Does 16 weeks of collagen and MSM supplements help facial redness and visible blood vessels?
Official title: The Effect of 16-week Dietary Intake of Food Supplements Containing Collagen and MSM on Facial Erythema and Other Skin Parameters: Double Blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomised Three-way Study Comparing the Efficacy of Two Test Products
Run by VIST - Faculty of Applied Sciences · NCT07345195 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether daily dietary supplements containing collagen, MSM, and vitamin C for 16 weeks reduce facial redness and visible facial blood vessels in healthy women aged 40–65 with cheek erythema and telangiectasia.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VIST - Faculty of Applied Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ljubljana, Ljubljana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 16, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 2027 |
| Registry record updated | November 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07345195 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Caucasian women aged 40–65 with stable facial erythema and cheek telangiectasiae, no active rosacea, and BMI below 35 who are willing to maintain their routine and avoid certain supplements.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with active rosacea, higher BMI, or instability in facial redness may not experience benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating daily oral supplements over 16 weeks. Participants are healthy women aged 40–65 with stable facial erythema and cheek telangiectasia, and no active rosacea. They will receive one of two investigational products or placebo daily, with primary goals to see if the supplements reduce facial erythema compared with placebo, and secondary goals to assess changes at 8 weeks and effects on telangiectasia and other redness-related skin parameters. A nested substudy (Part B) is conducted within the trial. The two investigational formulations differ in collagen and MSM doses but share vitamin C and overall composition. Safety, tolerability, and changes in supportive dermatologic endpoints will be monitored throughout the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced facial redness and fewer visible blood vessels on the cheeks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in related dietary supplements has shown mixed results; this study explores a novel combination and dosing for facial redness and telangiectasia with some prior analogous approaches.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Caucasian female volunteers aged 40 to 65 years at the time of signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF). * Signed ICF. * Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-IV. * Presence of visible facial telangiectasias, primarily on the cheeks. * Presence of facial erythema with a baseline score \<= 3 on the 5-point Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) scale. * Stable erythema-prone facial skin for at least 3 months prior to inclusion, without clinical signs of active rosacea. * In good general health, as determined by medical history. * Body mass index (BMI) \< 35. * Willingness and ability to comply with all study procedures and complete a subject diary; maintain usual lifestyle habits; not initiate or modify oestrogen or progesterone therapies; maintain the same cosmetic and skincare routine and comply with sun protection guidelines; avoid rejuvenation treatments; refrain from food supplements containing collagen or other protein-based supplements, MSM, or anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant compounds with a known or potential impact on skin inflammation or vascular response; and refrain from shaving, waxing, epilating or otherwise removing hair from the forearms for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Vegan diet. * Following a weight-loss diet or another special or restrictive diet (e.g. very-low-calorie, ketogenic or intermittent fasting), or planning to start one during the study. * Heavy smoking (more than 20 cigarettes per day) or frequent alcohol-induced flushing. * Occupational or hobby-related excessive heat exposure (e.g. chefs, sauna workers). * Anticipated sunbathing or solarium use, or major planned changes in sun exposure before or during the study. * Planned major changes during the study in skincare routine or hormonal therapy (contraception or hormone replacement therapy). * Significant changes in dietary habits or dietary supplementation within 3 months prior to inclusion. * Regular use within 3 months prior to inclusion of food supplements containing MSM, collagen or other protein-based supplements, or anti-inflammatory (e.g. bioflavonoids/rutin, curcumin, EPA) and/or antioxidant supplements with a known or potential impact on skin inflammation or vascular response. * Any diagnosed, uncontrolled, untreated or unstable medical condition. * Clinically significant history of metabolic, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal or haematological disease. * Diagnosed diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2), or current use of glucose-lowering medication. * Current use, or use within 12 months prior to study entry, of medicines for weight reduction, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists, or planned use during the study. * Mental incapacity or psychiatric condition that may impair understanding of the study or compliance with study requirements. * Any clinically significant acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease (e.g. acne, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lupus). * Skin pigmentation disorders at the assessment sites. * Active rosacea within 3 months prior to study entry (papules/pustules, frequent flushing episodes typical of rosacea, or ocular involvement). * Frequent vasomotor hot flushes (e.g. perimenopausal or menopausal). * Use of medications affecting skin or vascular reactivity (e.g. systemic corticosteroids, anticoagulants, vasodilators, antibiotics known to affect vascular response, immunomodulators, regular or long-term use of NSAIDs). * Use of systemic retinoids within 3 months prior to study entry. * Changes of skincare routine within 4 weeks prior to study entry. * Use of highly concentrated topical products affecting inflammatory or vascular facial responses (e.g. \>15% azelaic acid, 10% vitamin C) within 4 weeks prior to study entry. * Invasive rejuvenation treatments (e.g. medium or deep chemical peels, ablative or vascular laser therapies) within 6 months prior to study entry. * Non-invasive or minimally invasive rejuvenation treatments (e.g. microneedling, mesotherapy, superficial chemical peels, radiofrequency, electrotherapy, ultrasound, IPL) within 3 months prior to study entry. * Tattoos, scars, birthmarks, pronounced hyperpigmentation, visible vessels, or an active skin lesion or skin disease at the volar forearm of both forearms. * Self-tanning products applied to the forearms, or deliberate UV exposure of the forearms (sunbathing, solarium), within 4 weeks before the first visit. * Known or suspected allergy to any ingredient of the investigational products.
Where it's running
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VIST - Faculty of Applied Sciences, Institute of Cosmetics
Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Katja Žmitek, PhD
- Email: katja.zmitek@vist.si
- Phone: 0038612831700
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.