Best collagen supplements UK 2024

<h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>What is collagen?</strong></h2><p>Collagen is the structural protein that adds density and plumpness to our skin, making it look smoother and feel more taut. </p><p>“It’s a crucial protein found in the body, particularly in the skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments,” explains medical consultant and founder of Adonia Medical clinic, <a href=” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme</a>. “It provides structure, elasticity and strength to various tissues, making it essential for maintaining healthy skin, joints, and overall body function.”</p><p>Our natural collagen production stars slowing down from our mid-twenties, but if you’re keen to put the bounce back into your skin, and your twenties feel like a long time ago, hope is not lost. That’s where some of our best collagen supplements come in. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>Are collagen supplements worth it?</strong> </h2><p>Not only good for boosting skin elasticity, collagen can also help improve joint, bone, gut, nail and hair health. This means collagen supplements can be beneficial for tackling symptoms of the <a href=” target=”_blank”>menopause</a> and <a href=” target=”_blank”>perimenopause</a>, from aching joints to flaking nails.</p><p>The good news is that there are many ways to boost your collagen production, from topical application of <a href=” target=”_blank”>collagen creams</a> and serums, to drinking or eating it in the form of gummies, bars, liquid sachets or powdered drinks. </p><p>In theory, anyway. Experts don’t always agree on what’s possible – debate rages over the ideal size of collagen molecules, as well as their ability to be absorbed into the skin or to travel safely through the digestive system. </p><p>However, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that says collagen supplements can contribute to stronger and faster hair and <a href=” target=”_blank”>nail growth</a>, as well as noticeably plumper-looking and more resilient skin.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How do collagen supplements work? </h2><p>Most drinks and supplements claim to increase collagen levels in the skin by hardwiring the protein – in the form of collagen peptides or hydrolysed collage – to go straight to the stomach. They’re then broken down during digestion into amino acids, absorbed into your system and used by your body to build collagen or other required proteins. </p><p>Collagen supplements stay in your body for around two weeks, which means you’ll only feel the effects if you use them regularly. Our tip? Make remembering as easy for yourself as possible by incorporating your chosen supplements into your morning <a href=” target=”_blank”>skincare </a>or breakfast routine.<br></p><h2 class=”body-h2″>Types of collagen </h2><ul></ul><h3 class=”body-h3″>Bovine </h3><p>The collagen in supplements is usually derived from bovine (cows) or marine sources (found in the skin and scales of fish). It’s worth noting that bovine collagen supplements have made the news for their contribution to biodiversity issues in tropical regions (from where the ingredients are sourced). </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Marine</h3><p>If you’re keen to steer clear of these, we’d recommend opting for a marine collagen supplement instead. We’ve distinguished between them in our ‘key specifications’ boxes below to make your research that little bit more manageable.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Vegan</h3><p class=”body-text”>The rise of <a href=” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>vegan supplements</a> is also currently making waves in the market. These don’t actually contain collagen as it isn’t vegan, but some claim to replicate the amino acid profile of type 1 human collagen, or they contain ingredients such as vitamin C, which help promote collagen production. We haven’t got any on our tried and tested list currently, as they’re still fairly new. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>What foods are high in collagen?</strong></h2><p><strong></strong><a href=” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”Bone broth”>Bone broth</a> is an increasingly well-known collagen booster thanks to the fact that it’s rich in the amino acids that form the building blocks that your body needs to create its own proteins, including collagen. You don’t have to boil up a vat of pig’s trotters to get your daily collagen fix, however. Other foods high in collagen include meat, fish, dairy products and eggs, with plant-based protein such as soy, beans, nuts, seeds and fungi also helping your body to produce its own collagen.</p><p>Certain vitamins and minerals also play a key role in collagen production. Vitamin C boosts collagen levels, as does silica (found in oats, cereals and bananas), copper (found in mushrooms and cocoa) and sulphur (eat lots of garlic). Essentially, a collagen-boosting diet should include a varied mix of proteins, vegetables and grains that are high in fibre.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?</h2><p class=”body-text”>We tested collagen supplements for three months (12 weeks), as most brands claim this is how long it takes to see real, tangible results.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>Are collagen supplements safe?</strong></h2><p><strong></strong>“Collagen supplements are generally safe for most people when taken as directed,” says Dr Ejikeme. “However, some individuals may experience mild side effects such as digestive discomfort, bloating, or mild allergic reactions.”</p><p>She adds: “It’s essential to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.”</p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>What age should you start taking collagen?</strong></h2><p><strong></strong>You could top up your natural collagen supplies from your mid 20s onwards, when collagen levels naturally start to fall, but the greatest benefit will be seen pre- and post-menopause. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″><strong>How we test collagen supplements</strong></h2><p>The GHI experts recruited 195 <a href=” target=”_blank”>panel members </a>to trial 13 brands of collagen supplements over a period of three months. We asked them to assess taste, ease of use and efficacy, highlighting any improvements in skin, hair and nail condition after taking each product as instructed. Testers also noted how quickly they saw improvements and submitted feedback every four weeks. <br></p><p>The next stop was the GHI<em> </em>lab, where our in-house experts used the VISIA Skin Analysis machine to assess any changes in users’ fine lines, wrinkles, texture and browns spots, giving each product a score out of five for performance. </p><p>Let’s take a look at the results. </p>”/>