Soluble Collagen is a form of collagen that is natural but modified to be used in powder form in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• "Soluble" indicates that the collagen has been treated or modified to make it soluble in water or other solvents.
• "Collagen" is a fibrous protein found in the skin, tendons, ligaments, and other parts of the body. It's responsible for the skin's strength and elasticity.

Raw materials in the production of Soluble Collagen.

• Animal tissues. Often derived from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cattle, pigs, or fish.
• Acids or enzymes. Used to extract and purify the collagen from tissues.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process:

• Pre-treatment of tissues. The skin or connective tissue is cleaned and treated to remove hair or other impurities.
• Extraction of collagen. Acids or enzymes are used to extract the collagen from the treated tissues. This process breaks down the tissue and releases collagen fibers.
• Purification. The extracted collagen is filtered and further purified to remove any remaining impurities.
• Hydrolysis. The collagen is then subjected to a hydrolysis process, breaking it down into smaller peptides, making it water-soluble.
• Drying. The soluble collagen is then dried, often via a freeze-drying process, to yield a powder.

It appears in the form of a white powder. 

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Antistatic agent. Static electricity build-up has a direct influence on products and causes electrostatic adsorption. The antistatic ingredient reduces static build-up and surface resistivity on the surface of the skin and hair.

Film-forming agent. It produces, upon application, a very thin continuous film with an optimal balance of cohesion, adhesion and stickiness on skin, hair or nails to counteract or limit damage from external phenomena such as chemicals, UV rays and pollution.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis.  The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Commercial Applications

Cosmetic and Skincare Products. Soluble collagen is frequently used in creams, lotions, serums, and masks to enhance skin elasticity and appearance.

Dietary Supplements. Sold as a supplement to promote joint and skin health.

Haircare Products. Used in conditioners, masks, and treatments to strengthen and hydrate hair.

Food Industry. Employed in food products like gelatins and gummy candies.

Medical Applications

Cosmetic Surgery. Soluble collagen can be injected into the skin as a dermal filler to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Burn and Wound Treatment. Used as a supportive matrix to aid in wound healing.

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Avila Rodríguez MI, Rodríguez Barroso LG, Sánchez ML. Collagen: A review on its sources and potential cosmetic applications. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Nov 16. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12450.

Abstract. Collagen is a fibrillar protein that conforms the conjunctive and connective tissues in the human body, essentially skin, joints, and bones. This molecule is one of the most abundant in many of the living organisms due to its connective role in biological structures. Due to its abundance, strength and its directly proportional relation with skin aging, collagen has gained great interest in the cosmetic industry © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.