10 Best Collagen Supplements Recommended by Experts

Collagen is very important for our skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons. As we age, our body produces less collagen, which can result in decreased skin elasticity and more wrinkles. According to a few research, collagen consumed in foods or as a supplement may enhance skin appearance and joint discomfort.

There are a number of reasons to consider taking collagen supplements, both for hair and nails. Collagen may help strengthen the skin while claims that collagen supplements can improve hair and nail strength have not been studied as thoroughly.

Collagen supplements are generally available as powders or capsules. They're made from animal tissues, such as cattle, pigs, chickens, and fish. It's critical to seek for high-quality sources of collagen. If it's from bovines, make sure it's pasture-raised and grass-fed. “Is it fish collagen or cow?” Some people want to know. “If it's marine collagen, that means it was caught in the wild.” This helps guarantee high-quality collagen.

When comparing collagen supplements, consider the form, type of collagen (different kinds are linked to different health benefits), source, dose, and budget that are most appropriate for your requirements. Most collagen powders are still excellent sources of protein, however they may not help people with skin, hair, and nails or reduce joint discomfort. Collagen capsules or pills or collagen powders in little serving sizes generally do not function as significant sources of protein.

1. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides include 20 grams of collagen in each two-scoop serving. The grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle from which these collagen peptides are derived are certified kosher.

It has retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid in it to help your skin appear better. Vital Proteins is made in a GMP-certified facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practices and is NSF-Certified for Sport, so it doesn't include any banned substances by sports federations. It's also gluten free with no diary and sweeteners.

The unflavored version can be used in drinks, including coffee, water, smoothies, and soups. Vital Proteins also offers flavored versions of this collagen supplement. Collagen types I and III are included in this collagen supplement to help your skin, hair, and nails.

2. Besha Natural Collagen Peptides

Collagen powder from the branded ingredient Verisol is included in Besha Collagen Peptides. In six weeks, this pig-derived collagen supplement has been evaluated in placebo-controlled research and showed a little improvement in wrinkles. It's available in a powder form and must be mixed with two teaspoons of collagen into your beverage of choice every day, resulting in 2.9 grams of collagen per serving.

Collagen is the sole component of this pill; none of the fillers or chemicals are included. However, if you do not consume pig products, Verisol may not be suitable since it is derived from pig.

3. Natural Force Marine Collagen Peptides

Natural Force Marine Collagen Peptides contain 11.1 grams of wild-caught cod collagen per scoop. If you want natural collagen peptides from a marine source this is a great choice for you. This supplement includes type I collagen, which is intended to help your skin, hair, and nails thrive.

Covance, a leading independent testing lab in the world, tests each batch of Natural Force Marine Collagen peptides. They source their collagen from a cGMP facility. Because this is marine-derived collagen, it contains fish protein, which is not suitable for those allergic to fish.

4. Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Peptides Protein Powder Pure

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein provides you with 10 grams of collagen per scoop. This protein is easy to dissolve in liquid and also provides 90 milligrams of vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for collagen production.

A blend of five types of collagen, including hydrolyzed collagen, is included in Natural Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein to promote the health of your skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. The supplement is non-GMO and gluten-free, and the cattle are grass-fed and pasture-raised. Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein contains fish and egg, which are major allergies for some individuals.

5. NeoCell Super Collagen Peptides Powder

The collagen in this product is a combination of Types 1 and 3 hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which can help provide some of the fundamental building blocks for collagen synthesis in an easy-to-mix, unsweetened powder.

NeoCell Super Collagen Peptides Powder is a vegan, plant-based protein powder that contains 20 grams of collagen peptides per serving and 10 grams of collagen from grass-fed cows.

The fact that this powder is free of genetically modified organisms, gluten, soy, dairy, and sugar appeals to many customers. It's also devoid of any artificial sweeteners. The collagen in this powder comes from grass-fed cows that have been hydrolyzed, making it more readily absorbed by your system.

Hydrolyzed collagen is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that "hydrates" your skin, hair, and nails. It gives you the look and feel of radiant beauty from the inside out.

6. CB Supplements Multi Collagen Protein

CB Multi Collagen Protein offers unflavored and flavored varieties of their collagen in powder form. The unflavored variety is good if you want to add it to other foods or drinks. The flavored variety has different flavors that you can choose from, depending on what you want.

This product has five varieties of collagen in it, including collagen from grass-fed cattle, cage-free chickens, wild caught fish, and eggshell membrane. It's made in a GMP facility, is non-GMO, gluten-free, and NSF Certified for Sport.

The suggested amount is one scoop for every 50 pounds of body weight, with 7.8 grams of collagen in each scoop. CB Multi Collagen Protein powder has several advantages, but it is more pricey.

7. Healthy Origins UC-II with Undenatured Type II Collagen

People with joint pain may find relief from using Healthy Origins Natural UC-II. This product contains undenatured type II collagen from chicken cartilage, which has been studied in clinical trials.

It has 40 milligrams of UC-II cartilage, which includes 10 milligrams of collagen. Natural UC-II supplements from Healthy Origins are capsule form and should be ingested once per day. ​​This product is made without GMO ingredients, gluten, and it is manufactured in a facility that follows good manufacturing practices.

This product's packaging confuses due to the fact that it states the capsule is vegetarian. The collagen contained within the capsule is derived from chicken cartilage, but the capsule itself is vegetarian.

8. Orgain Grass Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides Protein Powder

Orgain Grass Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides Protein Powder is a vegan collagen powder that you can mix into your favorite beverage. It contains 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of collagen peptides per serving, which is a good amount.

This product is made without GMO ingredients, gluten, soy, dairy, or sugar. The collagen in this powder is derived from grass-fed cows and is hydrolyzed, making it easier for your body to absorb.

Orgain Grass Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides Protein Powder is a good choice if you want a vegan collagen powder that doesn't have any artificial sweeteners.

This supplement is ideal for both men and women. It improves digestion and metabolism, as well as joint function and health. Boosts metabolism, increases the rate of nutrition intake, mixes easily with any meal or drink, and is beneficial to hair, nails, muscles, and skin.

9. Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder

The Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder is a vegan, plant-based protein powder that contains 20 grams of collagen peptides per serving.

The advantages to this product include the fact that it's made without GMO ingredients, gluten, soy, dairy or sugar. It also has no artificial sweeteners. The collagen in this powder is derived from grass-fed cows and is hydrolyzed, making it easier for your body to absorb.

This supplement is ideal for both men and women. It improves digestion and metabolism, as well as joint function and health. Boosts metabolism, increases the rate of nutrition intake, mixes easily with any meal or drink, and is beneficial to hair, nails, muscles, and skin.

These bovine peptides include critical and branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) - fundamental and primal in promoting healthy cartilage, keeping joints, ligaments, mobility, and flexibility in tendons & tissues.

This collagen supplement is a good choice also if you're looking for a vegan, plant-based protein powder that contains collagen peptides.

10. Trunature Healthy Skin Verisol Collagen

Trunature Healthy Skin Verisol Collagen, which contains 2.5 grams of collagen per four capsules, is a good option if you want to consume pills rather than powders. This supplement contains Verisol collagen, which has been shown to improve skin condition in several placebo-controlled studies.

The suggested dosage is four capsules per day. Because these collagen peptides include porcine-derived collagen, they could be prohibited if you don't eat pig products.

Benefits of Collagen Supplements

• Skin appearance: Collagen may assist improve the look of aging skin, according to studies. Hydrolyzed pig or fish-derived type I and type III collagen have been shown in placebo-controlled trials to reduce wrinkle formation and enhance skin suppleness.
• Hair and Nails: Collagen supplements have shown to promote modestly increased hair density in small studies, while collagen's influence on nails is inconclusive. Some studies have shown an increase in nail growth and brittleness, while others have found no change. Longer term research is needed to determine if there has been any change.
• Joint pain: When it comes to joint pain, supplements containing a variety of types of collagen, particularly type II, for at least three to six months have been found to slightly decrease joint stiffness or discomfort. Some research, on the other hand, indicate no benefit.
• Postmenopausal people with reduced bone mineral density: Supplementing with collagen peptides for at least 12 months may help promote greater bone development if you have age-related decreases in bone mineral density.

Pregnant people: If you are in the later stages of pregnancy, when there is a need for the amino acid glycine, collagen supplements might be useful. Collagen is extremely high in glycine, so you may want to take a supplement to ensure that you get enough. Before using any supplements while pregnant, talk to your doctor first.

Who Is Collagen Supplementation Not Recommended For?

Collagen supplements are usually well tolerated. Some users experience mild symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, headaches, dizziness, sleeplessness, hunger loss, itchy skin, and canker sores.

• Those with a history of kidney stones: Although there is no evidence to support it, some experts believe that collagen supplements in large doses might raise the risk of kidney stones. If you've had kidney stones in the past, it's wise to talk to your doctor before taking collagen supplements.
• Those with certain dietary restrictions: Collagen supplements are derived from animals. If you're a vegan, vegetarian, or don't want to ingest any animal products for ethical reasons, collagen supplements are not for you.
• Those with certain allergies: If you have an allergy to fish, shellfish, or eggs, avoid collagen supplements produced from fish sources or eggshell membranes.

How We Pick Supplements

We're transparent about the reasons why we suggest specific supplements; you may learn more about our dietary supplement approach here.

We believe in using supplements based on evidence and grounded in science. We place a high value on certain product features that we believe to be linked to the best quality items. We choose products that have been third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.

It's worth noting that the FDA has no authority over dietary supplements before they go on sale. Our staff of specialists has developed a thorough, evidence-based approach to selecting the supplements we recommend.

What to Look for in a Collagen Supplement

Third-party Testing

Supplements that have been third-party verified are sent to a lab for testing to verify they contain what they claim, as well as avoiding high-risk, common contaminants. It's worth noting, however:

1. Third-party testing does not check whether a product is effective or safe for everyone, and it does not ensure that the supplement will not conflict with other medicines or therapies.
2. It's not always easy to distinguish between good and bad third-party testing. After conducting little or no testing, supplement businesses are not uncommonly paying laboratories for certificates.
3. ConsumerLab, NSF, and USP are three third-party certifications that we can trust. Many firms, on the other hand, choose not to have their goods tested by one of these three organizations because they are difficult to obtain and/or costly.
4. Sometimes products that have been certified by these three companies are more expensive. This is because the companies have to pay for the certification.
5. Not all supplements are tested by these three companies, but that doesn't mean they're bad. We advise doing research on the manufacturer's reputation and phoning up the manufacturer as well as their testing facility to learn about their standards and whether or not you feel safe ingesting the supplement.

Although uncommon, collagen supplements may be contaminated with lead, arsenic, or cadmium, which are both known to be toxic. Always demand a Certificate of Analysis. The company should provide you with this report. “If they don't, I wouldn't take the product,” says one male. You should try to find a collagen supplement that has been certified by a third party.

Form

Collagen supplements come in the form of powders, tablets, capsules, chews, and liquids. Collagen products are generally available in three varieties:

• Collagen peptides: This is the kind of collagen that you'll find in most supplements. Collagen peptides are collagen that has been reduced for better absorption.
• Gelatin: Gelatin dissolves in hot water, but not cold.
• Raw or undenatured collagen: Collagen can be bought in the form of UC-II collagen, which is used to treat joint discomfort.

Collagen supplements are available in many forms, including type I, II, III, and mixtures of them. Hair, skin, and nails use type I and III collagen, while type II collagen is used for joint health. In addition, some supplements may contain type V and type X, which are concerned with the maintenance of muscle, lung, liver, placenta, and bone health.

You may add collagen powder to smoothies, baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, gummies, and even soups if you are interested in giving it a try and believe it is a good investment.

Ingredients & Potential Interactions

To understand which substances and in what quantities are included in a supplement, it is critical to read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel carefully. Bring the supplement's label to your doctor so that he or she can examine the different components and any potential interactions between them and other supplements and medicines you take.

If you have fish or egg allergies, avoid collagen supplements derived from marine sources (e.g., krill) or eggshell membranes, respectively. Collagen supplements derived from fish may cause blood sugar levels to drop. As a result, if you're using insulin, metformin, glyburide, or other blood-sugar-lowering drugs, you should exercise caution. It is usually a good idea to speak with your doctor about any potential interactions between supplements and medicines you are taking, particularly if you are taking several pills at once.

Collagen Supplement Dosage

Before incorporating a supplement into your routine, consult with a healthcare expert to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your specific requirements and that you take the correct dosage.

Collagen supplements are available in a variety of doses. The usual advised daily quantity of collagen peptides for wrinkles or joint discomfort is 2.5 to 15 grams, although it is safe to take more than this. You may take it once or in two doses, with or without food. If you're taking undenatured type II collagen for joint pain, the usual dosage is 40 milligrams per day. As a general rule, you should take the dosage recommended on your supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions