Does Bone Broth Really Help Your Skin?

Bone broth is often described as a shortcut to better skin. We understand the appeal. A warm cup feels good, and broth made from bones does contain some of the building blocks associated with collagen. But it is a big jump from that fact to saying a cup of broth will smooth wrinkles.

Where the skin claim comes from

Collagen is part of the structure of skin. When you eat it, your body digests it rather than sending it straight to your face. Your body uses nutrients from your whole diet to maintain its tissues. Harvard Health explains the distinction between eating collagen and proving a visible skin benefit.

Most of the skin studies people quote tested measured doses of collagen supplements, not bowls of broth. Some trials found improvements in skin hydration or elasticity. A 2025 review of those trials found that the better-quality studies and studies without industry funding did not show a clear benefit. That makes a confident anti-aging promise difficult even for supplements.

Broth is not a collagen supplement

The amount of collagen-related amino acids in broth varies with the bones, the amount of water and the way it is made. In a study that tested bone broths, the amounts were inconsistent and generally lower than the dose of collagen supplement used for comparison. You cannot assume a serving of broth matches the dose used in a skin trial.

Broth can still earn its place at the table because it tastes good and makes cooking easier. Our beef bone broth is made to be sipped or used in cooking. If you prefer something lighter, try the chicken bone broth. Both sit in our bone broth collection.

What is a fair expectation?

Enjoy broth because you like the taste or because it makes a meal easier to put together. There is no good evidence that drinking it reverses skin aging. If you are wondering when you might notice a change, our article on how long bone broth takes to show results looks at that question without promising a deadline.