Gelita launches bioactive collagen peptide to support skin barrier function

Gelita has introduced Curaderm, a new bioactive collagen peptide to support skin healing, atopic-prone skin, and gum health. The company says it is the first collagen peptide with scientifically substantiated results that promise evidence-based positioning for skin and gum care concepts. 

Curaderm is designed to support the structural integrity of barrier tissues. According to Gelita, it strengthens the body’s natural defense and repair systems from within by promoting collagen production and extracellular matrix formation. 

Martin Walter, category manager Healthy Aging and Sports Nutrition, tells Nutrition Insight the solution tackles “the serious side of skin care.”

“We’re looking into skin barrier function, and that is relevant for acute or chronic wounds and improving the healing process,” he details. “It also covers aspects such as gum health in your mouth, and also looks at diseases like atopic dermatitis.”

“We’re seeing great effects in reducing medication, but also reducing the red spots that you usually have on your skin. It’s a huge burden for the population suffering from this disease.”

The new solution is a move away from beauty support, where Gelita offers its flagship brand Verisol. Walter notes that this bioactive collagen peptide has a dose of 2.5 g, while Curaderm has a 5–10 g dose, to support barrier function-related benefits.

Improving skin barrier function

Gelita notes that skin barrier function is crucial to maintaining tissue integrity, regulating inflammation, and enabling effective regeneration.

Martin Walter, category manager Healthy Aging and Sports Nutrition at Gelita.When this system is compromised, it can lead to conditions like impaired wound healing and atopic-prone skin. Also known as atopic dermatitis or eczema, this condition is characterized by dry skin, compromised skin barriers, and a highly reactive immune system.

Gelita highlights that emerging science links these conditions to a weakened barrier structure, chronic inflammation, and insufficient tissue regeneration. The company says Curaderm addresses these issues by supporting tissue strength, inflammatory response, and effective regeneration.

Curaderm is designed to support collagen formation and extracellular matrix integrity to create a more resilient skin environment that can better withstand external triggers. As such, it contributes to reduced transepidermal water loss, lower inflammatory stress, and improved skin stability.

Moreover, the solution promotes an “optimal biological environment for repair,” says Gelita. It stimulates cells involved in wound healing, such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and supports angiogenesis — growth of blood vessels — and modulates inflammation to support efficient healing.

In oral health, Curaderm strengthens the gums’ connective tissue and supports the regulation of inflammatory processes. Gelita states that the solution enhances the body’s ability to maintain strong, healthy gums over time, when used alongside daily oral care or professional treatment.

Beyond beauty

Although collagen is well-known for its beauty benefits, Walter tells us Gelita is observing an increased interest in collagen for sports and activity support, with a strong focus on recovery.

“About 50% of all injuries that happen in sports are related to connective tissue. And that is a huge topic, not only for elite athletes, but also for those who want to train safely and start doing exercise, and the aging athlete,” he says.

Curaderm supports skin barrier integrity through tissue strength, inflammatory response, and effective regeneration (Image credit: Gelita).“For them, connective tissue is very important to stay injury-free, and that is where Gelita has developed great solutions with TendoForte, supporting ligaments and tendons. We also look into supporting overall muscle health, so looking at this entire musculoskeletal system.”

Walter adds that sports nutrition is also moving away from only focusing on joints and bone health. “We’re talking about recovery already, but there’s more to come.”

“We are looking at the cellular level and what is happening there. Longevity is a big topic, and collagen has a meaningful role in that field as well,” he adds. “We’re also conducting research looking into mitochondrial health, which is part of the future innovation pipeline of Gelita.”

As collagen innovation continues to evolve, so are consumer questions about the efficacy of these products. We recently spoke with collagen suppliers about building consumer trust amid collagen scrutiny. Oliver Wolf, in charge of global product promotion at Gelita, told us that the company is maintaining close collaboration with customers and monitors market expectations to develop solutions for increasingly informed consumers.

“They understand that collagen peptides are not all the same, and they actively look for products that are backed by solid scientific evidence and a clear mechanism of action,” he said.

Nutrition companies are also innovating in delivery formats for beauty-from-within solutions like collagen. For example, Geltor launched a collagen shot to support skin health, while DolCas BIotech offers a “flavorless” bioactive collagen in a sachet format.