Postpartum Collagen Loss: What Happens to Your Skin After Pregnancy (and How to Support It)

If your skin feels different after pregnancy, you are not imagining it. Many new mothers notice that their postpartum skin feels drier, less “bouncy,” or more lined, and that stretch marks look more obvious than they expected. If you are breastfeeding, you may feel like your body is working hard to recover and make milk at the same time.

A lot of this ties back to collagen, hormones, nutrient depletion, gut health, and the realities of postpartum recovery. This article breaks down what we know about postpartum collagen loss, why postpartum skin changes are so common, how the gut skin axis fits in, and where collagen supplementation, including products like She’s Glowing™ Daily Collagen & Fiber Powder, can support your skin and digestion from the inside out.

During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high. Estrogen supports skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity by influencing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production. That’s why we commonly reference a “pregnancy glow”. After birth, estrogen and progesterone drop sharply. If you are breastfeeding, prolactin keeps estrogen lower for longer, which can mean drier skin, more sensitivity, and slower tissue healing in some women. (1)

Dermatology and hormone experts note that in the postpartum and lactating period, low estrogen can reduce production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin and can increase transepidermal water loss. That combination can leave skin feeling flaky, dull, or “tired.” (1,2)

At the same time, your body is:

• Healing from pregnancy and birth

• Providing calories, protein, and micronutrients for breast milk

• Coping with interrupted sleep and irregular meals

In other estrogen-deficient states, such as menopause, studies show a measurable decline in skin collagen content and thickness and an increase in wrinkling and dryness. (2) Postpartum is not menopause, but it shares similar hormone patterns: lower estrogen, higher demand on tissues, and visible changes in skin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding both raise your needs for protein, vitamin C, zinc, and other nutrients that support collagen formation and tissue repair. When intake does not fully match demand, which is common when you are caring for a newborn, you may notice:

• Slower wound healing

• Skin that feels “crepey” or less firm

• More visible fine lines or texture changes

This shows that your body is prioritizing survival-level work like healing and milk production first. Cosmetic recovery often lags behind.

Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum in pregnancy, are one of the most visible signs of structural skin change. They often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs and shift from reddish or purple lines to lighter, more scar-like streaks over time.

Histology studies of stretch marks show:

• Disruption and disorganization of collagen bundles in the dermis

• Changes in elastic fibers

• Thinning of parts of the dermis and local inflammation (3,4,5)

Rapid mechanical stretching, hormonal influences, genetic predisposition, and possible local inflammation all contribute to the development of stretch marks. (3,4,5) Some people are simply more prone to them than others.

There is currently no cream, oil, or supplement that can guarantee you will avoid stretch marks. What you can do is support the quality and repair of your skin structure over time through adequate protein intake, micronutrients, gentle movement, and targeted tools like collagen supplementation in your postpartum recovery plan.

Postpartum is also a major transition for your gut. Hormonal changes, shifts in diet, sleep disruption, stress, and possible peripartum antibiotics can all affect your microbiome and digestion.

Research on the gut skin axis describes a two-way communication system between gut microbes and the skin. Microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can influence skin barrier integrity, immune signaling, and inflammation. (6,7,8,9)

Key ideas from this research:

• A balanced and diverse gut microbiome is associated with healthier, more resilient skin and better barrier function. (6,7,9)

• SCFAs such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, produced when bacteria ferment dietary fiber, appear to support skin barrier integrity and regulate inflammatory pathways that affect the skin. (7,8,9)

• Diet patterns that include more fiber-rich plant foods may support both gut comfort and overall skin health. (6,7,9)

For many postpartum and breastfeeding mothers who are dealing with constipation, bloating, or irregular digestion, this is not just a comfort issue. Supporting gut health can also support the internal environment that helps collagen and elastin do their work underneath the skin.

She’s Glowing was formulated with this gut-skin axis in mind. Each stick contains hydrolyzed VERISOL® Collagen Peptides, Solnul® Prebiotic Fiber, Dermaval® Superfood Complex, plus Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. It is designed as a daily collagen and fiber powder that targets skin elasticity and firmness, and also provides gentle prebiotic support for the gut.*

Collagen is the main structural protein in your skin and connective tissue. As you age, collagen production naturally declines, and the quality of collagen changes. Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding add extra demand on top of this, because your body is repairing stretched tissue and using amino acids to produce breast milk. (2)

Most clinical trials on collagen supplementation are in the general adult population, often in women with visible signs of skin aging. Taken together, they offer useful guidance when you are thinking about the best collagen for women in the postpartum period.

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials found that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation significantly improved skin hydration and skin elasticity compared to placebo. (10)

• A recent meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials reported that collagen supplements significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles. (11,12)

• Reviews of these trials note that hydrolyzed collagen peptides in doses of about 2.5 to 10 grams per day for at least 8 to 12 weeks provide the most consistent benefits for skin hydration and elasticity. (10,12)

In other words, collagen supplementation is not a quick fix, but when taken consistently, it has measurable effects on skin parameters in many participants. This is why collagen supplementation is often included in routines that target skin aging and firmness.

If you are breastfeeding and considering collagen supplementation as part of your postpartum recovery and skin support plan, it can help to:

• Review the ingredient panel for potential allergens or unnecessary additives

• Choose products that use hydrolyzed collagen peptides with supporting data for skin

• Talk with your own provider if you have any underlying conditions or concerns

She’s Glowing uses VERISOL® Collagen Peptides, which have been studied for effects on skin elasticity, wrinkles, and dermal collagen density, and combines them with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid for additional support around collagen formation and skin hydration.* It also layers in Solnul® Prebiotic Fiber and Dermaval® Superfood Complex, so you are not only getting collagen, but also gut and antioxidant support in the same daily stick.*

There are many practical ways to support postpartum skin and gut health while you feed your baby.

Your body needs extra calories and amino acids for tissue repair and breast milk production. Aim to include a protein source at meals and snacks such as eggs, poultry, fish, Greek yogurt, beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh. This supplies the building blocks for your own collagen and for your milk.

Fruits, vegetables, oats, beans, nuts, and seeds provide fiber and prebiotic carbohydrates that feed beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce SCFAs that can help regulate inflammation and support both gut and skin barrier function. (6,7,8,9)

If it is hard to meet fiber goals with food alone during postpartum recovery, a gentle prebiotic such as the Solnul®Prebiotic Fiber in She’s Glowing can be one way to nudge the gut in a better direction while you also work toward more plants on your plate.

Breastfeeding raises fluid needs, but it can be easy to forget to drink water between feeds. Many mothers find it helpful to attach hydration habits to moments that already happen, such as feeding, pumping, or sitting down to rest. Mixing one She’s Glowing stick with 8 to 12 ounces of water can turn one of those moments into a collagen supplementation and hydration break that also supports gut health.

Collagen synthesis requires nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper. Citrus, berries, bell peppers, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds are all useful here. She’s Glowing includesVitamin C alongside the VERISOL® Collagen Peptides to support this process.

Gentle movement, such as walking once you are cleared by your provider, can support circulation, digestion, and mood. Rest, including short naps and realistic expectations about what you can do in a day, can help keep stress hormones from staying elevated. Chronic stress and severe sleep deprivation can affect both skin and gut. This is not about perfection. It is about doing what you can in a season that is already demanding a lot from you.

Food, hydration, and rest are always the foundation. A targeted product can sit on top of that foundation and make it easier to stay consistent. She’s Glowing Daily Collagen & Fiber Powder was designed with postpartum skin, gut health, and breastfeeding in mind.

Each stick provides:

• VERISOL® Bovine Collagen Peptides for skin elasticity and firmness*

• Solnul® Prebiotic Fiber for gut support*

• Dermaval® Superfood Complex to help protect collagen and elastin*

• Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C to support skin hydration and collagen formation*

You add it to water, it tastes like tropical fruit, and it fits into the pockets of time that actually exist in early motherhood.

1. Rajab F. Managing postpregnancy hormonal skin issues in breastfeeding women. Dermatology Times. 2022. Available at: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/managing-postpregnancy-hormonal-skin-issues-in-breastfeeding-women Dermatology Times
   
   

2. Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinology. 2013;5(2):264-270. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772914/ enCORE Therapy
   
   

3. StatPearls. Striae Distensae. Updated 2025. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436005/ NCBI
   
   

4. Wang F, et al. Marked disruption and aberrant regulation of elastic fibres in early striae gravidarum. British Journal of Dermatology. 2015. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26179468/ PubMed
   
   

5. DermNet NZ. Stretch marks (striae). 2023. Available at: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/stretch-marks-striae DermNet®
   
   

6. Jimenez-Sanchez M, et al. The gut skin axis: a bidirectional, microbiota-driven communication pathway. mSystems. 2025. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11901370/ PMC
   
   

7. Trompette A, et al. Gut-derived short-chain fatty acids modulate skin barrier integrity by promoting keratinocyte metabolism and differentiation. Mucosal Immunology. 2022. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35672452/ PubMed
   
   

8. Xiao X, et al. The role of short-chain fatty acids in inflammatory skin diseases. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2023. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1083432/full Frontiers
   
   

9. Nambidi S, et al. A review of short-chain fatty acids in gut and skin. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2025. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625003524 ScienceDirect
   
   

10. Pu SY, et al. Effects of oral collagen for skin anti-aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Dermatology. 2023. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180699/ PMC+1
    
    

11. Myung SK, et al. Effects of collagen supplements on skin aging: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Medicine. 2025. Available at: https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(25)00283-9/abstract American Journal of Medicine
    
    

12. HealthCert. Collagen for skin and joint health. 2025. Available at: https://www.healthcert.com/blog/collagen-skin-joint-health HealthCert