At this point, we've learned plenty about what collagen can do for your skin, but, as I recently discovered, it also has a place in your haircare routine. While, no, it's not 100% necessary that you try it, I can say firsthand that I noticed a big positive difference in my normally dry strands once I gave it a shot.
The product I decided to give a spin with it is Gisou's Honey Gloss Collagen Drops ($25). My hair was a little dull and dry at the time and I needed a serious pick-me-up. I was curious if a collagen-infused hair oil would even do anything, but to my surprise, these drops provided just the amount of hydration, shine, softness, and smoothing that I needed! Using them along with the rest of Gisou's honey-infused products changed my hair for the better. If you're also curious about what collagen can do for your hair, keep reading, I'm sharing expert insight on this below along with more of my thoughts on the drops.
Is collagen really good for your hair?
While I definitely noticed some great benefits after using these collagen drops, there's actually a lot to unpack here when it comes to the topic of collagen in haircare. I asked trichologist, master stylist, and co-founder of Aware Hair Tina Mui for her expert insight on this. "Collagen has become such a focus in skincare because it’s one of the major structural proteins in the skin and naturally declines with age and environmental damage," she explains. "But hair is different. The hair fiber itself is primarily made of keratin, not collagen. In haircare, I think of collagen much more as a protein treatment than a 'collagen treatment.' It’s typically used in a hydrolyzed form, meaning the collagen has been broken down into smaller peptides that can interact more readily with the hair fiber."
Mui then explained that these peptides can deposit themselves onto damaged or porous areas of the hair, improving smoothness, softness, shine, and overall manageability. "From my experience, collagen is best viewed as a cosmetic ingredient for fiber conditioning and temporary strengthening/reinforcement," she continues. Not only that, collagen can provide conditioning benefits for the scalp. Hydrolyzed collagen supports surface hydration so it's particularly good for dryness around that area. "I think the important distinction is that topical collagen can be a useful conditioning ingredient for both the hair and scalp, but it isn’t repairing hair from the inside out or directly stimulating hair growth," she adds.
Because of this, Mui said she wouldn't go running to the store to buy a hair product just because it contains collagen, but it is a nice addition if you are looking for added surface hydration. "I find it most relevant for someone whose hair isn’t heavily color-treated or chemically processed, but has become dry, rough, or harder to manage from regular heat styling or everyday wear," she says. "In that case, hydrolyzed collagen can make sense in a conditioner, mask, or leave-in as a way to support hair that needs a little more conditioning without necessarily requiring an intensive repair treatment.
Gisou Honey Gloss Collagen Drops
All that said, I think these Gisou collagen drops are so nice as a finishing oil after I do my regular haircare routine. They add a lot of hydration, shine, and softness to my curls without weighing them down which is super key. The thing I was concerned about was Mui's observation that collagen acts like hydrolyzed protein on the hair. My hair is low porosity and pretty protein-sensitive, so for that reason, I use these drops sparingly.
If you don't have low porosity hair, however, these will be great for everyday shine and hydration. Additionally, you get another hefty dose of hydration from the brand's signature Mirasalehi honey, which is sourced from founder Negin Mirsalehi's family-owned bee garden in the Netherlands. I was already a big fan of honey in both skincare and haircare, but using these drops, along with the brand's other products, solidified that it definitely has a place in my daily routine.
The collagen in this formula also supports bounce in the hair, making it perfect for curls. It really does add spring and definition to mine while smoothing out any flyaways I get around the crown of my head. While I'm sure Mui is right and you don't necessarily need collagen in your haircare routine, I have to say that I'm glad I added it to mine. Combining it with honey was a genius idea. Together, they're a powerhouse ingredient duo that really helps shape the hair while giving it extra gloss and silkiness.
More Gisou Products I Love
This is one of my favorite shampoos on the market. It's so hydrating and lovely but still feels like it actually cleans my hair. I have to condition every day or my hair starts to feel super dry, but this removes any buildup so easily while making detangling a breeze.
This deep conditioning mask is my new holy grail. I tend to use this one more than the brand's Ceramide Therapy Conditioner because it doesn't contain protein, just a host of super hydrators like honey, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. It leaves my hair so soft and shiny and best of all, the hydration lasts for days.
This conditioner contains milk protein to help strengthen and reinforce the hair fiber for less breakage. I use this every so often because my hair is protein-sensitive, but when I do use it, I'm always impressed. It adds a bit of strength without making my hair feel brittle, stiff, or dry when I use it sparingly.
Most of the brand's products have a light honey scent to them and I'm absolutely obsessed with it. I was then excited to find out that the brand made this scent into its own body mist. It smells so light, but if you love fresh, solar scents, this one's for you. It features additional notes of vanilla and white musk, giving it such a vacation-ready vibe.
I change purses a lot, but no matter what bag I use, I always make sure this lip oil is in it. It's such a gorgeous gloss that's so hydrating on the lips. Basically, I need one in every shade.