Dermatologist Explains Why Collagen Creams Are ‘Useless’ For Wrinkles—And What To Use Instead For Plump Skin
October 6, 2025 by Mariam Qayum
If you’ve been debating whether collagen creams can erase wrinkles, dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss is here to clear things up. In a viral video, she breaks down what really works—and what’s mostly hype—when it comes to keeping mature skin plump, firm, and youthful.
Many people assume that applying collagen topically will boost their skin’s firmness, but Dr. Idriss says otherwise. “Collagen is useless when it comes to your wrinkles,” she explains. The molecules are simply too large to penetrate the skin, meaning slathering on a jar of collagen cream won’t smooth out lines or restore firmness.
Instead, the focus should be on stimulating your skin to produce its own collagen, which is what really helps with lines and wrinkles over time.
Collagen Peptides: A Small BoostWhile collagen itself doesn’t absorb well, collagen peptides are different. Dr. Idriss notes that they can stimulate collagen production, though she warns that the evidence is modest. “It’s not going to be like a ‘wham, bam, boom’—it’s a subtle effect,” she says. Think of it as giving your skin a little nudge rather than a miracle cure.