“By the time you’re in your mid-50s, your body is producing 50% less collagen,” clinical nutritionist Josh Axe, DNM notes. The way to help replenish those reserves, he says, is to consume the best collagen supplements—whether by simmering bones into a savory stock (à la Marco Canora’s celebrity-favorite Brodo) or reaching for one of the many collagen powders, capsules, and tablets on the market.
Turns out, the ingredient is less a fad, but a critical component of our bodies. Axe, author of 2019’s The Collagen Diet, explains that because collagen makes up 30% of all the protein in our bodies, it’s essential to restore collagen levels as you age—especially if you wish to reap its benefits ranging from hair growth to glowing skin and improved immune health. Ahead, we’ve tapped six skin experts (think: dietitians, nutritionists, and dermatologists) to weigh in on everything you need to know about collagen supplements—from hair, skin, and nails benefits to the best products shop.
Nutritionists’s Favorite Collagen Supplements
Meet The Experts
Here, a look at the incredible dietitians, doctors, and health experts who shared their insight to bring this story to life.
- Valerie Agyeman, R.D.N. is a dietitian and host of women’s health podcast, Flourish Heights.
- Josh Axe is a doctor of natural medicine, chiropractor, clinical nutritionist and author of 2019’s The Collagen Diet.
- Marcella Cacci is the founder and former CEO of One Ocean Beauty, a marine-based skin-care line.
- Dr. Linda Ellison is a biochemist, physicist, founder and CEO of kaü Health.
- Oz Garcia is a celebrity nutritionist, known for his approach to nutrition and aging.
- Dr. Brooke Russell is the founder and former vice president of operations at ECM Biosurgery.
- Dr. Charles Passler is a nutritionist to the stars, specializing in detoxification, digestion, metabolic rate, and other nutritional needs.
- Dr. Pat Wexler is a New York City-based dermatological surgeon specializing in body symmetry.
In This Article
Best All-Around Pick: Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein
- Why We Love It: Designed to be mixed with water or even added to cookies, Ancient Nutrition’s unflavored powder features ten unique types of collagen that promote both healthy skin and restful sleep. “[This] comes from real food sources and also contains probitoics and vitamin C,” notes Garcia. “It also helped me tremendously with my hair regrowth post-Covid.”
- Expected benefits: Healthy skin and nails, hair growth, digestive support, and better sleep
- Certifications: According to Ancient Nutrition, this is backed by “clinically studied ingredients”
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: 10 types of collagen (types I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, X, XII and XXII) from 4 sources (collagen derived from fermented eggshell membrane, bovine hide collagen peptides, chicken bone broth protein concentrate, and hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides)
- How to Take It: According to Ancient Nutrition, add one scoop to 8 ounces of water, coffee, or smoothie.
- What is tastes like: unflavored
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Collagen Per Serving: 20g
- Additional Ingredients: Proteins, SBO probiotics (2 billion CFU bacillus coagulans), vitamin C
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, Non-GMO, pasture-raised, grass-feed
Best Collagen for Hair Growth: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Advanced with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: “Vital Proteins uses grass-fed and pasture raised bovine, making it a great ‘over-the-counter’ alternative,” says Passler of one of the industry’s most cult-favorite collagens—even Jennifer Anniston is a fan; she told Vogue previously that she likes to mix a scoop into her morning coffee. “In addition to these supplements, consuming bone broth gives your body the components needed to naturally form collagen. Bone broth contains additional amino acids and is a great tool for healing gut issues.”
- Expected Benefits: Healthy hair, nails, skin, bones, and joints
- Certifications: Not listed
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: Bovine hide collagen peptides (type I and III)
- How to Take It: According to Vital Proteins, add 1-2 scoops into hot or cold liquids to your desire. When I take this collagen, I prefer to put it into a smoothie.
- What It Tastes Like: No taste
- Serving Size: 3 Tbsp
- Collagen Per Serving: 20g
- Additional Ingredients: Protein, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, no artificial sweeteners
Best Capsule: Hum Nutrition Collagen Love Skin Firming Supplement
- Why We Love It: Hum Nutrition’s range of nutritionist-formulated supplements includes this bestselling concoction, formulated with grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen, plus skin brightening vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and grape seed extract.
- Expected Benefits: Improved skin firmness and elasticity
- Certification: According to Hum Nutrition, the brand uses “verified clean ingredients,” “clinically tested actives,” and is “triple tested & third-party validated for purity & quality.”
- Form: Capsule
- Collagen Type: Collagen types I and III (sourced from beef)
- How to Take It: According to Hum Nutrition, take three capsules daily with food.
- What It Tastes Like: N/A
- Serving Size: 3 capsules
- Collagen Per Serving: 600 mg
- Additional Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, grape seed extract, red wine fruit extract, chondroitin sulfate
- Dietary Notes: Grass-fed, pasture-raised, and free of milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Best Collagen for Joints: Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder
- Why We Love It: Garden of Life’s formula has earned Garcia’s stamp of approval for being a “grass fed, wild- and pasture-raised source of collagen, [that] does very good third-party testing.”
- Expected Benefits: Promotes skin elasticity, strong nails & healthy hair
- Certifications: NSF-Certified Gluten-Free, Keto Certified, IGEN Non-GMO Tested, Certified Paleo
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: Bovine hide collagen peptides (Type I and III)
- How to Take It: According to Garden of Life, use one scoop with water, smoothies, or in baked goods.
- What It Tastes Like: No taste
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Collagen Per Serving: 20g
- Additional Ingredients: 1.5 Billion CFU probiotic (lactobacillus plantarum), protein
- Dietary Notes: Grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen, no added hormones or antibiotics, soy-free, dairy-free
Best Collagen with Vitamin C: Youtheory Collagen with Vitamin C
- Why We Love It: The draw to Youtheory’s collagen supplement is that it features vitamin C to give the hair, skin, and nails a boost no matter your life stage. “Vitamin C is vital for making collagen, helping to support the body’s natural production of it,” Agyeman says of the ingredient’s efficacy. Manufactured in southern California, these tablets are easy to take on the go; the brand recommends taking six daily. Perhaps three in the morning and three at night will deliver your desired results.
- Expected Benefits: Support healthy aging and a more youthful appearance
- Certifications: Not listed
- Form: Tablet
- Collagen Type: Hydrolyzed collagen (type I and III)
- How to Take It: According to Youtheory, take six tablets per day—at once or in doses.
- What It Tastes Like: N/A
- Serving Size: 6 tablets
- Collagen Per Serving: 6,000 mg
- Additional Ingredients: vitamin C
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
Best Liquid Collagen: SpoiledChild E27 Extra Strength Liquid Collagen
- Why We Love It: If you prefer to drink your supplements, then the best liquid collagen might be good for you. With just one to two teaspoons a day, SpoiledChild’s E27 combines collagen with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to promote smoother skin, strong joints and bones, and even improved digestion.
- Expected Benefits: Support healthy skin & hair, gut health and weight goals.
- Certifications: Not listed
- Form: Liquid
- Collagen Type: Bovine collagen (type I and III)
- How to Take It: According to SpoiledChild, take one to two tablespoons daily.
- What It Tastes Like: Two flavors—mango or pineapple
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Collagen Per Serving:
- Additional Ingredients: vitamin C, hyaluronic acid
- Dietary Notes: Sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, soy-free
Best Greens Collagen Powder: 8Greens Skin Supplement with Marine Collagen
- Why We Love It: With a fresh apple flavor, one of 8Greens’s effervescent marine collagen tablets contains as much Vitamin A as four cups of broccoli and as much Vitamin C as a whopping 25 stalks of celery. No wonder fans include supermodels Christy Turlington and Helena Christensen. Think of it as a greens powder-collagen supplement duo.
- Expected Benefits: Glowing skin
- Certification: PETA-approved
- Form: Tablet
- Collagen Type: Marine collagen
- How to Take It: According to 8Greens, drop one tablet into 8 fl. oz. of water, let dissolve, and drink.
- What It Tastes Like: Apples
- Serving Size: 1 tablet
- Collagen Per Serving: 500mg
- Additional Ingredients: Protein, vitamin C, biotin, zinc, potassium, proprietary greens blend (this includes ingredients like organic matcha green tea, turmeric, organic broccoli, kale, and spinach)
- Dietary Notes: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, made with natural flavors
Best Marine Collagen: Vida Glow Original Marine Collagen
- Why We Love It: Incorporate one of Vida Glow’s Marine Collagen powder packets into your daily self-care routine for a wealth of skin-saving advantages, from enhanced elasticity to smoothed fine lines and wrinkles.
- Expected Benefits: Improved skin elasticity, plus healthy hair, skin, and nails
- Certification: According to Vida Glow, this is “tested for heavy metals, mercury, and other contaminants.”
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: Hydrolyzed marine collagen (type I and III) from sustainably-sourced fish skin
- How to Take It: According to Vida Glow, mix one sachet into 8-20 fl. oz. of liquid one to three times per day. (One serving for those 25-35, two servings for ages 36-45, and three servings for those 45 and up.)
- What It Tastes Like: No taste
- Serving Size: 1 sachet
- Collagen Per Serving: 3g
- Additional Ingredients: Protein
- Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free
Best Collagen for Hair, Skin & Nails: Agent Nateur Holi (Mane) Supplements
- Why We Love It: Combining pearl powder with collagen from deep sea fish, Agent Nateur’s nutrient-dense collagen powder supports supple skin, longer hair, and strong nails. Add one scoop to any raw food or drink, be it a cup of matcha or a green smoothie bowl.
- Expected Benefits: Healthy hair, skin, and nails
- Certification: Not listed
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: Marine collagen (type I, II, III, and IV) from wild-caught, kosher fish
- How to Take It: Add one scoop to a beverage, smoothie, matcha, coffee, or dressing.
- What It Tastes Like: No taste
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Collagen Per Serving: 10g
- Additional Ingredients: Pearl powder, protein, silica, magnesium, calcium, potassium
- Dietary Notes: Non-GMO, gluten-free, petrochemical-free
Best Collagen for Anti-Aging: Oxomio Beauty Icon Ultimate Collagen Beauty Complex
- Why We Love It: Stamped with its bottle and batch number, Oxomio’s ultra-potent elixir is formulated with made-in-France, wild-caught marine collagen peptides and elastin peptides from Japanese bonito fish. Expect strengthened skin—and a cherry-flavored finish.
- Expected Benefits: Improve skin elasticity. Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and texture.
- Certification: Created with MSC-Certified Peptan
- Form: Powder
- Collagen Type: Wild-caught marine collagen peptides (type I)
- How to Take It: According to Oxomio, mix two scoops into 8 oz of water or your favorite drink.
- What It Tastes Like: No taste
- Serving Size: 2 scoops (10.8g)
- Collagen Per Serving: 10g
- Additional Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans from salmon cartilage, elastin peptides from Japanese Bonito fish
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
What is collagen?
“Collagen is a structural protein, rich in amino acids, abundantly found in the body,” nutritionist Dr. Charles Passler tells Vogue. “Skin, cartilage, bones, connective tissue, and tendons use collagen for structural support.
What are collagen supplements?
True collagen supplements are made from animal or fish proteins and contain short chain amino acids, peptides.” Promising everything from thicker hair and stronger nails to plumper skin, collagen powders are on track to reach $7.5 billion by 2027, Business Insider previously reported. The sector is led by brands such as the Chicago-based Vital Proteins, which became Instagram-famous when it partnered with Kourtney Kardashian on an organic blueberry-and-lemon–flavored powder sourced from pasture-raised cows in Brazil.
What are the expected benefits of taking collagen supplements?
What are collagen supplements actually supposed to do for the body? To get the scoop (pun intended), we’ve tapped Valerie Agyeman, a dietitian and host of women’s health podcast Flourish Heights, who shares all the purported benefits—from healthier hair and stronger nails to improved muscle mass. A breakdown, below:
