Got a beauty conundrum? Our expert is here to offer advice. This week, Susan is wondering whether an oral anti-ageing regime is worth the money

Collagen is now being added into everything from our skincare to our morning coffee. It’s a protein found in skin, hair, nails, bones and muscles and is said to help improve skin elasticity and volume. The natural ageing process, sun damage and lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet can affect our collagen levels, which is why collagen in drink and supplement form, usually animal derived, has become so popular.

Yet there’s still doubt over whether it works. Laura Dowling, a pharmacist specialising in female health, cites a study from 2019 that “found very good evidence to support the use of oral collagen supplements to improve skin health”. But aesthetic practitioner Dr Yannis Alexandrides, founder of the 111 Harley St Clinic, says: “Collagen supplements have not been proven to improve the quality of the skin. More research is necessary to establish effectiveness.”