There are at least two universal truths out there when it comes to youth: everyone ages and not everyone shows their age at the same rate. To look younger for longer, many women swear by collagen supplements, a trend which started in Japan. (5)
5 Best-Selling Collagen for Skin:
Let’s have a look at the best selling products on the market while including a few collagen reviews.
1Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder
Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder
As an unflavored powder, this product can be mixed in with anything. You can also drink it mixed with plain water, but make sure it’s a room temperature to avoid clumping and add ice cubes after. There’s just one source of collagen in this product, and that’s bovine. Additionally, there are only 2 types of collagen here: I and III.
- Unflavored
- Paleo-friendly
- Not vegan
- One collagen source
2Purely Optimal Collagen Complex Capsules
Purely Optimal Collagen Complex Capsules
If you want to make sure you benefit from all 5 types of collagen at once without taking many supplements, this product can help. These tablets contain 1500 mg of collagen collected from 4 sources rich in this substance: chickens, cows, fish, and eggshell. It’s best to follow the administration instructions, unlike with other similar products where you can take 2 doses instead of the single recommended daily dose.
- Contains all 5 types of collagen
- Capsules
- Not vegan
3Physician’s Choice Collagen Peptides Powder
Physician’s Choice Collagen Peptides Powder
This powder contains 2 types of collagen, I and III, sourced from bovines. Additionally, 14 amino acids are also found in the product’s composition. To help the body better absorb all the ingredients, the digestive enzyme complex DigSEB has been included in the product’s formula. Those following a keto diet can also take this collagen that can be mixed with any beverage since it’s odorless.
- Contains 14 amino acids
- Odorless
- Not vegan
- Just 2 types of collagen
4Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Pills
Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Pills
This product comes as pills and there are individuals who prefer this form. There are 5 types of collagen in these capsules, collected from bovines, chickens, eggshells and wild fish. To help the body better absorb the composition, a black pepper extract known as BioPerine has also been included. While the formula of this product is not vegan friendly, it is keto and paleo friendly and cruelty free.
- All 5 types of collagen
- Keto and paleo friendly
- Not vegan
5Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder
The collagen in this product is sourced from 4 different types of foods: bovine, chicken, fish, and eggshell. The included types of collagen are I, II, III, V and X. The best feature of this protein powder is its lack of odor, thus you can easily mix it with various foods and drinks. The only allergy risk comes from fish, though the type used here is wild freshwater fish. Some customers complained about the changed formula as the product doesn’t dissolve as easy as it used to, while others noticed redness and breakouts.
- All 5 types of collagen
- Odorless
- Not vegan
Best Collagen for Skin Buyer’s Guide
We all know that there are some products many praise or like, but that simply don’t work, or don’t have the same results for everyone. Read this short guide on how to decide if a product is right for you or not.
Form
The form in which collagen is presented makes a lot of difference on how you take it. Capsules are easy to swallow while the powder can be mixed with drinks and foods. Which one to take is a matter of preference. Other forms also exist: already made drinks, or liquid collagen, and snack-bars. Check them all out, and then decide which one you want to use.
Source
People with dietary restrictions, medical, faith or other personal preferences, will want to learn more about the source of the collagen. For instance, none of the products here are vegan nor are they certified halal, even if they do not contain pork. All of them have a bovine source, something adepts of certain religions may find unacceptable to ingest. On the other hand, those following a paleo or keto diet, will easily find a suitable supplement.
Organic
Some people think that the “organic” label means the product is better. There is a lot of debate on the subject with many people saying that in reality, this label has little to no weight when it comes to the quality of the product, no matter the type of product we’re discussing. Most people believe that organic means no pesticides or no chemicals, however tests have shown these have been used, just in smaller quantities. (4)
Smell and color
The best collagen powder supplement should not have either smell or color, even when mixed with water, regardless of its source. A lack of both these attributes is an indication of the product’s quality and means you should get it.(6)
Pay attention to the collagen type
As you already noticed, there are 5 types of collagen that you can take. Depending on the result you want to achieve, you need the right type and in a higher percentage. Type I is for skin, 2 is for joints, type 3 is for hair, skin and nails and found around type I. (5) Type V deals with cell surface, placenta and hair. (7) Type X helps with new bone formation. (8)
Recommended dose
Several experts noticed that the sufficient dose at which you’ll see results is 2.5 grams/day. This means you should stay away from the products that recommend a higher dose. No matter how much or little collagen you take, the product should not make you feel bad.(6)
Price
There are some low priced products that deliver the same results or maybe better than the more expensive ones. This is not the case with collagen. The lower the price, the lower the chance you’re actually buying collagen peptides. What those products contain instead, is 3 amino acids, and you want 18 of them to be able to reconstruct the collagen molecule.(5)
If the price is not relevant enough with some products, look at what the item contains. What you want from the best collagen supplements bottle to contain, is Hydrolyzed Collagen or collagen peptides that has a High Bio-availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section is meant to shed some light on some aspects that may be unclear if you’re new to the product.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a structural protein that our bodies produce naturally and is found abundantly in mammals. It can be found in the joints, skin, hair roots, tendons and other places. However, after the age of 30, the body produces less and less collagen.
Gelatin and glue are just 2 ways in which this protein is used. The word itself comes from Greek language and it means “producing glue.”
Why 5 types and why are there skipped numbers?
The human body produces mostly type I collagen, but a total of 28 types of collagen have been identified in nature. Each type has a different structure and serves a different purpose.(5) Despite the high number of types of collagen, the human body only needs 5 of them.
Which type is best for the skin?
Type I collagen is the best type of collagen for the skin.(5) This is why all the suggested products contain it. However, the best collagen capsules must contain mostly this type of collagen. Collagen type III may also be present in these pills.
What does”hydrolyzed” mean?
Hydrolyzation is the process of breaking down a molecule with water.(9) The human body is not able to properly break down the collagen molecule because it is too big. The process makes it easier for the body to absorb the substance and send it where it’s needed.(10)(5)
For instance, gelatin itself is a form of hydrolyzed collagen. However the process through which collagen gets transformed into gelatin, cannot be reversed.
What does collagen do for my body?
Maintaining skin’s elasticity is one of the ways collagen affects our bodies. However, there are other unseen benefits as well: keeping the bones and muscles together, as it provides a structure for the joints and tendons and also helps the organs.
Lack of collagen is why many older people complain about pain in their joints. A 24-week study was conducted on athletes to see if collagen does minimize joint pain. Those who did take a solution containing collagen noticed less pain in that place compared to those taking a placebo. (2) Lack of this substance in the body is also one of the reasons for wrinkles and dry skin.
Additionally there are several medical uses for collagen. The substance is used for measuring the cardiac performance, for bone grafting to help it heal and regrow, or for tissue regeneration. This is why the best dressings for wounds contain collagen. There are also 2 types of surgeries where collagen is needed: cosmetic and reconstructive.(11)
How fast can I see results?
As already mentioned in the previous section, the effects of taking collagen won’t appear overnight. While it might pass some 6 months to notice a reduction in joint pain, you’ll only have to wait for about 1 month to see results on your face, according to another study. (3)
Final words
It appears that collagen is a miracle substance. Those who want to keep their youthful appearance for a longer time without going under the knife, just found one of the strongest weapons to achieve their goals. For this purpose we think Physician’s Choice Collagen Peptides Powder is one of the products to consider as it contains the type I and III of collagen recommended for the body’s largest organ, the skin. Additionally you can mix it in with anything, including coffee, to make it easier to ingest.
Depending on your age and how you feel overall, you might benefit more from a product that contains all 5 types of collagen the body needs. One such product is the Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder that can also be added to any drink or food of choice.
