9 of the best collagen supplements

Heard of collagen? Wondering how you take it? If you’ve already started to look around, you’ll find quite a few different options. But don’t worry, all will become clear very soon…

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body; it’s found everywhere, from our intestines to our skin, muscles, and ligaments.¹

Collagen benefits your body in more ways than you might think. It makes up about a third of all the protein in your body, so having a good supply of collagen might help you.³

But the older we get, the less collagen our bodies produce naturally. After about age 25, our collagen levels deplete by 1% each year.²

Back in the day, the most common way of increasing your collagen levels was to eat pork skin or bone broth (which you can still do…)

But, in recent years, there’s been a new way of increasing your collagen intake. You’ll find collagen supplements in tablets, gels, powders, gummies…you name it.

Which collagen can be found in the skin?

There are many types of collagen, but there are three that are found most commonly in the body.

Type I and type III are generally found in skin and muscles. On the other hand, you’ll find type II in cartilage.¹

13 best collagen supplements

We’ve rounded up 13 of the best collagen products so that you can check out your options.

Best collagen tablets

These are a quick and easy way to get more collagen on a regular basis. You’ll usually get around 30, 60, 90 or more days’ worth, and they’re taken with a meal.

We’ve rounded up the best collagen capsules below!

Best collagen powders

If you’re not a fan of taking tablets, powdered collagen is a super versatile choice, as you can sprinkle some into your smoothies, juices, or even in your baking.

Choose from a flavoured or unflavoured powder – it’s up to you.

Best collagen creamers

Do you love a creamy coffee? You’re in luck! Collagen creamers act like regular coffee creamers but with all the added benefits of collagen.

Best marine collagen

The clue is in the name! Marine collagen is sourced from fish skin, bones, and scales.

It’s thought to be one of the best ways to consume collagen and is composed of almost entirely type 1 collagen – the most common collagen found in the human body.¹

It’s also handy for all you pescatarians out there or those who don’t eat beef.

Best collagen peptides

Collagen peptides are simply small pieces of protein found in animal collagen. Because they’re made up of shorter amino acid chains, peptides are more bioavailable (easy to absorb into the bloodstream) than other forms of collagen.²

Best liquid collagen

One advantage of liquid collagen is that it’s a great option for all you busy bees out there, as you can pop a sachet or shot in your bag and not have to worry about preparing it – just enjoy!

Best vegan collagen supporting supplement

With most collagen sources and supplements being from animal sources, vegan collagen supporting supplements can seem a little confusing… but they do exist!

Vegan collagen supporting supplements are designed to support the body’s production of collagen, rather than providing a direct supply of it.

Many vegan collagen supporting supplements are made with ingredients like vitamin C that contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, cartilage, bones, blood vessels, and gums.

Best collagen creams

As well as collagen pills and collagen powder, there’s collagen cream. And even that comes with different choices…

Will you go for a day cream, night cream, super night-time cream, or eye cream? They’ll all provide the benefits of collagen and blend seamlessly into your skincare routine.

While collagen tablets work from the inside out, collagen cream topically targets one specific area.

What are the side effects of taking collagen supplements?

Collagen is considered to be safe, due to the fact it naturally exists in our bodies and is therefore well tolerated by the human body. However, it’s worth noting that current clinical trials focus on relatively small numbers of healthy individuals.² Other variables, such as existing health conditions, may mean the effects differ from person to person.

It's also important to remember that collagen supplements often contain other ingredients, like added vitamins and minerals.

No significant side effects have been linked to collagen. However, some people who’ve taken collagen supplements have reported feeling full up and experiencing heartburn.²

If you do experience any of these symptoms, they should only be minor, and they should go away when you stop using collagen.

However, if you have any concerns or the side effects persist, seek advice from your GP.

Are collagen supplements suitable for everyone?

It’s worth bearing in mind that while collagen supplements haven’t been linked to any major side effects, they are usually made from ingredients that some people are allergic to (for instance, fish, shellfish, and eggs).

If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, then you should avoid supplements that list these to avoid the possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction.

The final say

• Collagen is something our bodies all produce: it is found in our skin and our joints.
• Our collagen levels begin to decrease in our twenties, and we might see and feel signs of ageing. 
• You can take it orally, or you can apply it topically. The choice is yours…