GLP-1 and Skin Changes: What Research Shows

When you began taking GLP-1 medication, you expected the number on the scale to drop. You didn’t expect your skin to change in appearance, too. Rapid weight loss changes skin the same way it changes everything else, just less predictably. In part, that’s because collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm, don’t always keep pace with rapid fat loss.

NOVOS Core includes ingredients selected to support those proteins. In a small pilot study, people who took it daily for six months saw their skin firmness improve. Here’s a look at what the research says, including how you can support skin health throughout your GLP-1 journey.

Quick Overview

Rapid, significant weight loss is associated with reduced skin elasticity and collagen density, a pattern documented in weight-loss research generally, not unique to GLP-1 medications.
A 2026 review on GLP-1 medications and skin found that nutrient deficiencies, reduced collagen and elastin synthesis, and hormonal shifts can all contribute to changes in skin structure during treatment.
In a small NOVOS-conducted pilot study, four participants using NOVOS Core daily for six months showed an average 22% improvement in skin firmness measurements, with individual results ranging from 12% to 40%.
Core’s skin-related ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, Ca-AKG, glycine, and glucosamine, are studied for roles in hydration, collagen-related pathways, and extracellular matrix support.
NOVOS Core is not designed to reverse or prevent skin changes caused by weight loss, but its formulation targets several of the biological pathways involved.

Why GLP-1 Medications Can Affect Skin

Skin relies on a support structure built largely from collagen and elastin, proteins that give it firmness and the ability to snap back into place. Aging alone slows the biological processes behind skin firmness and hydration — inflammation rises, oxidative stress builds, and skin’s ability to repair itself declines.

Rapid weight loss compounds the issue: When someone loses a large amount of weight quickly, the fat layer beneath the skin shrinks faster than the skin itself can adjust — one reason skin can look looser or less full on GLP-1 medications.

But the mechanism goes beyond volume loss. A 2026 review on GLP-1 receptor agonists and skin aging outlined several contributing factors:

Lower intake of nutrients involved in collagen production; people taking GLP-1 medication tend to eat less due to reduced appetite
Oxidative stress affecting skin cell function
Hormonal shifts, including changes in estrogen, thyroid hormone, and IGF-1, that influence how skin maintains itself

Separate research on skin structure has found changes in collagen and elastic fiber density in people experiencing significant weight loss. These effects are not unique to GLP-1 medications specifically. It’s a pattern that can occur with rapid weight loss from any cause, including bariatric surgery and aggressive dieting. The speed of the weight loss appears to matter more than the method.

What the Research Shows

In a small pilot study, NOVOS tracked skin firmness in four participants using an indentometer, a device that measures how skin responds to controlled pressure. Lower indentation values indicate firmer, more elastic skin. Participants were measured before starting NOVOS Core and again after six months of daily use.

Firmness improvements ranged from 12% to 40% across the group, with an average improvement of 22%. NOVOS has described this as a preliminary finding given the small sample size, and a larger dermatological study is planned to confirm the results.

The ingredients most relevant to these findings include hyaluronic acid, which supports skin hydration and is a natural component of the extracellular matrix, and Ca-AKG, which has been studied for its role in collagen-related pathways and cellular repair. Glycine, an amino acid that serves as a building block of collagen, and glucosamine, a component of connective tissue, round out the formulation’s relevance to skin structure.

Supporting Skin Health During Your GLP-1 Journey

Adequate protein and hydration are the foundation, since both relate to how well skin maintains its structure during weight loss. Beyond that, NOVOS Core’s formulation targets several of the biological pathways involved in skin aging and collagen maintenance.

What NOVOS Doesn’t Claim

NOVOS Core is not designed to reverse, prevent, or counteract skin changes caused by rapid weight loss, and it isn’t a substitute for medical or dermatological care. The pilot study behind its skin-related claims was small and preliminary, and individual results will vary.

If you’re noticing skin changes that concern you, particularly sudden or severe sagging, talk to your prescriber or a dermatologist. They can help determine whether to adjust the pace of your weight loss or consider other factors.

A steady nutritional foundation can provide the support your skin, muscles, and other systems need while managing the side effects of GLP-1 medications. NOVOS Core supports the collagen-related and hydration pathways relevant to skin in one daily step, while Vital, Bar, and Boost round out whole-body support on the days you need it most.

FAQ About GLP-1 and Skin Changes

Does GLP-1 cause loose or sagging skin?

GLP-1 medications themselves don’t directly cause skin changes, but the rapid weight loss they produce can outpace skin’s ability to adjust, similar to what happens with other forms of fast weight loss.

Why does rapid weight loss affect skin elasticity?

Fast fat loss reduces the volume beneath the skin faster than collagen and elastin can rebuild, and factors like nutrient intake, oxidative stress, and hormonal shifts can further affect how well skin maintains its structure.

Can supplements improve skin firmness after weight loss?

A small NOVOS pilot study found firmness improvements averaging 22% after six months of daily NOVOS Core use, though the sample size was small and results are preliminary.

How can I support my skin while losing weight on a GLP-1 medication?

Adequate protein and hydration are the foundation. Beyond that, ingredients studied for collagen support and skin hydration, like those in NOVOS Core, may help support the underlying structure.

Consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medication, diet, or supplement routine.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product/information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.