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Limited evidenceJoints & skin

Elastin Peptides

Hydrolysed elastin from fish, marketed for skin elasticity by analogy with collagen peptides. One small randomized trial is positive; that is essentially the whole human evidence base.

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What the science says

  • Skin elasticity and hydration Limited evidence

    A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of a bonito fish-derived elastin peptide reported improvements in biophysical skin properties in ageing skin. It was a single small trial of one branded ingredient and has not been replicated.

  • Elastin regeneration Limited evidence

    Adult skin produces very little new elastin, and no human study has shown that ingesting elastin peptides increases dermal elastin content. Any measured effect on elasticity is more plausibly explained by hydration and general peptide signalling.

  • Compared with collagen peptides Limited evidence

    Collagen peptides have many more randomized trials behind them for the same outcomes. No head-to-head trial of elastin against collagen peptides has been published.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe published trial used a low daily dose of elastin peptide (in the tens of milligrams) for around 12 weeks. Product labels typically supply 50–100 mg/day.
SafetyNo safety signals reported in the single published trial. It is derived from fish, so it is unsuitable for people with fish allergy and for vegetarians. Not studied in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, and there is no long-term safety data.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?With or without food; no absorption difference has been established.
Worth knowingOne small trial is the entire evidence base, so treat any confident claim about elastin peptides as marketing rather than science.

Frequently asked questions

Do elastin peptides improve skin elasticity?

The evidence is limited: a single small randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a bonito fish-derived elastin peptide reported improvements in skin properties in ageing skin. It has not been replicated, and no human study shows that elastin peptides increase the elastin in your skin.

Are elastin peptides better than collagen peptides?

There is no evidence that elastin peptides beat collagen peptides; no head-to-head trial exists. Collagen peptides have many more randomized trials behind them for the same skin outcomes.

How much elastin peptide should I take?

The one published elastin peptide trial used a low daily dose in the tens of milligrams for around 12 weeks. Product labels typically supply 50–100 mg/day, with or without food.

Are elastin peptides safe?

No safety signals were reported in the single published elastin peptide trial, but there is no long-term safety data. Elastin peptides are usually fish-derived, so they are unsuitable if you have a fish allergy or are vegetarian.

Scientific references

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