Updated: November 2025
Keratin and collagen are the dynamic duo when it comes to hair, skin, and nail health. They're not competitors, they're collaborators, and when you understand how they work together, you'll see why supporting your body with both premium, bioavailable versions is the smartest approach to fighting the aging process and stress.
Here's the truth: your hair is made of keratin. Your nails are made of keratin. The outer layer of your skin is made of keratin.
But that's only half the story.
Your skin's strength, elasticity, and firmness come from collagen. Your hair follicles are anchored by collagen. Your nails' flexibility comes from collagen working alongside keratin.
You need both.
But here's what most people don't understand: not all keratin is the same, and not all collagen is created equal.
Why Premium Functional Keratin™ Changes Everything
The keratin market is flooded with cheap, hydrolysed keratin. It's easy to extract, cheap to produce, and widely available.
But there's a massive problem: your body can't use it effectively.
Hydrolysed keratin is broken down into tiny fragments through harsh chemical processes. These fragments are so small and structurally damaged that your body struggles to recognize and utilize them. Results are slow, inconsistent, or nonexistent.
Functional Keratin™ is different.
Through a proprietary, gentle extraction process, Functional Keratin™ retains its long-chain protein structure, remaining bioactive and 91% homologous to human keratin. This means your body recognizes it as compatible material and can use it immediately.
This is the difference between feeding your body actual building materials versus feeding it fragments it can't assemble.
When you choose Functional Keratin™, you're choosing a premium, clinically-proven option that delivers measurable results. You're choosing a keratin source that actually works.
Why Keratin and Collagen Matter Even More as You Age
As you get older, both keratin and collagen levels decline naturally. This is when things start to show:
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Hair: Becomes thinner, loses shine, grows more slowly, sheds more easily
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Nails: Become brittle, ridge easily, break, grow slowly
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Skin: Loses firmness, develops fine lines, becomes dry, loses radiance
The decline isn't sudden, it's gradual. But it's relentless.
The good news? You can slow it down, and even reverse some of it, by supporting your body with premium versions of both.
When you supplement with Functional Keratin™ (not generic keratin), something remarkable happens: your body triggers the expression of collagen 4 and collagen 7, the exact collagens your hair follicles, skin, and nails need most.
This isn't just about replacing what you've lost, it's about triggering your body's own production of these proteins through genuinely bioavailable material.
The Science: How Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen Work Together
To understand this partnership, you need to know a bit about skin structure.
The Dermis and Epidermis: Your Skin's Two-Layer System
Your skin has two main layers:
The Epidermis (Outer Layer)
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What you see and touch
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Made primarily of keratin
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Provides the protective barrier
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Receives nutrients from below
The Dermis (Inner Layer)
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The support structure beneath the epidermis
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Made primarily of collagen and elastic fibres
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Keeps skin taught, firm, and resilient
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Feeds the epidermis through diffusion
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Anchors hair follicles
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Provides the foundation for everything above it
Here's the key: the epidermis doesn't have its own blood supply. It receives all its nutrients from the dermis through diffusion.
This means if the dermis is weak, poorly nourished, and lacking collagen, the epidermis starves. Your skin becomes thin, dry, and vulnerable.
If the dermis is strong, well-supported, and rich in collagen, the epidermis thrives. Your skin becomes firm, hydrated, and radiant.
How Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen Work Together in the Dermis
Collagen forms the structural scaffold of the dermis, like the framework of a building. It keeps everything taught, supported, and resilient.
Functional Keratin™ (the premium option) triggers the expression of collagen 4 and collagen 7:
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Collagen 4: Acts as the scaffold, providing structure and stability
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Collagen 7: Acts as the adhesive, anchoring everything together
Generic, hydrolysed keratin doesn't have this effect. Your body simply doesn't recognize it as useful material, so it can't trigger these beneficial cellular responses.
With Functional Keratin™, you get both the direct keratin support AND the collagen-triggering benefit.
Together, Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen ensure that:
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Hair follicles are deeply rooted and well-anchored
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Skin maintains elasticity and firmness
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The dermal-epidermal junction (where skin layers meet) stays intact and functional
When you supplement with both premium materials, you're feeding the dermis the exact nutrients it needs to feed the epidermis in return.
Think of Your Skin Like a Plant
Imagine your favourite houseplant. If you plant it in poor soil without nutrients, it will struggle, wilt, and eventually die, no matter how much you water it from above.
But if you give it nutritious, rich soil, water it properly, and give it sunlight, it thrives.
Your skin works the same way.
The dermis is the soil. Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen are the premium nutrients in that soil. Topical skincare is the water and sunlight.
You need all three. Inside-out premium nourishment and outside-in care.
The problem with generic keratin? It's like trying to grow plants with depleted, nutrient-poor soil. Even with perfect watering and sunlight, the plants will struggle.
Topical keratin or collagen products (shampoos, serums, masks) can help, but here's the limitation: once your hair leaves the follicle, it's dead. You can nourish it, protect it, and maintain its health, but you can't rebuild its structure from the outside in.
Internal Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen supplements directly feed the dermis with bioavailable material, supporting the living cells that produce hair, nails, and skin from the inside out.
The optimal approach? Both, and both premium.
How Kiri10's KiriGlow Combines Premium Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen
When we created KiriGlow, we made a deliberate choice: we use Functional Keratin™, not generic hydrolysed keratin.
Why? Because we believe you deserve results that actually work.
That's why each capsule contains:
Functional Keratin™ (91% homologous to human keratin)
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Retains long-chain protein structure (not fragmented)
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Triggers collagen 4 and 7 expression
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Rich in cysteine, which boosts glutathione production
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Clinically proven to reduce hair loss by 43%
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Premium, bioavailable keratin your body can use immediately
Not generic hydrolysed keratin that your body struggles to recognize and use.
Marine Collagen with Elastin Peptides
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Provides the exact collagen your dermis needs
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Includes elastin for added flexibility and resilience
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Works synergistically with Functional Keratin™
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Highly bioavailable
Supporting Nutrients
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Biotin: Supports keratin synthesis and hair health
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Zinc: Essential for collagen production and immune function
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Vitamin C: Cofactor for collagen cross-linking and synthesis
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OptiMSM™: Provides organic sulfur for collagen and keratin structure
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Collactive®: Clinically researched marine collagen
Together, these ingredients create a comprehensive support system for your dermis, which means better support for your epidermis, which means visible improvements in hair, skin, and nail health.
And because we use premium, bioavailable versions of both keratin and collagen, the results are measurable and real.
Functional Keratin™ vs. Generic Keratin: The Critical Difference
Here's what separates Kiri10 from brands using cheap, generic keratin:
Generic Hydrolysed Keratin
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Extracted using harsh chemical processes
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Fragmented into tiny, structurally damaged pieces
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Low bioavailability (your body can't recognize or use it)
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Inconsistent results or no visible results
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Cheap to produce
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Doesn't trigger collagen production
Functional Keratin™
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Extracted using proprietary, gentle processes
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Retains long-chain protein structure
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High bioavailability (91% homologous to human keratin)
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Clinically proven results (43% hair loss reduction)
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Premium, carefully sourced
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Triggers collagen 4 and 7 expression
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Your body recognizes it as useful material
The cost difference? Functional Keratin™ is more expensive. But the results difference is massive.
Don't settle for generic when you can have premium, clinically-proven Functional Keratin™.
What Happens When You Feed Your Dermis With Premium Materials
When you commit to supplementing with premium Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen consistently, here's what typically happens:
By Month 1-2
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Initial nutrient saturation
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Some customers notice less shedding
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Nails may feel slightly stronger
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Energy levels may improve (bonus benefit from cysteine and glutathione)
By Month 3-4
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Visible nail growth and strength (most people notice this first)
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Less hair fall when brushing or showering
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New hair growing through is glossier and stronger
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Skin begins to feel more hydrated and smoother
By Month 6 Onwards
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Dramatic improvements in hair thickness and shine
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Nails noticeably longer, stronger, less prone to breaking
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Skin is more radiant, firmer, with fewer fine lines
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Overall sense of vitality and confidence
These results come from using Functional Keratin™, not generic keratin. The difference is real and measurable.
The Inside-Out Approach to Hair, Skin, and Nail Health
There's a reason topical-only approaches don't deliver lasting results: they don't address the root cause.
If your hair is weak, dull, and shedding, it's because the follicle and dermis need support. A shampoo can help, but it can't fix what's happening below the surface.
If your skin is aging, losing elasticity, and becoming dry, it's because your dermis is depleting in collagen. A moisturizer can help, but it can't replenish what's being lost.
If your nails are brittle and breaking, it's because your body isn't producing enough keratin. A cuticle oil can help, but it can't rebuild structural integrity from the inside out.
Our approach is different.
We start from the inside, feeding your dermis with premium Functional Keratin™ (not generic keratin) and marine collagen, triggering your body's own production of these essential proteins.
We pair that with topical care, using gentle, nutrient-rich shampoo, conditioner, and serums to support and protect what you're building internally.
The result? Real, lasting, visible transformation driven by genuinely premium materials.
How to Maximize Results: The Complete Protocol
If you want the best results from supplementing with premium Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen, here's what we recommend:
1. Internal Support: Premium Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen
Take Kiri10 KiriGlow daily, consistently, for at least 3-6 months. This is the foundation.
Remember: this is Functional Keratin™, not generic keratin. The difference matters.
2. External Support: Gentle Hair and Skin Care
Use gentle, naturally-derived products that support rather than strip:
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Kiri10's Triple-Keratin Complex Shampoo and Conditioner to nourish while you cleanse
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Serums and treatments that support moisture and shine
3. Dietary Support
Eat protein-rich foods, sulfur-containing vegetables (garlic, onions, broccoli), vitamin C (citrus, berries), and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado).
4. Stress Management
Stress depletes keratin and collagen. Prioritize sleep, movement, and mindfulness.
5. Hydration
Drink plenty of water. Your skin, hair, and nails all need hydration to function optimally.
6. Sun and Environmental Protection
Protect your skin from UV damage and pollution, which accelerate collagen breakdown.
Together, these six elements create the optimal environment for your body to produce and maintain keratin and collagen.
Premium Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen for Different Life Stages
Postpartum
After pregnancy, hormonal shifts cause significant keratin and collagen loss. Hair sheds, skin changes, nails weaken. Supplementing with premium Functional Keratin™ and marine collagen accelerates recovery and rebuilds confidence.
Menopause
Declining estrogen means declining collagen production. Premium supplementation helps counteract this natural shift, maintaining skin firmness, hair health, and overall vitality.
Aging
As you age, keratin and collagen production naturally decline. Consistent supplementation with Functional Keratin™ (not generic) helps maintain what you have and supports your body's ongoing repair processes.
High Stress
Stress depletes keratin and collagen rapidly. People under significant stress often report noticeable hair loss, skin issues, and nail problems. Premium supplementation provides the nutritional support to recover.
Weight Loss or Illness
Rapid weight loss or recovery from illness depletes keratin reserves. Premium supplementation helps rebuild and recover faster.
The Bottom Line: Premium Functional Keratin™ and Marine Collagen Work
Your hair, skin, and nails aren't separate beauty concerns. They're all connected through the dermis, the nutrient bed that feeds everything above it.
When you support your body with premium Functional Keratin™ (not generic) and marine collagen, you're not just treating surface symptoms, you're rebuilding from the inside out with materials your body can actually use.
It takes consistency, patience, and the right approach, but the results are real and measurable.
Your hair will be stronger, shinier, and healthier. Your nails will grow faster and break less. Your skin will be firmer, more radiant, and more resilient.
And it all starts with choosing premium, bioavailable materials.
Don't waste time with generic keratin. Choose Kiri10 KiriGlow, powered by Functional Keratin™.
Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you.
References and Further Reading
Scientific Research on Functional Keratin™
Functional Keratin™ Structure and Bioavailability
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Clinical Evidence for Functional Keratin Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech (New Zealand)
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Keraplast Research and Development - Keraplast Technologies
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Hair Loss Reduction Study: 43% with Functional Keratin - Clinical Trial Results
Scientific Research on Keratin and Collagen Interaction
Keratin and Collagen Structure
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Keratin Proteins and Their Role in Hair and Skin - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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Collagen Types and Their Functions in Skin - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Collagen 4 and 7 Expression
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Collagen VII and Hair Follicle Anchoring - Dermatology and Therapy Journal
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Collagen IV as Dermal Scaffold - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Hydrolysed vs. Functional Keratin
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Keratin Extraction Methods and Bioavailability - International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
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Bioavailability of Keratin Proteins - Nutrients Journal
Marine Collagen Research
Bioavailability and Efficacy
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Marine Collagen Bioavailability and Absorption - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
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Collactive® Marine Collagen Clinical Trials - Collactive Technologies
Related Kiri10 Resources
Product Information
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