Hydrolyzed Collagen Tonic Drink Prevents Worsening of Skin Parameters and Improves Photoaging Classification in Healthy Thai Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Skin aging represents a significant public health burden globally, with Southeast Asian populations experiencing accelerated photoaging due to intensive environmental ultraviolet exposure. Aim: To evaluate the preventive efficacy of hydrolyzed collagen tonic drink on skin aging parameters in healthy Thai women. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 135 Thai women aged 40-60 years. Participants were randomized to receive either hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides with supportive nutrients (n=67) or active fruit juice control (n=68) daily for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included skin microtopography parameters measured by Visioscan, skin elasticity assessed by Cutometer, and clinical photoaging classification using Glogau scale. Secondary outcomes examined molecular biomarker changes in procollagen Type I synthesis. Results: The collagen group demonstrated significantly attenuated skin surface deterioration compared to placebo. The Wrinkles parameter showed significant betweengroup differences at week 8 (-100.43 units, p=0.001). Smoothness parameter exhibited protective effects with significant between-group differences at week 8 (-80.08 units, p=0.002). Gross elasticity improved significantly within the collagen group at week 12 (p=0.033). Procollagen Type I synthesis demonstrated superior maintenance in the collagen group versus placebo (between-group percent change difference, p=0.002). Both groups achieved comparable Glogau classification improvements (23.9% versus 20.6%). Conclusion: Daily hydrolyzed collagen supplementation with supportive nutrients effectively prevented skin surface parameter deterioration in Thai women, demonstrating meaningful preservation of skin integrity through medium effect sizes for key parameters. These findings support nutritional approaches as complementary strategies for photoaging management in high ultraviolet-exposure populations