Could gin distilled with collagen really be the fountain of youth?

Could a cocktail rid your face of crow’s feet? A shot of special, anti-aging gin claims it can.

The new product — with the unfortunate name Anti-aGin — claims to rejuvenate the skin and help sippers defy age. It’s a 40-proof gin that’s distilled with pure collagen and chock full of other herbal products like chamomile and witch hazel.

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“By including a host of age-defying botanicals and combining them with drinkable collagen, this is the alcoholic equivalent of a facial,” the product’s site reads. It’s based on the idea that boosting your body’s collagen, the protein that’s found in abundance in human skin, will keep people looking young and healthy.

But as appetizing as chugging collagen sounds, it’s not likely to brighten up your complexion too much.

“There may be very small amounts absorbed, but not amounts that might have an effect on a large organ like the skin,” said Dr. David Crabb, an Indiana University professor who has done research on alcohol’s effects on nutrient absorption.

A study published last year in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that oral ingestion of collagen might make skin more hydrated, which might boost the overall appearance of the skin. But that trial — which tested how two types of oral collagen products improved skin appearance, compared to placebo — only included 33 women. There hasn’t been a large-scale trial of oral collagen, and besides, it’s unclear how much collagen the alcohol even contains.

The product also claims to smooth over sun damage, stop scars from forming, and even out cellulite. But there isn’t any evidence to say oral ingestion of collagen will make that kind of magic happen. And the inflammatory properties of alcohol might make your skin look worse, at least in the short-term. 

So, an (occasional) toast to your health is all well and good — but don’t do it in search of the fountain of youth.