The 9 Best Tested and Researched Collagen Supplements of 2024
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Collagen is an important structural protein that makes up our skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons. As we age, our body produces less collagen, resulting in decreased skin elasticity and more wrinkles. Collagen consumed in whole foods or as a supplement may improve skin appearance and joint pain.Additionally, some evidence suggests that collagen supplementation may improve hair and nail strength, however, there is limited research. Aside from these potential benefits, some collagen powders are a good source of protein that can easily be added to beverages or smoothies to help boost your protein intake.
To determine the best collagen supplements on the market, our registered dietitians combed through the research and used their clinical expertise. We also tested 20 collagen powders and rated each product for taste, texture, smell, third-party testing, nutrition, and value. When deciding which collagen supplement is best for you, consider the form, type of collagen (different types are correlated with different potential benefits), source, dose, flavor, and budget that best suits your needs. Also, if you are looking for collagen for a protein boost, be sure to check the nutrition label, as not all collagen supplements are a good source of protein.
Editor’s Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Types I & III | Source: Bovine | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 2 Scoops | Collagen per serving: 20 grams | Protein per serving: 18 grams
Why We Recommend It
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides provide you with 20 grams of collagen per two scoops, which contains 18 grams of protein. These collagen peptides are from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, and the product is certified kosher. It also contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to support your skin appearance. Vital Proteins is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it does not contain substances prohibited by sports organizations and has the ingredient amounts listed on the label. It is also free from gluten, dairy, and sweeteners.
Vital Proteins has both flavored and unflavored options that can be added to either hot or cold beverages. However, we found that the unflavored collagen dissolves better in hot liquids. We also noticed that the unflavored version is best mixed into coffee, tea, smoothies, or soups to mask the slightly unpleasant taste we noticed when mixed with just plain water. Alternatively, Vital Proteins has a lemon flavor that tastes great in plain water or mixed into herbal teas and smoothies. In fact, when mixed with plain cold or hot water, it tasted and smelled pleasant, similar to lemonade.
This collagen supplement contains collagen types I and III, which are meant to support your skin, hair, and nails.
Things To Consider
This unflavored option has a slightly unpleasant taste when mixed with plain water, so we recommended mixing into flavored beverages.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Types I and III | Source: Pig | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 2 teaspoons | Collagen per serving: 2.9 grams | Protein per serving: 2.6 grams
Why We Recommend It
Besha Collagen Peptides is a pure collagen powder in the form of Verisol, a specific, patented collagen peptide known for stimulating the production of skin collagen. This pig-derived collagen supplement has been tested in placebo-controlled studies and has shown modest improvement in wrinkles after eight weeks. It comes in powdered form and requires mixing 2 teaspoons into your beverage of choice daily, providing 2.9 grams of type I and III collagen per serving.
The only ingredient in this supplement is collagen, and it does not contain any fillers or additives. It is also third-party tested for purity and potency.
Things To Consider
Given that this product is derived from pigs, it may not be suitable if you do not consume pig products. It also has a smaller serving size compared to other powders and contains less protein.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Types I & III | Source: Bovine | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 1 Scoop | Collagen per serving: 15 grams | Protein per serving: 14 grams
Why We Recommend It
If you are looking for a pregnancy-safe collagen powder, try Needed Collagen Protein Powder. We like that this product is third-party tested for heavy metals, pesticides, allergens, microbes, and other contaminants and is a Clean Label Project Purity Award Winner. It’s also free of hormones, additives, and common food allergens, making it a safe option for those who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
This supplement contains just hydrolyzed bovine collagen sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows. Hydrolyzed collagen is a form that is easier for your body to digest and absorb. Because the powder is unflavored and dissolves well in any fluid, it can easily be added to beverages, soups, smoothies, and more.
During pregnancy, protein needs increase, so if you are unable to consume adequate protein from food alone, protein supplements can be a good option to help boost your intake. Needed Collagen Protein provides 14 grams of protein per serving and is also rich in the amino acid glycine, which may be especially beneficial in late-stage pregnancy.
Things To Consider
This is one of the more expensive products on our list at about $1.67 per serving. Also, we recommend mixing it with a flavored beverage for improved taste.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Type I | Source: Fish (cod) | Potential Allergens: Fish | Serving Size: 1 scoop | Collagen per serving: 11.1 grams | Protein per serving: 10 grams
Why We Recommend It
If you prefer marine-derived collagen peptides, Natural Force Marine Collagen Peptides contain 11.1 grams of collagen from wild-caught cod per scoop, with 10 grams of protein. This supplement contains type I collagen, which is meant to support your skin, hair, and nails.
We like Natural Force’s transparency in testing their products to ensure the purity of ingredients and no contaminants. Each batch of Natural Force Marine Collagen peptides is third-party tested by Covance, and they offer a Certificate of Analysis for each batch.
It is recommended to mix this powder with warm or hot water first, and then add ice or chill in the refrigerator if you want to drink it cold. Alternatively, you can add it directly to smoothies without any premixing required. We love that despite a slight fish smell upon opening the package, it has a completely neutral taste (and no aftertaste) in both hot and cold beverages, including in plain water.
Things To Consider
We noticed this powder takes a bit longer to dissolve. It took a little more stirring, but it did dissolve without residual sediment. It also only contains type I collagen. Given that this is marine-derived collagen, it is not suitable if you have a fish allergy.
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Third-party tested
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Grass-fed, pasture raised cows
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Contains vitamin C to support collagen formation
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Flavorless taste
Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Type I, II, III, V, X | Source: Bovine, chicken, fish, eggshell membrane | Potential Allergens: Egg, fish (haddock, cod, pollock) | Serving Size: 1 scoop | Collagen per serving: 10 grams | Protein per serving: 9 grams
Why We Recommend It
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein is third-party tested and provides you with 10 grams of collagen per scoop of powder, with 9 grams of protein. This product provides 90 milligrams of vitamin C, 100% of the Daily Value, to aid in collagen production. Each serving also contains the soil-based organism (SBO) Bacillus coagulans probiotic strain. This probiotic is generally considered safe for most people, but if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking antibiotics, or taking other probiotic supplements, talk to a healthcare provider before taking this supplement.
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein contains a blend of five types of collagen meant to support the health of your skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. The cows are grass-fed and pasture-raised, and the supplement is non-GMO, dairy, nut, soy, and gluten-free. We like that this collagen is flavorless, especially in hot beverages, and dissolves quickly. The chalky smell of the powder is less noticeable when mixed into a flavored or hot beverage compared to cold water, and there is no aftertaste.
Things To Consider
While Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein provides many collagen types, it does contain fish and eggs, which are potential dietary allergens. Also, this powder has a slightly chalky smell that some may find off-putting.
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Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson
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Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson
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Key Specs
Form: Capsule | Collagen Type: Type I and III | Source: Pig | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 4 capsules | Collagen per serving: 2.5 grams | Protein per serving: 2 grams
Why We Recommend It
If you prefer to use capsules over powders, Trunature Healthy Skin Verisol Collagen provides 2.5 grams of collagen per four capsules. This supplement contains Verisol collagen, which has shown benefits for skin health in several placebo-controlled studies. This supplement is also third-party tested for purity and potency.
Things To Consider
The recommended dose is four capsules, which can feel like a lot to take daily. It also has a smaller amount of collagen per serving and contains less protein. These collagen peptides contain porcine-derived collagen, so they may not be suitable if you do not consume pig products.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Type I, II, III, V, & X | Source: Cow, chicken, fish, egg | Potential Allergens: Egg and fish (tilapia) | Serving Size: 2-4 scoops | Collagen per scoop: 7.8 grams | Protein per scoop: 7 grams
Why We Recommend It
CB Multi Collagen Protein offers unflavored and flavored varieties of collagen in powder form. This supplement contains collagen from grass-fed cows, cage-free chickens, wild-caught fish, and eggshell membranes, providing five types of collagen. It is NSF Certified for Sport making it a great option for athletes. It is also non-GMO and gluten-free.
The recommended dose is one scoop per 50 pounds of body weight, with one scoop providing you with 7.8 grams of collagen. Therefore, unlike other collagen supplements, the recommended dosing will vary based on your weight.
This powder dissolves completely in hot beverages, but it takes a couple of minutes of stirring. We also noticed a slight dairy-like taste when mixed in plain water, but the flavor went undetected in coffee. In addition to the standard packaging, they offer travel packets, convenient for on-the-go.
Things To Consider
While CB Multi Collagen Protein supplement offers many benefits, it is a more expensive choice. We recommend mixing this product in hot beverages, as it does not dissolve well in cold beverages. We also noticed it left behind some clumps at the bottom of the glass when mixed with cold water.
Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson
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ConsumerLab.com tested and approved
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Contains UC-II, tested for joint health
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Single capsule serving size
Key Specs
Form: Capsule | Collagen Type: Type II | Source: Chicken | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 1 capsule | Collagen per serving: 10 milligrams | Protein per serving: <1 gram
Why We Recommend It
Healthy Origins Natural UC-II contains undenatured type II collagen from chicken cartilage, which has been studied in clinical trials for managing joint pain. It provides 40 milligrams of UC-II cartilage, which contains 10 milligrams of collagen.
Healthy Origins Natural UC-II supplements come in capsule form, so you cannot mix them into liquids, and it is meant to be taken once daily. This product is non-GMO, gluten-free, and has been tested and approved through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary certification program, and was included in ConsumerLab.com’s 2023 Collagen Supplements Review.
Things To Consider
While this is a convenient one-capsule dose, it is recommended to specifically take it on an empty stomach before bedtime. Also, it is not a good source of protein.
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Key Specs
Form: Powder | Collagen Type: Type I, II, III | Source: Bovine | Potential Allergens: None | Serving Size: 1 scoop | Collagen per serving: 16.9 grams | Protein per serving: 15 grams
Why We Recommend It
If you are an athlete or active individual looking for a collagen supplement, we recommend Momentous Collagen Peptides. If you experience joint pain, this particular supplement may be especially beneficial since it contains FORTIGEL collagen hydrolysate, which may help reduce joint pain in healthy athletes.
Momentous is NSF Certified for Sport, a reputable and rigorous third-party certification that verifies the supplement contains what it says it contains, with no harmful contaminants and no substances banned for competitive athletes. It’s also Informed Sport Certified, a certification that tests supplements for hundreds of substances banned for sport.
It contains 15 grams of protein and over 50% of the daily value of vitamin C to enhance collagen production. The 60 milligrams of sodium is a small amount but may help replenish some of the sodium lost in sweat. This product dissolves best in hot beverages with thorough mixing for about a minute.
Things To Consider
The recommended time to take this collagen supplement is one hour before exercise for best results, which may be hard to remember. Also note that when you mix this powder into either hot or cold beverages, it gives it a slightly thicker texture to the liquid; however, it is mostly tasteless.
Where We Stand
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptide Powder is our top pick because it’s versatile, contains quality ingredients, is third-party tested, and provides 18 grams of protein per serving. If you’re looking for pescatarian-friendly collagen, try Natural Force Marine Collagen Peptides, a quality product made from wild-caught cod.
Are Collagen Supplements Beneficial?
- Skin appearance: Studies suggest that certain types of collagen may modesty help improve the appearance of aging skin. Various placebo-controlled studies conducted using hydrolyzed pig or fish-derived type I and type III collagen have demonstrated reduced wrinkle appearance, particularly around the eyes, and improved skin elasticity.
- Hair and Nails: Small studies support the claim that collagen supplements will lead to modestly increased hair density, while there are mixed results regarding the impact of collagen on nails. Some studies report increased nail growth and reduction in brittleness, while others show no change. Larger long-term studies are required.
- Joint pain: When it comes to joint pain, studies show supplementing with various forms of collagen, typically type II, for at least three to six months may modestly reduce joint stiffness or pain. However, some studies show no benefit.
- Postmenopausal people with reduced bone mineral density: If you experience age-related declines in bone mineral density, supplementing with collagen peptides for at least 12 months may support increased bone formation.
- Pregnant people: Collagen supplements may be beneficial if you are in the late stages of pregnancy when there is greater demand for the amino acid glycine. Certain collagen powders are also good sources of protein, which can help pregnant people meet their increased needs. It is best to consult your healthcare professional before using any supplements while pregnant.
Who May Not Benefit From Collagen Supplements
While collagen supplements may provide added benefits, keep in mind that your body makes its own collagen, so it’s not necessary to consume collagen supplements. Since collagen is derived from animal tissues, it is not appropriate for vegans and vegetarians, though there are fish-derived sources suitable for pescatarians.
Collagen supplements are generally well tolerated. Some people report mild symptoms, including gastrointestinal upset, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, lack of appetite, itchy skin, and canker sores.
- Those with a history of kidney stones: Though it has not been proven, it is theoretically possible that consuming collagen supplements in high doses may increase the risk of kidney stones. If you have a history of kidney stones, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider before using collagen supplements.
- Those with certain dietary restrictions: Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources. If you are vegan or vegetarian or refrain from eating certain animals, you should avoid collagen supplements.
- Those with certain allergies: If you have allergies to fish, shellfish, or eggs, you should avoid collagen supplements derived from fish sources or eggshell membranes.
How We Select and Test Supplements
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
In addition to our research, we tested 20 of the top collagen powders in the Verywell Testing Lab to rate each product for taste, texture, smell, dissolubility, and value. We noted how long (or if) each powder took to dissolve and if there was any off-putting odors or flavors. We did this by mixing a serving of each powder into cold water and a hot beverage (tea or coffee). We then combined these ratings with a nutrition and third-party testing score from our nutrition editor to get an overall rating for each pick.
We Also Tested
While not a top pick for any category, we also tested these collagen powders and think they are still worth highlighting.
Great Lakes Wellness Quick Dissolve Collagen Peptides: We like that this collagen powder is just from grass-fed cows and dissolves quickly in both cold and hot drinks. But, we picked up a slightly earthy smell and taste in both hot and cold drinks.
Nordic Naturals Marine Collagen Powder: We love the strong third-party testing and nutrition profile from Nordic Naturals products, but we noticed a stronger, earthy flavor in particular when we mixed this in a hot drink.
Gnarly Collagen Pro: This powder has strong third-party testing, and we like that it has added vitamin C and zinc. However, we could detect a zinc flavor in both beverages, and it didn’t dissolve well in cold water.
What to Look for in a Collagen Supplement
Third-Party Testing
Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested for purity and potency to ensure they contain what they say they contain and do not contain any potential contaminants. Trusted third-party certifications include ConsumerLab.com, NSF, USP, and Informed Choice, among others. However, these certifications can be difficult to obtain and expensive for manufacturers, so many companies choose not to get their products tested. If you are selecting a supplement that does not have third-party testing, we recommend choosing a trusted brand that does rigorous internal testing.
While not common, collagen supplements may contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic, or cadmium. Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, says, “You should always ask for a Certificate of Analysis. This report should be provided by the company. If they don’t, I wouldn’t use the product.” Athletes, in particular, may want to opt for NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport Certified to ensure they are free from banned substances for sport.
Form
Collagen supplements are sold as powders, tablets, capsules, chews, and liquids. Collagen supplements can usually be found in three forms:
- Collagen peptides: Collagen peptides are the type of collagen you will see most often in supplements. These peptides are collagen that has been broken down for better absorption.
- Gelatin: Partially hydrolyzed collagen, or gelatin, dissolves in hot but not cold water.
- Raw or undenatured collagen: Collagen can also come in raw or undenatured form, as in UC-II collagen, which is used for joint pain.
Collagen supplements typically contain either type I, II, III, or a combination. Type I and III are used for hair, skin, and nails, while type II is used for joint health. Certain supplements may also contain type V and type X, which are involved in muscle, lung, liver, placenta, and bone health.
If you are interested in giving it a try and it feels like a worthy investment, you can add collagen powder to smoothies, baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, gummies, and even soups.
Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to your healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.
If you have allergies to fish or eggs you should avoid collagen supplements derived from marine sources or eggshell membranes, respectively. Marine-derived collagen supplements may also lower blood sugar. Thus, if you are taking blood-sugar-lowering medication, including insulin, metformin, glyburide, and others, you should be cautious. It is always best to consult with your healthcare provider to review any potential interactions between supplements and medications you are taking.
How Much To Take
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
The recommended dose for collagen supplements varies. For wrinkles or joint pain, the typical recommended daily dosage of collagen peptides is 2.5 to 15 grams, though it is safe to consume more than this. You can take this once or in divided doses, with or without food. If you are using undenatured type II collagen for joint pain, the recommended dose is smaller at 40 milligrams per day. You should follow the recommended dose on your supplement of choice, as this will vary.
Collagen supplements are generally well tolerated. Some people report mild symptoms, including gastrointestinal upset, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, lack of appetite, itchy skin, and canker sores.
Research has shown that as 36% of your daily protein intake can come from collagen peptides without sacrificing protein quality, so we do not recommend consuming more than 36% of your daily protein from a collagen supplement.
Our Experts
The following experts gave us their professional feedback for using collagen supplements, who they are best for, and having a hand in which products we recommend.
- Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She specializes in gut and hormone health.
- Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN is a Registered Dietitian who works with a range of patients to meet their health goals. She also specializes in supplement research and analysis.
- Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition writer with a passion for translating complicated health and nutrition research into easily digestible information. She developed the collagen supplement testing methodology used in our lab for this article.
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