The science
behind juhst.
We are not a wellness brand with a science page. We are a science-led brand with wellness products. There's a difference.
Why topical skincare
alone is not enough
Skin is an organ. It is built from the inside out — in the dermis, not the epidermis. The structural proteins that give skin its firmness, elasticity, and thickness — principally Type 1 and Type 3 collagen — are synthesised by dermal fibroblasts that sit below the reach of any cream, serum, or moisturiser.
This is not a critique of skincare. It is a description of biology.
Juhst's system is built on both: internal cellular support + topical surface science, working in parallel.
Outer skin layers — barrier function, hydration, pigmentation control
← Topical products act hereCollagen + elastin matrix. Structural integrity. Dermal Fibroblasts produce new collagen here.
← Marine collagen peptides act hereSubcutaneous fat and connective tissue
Does oral collagen
actually work?
The most common objection: "it just gets broken down into amino acids in digestion, same as any protein." This objection is scientifically outdated by approximately 15 years.
The mechanism was clarified through isotope-labelling studies in the 2010s. Hydrolyzed collagen — particularly collagen tripeptides — is digested into specific dipeptides: Pro-Hyp (Prolyl-Hydroxyproline) and Hyp-Gly (Hydroxyprolyl-Glycine). These are not ordinary amino acids.
Dipeptides survive digestion
Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly are resistant to complete digestion and enter systemic circulation intact. They are detectable in blood plasma within 1-2 hours of ingestion.
They signal fibroblasts
Once in circulation, these dipeptides reach the dermis and signal dermal fibroblasts to produce new collagen. They act as biological messengers — not just raw material.
Clinical trial evidence
Oral collagen supplementation (5-10g/day) has been shown in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to significantly improve skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density.
Marine-derived collagen (primarily Type 1) is extracted from fish skin and scales. It has a smaller average molecular weight than bovine or porcine collagen, which affects bioavailability and absorption speed.
BOVINE
Bovine Collagen
- Larger molecular weight
- Type 1 + Type 3
- Lower bioavailability
- Slower gut absorption
JUHST USES THIS ✓
Marine Collagen
- Smaller molecular weight — crosses gut-blood barrier more efficiently
- Dominant Type 1 — 80-85% of dermal collagen is Type 1
- Higher bioavailability
- Faster absorption into systemic circulation
PLANT-BASED
Plant "Collagen"
- Contains no collagen
- Supports collagen production only
- No direct peptide delivery
- Useful — but not equivalent
Juhst Collagen Wellness Elixir contains 8,000mg of hydrolyzed marine collagen per serving — within the 5–10g clinical range established in peer-reviewed supplementation trials.
Why probiotics are in
a collagen supplement
Systemic inflammation
Dysbiosis (disrupted gut flora) increases intestinal permeability and systemic inflammatory markers, which worsen acne, rosacea, and eczema.
De Luca & Shoenfeld, Clin Dermatol, 2019
Nutrient absorption
Collagen peptide uptake, Vitamin C absorption, and zinc bioavailability are all partially mediated by gut microbiome health. If your gut flora is compromised, your supplement absorption is compromised.
Formulation rationale — Collagen Wellness Elixir
Juhst Collagen Wellness Elixir includes an 18-strain probiotic complex (10 billion CFU) specifically to ensure that the collagen and micronutrients in each serving are absorbed as effectively as possible. This is not a wellness add-on — it is a formulation decision.
How our skincare actives
were chosen
Every active in Juhst's skincare range was selected on three criteria: there is published efficacy data, it is appropriate for Indian skin phototypes (Fitzpatrick III–V), and it earns its concentration — we do not use token amounts of actives for label appeal.
| ACTIVE | CONC. | FUNCTION & EVIDENCE BASIS |
|---|---|---|
| NaturePep Ganoderma (Reishi Mushroom Peptide) |
1% | Upregulates P4HA1 gene (collagen formation) by 195%. Reduces wrinkle volume 30% and melanin 8.4% at Day 28. |
| Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) | 4% (Hydrême) |
Inhibits melanosome transfer, regulates sebum, reinforces barrier. Effective range 2–5% for Indian skin phototypes. Above 5% increases flush risk in sensitive skin. |
| Centella Asiatica | 1% | Asiaticoside and madecassoside fractions stimulate collagen synthesis and wound healing. Long-established use in barrier-compromised skin. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate (LMW) | 1% | Low molecular weight variant penetrates epidermis. Maintains dermal hydration and reduces TEWL. Works at multiple skin depth levels unlike HMW HA. |
| Retinol | 0.3% (Illume Radiance) |
Accelerates cell turnover, stimulates collagen synthesis, reduces hyperpigmentation. At 0.3% — the EU regulatory maximum for face products. Formulated for the delicate peri-ocular area. |
| Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) | 0.5% (Serum Trinité) |
A retinol ester — converts to retinoic acid in skin. Gentler than retinol, suitable for daily AM/PM use. Improves texture and cell turnover with lower irritation risk. |
| Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) | 5% (Serum Trinité) |
Lipid-soluble antioxidant. Protects against UV and pollution-induced oxidative damage. Enhances collagen synthesis. At 5%, it is a functional dose — not a trace addition. |
| Fensibiome™ (Acetyl Heptapeptide-4) | 1% (Illume Radiance) |
A bioengineered peptide that reinforces skin microbiome balance, strengthens barrier function, and reduces inflammation. Clinically studied for peri-ocular application. |
| Ceramides | 1% (Illume Radiance) |
Lipid components of the skin barrier. Restore barrier integrity in compromised or thin skin. Particularly important for the under-eye area which lacks sebaceous glands. |
Honesty is a formulation
principle, not a posture
Here is what Juhst does not do.
We do not use actives at token concentrations to appear on an ingredient label. Every active is present at a functional dose.
We do not make claims our formulations cannot support. Where we use study data, we cite the source and are explicit that ingredient-level studies are not the same as product-level trials.
We do not use the EU banned cosmetic ingredients list as a marketing tool — listing things we don't use. We use it as a formulation baseline: the minimum standard, not the selling point.
We do not use melatonin (Schedule H drug in India), collagen-boosting botanicals as substitutes for collagen itself, or any preservatives above safe-use limits.
We will tell you when a product is not right for you. See the "Is this right for you?" section on every product page.
Made to a standard,
not a price point
All Juhst products are manufactured under WHO-GMP certified conditions. The skincare range is formulated to European cosmetic standards. The Collagen Wellness Elixir is compliant with FSSAI Schedule I guidelines.
Ingredients are globally sourced where the best-quality material exists — marine collagen from cold-water fish, Ganoderma peptide from controlled cultivation — and manufactured in India.
FSSAI Schedule I
Collagen Wellness Elixir is registered and compliant as a nutraceutical supplement under Indian FSSAI Schedule I guidelines.
European Cosmetic Benchmarks
All three topical products are formulated to European cosmetic standards — including EU Annex III concentration limits for actives such as retinol.
WHO-GMP Certified
All our products are manufactured at WHO-GMP certified facility.














