Effects of a Ready-to-Drink Hydrolyzed Collagen from Sea Bass Skin on Skin Health: A 30-Day Clinical Trial

Abstract

Food waste from fish processing contributes significantly to environmental pollution, and fish skin is often discarded despite being a rich collagen source. This study evaluated the efficacy and consumer satisfaction of a ready-to-drink collagen supplement made from hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin. The compositional analysis of this study revealed α-amino groups, hydroxyproline, and amino acids essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and tissue repair. A 30-day clinical trial was conducted in 36 Thai volunteers who were aged between 20 to 70 years, and their skin condition was assessed using a facial skin analyzer and a moisture analyzer on days 0, 15, and 30. Participants also completed self-perception and sensory satisfaction questionnaires. The results showed improved skin moisture, reduced pore size, and smoother skin texture. Participants reported high satisfaction, especially regarding increased moisture and skin smoothness. Sensory score evaluation showed favorable scores for color and taste; however, odor was the least preferred attribute with the lowest score. Notably, no adverse effects were reported throughout this study. The findings suggest that fish skin-derived collagen supplements can enhance skin appearance while offering a sustainable approach that converts fish by-products into functional skincare solutions aligned with global sustainability goals.

1. Introduction

The rapid growth of the fish processing industry has led to an increase in generated biowaste. During processing, up to 70% of the total fish weight is discarded as by-products. These by-products, such as skin, bones, and scales, are rich in high-value nutritional compounds, including collagen, gelatin, and bioactive peptides, which encouraged novel ideas to efficiently utilize them as promoting compounds [1]. Extracting these valuable compounds from fish biomass not only minimizes processing waste, but also enables the recovery of high-value ingredients which provide beneficial effects to human health [2]. Among the various bioactive compounds obtained from fish by-products, collagen has attracted considerable attention due to its unique structural properties and well-documented health benefits. Compared to mammalian collagen, marine collagen offers advantages such as a lower risk of disease transmission and broader acceptance across different cultural and religious contexts [3]. Collagen, which accounts for approximately 30% of the body’s total protein mass, is the main structural protein responsible for providing strength, stability, and mechanical integrity to connective tissues such as skin, bones, and ligaments [4]. Specifically, collagen types I and III play a critical role in maintaining skin structure, elasticity, and hydration, and they are essential for skin health and regeneration [5].

Fish-derived collagen, particularly in its hydrolyzed form, is known for its high bioavailability, low molecular weight, and excellent solubility in water, making it suitable for use in functional foods and dietary supplements [6,7]. Studies have shown that hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides can promote skin hydration, elasticity, and reduce signs of aging by stimulating fibroblast activity and increasing collagen synthesis in human skin [8]. A previous study revealed that daily consumption of an oral supplement containing hydrolyzed fish collagen with other ingredients for 90 days significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, and collagen fiber organization while reducing joint pain and enhancing mobility, suggesting its potential to mitigate skin aging and support joint health [9]. Similarly, a hydrolyzed fish collagen drink exhibited comprehensive anti-aging effects by enhancing extracellular matrix protein synthesis, boosting mitochondrial activity, and improving gene expression related to protein folding and DNA repair, highlighting its potential in mitigating UVA-induced skin damage [10]. Likewise, low-molecular-weight collagen peptides from other sources have been shown to protect against and improve UVB-induced skin damage by enhancing procollagen type I production, reducing MMP-1 activity, and promoting cell proliferation in human dermal fibroblasts [11].

This present study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a hydrolyzed fish collagen drink in addressing facial skin concerns, including wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration. The test product, C-Shortz^®, is a ready-to-drink nutraceutical formulation containing hydrolyzed fish skin collagen along with other ingredients. All volunteers in this study consumed C-Shortz^®, which provided 7500 mg of collagen per day, for four weeks. Skin assessments were conducted using facial skin analyzer device with advanced imaging technology that integrates Red Green Blue (RGB) and Ultraviolet (UV) digital imaging. Standard, ultraviolet, and cross-polarized light (PL) analyses were employed to evaluate structural and functional skin changes. Statistical analysis was performed to compare pre- and post-treatment results, with significance set at a 95% confidence level (p ≤ 0.05).

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Test Product

The tested product C-Shortz^®, was a ready-to-drink collagen supplement manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards (

Table 1. Formulation of C-Shortz^®, a ready-to-drink collagen supplement packaged in a 50 mL sachet.

Ingredients	C-Shortz® Content (%) w/v
Hydrolyzed fish skin collagen	15
Concentrated white grape juice	3
Vitamin C	0.08
Vitamin E	0.02
L-glutathione	0.06
Psyllium husk	0.50
Stabilizer (INS 466) Coloring agent (INS 133) Sweeteners (sucralose and dextrose) Citric acid Flavoring Nature-identical flavoring substances

) and its food product registration number in Thailand is 13-2-08361-2-0030. Each 50 mL sachet contains 7500 mg of hydrolyzed fish skin collagen with a high hydroxyproline content of over 80%, along with concentrated white grape juice, vitamin C, vitamin E, L-glutathione, and psyllium husk. The hydrolyzed collagen used in the formulation was prepared according to the method described by Benjakul et al. [12], in which seabass (Lates calcarifer) skin underwent sequential papain–alcalase hydrolysis followed by spray-drying at 200 °C, producing an odorless powder with high recovery, potent antioxidative activity, markedly reduced odorous compounds and proven non-toxicity. This combination of high-quality hydrolyzed collagen and antioxidant-rich ingredients was designed to promote skin hydration and brightness while reducing signs of aging. In addition, the key components of the developed hydrolyzed collagen were analyzed. The estimated cost of the ready-to-drink collagen product for 30 days of consumption was approximately 3750 Thai Baht.

2.2. Study Design

This study was a prospective, single-group, open-label clinical trial conducted over 30 days. Volunteers who passed the product allergy screening were enrolled, and they served as both the control (baseline) and treatment groups. Baseline facial skin assessments were performed using the facial skin analyzer. Volunteers were instructed to consume one sachet (50 mL) of the collagen drink every night before bedtime for 30 consecutive days. Follow-up skin assessments were conducted on day 15 and day 30 using the same analysis method. A total of 30 sachets were given to each volunteer, and compliance was monitored by having participants return used sachets during each follow-up visit (at day 15 and 30). Compensation was provided to each volunteer after the initial allergic reaction screening, and after the completion of this study and final questionnaire. This compensation was intended solely to support the transportation expenses incurred by the volunteers during the three scheduled evaluation visits at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University. The level of compensation was modest and structured to ensure that it did not exert undue influence or coercion on participants decision to enroll or remain in this study.

2.3. Sample Size Calculation

This pilot study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of the collagen supplement drink by analyzing a sufficient number of samples using a formula that compares the values before and after treatment. Based on aging skin data (prevalence ranging from 5% to 50%), this study defined a clinically significant change as a reduction from 50% (baseline) to 20% (after treatment) [13]. A two-tailed test was conducted with a 95% confidence level (Z_α/2 = 1.96) and 80% power (Z_β = 0.84), with π₁ = 0.5 and π₂ = 0.2 using the following equation:

n = [(Z_α/2 + Z_β)² × (π₁(1 − π₁) + π₂(1 − π₂)]/(π₁ − π₂)²

(1)

2.4. Subjects

In this study, a total of 36 healthy volunteers (male and female) aged 20 to 70 years were recruited. The inclusion criteria included dryness, wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, current hormonal contraception use, chronic diseases, and concurrent use of other nutritional supplements or dermatological therapy. The research project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Prince of Songkla University (MHES 68108/2218) and compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was conducted in adherence to the International Council for Harmonisation—Good Clinical Practice (ICH–GCP) guidelines [14]. All study procedures, including participant recruitment, informed consent, data collection, and safety monitoring, were performed according to ICH–GCP standards. Before participation, all subjects signed informed consent for inclusion and permission to publish the clinical results and photographs utilized in this investigation. Furthermore, the informed content stated that, in case a volunteer’s photograph was chosen to be utilized in this study as representative data, their photograph would be published with their eyes concealed.

2.5. Screening for Adverse Reactions

To investigate potential allergic reactions, volunteers consumed the collagen drink, after which they were observed for 24 h. Volunteers who did not exhibit any abnormal acne flare-ups, red rashes, itching, facial or periorbital swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms indicating an adverse reaction to consumption were considered eligible to proceed to the product administration and efficacy evaluation phase.

2.6. Facial Skin Assessment

Before the assessment, volunteers’ facial skin was cleaned, and then particular facial areas were analyzed with a facial skin analyzer BS-3200 (Shanghai Lumsail Industrial Inc., Shanghai, China). This device uses multi-spectrum imaging, which includes RGB, UV, and cross-polarized light (PL), to assess several skin characteristics such as pore size, wrinkles, skin roughness, PL spots, PL sensitivity, UV-induced acne (UV acne), and UV-induced spots (UV spots). In addition, skin moisture level was assessed using a skin moisture analyzer. These initial data represented the baseline (day 0), after which the subjects consumed the test product daily for 30 days. Subsequent facial evaluations were performed on day 15 and 30 in triplicate to monitor changes in the stated parameters. The measurement conditions were set in an office room without external light disturbance under a controlled temperature of 25 °C. The effectiveness of the product was determined by comparing day 15 and day 30 results to the baseline results.

2.7. Subject Self-Assessment Questionnaire

At the final phase of this study, all 36 participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire to assess their satisfaction in regard to the product’s qualities and perceived efficacy. This questionnaire employed a 5-point Likert scale to score each skin parameters, with 1 representing “very dissatisfied,” 2 “dissatisfied,” 3 “neutral,” 4 “satisfied,” and 5 “very satisfied.”

Volunteers assessed the ready-to-drink collagen’s product attributes such as taste, smell, and color. In terms of perceived efficacy, participants were asked to assess their facial skin health based on personal perception before obtaining objective measures from the facial skin analyzer. Subjective assessments of the following skin parameters, such as skin moisture, pore size, wrinkles, skin roughness, spots and acne were conducted on day 15 and day 30. The collected scores were averaged and evaluated to obtain valuable information regarding user perception and prospective product enhancements.

2.8. Data Analysis

Each skin parameter’s pre- and post-treatment values were compared using one-way repeated ANOVA tests. The repeated-measures ANOVA was performed using the multivariate approach implemented in the software, which produces denominator degrees of freedom based on MANOVA estimation (e.g., F(2, 105)), rather than the conventional univariate calculation. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval.

3. Results

3.1. Functional Properties of Hydrolyzed Collagen

Analysis of hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin, which was the main ingredient in the product, revealed several key compositional attributes supporting its suitability for functional ready-to-drink applications. The hydrolyzed collagen contained high levels of α-amino groups (2.00–2.62 mg/g) indicative of extensive peptide bond cleavage during enzymatic hydrolysis, which results in smaller peptides with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. It also exhibited a substantial hydroxyproline content (84.00–85.55 mg/g).

3.2. Participant Characteristics

Data on volunteer characteristics related to skin concerns are presented in

Table 2. Baseline characteristics of participants.

Parameters	Number of Participants (n = 36)	Percentage (%)
Age (year)
21–30	26	72.22
51–60	9	25.00
61–70	1	2.78
Gender
Female	22	61.11
Male	14	38.89
History of allergy
Food	1	2.78
Drug	2	5.55
None	33	91.67
History of skin care use
Serum	3	8.33
Gel	2	5.56
Lotion	1	2.78
None	30	83.33
Skin concern
Dark spots	9	25.00
Acnes/scars	7	19.44
Wrinkles	6	16.67
Pitted scars	6	16.67
Pores	3	8.33
Dry skin	2	5.55
Freckles	2	5.56
Sensitive skin	1	2.78

. The 30-day clinical study involved 36 Thai volunteers (22 females and 14 males), with ages ranging from 20 to 70, where most of them (72%) were between 21 and 30 years old. Before participating in the trial, volunteers were asked about their history of medication and food allergies. Two subjects reported medication allergies, one to ibuprofen and one to penicillin, and one to pickled crab. The remaining 33 subjects had no history of allergies. Only 17% of participants had prior experience with skincare products, such as serums (8%), gels (6%), and lotions (3%), while the remaining 83% had never used facial care products before this study. At baseline, the most common skin issues mentioned were dark spots (25%), acne/scars (19%), wrinkles and pitted scars (17% each), and dry skin (6%).

3.3. Facial Skin Assessments

All of the 36 participants had their facial skin characteristics subjectively evaluated on days 0, 15, and 30, and there were no adverse effects were reported during the study period (

Table 3. Adverse effect report during the clinical study of the collagen supplement drink.

Event Type	Definition	Observation Window	Reporting Mechanism	Responsible Staff	Number of Events
Adverse Event (AE)	abnormal acne flare-ups, red rashes, itching, facial or periorbital swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms indicating an adverse reaction to the product were considered	Entire study duration 1–30 days	Participant self-report, clinical observation recorded in case report form	Clinical research coordinators	0

). Facial skin photographs of six representative volunteers were captured at baseline (day 0), day 15, and day 30 following daily intake of the collagen supplement, as shown in Figure 1. Several facial skin concerns were observed to improve across different age groups. Participants in rows 1, 2, and 3 showed noticeable reductions in acne scars and skin roughness by day 30. Figure 2 presents representative facial skin images from participants captured on day 0, day 15, and day 30 using the facial skin analyzer. The images reveal changes in various skin parameters, including pore size, wrinkles, skin roughness, PL spots, PL sensitivity, UV acne, and UV spots. The number and prominence of facial pores were visibly reduced over the 30 days. The purple-colored areas on cheeks were noticeably reduced, indicating greater skin tightness, and probable lower sebum activity (Figure 2A). Fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on the forehead and around the eyes showed noticeable improvement as evidenced by reduced skin texture contrast and smoother, less defined wrinkle lines (Figure 2B). High-texture contrast areas which are highlighted in red and yellow at baseline were reduced by day 15, and faded by day 30. This indicates an improvement in the smoothness of skin surface due to increased hydration and epidermal renewal (Figure 2C). Figure 2D illustrates a decrease in the quantity and visibility of PL spots on the cheeks and chin by day 30, suggesting less pigmentation and more uniform skin tone. Under polarized light, a visible decrease in red-marked sensitive areas was observed from day 0 to day 30, particularly on the cheeks and nose, and these results indicate a reduction in inflammation and enhanced skin barrier function (Figure 2E). Fluorescent spots indicating UV acne were substantially reduced by day 30, particularly on the forehead and cheeks, demonstrating a protective effect of the collagen supplement and its potential to reduce post-acne marks (Figure 2F). UV spots, which were white clusters evident at baseline, decreased in both number and intensity over the 30 days, indicating a reduction in subsurface sun damage and improved skin photoprotection (Figure 2G).

In addition to assessing facial skin with the facial skin analyzer, skin moisture levels were measured using a skin moisture analyzer. The results from all 36 individuals were reported as percentages to facilitate clear comparison of changes over time (Figure 3). Skin moisture levels showed a slight decrease from day 0 (36.13 ± 2.55%) to day 15 (35.48 ± 4.36%) and slightly elevated by day 30 (36.44 ± 4.18%). Although the changes were not statistically significant, the trend suggests improved skin hydration following intake of collagen supplement over a longer period. The average pore size percentage increased slightly from baseline (31.93 ± 22.26%) to day 15 (32.71 ± 22.01%) and remained at similar levels at day 30 (32.92 ± 20.29%). Wrinkles and skin roughness percentages also decreased slightly over the 30-day period. PL spots and PL sensitivity values remained relatively constant throughout the study period compared to baseline, suggesting limited short-term effects of the collagen supplement on hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity.

A detailed analysis of volunteers who showed improvements in each skin parameters at 15 and 30 days revealed the following: At day 15 (Figure 4), 21 volunteers showed reduced skin sensitivity and increased hydration. At day 30 (Figure 5), the number of volunteers with increased hydration remained unchanged at 21. In contrast, from 15 to 30 days the number of volunteers with reduced pore size increased from 17 to 19, while those with reduced wrinkles rose from 13 to 17. Furthermore, out of all the parameters, two parameters that displayed the highest percentage of change in volunteers were wrinkle and pore size reduction (60.58 and 51.67%) (Figure 6).

3.4. Self-Perceived Satisfaction with Skin Improvements

The average satisfaction scores received from volunteers after consuming the collagen supplement drink for 15 and 30 days are shown in Figure 7. Overall, volunteers reported progressive improvements in almost all of the skin parameters assessed. The highest level of satisfaction scores was given to moisture content, where the scores increased from day 15 to day 30, indicating an important increase in skin hydration. Skin roughness also demonstrated a notable rise in satisfaction scores, indicating a perceived smoother texture over time. By day 30, satisfaction scores for pore size, wrinkles, and acne had increased slightly, while the satisfaction scores for spots remained unchanged. These findings confirmed that the participants subjective impressions of skin augmentation were consistent with objective measurements and visual observations.

3.5. Consumer Satisfaction with Product Characteristics

Volunteers rated the taste, odor and smell of the ready-to-drink collagen drink after 30 days of consumption. The results shown in Figure 8 reveals that color received the highest satisfaction score, followed by taste, while odor received the lowest rating. Although the overall impression was positive, the results suggest that improving the product’s odor could increase consumer acceptance and satisfaction.

4. Discussion

The seafood processing industry generates enormous volumes of by-products, contributing to environmental pollution and resource inefficiency [15]. Upcycling fish skin into hydrolyzed collagen for nutraceutical use incorporates circular economy principles by creating value from waste. This creates a sustainable pathway by reusing substantial fish industry by-products, linking skin nourishment outcomes, nutraceutical innovation, and industrial sustainability through circular resource use. Converting these by-products into nutraceutical-grade collagen accomplishes both environmental and health objectives. However, despite clear potential, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies of fish-derived collagen remain limited. One laboratory-scale LCA (codfish skin) reported environmental impacts ranging from 1.00 to 1.18 kg CO₂-eq per gram of collagen, with extraction and purification, especially energy-intensive freeze-drying, accounting for ~70% of impact [16].

The hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin contained various amino acids and especially high levels of α-amino groups in smaller peptides with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. A hallmark amino acid of collagen, reflecting the preservation of collagen-specific sequences is essential for supporting skin, joint, and connective tissue health. The amino acid profile was balanced and enriched in glycine, proline, and alanine, which collectively contribute to the characteristic triple-helix structure of collagen and play critical roles in maintaining skin elasticity, hydration, and tissue repair [16,17,18]. C-Shortz^®, a ready-to-drink supplement formulated with hydrolyzed collagen along with vitamins and other skin-beneficial ingredients, has been developed to enhance palatability in terms of taste and texture to better meet consumer preferences. In this study, a daily dose of 7500 mg hydrolyzed fish collagen was selected, as it lies within the evidence-based effective range (2500–10,000 mg/day) reported in prior clinical trials. This mid-to-upper range dosage was chosen to ensure sufficient intake of collagen-specific amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) while maintaining feasibility in a single ready-to-drink serving [19,20,21,22]. From the results of clinical evaluation of various skin parameters, all 36 participants enrolled in this study reported no allergic reactions or adverse effects associated with the intake of C-Shortz^® throughout the study period, which is consistent with findings from a previous study. This previous study found that daily oral intake of a freshwater fish-derived collagen not only improves skin hydration but also reduces wrinkle depth and increases elasticity in people with photo-aged skin without causing any side effects [23]. Improvements in wrinkles, as well as enhanced overall skin brightness, were observed in volunteers corresponding to the study of Yvonne et al. (2021) [24]. Clinical studies have demonstrated that collagen peptide supplementation combined with micronutrients can reduce wrinkle depth and improve skin hydration in aging women after a 12-week application. Similarly, hydrolyzed collagen supplementation has been proven to significantly improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle appearance within 28 to 56 days of use, with no side effects [25]. In this study, the ready-to-drink hydrolyzed collagen supplement contains vitamin C and vitamin E, both of which play supportive roles in promoting collagen synthesis. Vitamin C has demonstrated potent antioxidant and antiglycation effects, particularly at low concentrations, suggesting a protective role in preserving collagen integrity and combating oxidative skin aging [26]. Vitamin E has also shown the ability to mitigate oxidative skin damage induced by UV radiation and pollution, thereby helping to preserve collagen structure and maintain skin barrier integrity [27,28]. It should be noted, however, that the formulation contained multiple ingredients; therefore, the observed benefits cannot be attributed solely to collagen. Vitamins, antioxidants such as glutathione, and dietary fibers have also been reported to exert beneficial effects on skin health, hydration, and oxidative balance, and may have contributed synergistically to the outcomes observed in this study [29,30,31]. Consequently, these results should be interpreted as reflecting the combined action of the ingredients rather than the isolated effect of collagen.

The images reveal changes in various skin parameters, including pore size, wrinkles, skin roughness, PL spots, PL sensitivity, UV acne, and UV spots. Jung et al. (2021) discovered that ingestion of enzymatically decomposed collagen peptides could increase skin hydration and reduce skin roughness by increasing ceramide levels in the stratum corneum, resulting in the promotion of enhanced skin barrier function [32]. In a recent study, visible improvements in wrinkles, skin elasticity, and overall skin quality were observed after consistent daily intake of collagen peptides, vitamins, and minerals over a full 3-month period, underscoring the importance of sustained supplementation in anti-aging skincare [33]. Accordingly, the relatively short duration of one month in the present study may explain the absence of more pronounced effects, indicating the need for longer-term continuous intake to achieve clearer outcomes.

In this study, the participants were primarily divided into two age groups: young adults aged 20–30 years and older adults aged 50–70 years. Age appeared to be an important factor influencing the response to the product. Among younger participants, improvements were more evident in acne scars and pore appearance, while reductions in wrinkles were less pronounced. In contrast, participants in the older age group exhibited clearer improvements in wrinkle reduction; however, since acne is uncommon at this stage of life, no substantial differences were observed in acne-related outcomes. The lack of response observed in some participants may be explained by both internal and external factors influencing skin condition, as revealed through post-intervention interviews regarding daily activities and lifestyle. Internal factors included interindividual differences such as sex, age, ethnicity, genetics, skin type, and hormonal status, all of which may have contributed to varied responses to collagen supplementation. External factors were also identified, such as frequent outdoor activities (e.g., gardening, traveling, outdoor sports) without adequate sun protection or use of low-efficacy sunscreens, leading to skin dullness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkle formation. Additional external contributors included prolonged screen exposure, insufficient sleep, low water intake, and psychological stress related to study or work. The use of certain facial cleansers that impaired skin hydration and barrier function, resulting in dryness and acne was also reported. Furthermore, dietary habits, particularly frequent consumption of foods high in sugar, fat, or salt, were associated with premature skin aging, excess sebum production, and acne development. Collectively, these intrinsic and extrinsic factors likely account for the heterogeneity in the skin responses of volunteers to collagen supplementation [34,35,36].

A limitation of this study was the imbalance in age and sex distribution among participants, both of which are known to influence skin-related outcomes. Other limitations included the small sample size, lack of a control group, and short intervention period. Furthermore, skincare product use by a subset of participants may have acted as a confounder. Considering these limitations, larger, multi-center studies with adequate sample sizes are required to perform robust subgroup and covariate analyses.

Future studies should therefore consider recruiting participants with more balanced demographic characteristics to better capture differential responses. In addition, only a limited set of skin parameters was assessed, which may not fully reflect the breadth of product effects. Incorporating more comprehensive skin analyses, such as measurements of facial skin elasticity, could enhance the accuracy and depth of findings. Finally, the relatively short duration of this study may have limited the ability to detect longer-term effects; thus, extending the study period is recommended to provide clearer and more conclusive evidence.

5. Conclusions

The 30-day study demonstrated that daily consumption of a collagen supplement drink containing fish skin hydrolyzed collagen in combination with vitamins, glutathione, and psyllium was associated with improvements in both objectively measured and self-perceived facial skin parameters. Facial skin analysis and moisture evaluation found trends toward greater hydration, a reduction in pores and smoother skin texture. Although some changes were modest and not statistically significant, the overall direction of improvement was consistent across multiple indicators. Additionally, participants reported high levels of satisfaction, particularly with moisture content and skin smoothness. However, the relatively small sample size reduces the statistical power to detect modest effects and may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future studies with larger sample sizes, multi-center settings, and randomized controlled designs are warranted to validate and extend these findings. Importantly, the use of fish skin, which is typically discarded as waste, as a source of hydrolyzed collagen demonstrates the value of upcycling food industry by-products. This strategy not only increases the economic worth of residual materials, but it also helps to reduce food waste and promotes sustainable development goals. Even though this study was exploratory in nature, these findings highlight the potential trend of fish-derived collagen-based multi-ingredient supplements, as they can improve skin health, enhance consumer satisfaction, and advance environmental sustainability through responsible natural resource use.