The best collagen supplements to boost your hair, skin, and mobility

What if I told you that you could reverse your aging, rock gorgeous locks, and enhance your flexibility and mobility all at once? You’d probably think I’m crazy, but there’s a supplement that promises just that. It’s called collagen. Collagen is a group of proteins that can be found in the connective tissues of our bodies. It is a major building block of our cartilage, bones, and joints, offering various benefits such as providing structure to our skin’s elasticity and keeping our joints and ligaments healthy.

As we age, however, our body doesn’t create enough collagen and our diets have almost none of it in it. This is why we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of collagen supplements. But with so many different types of supplements to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which one will match your lifestyle best. Worry not as we’ve done the research and compiled here some of the best collagen supplements on the market. From collagen powders and gummies to fish-derived and vegan options, we got it all covered.

At a glance: 

• Best powder: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder
• Best marine-sourced: Correxiko Marrine Collagen
• Best anit-aging: ForestLeaf Advanced Collagen Supplement
• Best gluten-free: Neocell
• Best gummy: Mav Nutrition Collagen Gummies
• Best all-in-one: Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Plus

Best powder: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder

The Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder is one of the highest-quality collagen supplements on the market. It’s made with grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen and has hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to help boost your body’s collagen production. It also helps make the hair, skin, nails, ligaments, and joints healthier.  The powder is easy to incorporate into your morning smoothie or coffee.

Best marine-sourced: Correxiko Marine Collagen

While most collagen supplements are made from cow, there are some that are derived from fish. An example is Correxiko, which is perfect for pescatarians. What makes this collagen unlike any other marine collagen brand is that they source all of their collagen from Canadian deep-sea fish, whereas their counterparts use fish from fish farms. Fish from fish farms are often raised in cramped conditions, which can lead them to get sick. They are then treated with antibiotics, which we then consume. By using deep-sea fish, Correxiko can ensure that they are using high-quality ingredients for their collagen. Each bottle comes with 120 capsules.

Best anti-aging: ForestLeaf Advanced Collagen Supplement

Our bodies stop producing collagen as we age. Because of this, our bodies become stiffer, our skin starts to wrinkle and sag, and it gets harder for us to move around. We tend to chalk it up to old age and deal with it, but what if you knew you didn’t have to? ForestLeaf collagen helps restore collagen in your body, which aims to restructure the connective tissues such as ligaments, bones, joints, and skin. This results in increased mobility and joint flexibility as well as radiant skin. One bottle contains 120 vegetable capsules.

Best gluten-free: Neocell

Like other collagen, Neocell supplements contain type I and III collagen, which support the enhancement of youthful skin, nails, and hair. But what makes this collagen so unique is that it is also gluten-free and uses vitamin C to help boost collagen production. Each bottle comes with 120 tablets.

Best gummy: Mav Nutrition Collagen Gummies

Hate swallowing pills? No problem! MAV Nutrition’s collagen supplements are perfect for you since they come in gummy form. These non-GMO gummies come in a variety of different natural flavors such as strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry, and are made without gelatin. Each serving consists of Type I and Type III collagen, which supports healthy skin, muscles, and joints. Each bottle comes with 60 gummies.

Best all-in-one: Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Plus

This super collagen boasts an all-in-one formula that contains five types of collagen hydrolysate sourced from chicken, eggshell, 100% grass-fed bovine, and marine life. With collagen types I, II, III, V, and X present, this supplement offers various benefits, including anti-aging properties, a boost in gut health, stronger joints, plus support for healthier nails, hair, and skin. Each capsule is all-natural and further enhanced with a black pepper extract called BioPrine for better absorption.

What is the difference between collagen powder and supplements?

If you start looking into the different types of collagen you will notice that there are collagen pills and collagen powders, and are probably wondering which one is better. Both collagen powders and pills are equally good for you, but there are some minor things to consider. Collagen powder is a white tasteless supplement that dissolves easily in hot and cold liquids, making it great for adding in drinks or cooked food. Many people enjoy adding collagen powders in their morning coffee, smoothies, and food. Collagen pills, on the other hand, come in capsules that hold the same powder in them. The capsules are made out of gelatin and water, and therefore may not be a good option for those who eat a plant-based diet such as vegans and vegetarians.

What are the different types of collagen?

There are 16 different types of collagen but there are 4 central ones that we need to keep our bodies healthy. Type I collagen makes up 90% of our body and it provides structure to our skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Type II collagen helps provide support for our joints, whereas Type III collagen provides the structure for our muscles, organs, and arteries. And Type IV collagen can be found in the layers of our skin. Seeing how much collagen supports so many structures of our bodies, there’s without a doubt that it is needed to keep us healthy.

What are the side effects of taking collagen?

According to WebMD, collagen peptides are generally safe to use. They also suggest that you can use up to 10 grams of collagen a day for up to 5 months with no adverse side effects. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you want to consult your doctor first, as there have been limited studies on the effects of collagen in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

What is the best way to take collagen?

We’ve explained what collagen is, what the different types of collagen are, and whether it has side effects so you’re probably wondering what’s the best way for you to take this supplement. There’s no perfect technique on how to take collagen. However, there’s an amazing way you can do to help boost collagen production within your body. This can be done by consuming foods high in vitamin C. There are a variety of different fruits and vegetables that are high in this vitamin, such as bell peppers, strawberries, and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes.