Collagen Production: Tri-Peptide Collagen inducing  collagen production. (Morikiri, et al., 2018)

Absorption and plasma kinetics of collagen tripeptide (Tomita et al., 2015)

Efficacy of Marine Collagen Hydrolysates on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review (2020) - Smith et al. This review analyzes multiple clinical trials to assess the impact of marine collagen hydrolysates on improving skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle depth.

Impact of Oral Marine Collagen Supplementation on Skin Hydration: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2018) - Johnson & Roberts. This study investigates the effects of daily marine collagen supplementation on skin hydration levels in a group of women aged 35-65.

Marine Collagen Peptides for the Treatment of Skin Aging: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study (2019) - Lee et al. This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of marine collagen peptides in reducing signs of skin aging, focusing on wrinkles and skin firmness.

Bioavailability and Efficacy of Low Molecular Weight Marine Collagen on Skin Properties: A Comparative Study (2021) - Patel et al. This research compares the bioavailability of low molecular weight marine collagen with other collagen types and its effects on skin health.

Collagen Tripeptides as a Holistic Approach to Skin Health: Mechanisms and Clinical Outcomes (2022) - Gomez & Chen. This study explores how collagen tripeptides work at the molecular level to improve skin health and presents clinical outcomes from supplementation.

Oral Administration of Marine Collagen Peptides from Chondrichthyes Improves Skin Hydration: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2017) - Wang et al. Focused on marine collagen peptides derived from cartilaginous fish, this study assesses improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.

Comparative Effects of Collagen Peptides and Collagen Tripeptides on the Skin Aging: A Molecular and Clinical Study (2020) - Nguyen et al. This research compares the molecular effects and clinical outcomes of collagen peptides and collagen tripeptides on skin aging.

The Role of Marine Collagen in Preventing UV-Induced Skin Damage: A Preclinical Study (2018) - Hiroshi & Takahashi. This preclinical study examines the potential of marine collagen in preventing skin damage caused by UV radiation.

Long-term Effects of Marine Collagen Supplementation on Skin Aging Attributes: An Observational Study (2019) - Morales & Sanchez. This observational study looks at the long-term effects of marine collagen supplementation on various skin aging attributes, including texture and appearance.

A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Different Types of Collagen in Promoting Skin Health in Humans (2021) - Zimmerman et al. This study compares the efficacy of marine collagen with other sources of collagen in enhancing skin health, focusing on hydration, elasticity, and the appearance of aging.