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5 Collagen Supplements That Actually Work in 2024
What to look for in an effective collagen supplement that supports hair, skin, nails, and joints.
Around age 30, many of us notice the signs of declining collagen production. Skin loses elasticity, fine lines emerge, and jowls can begin to sag. These visible signs of aging have made collagen a top choice among supplements for people seeking to reclaim their skin's youthful glow.
Incorporating scientifically-backed collagen peptides into your diet is one of the most effective strategies to support your body's collagen needs.
Additionally, premium collagen powder can aid in healthy weight management, thanks to being low in calories yet providing you with an ample amount of protein.
But with so many collagen products on the market, it can be challenging to identify which ones deliver on their promise of revitalizing your youthful appearance and which merely aim for your wallet. Luckily, we put together this guide to help ease your search for your next collagen purchase.
Discover what sets high-quality collagen supplements apart, what to look for, and what to avoid, and explore Brilliant’s 5 collagen picks for skin radiance, hair vitality, and joint strength in 2024.
Your Top Collagen Questions Answered
What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. Not only does it help strengthen hair and nails, but it also keeps joints healthy and determines the appearance of your skin.
Why is Collagen Powder Good For You?
One of the best ways to get sufficient collagen in your diet is through a high-quality, scientifically-formulated collagen powder. Research suggests this can improve your health and well-being.
How Does Collagen Powder Work
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides in supplement form have been shown to promote increased skin elasticity, skin hydration, and dermal collagen density. “Hydrolyzed” is a scientific way of saying it’s been broken down into smaller parts so it’s easier to absorb.
Is Powder Better Than Liquid Collagen
Liquid collagen beverages tend to have longer ingredient lists than powders. Additives and flavorings, whether naturally derived or artificial, typically mean empty sugar calories. Hydrolyzed collagen powder wins in terms of potency, number of additives, cost savings, and an eco-friendly edge.
Can You Restore Collagen In the Face?
Since collagen is a large molecule, it's difficult to penetrate and absorb through your skin. Supplementing with collagen peptides has been shown to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and collagen density in the dermis, including in the face.
How Much Collagen Should I Take?
If you're concerned you’ve lost too much collagen and want to restore your levels quickly, you may benefit from "collagen loading."
Simply double your collagen intake for the first 30 days so your body can return to the baseline level of collagen production. After establishing this level, you'll likely start feeling and seeing the difference with just a single serving.
When To Take Collagen Peptides?
Collagen peptides may be taken at any time of day. Hydrolyzed collagen mixes best with hot beverages, however, using a blender (for smoothies) and frother (for iced coffees and teas) helps it blend just as well with cold drinks. Collagen peptides can also be used in a number of food recipes. It’s heat stable up to 572° F, making it easy to bake and cook with.
Collagen Production Over Time
Key Benefits of a Premium Collagen Powder
Promotes Skin Elasticity
Consuming collagen peptides on a regular basis provides reinforcements to the areas lacking collagen in your body, including the face and neck region. It works from the inside out, improving skin hydration, elasticity, and collagen density in the dermis.
Helps Strengthen Hair & Nails
Supplementing with collagen protein promotes hair and nail strength and growth by stimulating collagen synthesis in your body, which enhances natural production levels.
Encourages Healthy Weight Management
The right collagen powder will support proper and consistent weight management, thanks to its protein content while being low in calories. Protein intake is associated with satiety, or feeling full to the point of satisfaction.
Supports Joint Health
Hydrolyzed collagen types I and III target areas of concern in our bodies, such as occasional joint discomfort. By promoting collagen synthesis, joint and bone health stands to benefit.
Please keep in mind that not all collagen powders are created equal. Look for collagen powders that only feature grass-fed, pasture-raised, Grade-A bovine collagen peptides.
Here are some other things to consider when considering a premium collagen formula.
Key Ingredients in a Effective Collagen Powder
Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen for Maximum Potency
Grass-fed, pasture-raised, non-GMO, Grade A bovine collagen peptides that are free of fillers and additives are the most potent when it comes to supporting beautiful skin, full-bodied hair, strong nails, and helping reduce everyday joint discomfort.
Types I & III Boost Natural Collagen Production
Collagen types I and III can help offset collagen loss as we age by promoting collagen synthesis in your body, which enhances natural production. They are effective in targeting the primary areas of aging like sagging skin, thinning hair, brittle nails, and joint discomfort.
Diverse Amino Acid Profile Delivers Key Benefits
Supplements that feature at least 18 amino acids, including glycine and proline, in its formula are better suited for enhanced bioavailability and absorption of collagen peptides into the body, making it effective in delivering key benefits like improved skin hydration and elasticity.
Watch Out For
Marine collagen
Not all collagen is the same, and with marine collagen you can’t be assured you’re getting the most effective product. "Marine" is a blanket term for any aquatic creature whether it be a jellyfish, shellfish, or shark. Researchers have also found that marine collagen is weaker and more thermally unstable than collagen from other sources, like bovine collagen.
Fillers & extra ingredients
An effective collagen supplement doesn’t need fillers or additives. A product that is scientifically formulated will deliver consistent and healthy results you can rely on every day to improve overall health. You should also avoid products that contain added sweeteners and artificial flavors, as they may upset your gut and add unwanted calories.
Now that you know what to look for and avoid in collagen supplements, it’s time to shop! Check out our Brilliant recommendations below, including our own Live Conscious® and Essential Elements® Collagen Peptides.
2024’s Must-Have Collagen Peptides Supplements
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 for Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, weoften 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 shown to be effective. 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
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- Geahchan, Sarah et al. Marine Drugs vol. 20,1 61. 10 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/md20010061
- Li, Peng, and Guoyao Wu. Amino Acids vol. 50,1 (2018): 29-38. doi:10.1007/s00726-017-2490-6
- de Miranda, Roseane B et al. International Journal of Dermatology vol. 60,12 (2021): 1449-1461. doi:10.1111/ijd.15518
- Naomi, Ruth et al. Polymers vol. 13,16 2642. 9 Aug. 2021, doi:10.3390/polym13162642
- Samadi, Aniseh et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology vol. 22,8 (2023): 2252-2258. doi:10.1111/jocd.15700
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- Wang, Chao et al. Matrix Biology: Journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology vol. 85-86 (2020): 47-67. doi:10.1016/j.matbio.2019.10.001
- Wang, Hsiuying. Polymers vol. 13,22 3868. 9 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3390/polym13223868
- Ramli, Nurul Shazini et al. “Eggshell membrane powder lowers plasma triglyceride and liver total cholesterol by modulating gut microbiota and accelerating lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice.” Food science & nutrition vol. 8,5 2512-2523. 5 Apr. 2020, doi:10.1002/fsn3.1545
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