Sirio Pharma and Eggnovo unveil new skin hydration concept with egg-based collagen

At the recent Vitafoods Europe 2025 trade show, Sirio Pharma and Eggnovo presented a beauty-from-within product concept to support skin health and hydration. The softgel features Eggnovo’s Ovoderm Eggshell Membrane, which offers a vegetarian source of collagen. It is combined with ingredients to boost collagen formation.

Nutrition Insight meets with both companies to explore the formulation’s benefits in skin health and hydration, examine Ovoderm’s applications, and assess the differentiation potential of eggshell membrane-based collagen. 

“Hydration is clearly trending, and while many companies are addressing it — especially in the sports category — we saw an opportunity to approach it differently,” says Sara Lesina, the general manager of Sirio Pharma Europe and Americas. 

“About 70% of what’s on the market targets sports, with electrolytes and similar ingredients. But hydration isn’t just about that. We asked, what about beauty and skin health?”

At the same time, hydration is vital to skin health. For example, Lesina explains that hydration impacts collagen absorption — collagen is not as effective without sufficient hydration. 

To address this market gap, Sirio Pharma developed product concepts with branded ingredient suppliers, which received “positive responses.” 

“This is how the industry works — consumers want claims, recognizable ingredients with proven benefits. The reputation of the ingredient itself is also critical.” 

Skin health benefits

Sirio Pharma’s skin hydration range is an expansion of its beauty platform, which was launched a few years ago. The range features six concepts, including the softgels HydraPearls Vital for hydration and skin health and Glow to support skin elasticity and overall health. 

“While hydration is everywhere, few products target it from a skin-health perspective, so there is a gap in the market,” says Lesina. We knew these ingredients had proven clinical benefits, so it was a clear opportunity.” 

The HydraPearls Vital softgel features Superba Krill Boost, a high-concentration krill oil (over 300 mg per capsule) from Aker BioMarine. “Taken three times daily, it delivers the nutritional levels for docosahexaenoic acid at around 1,000 mg of krill oil, along with peptides and hyaluronic acid. It’s a larger 12 oval softgel with a beautiful pearlescent finish,” says Lesina.

At Vitafoods Europe, Sirio Pharma presented HydraPearls Vital for hydration and skin health and Glow to support skin elasticity and overall health.Meanwhile, the HydraPearl Glow softgels are designed for consumers seeking healthy skin, antioxidant support, and holistic wellness. They feature Eggnovo’s Ovoderm eggshell Membrane, containing undenatured collagen types I, V, X, hyaluronic acid, and elastin.

Lesina says that in addition to Ovoderm, these softgels also contain safflower oil and vitamin C to help with hydration and skin elasticity. “It’s a small 7.5 oval softgel designed with beauty in mind — pleasant to take, concentrated, and effective.”

“The vegetarian source of collagen offers a differentiation. The collagen market is a big segment but is getting saturated and needs a boost.” 

“It is a challenging formula, and this is the first time this collagen is featured in a softgel. We believe in this ingredient and are very happy that we could manage to feature it in this product.”

Egg-based collagen

Oihane Nieto Iriberri, new business development for Cosmetics, Food, and Beverages at Eggnovo, tells us the company developed a patented manufacturing process to extract collagen and other bioactive compounds from eggshell membranes, adding value to these food industry byproducts. 

“Along with collagen, we extract the eggshell membrane’s full composition, including elastin, hyaluronic acid, and glucosamine — up to 407 different proteins. Our patented manufacturing process allows us to preserve the entire composition and provide these unique ingredients.”

Moreover, she says the company’s process maximizes the yield from the membrane while maintaining very high purity levels — above 90%. 

The eggshell membrane takes up a small percentage of the entire eggshell, explains Iriberri. “This collagen source is unique in sustainability; it is the most sustainable source of collagen. We upcycle a by-product, which avoids animal slaughter and is highly respectful of animal welfare. It’s also suitable for vegetarians.” 

Eggnovo’s proprietary manufacturing process extracts collagen and other bioactive compounds from eggshell membranes.She notes that one of this collagen source’s biggest strengths is its solid scientific backing, which proves several benefits, particularly for joint health and skin, hair, and nails in beauty applications. 

Eggnovo has conducted over 20 clinical studies on its eggshell membrane ingredient, demonstrating its support in hydration and skin health from the inside out. 

“The clinical studies help to prove the ingredient’s efficacy, but we also wanted to understand the mechanism of action and how it works on a cellular level; for that, we developed in vitro and in vivo studies,” says Iriberri. 

Low dosage option

In addition, Iriberri says that Ovoderm offers a lower dosage than other collagen sources at 300 milligrams daily. 

She stresses the importance of providing an effective dosage. “Some products add just a small amount of collagen to add it as an ingredient on the packaging, but the actual effective dose is what truly matters. With our collagen, it’s easier to meet that fully effective dosage.”

Moreover, this allows Eggnovo’s customers to develop various forms beyond powders, including capsules. “It’s great to have your full collagen dose in just one capsule,” says Iriberri.

Lesina also welcomes Ovoderm’s small dosage form, which is much smaller than others on the market and allowed Sirio Pharma to create a smaller softgel. “If you’re taking a beauty supplement, it should feel like a self-care moment — not like swallowing a giant medical capsule. And our formulation is highly concentrated.”

At the same time, Iriberri says it is a challenge to educate consumers about the low dosage. 

“People often believe that more is better, but with our collagen, the effective dose is much lower,” she details. “We have to help people understand that it works just as well as other collagen sources at a lower dose, which is an advantage in product development.”

Ongoing research on health benefits

Eggnovo is exploring other health benefits of Ovoderm. Iriberri explains that in addition to collagen, the ingredient includes additional biomolecules with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects because the company preserves the eggshell membrane’s native composition. 

The eggshell membrane collagen can also be used in capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids as shown by Eggnovo at Vitafoods Europe.She explains that, as a result, Eggnovo also preserves the ingredient’s probiotic capacity. “Preliminary studies show that native eggshell membranes can help balance gut microbiota and repair intestinal epithelium thanks to its protein fibers. We are working on this area as well.”

“We are focused on providing more evidence to our customers, especially gut health. We’ll keep working to expand our research. We’re also looking into how the collagen can benefit hair, skin, and nails, and we’ll continue to explore those benefits.”

Currently, the company doesn’t have authorized EFSA health claims in Europe due to the region’s complex process, adds Iriberri. 

“However, we have claims approved in Canada (Health Canada), Korea, and Australia. We’ve also submitted claims to the FDA in the US. It’s more challenging in Europe, but we’re working on it.” 

Industry collaboration

Lesina says Eggnovo’s egg-based collagen source allows Sirio Pharma to “bring a fresh angle” to the market. She details that the Glow concept includes vitamin C and safflower oil to aid collagen formation and unlock its health benefits. 

“You can take all the collagen you want, but the absorption level is quite poor if you’re not metabolizing it properly. You need a formula that helps with the synthesis of collagen.” 

“It’s not a new ingredient, but we believe our approach helps improve collagen absorption and thus efficacy. We wanted to innovate with a new source of collagen; it has a different profile to show customers another option.” 

In addition to Sirio Pharma’s HydraPearls Glow, Eggnovo collaborates with other customers to develop product concepts. “This sustainable, vegetarian, and scientifically-backed source of collagen opens a new world of possibilities for our customers,” says Iriberri.

“Most products contain the eggshell membrane collagen, but we also offer other ingredients like calcium,” she adds. “Our customers use the collagen in capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids because we also have a soluble version. We are now entering the functional food market and pet industry.” 

In pet nutrition, Eggnovo focuses on joint health and has conducted studies on dogs.