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When it comes to beauty supplements there's one popular ingredient that undoubtably reigns supreme when it comes to creating a buzz: collagen.
But it isn't just a beauty buzzword influencers rave about on social media - it's the most abundant protein in the human body that helps to keep your skin from sagging, your nails strong, and your hair long and shiny.
But guess what? Collagen production decreases significantly as you age starting in your mid-20s! Before you know it, you start seeing fine lines, brittle nails, and more hair in the shower drain.
Finding the most effective collagen supplement to boost your collagen levels can be daunting, time-consuming, and even expensive.
So we did the digging for you. Complete with capsules, powders, and gummies – here are the Top 5 Collagen Supplements you should try.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is found naturally in your body and plays a crucial role in protecting, smoothing and hydrating your skin to ensure that it remains elastic and firm.
As one of the most abundant proteins in your body, collagen effectively works like scaffolding or glue, playing an important structural role in the building blocks of your cells.
As well as supplying these building blocks with natural collagen and elastin production, research shows that collagen holds together the cells in your connective tissues, while helping your body naturally produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
This is important for regulating skin physiology and structure which are predominantly made by amino acids that are responsible for keeping your skin, muscles and soft tissues hydrated and taught.
Collagen also plays an important role in building keratin, the primary protein in hair and nails which is also responsible for maintaining the health of your muscles, cartilage, bones, joints, gums, teeth, blood vessels and internal organs.
Why Do We Lose Collagen As We Age?
Around your mid 20s your natural collagen production levels slow significantly, which can lead to early signs of ageing such as dehydrated skin, fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles.
This lack of natural collagen also causes us to lose the skin elasticity, radiance and plumpness that we’re all so keen to hang onto as we get older.
When you're young your body synthesises all the collagen it needs from amino acids in foods, but studies show that as you get older, your natural collagen levels start to drop drastically from around 25 onwards.
While the decline starts out at a rate of 1.5 per cent per year, by the age of 60 you've usually lost as much as 80 percent of your natural collagen production levels.
While eating a diet rich in protein will help to support collagen production to some degree, taking a supplement is a far quicker and more convenient way to give yourself a collagen boost and restore depleted levels.
Types Of Collagen:
Marine vs Bovine
Marine collagen is sourced from fish, while bovine collagen comes from cows. For beauty-related benefits, you'll probably want to go for marine collagen which is absorbed more efficiently into the body and considered to be a better option for skin because it offers superior bioavailability over bovine.
Type 1 vs Type 2
Type 1 is widely considered to be the most potent form of collagen and the one most found in beauty & skin supplements and is the type naturally found in your skin. This means it's usually the one to pick your goal is to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve skin elasticity and hydrate your skin.
Type 2 on the other hand is the one found in the majority of the protein molecules found in your cartilage, which is the connective tissue that protects your bones, spine and eyes. Usually sourced from chicken or cattle (bovine), type 2 is the one to go for when it comes to supporting healthy joints.
Collagen Supplements: What To Look For
When it comes to shopping for collagen supplements you are definitely spoiled for choice. There are a plethora of powders, tablets, capsules, shots and even coffee creamers available to purchase on the UK market - it all depends on which one you prefer and will stick to on a regular basis.
Many brands have also taken the opportunity to pair collagen with a host of other helpful skin-boosting nutrients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, zinc and selenium, so it's rare that you'll find a product with collagen alone these days.
Let's take a closer look at some of the important things to consider ingredients-wise when it comes to shopping for a quality product...
Ingredients To Look For:
1
Hydrolysed Marine Collagen
Marine collagen is sourced from fish, while bovine collagen comes from cows. For beauty-related benefits, you'll probably want to go for marine collagen which is absorbed more efficiently into the body and considered to be a better option for skin because it offers superior bioavailability over bovine.
2
Branded Collagen
Don't settle for cheap, low quality collagen from untrustworthy sources. Instead look for branded collagen to ensure you're getting a good quality product. The pick of the bunch right now are Peptan® hydrolysed collagen peptides which have been rigorously tested for ingredient quality. As well as being odourless and tasteless, these type 1 marine peptides are fully traceable and sustainably-sourced from 100% wild caught fish.
3
Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid
While Collagen is one of the building blocks of great skin, it also works synergistically in partnership with other important nutrients. Vitamin C is a particularly important one because it plays a vital role in collagen synthesis and helps your cells to absorb collagen. That means that any collagen supplemnt worth buying should also contain vitamin C.
What To Avoid:
Read the back label of any supplement carefully and watch out for any sketchy fillers or additives. Avoid any unnecessary ingredients or bulking agents such as magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, starch, iron oxide, or microcrystalline cellulose which don't offer any nutritional benefit.
Your Collagen Supplement Checklist:
Money Back Guarantee
It's important that any manufacturer stands behind their product and is willing to give your money back if you aren't happy with the results. Many manufacturers now offer an extended returns policy or 100% satisfaction guarantee for as long as 30 or 60 days. This gives you plenty of time to try the supplement "risk free" to make sure it's what you're looking for.
GMP Standards
Look for products manufactured to the GMP code of conduct. This is a strict set of manufacturing and quality processes that help to ensure you're getting a premium quality, safe and effective product. Look for a manufacturer which adheres to GMP practices and displays this on their website or packaging.
Sustainably Sourced
It's important to know what you're putting in your body and where it comes from. We'd recommend looking for supplements containing sustainably-sourced collagen from places such as the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) which is fully traceable and ensures your collagen is of the best possible quality.
Our #1 Collagen Pick For 2023: Collagen Complex by Purolabs
For its ultimate combination of premium quality, hydrolysed marine collagen peptides plus 9 other beauty-boosting ingredients with clinically-proven benefits for skin health, Purolabs Collagen Complex is going to be the best bet for most people.
Each capsule delivers a potent dose of sustainably-sourced Peptan® hydrolysed collagen (a superior form of type 1 marine collagen) that have been activated through a hydrolysation process to ensure maximum absorption and efficacy.
This advanced complex also contains a host of other beauty boosting ingredients including vitamin C, aloe vera, selenium, zinc and hyaluronic acid to help enhance its nourishing and radiance-enhancing effects.
But what really sets it apart is the truly comprehensive 60 day, 100% satisfaction guarantee - allowing you to try the product risk-free for 60 days to ensure you see the benefits.
Why You'll Love Collagen Complex
Highly bioavailable type 1 hydrolysed collagen that's more effective and easier for you body to absorb
Clinically proven ingredients to help hydrate skin and reduce premature signs of aging
Convenient daily capsules (no messy powders or drinks!) in a unique flat bottle you can take anywhere
Our #1 Pick
Purolabs
Collagen Complex
From £18.33 per bottle
With an ultra clean formula that's 100% free of any fillers or unnecessary ingredients, this product has over 500+ verified 5-star reviews. Feedback from customers is extremely impressive - with many reporting results such as softer skin, reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and improved skin firmness, just to name a few.
Ratings Breakdown
Quality
The commitment commitment to quality is second-to-none. They focus on the highest-quality, most clinically-tested ingredients without the usual additives or fillers commonly found in most supplements.
Quality
The commitment to quality is second-to-none. They focus on the highest-quality, most clinically-tested ingredients without the usual additives & fillers found in most supplements.
Value
You can definitely find collagen supplements cheaper -- but if you want true value for money, we think it's worth the investment in your skin.
Value
You can definitely find collagen supplements cheaper -- but if you want true value for money, we think it's worth the investment in your skin.
Customer Experience
The website is easy to navigate; the delivery is fast and free; and the items come well-packaged. Customer feedback is excellent.
Customer Experience
The website is easy to navigate; the delivery is fast and free; and the items come well-packaged. Customer feedback is excellent.
Brand
While a relative newcomer, the brand has been on the scene for a couple of years now, slowly building their reputation for quality products with premium ingredients
Brand
While a relative newcomer, the brand has been on the scene for a couple of years now, slowly building their reputation for quality products with premium ingredients
Perks
The product comes with a truly risk-free 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try the product first to ensure it's suitable for you.
Perks
The product comes with a truly risk-free 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try the product first to ensure it's suitable for you.
Shop Our #1 Pick
Collagen Complex by Purolabs
Other Options Worth Considering:
Dose & Co Collagen Creamer
True Collagen Joints
This liquid form, sugar-free, berry-flavoured supplement from True Collagen is a refreshing way to take collagen. This specific formulation contains Type 2 collagen, chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM for joint and cartilage support.
However, since it is made from 100% grass-fed bovine collagen, it won’t be enjoyed by vegans, pescetarians, and other plant-based consumers. The recommended daily dose is 25 ml, and a 500 ml bottle worth £29.99 lasts 20 days. The product is developed and manufactured in Sweden under the highest standards for cGMP and HACCP implementation.
Starpowa Collagen Gummies
These lemonade-flavoured Collagen Support Gummies boost collagen production but don’t actually contain collagen. It is made of 100% vegan-friendly ingredients including vitamins and minerals that help moisturise the skin, smoothen wrinkles, and aid joints.
Since each gummy contains 0.1 sugar, it is keto-friendly and can be consumed by those on a low-sugar diet. Take 2 gummies a day to enjoy maximum benefits. One bottle already covers a 30-day supply at £19.99. You can also get a subscription for £15.99 a month that you can cancel anytime.
Collagen Nourish Powder - JS Health
JS Health Collagen Nourish Powder promises enhanced skin health and vitality. It contains 10 other ingredients that help with digestive discomfort and energy production but also has sulfites. Its delicious citrus tropical taste is definitely a plus!
In powder form, this needs preparation before it can be consumed. It can only be blended in cold drinks. It has to be consumed immediately, at least 2x a day.
Each bottle is enough for 30 servings and can be bought either one-time or with a subscription saving of 15% OFF.
Shop Our #1 Pick
Purolabs Collagen Complex by Purolabs
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