The best collagen supplements to take, as recommended by experts

Many people find the simplest way to take collagen as a powder, but powder types vary. Jackson explains that “if you’re hoping to improve skin elasticity and hydration but are also concerned with longevity, future bone mineral density and joint health, and you are wanting to improve current strength and promote recovery after exercise, then bovine collagen peptides are for you.”

Bovine collagen is derived from cows so it’s best suited to those who follow an animal-based diet. This particular collagen powder contains 18 amino acids which contribute to healthy hair, skin and nails, whilst also building bone density, aiding joint mobility, and supporting gut health and immunity.

It’s unflavoured making it easy to add to smoothies, shakes or food. You can stir it into tea or a soup, or sprinkle it into porridge, your overnight oats or even a pasta sauce if you want to. You can also find this specific collagen peptide powder in different flavours including vanilla and creamy cacao so drinking it mixed with water is a good option too. “It contains collagen types one and three, which makes it ideal for full body health,” says Jackson.

This original, unflavoured powder also comes in fruity versions, including mango, blueberry, and peach. Packham is a fan, as they “come in sachets per serving that are handy for travel and make it easy to take the right amount.”

This collagen is derived from marine sources, which have been hydrolysed to boost their absorption in the body. Packham explains that “some studies have suggested marine collagen can be absorbed 1.5 times more efficiently than other collagen, as, once hydrolysed, the peptides are much smaller than bovine peptides, for example.”

If you’re unsure whether to take marine collagen or bovine collagen, Packham breaks it down. “Hydrolysed type one marine collagen is a great choice for supporting skin, hair, nails and joints, while bovine collagen peptides have more type three as well as type one, which is needed for vessel and organ health,” she explains.

“If skin, hair and nail health are your primary concerns, Hunter and Gather also makes marine collagen,” Jackson shares. This is collagen type one, which is “the most abundant collagen type in the human body, making up between 80-90 per cent”.

This unflavoured, gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free powder can be mixed in with soups, smoothies and stews, as well as hot and cold drinks. This powder also contains 18 amino acids and is a great choice if you consume seafood but don’t eat meat as it comes from fish.

If you’re looking for further research, Jackson says “a 2021 study showed ingestion of hydrolysed collagen for 90 days was effective in reducing skin ageing, as it reduces wrinkles and improves skin elasticity”.

Some people find that whereas bovine collagen has no discernable flavour, marine collagen can sometimes have a fishy taste, but that isn’t necessarily true for all marine collagen products and many often come in delicious flavours. However, if you want a pure form of marine collagen with no additives, the purest you’ll find is a simple powder.

As Packham notes, the best way for the body to absorb collagen is to break it down into smaller molecules called hydrolysed collagen peptides. This sleep powder from Pura is a peptide plus collagen powder with added ingredients to promote a restful night’s sleep.

A great deal of the body’s healing and regeneration is done while we sleep, so while some people prefer to take their collagen first thing in the morning, this product is intended for before bed. Studies have shown that taking collagen before sleep can support better sleep quality. This is because collagen contains glycine, an amino acid that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

This chocolate and caramel-flavoured drink also contains L-glycine (which calms the central nervous system), magnesium to regulate melatonin, L-tryptophan and zinc. So according to experts, among the benefits of topping up collagen, better sleep and better mood are included.

You can add this heat-stable collagen powder to your morning cup of tea or coffee or pop it into a smoothie. While this supplement contains bovine collagen, Ancient and Brave also offers marine-based and vegan collagen, too.

“This is a tasteless and odourless pure bovine collagen that has been hydrolysed into the smallest molecular peptides that can be absorbed across the gut wall and into the bloodstream,” says Packham, adding that you should “always choose hydrolysed collagen peptides, as this form is more bioavailable and easier for the body to absorb.”

“There is 5,000mg of collagen per 5g serving, and you can safely take up to three servings a day if you have increased requirements. I always look at getting around 10,000mg of collagen per day from supplementation, however, individual needs do vary,” Packham explains.

“This high absorption, pure marine collagen blend by Sixways includes some powerful skin-supportive ingredients, for those looking for a collagen powder to help improve their skin,” says Shand. Sprinkle the fruity-flavoured collagen into smoothies, drinks and food dishes, or even just into a glass of water.

“It includes hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol and zinc for healthier skin, and tastes like raspberry, so it can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink. I like to add ice to it,” Shand says.

Nearly impossible to get by diet alone, our high-absorption marine collagen helps to strengthen bones and muscle while improving skin health too. With a fresh raspberry flavour, the blend also includes skin-balancing zinc and retinol to give you a holistic health boost.

Alternatively, you could try drinking bone broth to get your collagen fix, but on a daily basis, this can be tricky, so a raspberry-flavoured drink like this makes it much simpler and easier to top up your body’s stores.

For those that might prefer a ready-to-drink option as opposed to a powder that needs mixing, this drink contains 10,000mg of type one marine collagen per serving, so, “it’s like taking a small shot”, says Packham.

Additional ingredients include hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for supporting healthy joints and bones.

Packham explains, that, “there is supporting evidence for the absorbability of type one collagen peptides, which are the predominant type of collagen found in marine collagen, suggesting they can be beneficial in supplement form, as well as evidence connecting oral supplementation of collagen peptides and improved skin elasticity and hydration.”

While some research recommends taking around 10mg daily to see results, as with all supplements, Packham highlights that “consistency is key”.

If you’re the sort of person who prefers to load your supplements into one source – as let’s face it, taking a plethora of pills and powders each day can be labour intensive – this product contains added vitamin C.

It’s strawberry-flavoured and contains type one collagen peptides derived from sustainably sourced Norwegian cod, plus 50mg of vitamin C, which not only tops up your daily recommended allowance, it also aids the absorption of collagen.

“Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis in the body, it’s involved in cross-linking of the collagen molecules, which contribute to the strength of collagen fibres in tissues such as the skin,” explains Packham. “If you don’t have enough vitamin C available, collagen synthesis can become impaired.”

“You can also get vitamin C through foods such as strawberries, kiwi and red pepper,” Packham says, but this is a useful product for combining both elements in one and ensuring that you’re making the most of the collagen you’re taking.

“Revive Collagen enhanced plus is rich in nutrients and marine collagen type one, which is important for the firmness of the skin structure,” Brackenbury explains.

“The level of this collagen declines as we age, and can also stretch up to 25 per cent of its original size, so it’s important to keep the collagen type one coming.”

Made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and sweetened with stevia, this blend comes in liquid sachets that also contain retinol, hydrolysed keratin and vitamins B6, B12, C and D for skin, bone and muscle health. This particular blend is also a favourite for those looking to boost their hair and nails.

Some experts suggest that a liquid formula can absorb better into the body compared with taking a pill so you can either take these sachets as a shot or mix them with food or drinks.

Facialist Fiona Brackenbury explains that “having spent years with scientists in labs, formulating products, I understand how difficult it is to get collagen to influence the condition of our skin.” This is because when we ingest a supplement, the potency can be decreased as it makes its way to the gut.

However, after doing her own research, Brackenbury found that “Ingenious Beauty ultimate collagen has protected the collagen, so it survives the low PH and is able to reach the small intestine where we absorb all our nutrition and can absorb the collagen peptides.”

These capsules are created to be taken once a day, and contain marine collagen peptide, alongside hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid and antioxidant astaxanthin. With use, Brackenbury has noticed: “I ache less and my skin is hydrated, so I now take them every evening, as part of my routine.”

“I love bone broths but they are time-consuming to make, which is why I rate Planet Paleo organic bone broth pure unflavoured powder,” Shand says.

“I like how versatile this collagen-rich powder is because it adds collagen as well as protein and bone broth nutrients to cooking. As it’s unflavoured, that means the powder is really versatile and an easy way to boost meals or add collagen to your breakfast smoothie,” she adds.

“What’s really impressive is that each serving equals 1.5 cups of homemade collagen-rich bone broth,” Shand continues, highlighting: “This organic powder is a great option for someone who wants the added benefits of bone broth, as well as knowing they’re topping up collagen levels, too.”

With each sachet containing 25 servings, simply add seven teaspoons to a hot or cold drink or dish for all the benefits.

Shand recommends this collagen supplement to clients because “it easily dissolves into my morning matcha or coffee, it’s tasteless and doesn’t contain any other added ingredients”.

The powder is made from wild Norwegian cod, can be used during pregnancy and you only need to mix in one tablespoon a day. “It’s made from MSC-certified, sustainably sourced wild Norwegian cod skin, and Bare Biology is a quality family-run brand I trust,” Shand adds.

Obviously, if you don’t regularly consume much fish as part of your diet, a product like this can top up the nutrients that you might be missing out on. It’s also a great option for those who don’t eat meat but who are comfortable eating something derived from marine sources.