Skin, hair and nails: vitamin C, biotin, zinc and selenium

Collagen as a structural protein

Collagen is a structural protein and one of the most common proteins in the human body. It is found in skin, tendons, cartilage and bones, among other places. The body produces collagen itself. There is no authorised health claim for collagen as an ingredient of a food supplement, nor for hyaluronic acid. By contrast, claims for certain vitamins and minerals are authorised, but only if a daily serving supplies at least 15% of the nutrient reference value (NRV).

In Vita Pro Collagen, vitamin C, biotin, zinc and selenium meet this condition. This guide is about these four nutrients. You can find the complete list of all ingredients in the guide Ingredients of Pro Collagen.

Vitamin C and collagen formation

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found mainly in fruit and vegetables. A daily serving of Pro Collagen contains 80 mg of vitamin C, which is 100% of the reference value.

Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.

This claim is particularly interesting for collagen products because it describes the link between a vitamin and the body's own collagen formation. Another authorised claim for vitamin C relates to energy in everyday life: Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

The authorised claims are precisely worded. We therefore reproduce them word for word and list each effect as a separate sentence. A claim always applies only to the nutrient named, not to the product as a whole and not to collagen or hyaluronic acid.

Biotin for skin and hair

Biotin is one of the water-soluble B vitamins and is also called vitamin B7 or vitamin H. Pro Collagen contains 75 µg of biotin per daily serving, which is 150% of the reference value. Two claims apply to biotin, which we list separately here:

• Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
• Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

Zinc and selenium: two trace elements

Zinc for skin, hair and nails

Zinc is a trace element that the body cannot produce itself and must take in with food. Pro Collagen contains it as zinc oxide, 5 mg per daily serving. This corresponds to 50% of the reference value. Zinc is the only one of the four nutrients for which claims relating to all three areas, skin, hair and nails, are authorised:

• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.

Selenium for hair and nails

Selenium is also a trace element. Pro Collagen contains selenium from selenium yeast, 27.5 µg per daily serving. That is 50% of the reference value. These claims apply to selenium:

• Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
• Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.

The four nutrients at a glance

The table summarises the amount, reference value and authorised claims for a daily serving of 2 capsules.

In addition to these four nutrients, Pro Collagen contains other ingredients such as collagen UC-II®, 180 mg of hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin and pine bark extract with OPC. There are no authorised claims for them. The table therefore shows in full which claims on skin, hair and nails apply to Pro Collagen. There are no further claims on this topic. A capsule with a different focus is Vita Collagen Hair & Nails.

Where the four nutrients occur in the diet

You also take in vitamin C, biotin, zinc and selenium with perfectly normal foods. A varied diet therefore remains the basis, and a food supplement is only added as a supplement.

• Vitamin C: mainly in fresh fruit and vegetables, for example in peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits and berries. Vitamin C is sensitive to heat, so more of it is retained when eaten raw or gently cooked.
• Biotin: in eggs, nuts, oat flakes and pulses, among other foods.
• Zinc: in meat, cheese, wholegrain products, pulses and seeds.
• Selenium: in fish, eggs and meat, and in plant foods in varying amounts depending on the selenium content of the soil.

If you eat a one-sided diet, eat little fresh fruit and vegetables or avoid certain food groups, you can use a food supplement to supplement your intake in a targeted way. If you use several preparations, check the total amount per day, especially for zinc and selenium.

What a capsule does not replace

Food supplements do not replace a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. This includes sufficient sleep, enough fluids throughout the day and regular exercise. For the skin, the following also applies: a capsule replaces neither your skincare nor good sun protection. It supplements your nutrient intake from your diet. If you have persistent problems with your skin, hair or nails, please have the cause checked by a doctor.

Regularity is important. The manufacturer recommends courses of at least 60 days. Pro Collagen is also recommended for long-term use. You can read how many packs you need for this in the guide Intake and dosage. You can find more products relating to collagen under Collagen & Beauty.