This is a great question and the answer is nuanced. Let me give you the honest evidence-based take:

Collagen peptides:

• There IS some evidence supporting oral collagen supplementation for skin elasticity. A 2019 meta-analysis in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that collagen supplementation improved skin elasticity and hydration in randomized controlled trials
• HOWEVER — collagen is a low-quality protein from an amino acid perspective. It's missing tryptophan entirely and is low in branched-chain amino acids. So it should NOT replace your regular protein intake
• Typical effective dose in studies: 2.5-15g/day for at least 8 weeks

Bone broth:

• Much weaker evidence. The collagen content varies wildly depending on preparation (6-19g per cup). It's essentially a food, not a supplement
• Benefits: easy to sip on GLP-1, provides fluid and electrolytes, gentle on the stomach during nausea
• Limitation: you'd need to drink a LOT to get the collagen doses used in studies

For "Ozempic face" specifically: The loose skin issue is primarily about the RATE of fat loss and genetics, not collagen intake. No supplement will fully prevent skin laxity from rapid 20%+ body weight loss. That said, collagen supplementation is low-risk and might help at the margins.

My recommendation: it's not snake oil, but it's not a miracle either. If you have the budget, 10-15g collagen peptides daily is reasonable. But don't skip your whey/regular protein to make room for it.

Okay I'm the bone broth evangelist of this forum so let me make my case. I've been making bone broth weekly for 4 months alongside tirzepatide 10mg and it has been a GAME CHANGER for me. Not for skin specifically — for nausea management and overall nutrition on low-appetite days.

My recipe (makes about 10 cups):

• 3-4 lbs beef marrow bones (I get them from the butcher for like $3/lb)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 3 celery stalks
• 4 garlic cloves
• Bay leaves, peppercorns, salt
• Cover with water, slow cooker on low for 24-36 hours

Per cup: ~40-50 cal / 9-10g protein / 0g carbs / 1g fat

On my worst nausea days I can sip warm bone broth when nothing else will stay down. It also has glycine which helps with sleep — and lord knows GLP-1 meds mess with my sleep.

Total cost per batch: maybe $12 for 10 cups. Versus buying Kettle & Fire at $7 per CARTON. Making your own is a no-brainer.

I'm sorry but the collagen industry is worth $8 billion and growing specifically because they've convinced everyone that eating collagen = having better collagen in your skin. That's... not how digestion works. Your body breaks collagen down into amino acids just like any other protein and then uses those amino acids wherever it needs them.

The studies showing benefit are mostly funded by collagen supplement companies. I'd love to see truly independent research.

Save your money. Eat adequate protein, stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and accept that rapid weight loss will cause some skin laxity regardless of what supplements you take.

SandraNC_45 — I hear you and healthy skepticism is warranted in the supplement industry. But I do want to push back slightly on the "your body just breaks it down into amino acids" argument. It's an oversimplification.

Research has shown that collagen-specific dipeptides and tripeptides (particularly prolyl-hydroxyproline and hydroxyprolyl-glycine) DO appear in the bloodstream after oral collagen ingestion in their intact peptide form. These peptides appear to act as signaling molecules that stimulate fibroblast activity. So the mechanism is more nuanced than "eat collagen, become collagen."

That said, you're absolutely right that the effect size is modest at best. Nobody's going to supplement their way out of significant skin laxity from a 30+ kg weight loss. For that, you're looking at time, body recomposition, and potentially surgery.