The Best Collagen Supplements For Healthy Skin, Hair, & Joints
Discover which collagen products we judged best in class in 2022, based on quality, safety, ratings, and reviews.
The most prevalent protein in our bodies is collagen. Our connective tissue, skin, joints, bone, cartilage, tendons, and muscle all contain it. Collagen comes in a variety of forms, with types I, II, and III being the most common in human bodies.
Collagen is produced naturally in human bodies, but it may also be found in a range of animal foods such as chicken, fish, cattle, and bone broth. The amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which our bodies utilize to produce new collagen, are found in collagen protein in meals. In addition to these meals, foods abundant in vitamin C, which aids in collagen production, urge our bodies to generate their own collagen.
Collagen production declines with age, resulting in wrinkles and changes in skin suppleness. According to several studies, collagen ingested in whole foods or as a collagen supplement not only serves as a source of protein but can also help with skin appearance and joint discomfort. If you want to lessen the look of wrinkles, research reveals that taking one to nine grams of supplementary collagen peptides daily can help. If you suffer from joint pain or stiffness, taking collagen supplements on a daily basis may help, while some studies have found little effect.
Collagen supplements have also been used by people who want to strengthen their hair and nails as a strategy to maybe fight these changes. While some small studies have shown that collagen supplementation increases hair density and nail development, these claims have not been properly investigated.
Collagen supplements are usually available in powder or pill form. Hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides, is collagen that has been broken down into smaller, more readily absorbed amino acids in these supplements. Collagen supplements come from cows, pigs, chickens, and fish, among other animals. It’s vital to be conscious of the collagen source. If bovine, make sure it’s pasture-raised and grass-fed. If it’s marine collagen, wild-caught is the way to go. This ensures that the collagen is of superior quality.
Overall, while the judgment is still out on whether collagen will aid skin and joints in particular, it is still a good source of protein. You may use collagen powder in smoothies, baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, candies, and even soups if you want to give it a try and think it’s a decent investment. Consider the form, type of collagen, source, dose, and budget that best meets your needs when choosing a collagen supplement.
TOTAL RANKING
A+
OVERALL GRADE
PROS
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ConsumerLabs approved and NSF Certified for Sports
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Grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine peptides
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Unflavored to easily add to drinks
CONS
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Does not contain collagen type II for joint health
The Bottom Line
Two scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides deliver 20 grams of collagen. The collagen peptides in this product are derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle and are kosher certified. It also includes vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which help to improve the look of your skin. Vital Proteins is made at a facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practices and is NSF-Certified for Sports, meaning it doesn’t include any ingredients that sports organizations consider to be forbidden. It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.
The unflavored version may be added to coffee, water, smoothies, and soups, but Vital Proteins also offers flavored varieties. Collagen types I and III are found in this collagen supplement, and they help to maintain your skin, hair, and nails.
TOTAL RANKING
A+
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
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ConsumerLabs tested and approved
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Collagen is the only ingredient
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Powder form can be mixed into drinks
CONS
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Contains porcine-derived collagen; may not be suitable for all consumers
The Bottom Line
Collagen powder from the trademarked component Verisol is used in Besha Collagen Peptides. In placebo-controlled experiments, this pig-derived collagen supplement showed a small reduction in wrinkles after eight weeks.
It comes in powder form and requires two teaspoons per day to be mixed into your favorite beverage, giving 2.9 grams of collagen each serving.
Collagen is the only component in this supplement; there are no fillers or chemicals. However, because Verisol is derived from pigs, it may not be suited for those who do not eat pig products.
TOTAL RANKING
A
OVERALL GRADE
PROS
-
Wild-caught fish
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Fish is the only ingredient
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Produced in a cGMP facility
CONS
-
Not suitable for those with a fish allergy
The Bottom Line
Natural Force Marine Collagen Peptides provide 11.1 grams of collagen from wild-caught fish per scoop if you prefer marine-derived collagen peptides. This supplement includes type I collagen, which is good for your skin, hair, and nails.
Covance conducts third-party testing on each batch of Natural Force Marine Collagen peptides and provides a Certificate of Analysis for each batch. Their goods are made in a cGMP-certified facility. If you have a fish allergy, you should avoid this collagen because it is sourced from the sea.
TOTAL RANKING
B+
OVERALL GRADE
PROS
-
ConsumerLabs tested and approved
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Grass-fed, pasture-raised cows
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Contains vitamin C to support collagen formation
CONS
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Contains fish and egg, major allergens
The Bottom Line
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein contains 20 grams of collagen per two scoops of liquid-dissolvable powder. This product also contains 180 milligrams of vitamin C, which is equivalent to 200 percent of the Daily Value, to assist in the formation of collagen.
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein is a collagen mix that supports the health of your skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones by combining five different forms of collagen. The supplement is non-GMO and gluten-free, and the cows are grass-fed and pasture-raised. While Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein has a variety of collagen types, it does include allergies such as fish and egg.
TOTAL RANKING
B
OVERALL GRADE
PROS
-
ConsumerLab tested and approved
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Form of collagen peptides clinically studied
CONS
-
Requires four capsules per day
The Bottom Line
Trunature Healthy Skin Verisol Collagen offers 2.5 grams of collagen per four capsules if you prefer capsules to powders. Verisol collagen, which has been tested in multiple placebo-controlled studies, is included in this supplement.
Four pills per day is the suggested dosage. These collagen peptides contain porcine-derived collagen, so if you don’t eat pig products, they might not be right for you.