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The Best Collagen Capsules for Healthy Hair, Skin, and Joints
Learn what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for collagen capsules.
When you look in the mirror you might notice a few signs of aging. You may feel it in your joints as well. Although this process is natural, you have more power to slow it down than you think.
For a more youthful appearance and greater mobility, pairing collagen with vitamin C could be the game-changer you've been looking for. Vitamin C promotes further natural collagen synthesis in the body, which provides an added layer of support for healthier, clearer-looking skin.
Unfortunately, collagen production declines as we enter our twenties and drops around 1% every year.
This fact alone has turned collagen and vitamin C supplements into a growing 4.5 billion-dollar industry. Knowing what to look for in a supplement could mean the difference between a transformative product and a mediocre one.
A Quality Collagen Supplement Can:
Why Do We Need Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It plays a key role in preserving and strengthening the health of your skin, hair, joints, and more. Losing collagen makes the structure of our skin, hair, and joints fall apart.
The lack of collagen in the standard American diet has only increased the demand for supplements. But are they effective? And more importantly, are they safe?
The answer is 'yes.'
There are thousands of clinical studies that have shown positive results with daily use of collagen supplements, including products containing key nutrients like vitamin C. Many of them conclude a noticeable difference in skin elasticity, hair density, and joint mobility.
Collagen Capsules vs. Powder
In terms of effectiveness and absorption, there is no significant difference between capsules and powders.
However, if you're the type of person that appreciates the convenience of swallowing a couple of capsules as opposed to preparing a drink, then capsules are for you. Capsules are also easier to transport and ensure that you get an exact dose every time you take them.
However, not all supplements are created equally and when it comes to choosing a high-quality collagen product, there are several things to consider.
What To Look For In A Collagen Capsule
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Hydrolyzation is a process by which the amino acids in collagen are broken down by heated water so they're easier for your body to absorb. This method is also the safest and avoids the use of harsh chemicals.
Collagen Types I, II, III, V & X
We recommend finding a supplement that contains each of these types of collagen. This ensures you have a well-rounded supplement that targets your hair, skin, and joints.
Biotin
A hair-nourishing vitamin that keeps your follicles strong and works in conjunction with collagen to promote strong hair, smooth skin, and reduce inflammation.
Why Vitamin C Is Essential
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is vital in your body's ability to synthesize collagen.
With extra vitamin C in your diet, a quality collagen supplement prepares your body for long-term, intensive collagen synthesis — essential for clear and healthy skin, in addition to helping keep joints healthy and flexible.
What To Avoid
Vegan Collagen
Collagen is found in animal tissue, so there's no way to make truly vegan collagen. Vegan collagens on the market are called collagen "boosters" and are made up of various vitamins that claim to promote your innate collagen production. Unless you're looking for an overpriced daily vitamin, steer clear of vegan collagen.
Topical Collagen Creams
This type of collagen claims to be absorbable through the skin, but the science just isn't there. The outer layer of the skin, sometimes called the skin barrier, blocks out large molecules like collagen. The collagen in topical creams is not that effective or absorbable, making them no better than a common moisturizer.
Magnesium Stearate
This cheap filler is used to help bind ingredients together and lubricate the supplement so it doesn’t gum up in the manufacturing process. Magnesium stearate adds no nutritional value and can become toxic to your system.
Your Definitive Collagen Checklist
Now that you know what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, it’s also important to keep these additional tips in mind when shopping for a collagen supplement.
2025’s Must-Have Collagen Capsules
The Brilliant Choice:
Beyond Collagen Capsules by Live Conscious®
The Brilliant Choice:
Beyond Collagen Capsules by Live Conscious®
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
How We Choose Products
Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality.
Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.
Brilliant Criteria
We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
- High-Quality Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain comprehensive ingredients for optimal impact.
- Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else—period.
- Brand Credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.
Why Trust Us?
As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.
With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.
Citations
- Cleveland Clinic. “Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits.” Cleveland Clinic, 23 May 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen .
- DePhillipo, Nicholas N., et al. “Efficacy of Vitamin c Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress after Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review.” Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 6, no. 10, Oct. 2018, p. 232596711880454, https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967118804544 .
- Nast, Condé. “Why Applying Collagen Topically Won’t Fight Fine Lines.” Allure, 3 Sept. 2021, www.allure.com/story/topical-collagen-for-skin .
- Weiss, Cynthia. “Mayo Clinic Q and A: Collagen and Biotin Supplements.” Mayo Clinic News Network, 19 Aug. 2021, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-collagen-and-biotin-supplements/
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