Our team of experts reviews and evaluates every wellness and nutrition product we recommend. From there, a registered dietitian on ourMedical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy.
Collagen supplements have a lot of hype behind them—but also clinical research that indicates a slew of benefits for your skin. “Collagen is a structural protein known to support your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments,” says Breanna Woods, MS, RD, a registered dietitian based in Indianapolis. “As we age, our body naturally produces less collagen. Research supports that taking a collagen supplement may improve joint mobility, skin integrity, and muscle strength (when combined with resistance training).” Collagen supplements in powder form can also improve skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density—making them a skincare powerhouse.
To get the scoop on the best collagen supplements out there, we asked nutrition experts for their top picks. We conducted hours of research to find the best on the market—evaluating all our options based on their key ingredients and health benefits. After considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Our Top Picks
Best Budget:
Best Value:
Best for Pescatarians:
Best Taste:
Best Travel-Friendly:
Best Unflavored:
Best Plant-Based:
Best Capsule:
Best Overall
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder
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What We Like
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Nut-free
Contains probiotics
What to Consider
Not for vegetarians or pescatarians
Key Ingredients:Hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen peptides, fermented eggshell membrane collagen, chicken bone broth protein concentrate, bacillius coagulans, hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides |Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:1 scoop (10 grams) |Certified:N/A | Size: 16 oz
Available in many flavors, this supplement is made from beef, chicken, fish, and eggshell membrane. It’s made with ingredients from non-GMO, grass-fed, and pasture-raised, cage-free, and cruelty-free sources. Plus, it uses hydrolyzed bovine collagen, which is easier for your body to absorb.
The product is formulated to help improve the appearance of crow’s feet, as well as help reduce knee stiffness. It also supports gut health and healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Best Budget
Orgain Keto Collagen Protein Powder
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What We Like
Affordable
No added sugars
Made without soy, dairy, or lactose
Gluten-free
What to Consider
Nothing on website to explain 3rd party testing
Key Ingredients:Collagen peptides and coconut medium-chain triglycerides |Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:1 scoop (20 grams) |Certified:None | Size: 14.1 oz
If you want something sweet, we are fans of Orgain’s Keto Collagen Protein Powder. It comes in vanilla and chocolate and makes a nice enhancement to a post-workout protein shake. The collagen contains MCT oil, as well as acacia, sea salt, and stevia. Per 20-gram scoop, you get 10 grams of fueling protein.
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What We Like
Good value
Made in facility with allergy-control plan
Contains Verisol
What to Consider
Doesn't mix as well in cold water
Key Ingredients:Verisol |Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:1 scoop (2.5 grams) |Certified:Manufactured in a GMP-certified, NSF-approved facility | Size: 5.3 oz
We are obsessed with Naturenetics collagen, as it uses a special collagen called Verisol, which is made specifically to target fibroblasts in the skin. The brand is also extremely diligent about independent testing and the purity of the products, which we love to see.
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What We Like
Contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
No added sugars
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
What to Consider
Doesn't mix well in water
Key Ingredients:Bovine hide collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C|Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:2 scoops (20 grams) |Certified:Kosher, whole30 approved, non-GMO, NSF certified cGMP facility | Size: 20 oz
This product, another fan favorite of many registered dietitians, contains Type I and Type II collagen powder and is certified kosher and Whole30-approved. “This one is my favorite becauseit gives you not only 18 grams of protein but also vitamin C and hyaluronic acid—which both supportcollagen synthesis in the body,” says Woods. “Vital Proteins mixes well in pretty much anything and has little to no taste.”
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What We Like
Suitable for pescatarians
Gluten-free
Kosher
What to Consider
Only comes in one flavor
Key Ingredients:Hydrolyzed fish collagen |Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:1 scoop (10 grams) |Certified:Kosher | Size: 10.6 oz
While there are many different types of collagen, there is a huge difference between bovine and marine collagen. This is the perfect product for a pescatarian who doesn’t want to consume bovine collagen. Indigo Marine Collagen is fished in the wild and processed in their own facilities to ensure strict quality controls. It also consists of smaller peptides or smaller protein molecules than bovine collagen sources, which means it’s more efficient in the body.
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What We Like
Comes in various flavors for various tastes
Sugar-free
Versatile in use
What to Consider
Doesn't dissolve in liquids easily
Key Ingredients:Bovine collagen peptides |Age Range:All |Dosage:1 scoop (11 grams) |Certified:Keto-friendly, gluten-free, whole30 approved | Size: 19.2 oz
We like the Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel because it provides 10 grams of collagen peptides per serving while still containing minimal amounts of refined sugars. This powder also comes in several tasty flavors, like vanilla, chocolate coconut, and peanut butter.
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What We Like
Portable
Gluten-free
Made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle
What to Consider
Not for vegetarians or pescatarians
Key Ingredients:Beef collagen |Age Range:All |Dosage:Single-serve cup (15 grams) |Certified:None | Size: 5.3 oz
Mix these single-serve cups with hot water for a savory snack—the product is made with beef bone broth, vegetables, herbs, spices, and seasonings.
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What We Like
Unflavored and sugar-free
Only one ingredient
Easy to mix resulting in no clumping
What to Consider
Reviewers note that it has a strong smell
Key Ingredients:Instantized bovine collagen peptides |Age Range:Adult 18+ |Dosage:2 scoops (22 grams) |Certified:None | Size: 15.5 oz
If you prefer an unflavored powder that you can add into smoothies, oatmeal, and anything else you can cook up, this one is for you. It has a smooth texture and dissolves immediately with no clumping. We also have to shout out NutraCollagen for packing more collagen peptides per serving into this product than most of its competitors. And the brand manufactures all of its products in the United States, in its own Michigan facility—which means it can ensure quality.
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What We Like
Vegan
Gluten-free
Great taste
What to Consider
Doesn't dissolve easily in cold drinks
Key Ingredients:Bamboo extract, hyaluronic acid, biotin |Age Range:N/A |Dosage:2 teaspoons |Certified:None | Size: 3.9, 7.9 oz
Technically this doesn't contain any collagen, but it is a great alternative for vegans or vegetarians who want the benefits of using a collagen supplement without having to consume animal products. That's because it's made with collagen-rich food like bamboo extract—as well as beauty powerhouses biotin and hyaluronic acid. Reviewers love that the taste is amazing and goes perfectly in their morning latte.
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What We Like
Easy to swallow capsules
Contains two types of collagen peptides
Supports skin elasticity
What to Consider
Have to take three a day
Key Ingredients:Collagen peptide hydro-matrix blend |Age Range:All |Dosage:3 capsules |Certified:Non-GMO | Size: 90 capsules
If you want to take a collagen supplement, but powders aren't your thing, try out these capsules instead. They not only contain a collagen blend, but also hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to improve the skin's appearance and fight free radicals that can lead to signs of aging. Their collagen is grass-fed, bovine sourced, and it's gluten-free and non-GMO.
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What We Like
Sugar-free and soy-free
Paleo and non-GMO
Gluten-free and dairy-free
What to Consider
Some reviewers received open containers
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides | Age Range: All | Dosage: 1 scoop (11.11 grams) | Certified: N/A | Size: 41 capsules
We love this woman-owned small business because their products contain minimal, pronounceable ingredients and easily work with our everyday life. Take their collagen, for example. Since it’s completely flavorless, it easily mixes with coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods, and more.Sourced from the highest quality bovine, this collagen supports healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, gut health, and more. It also packs 10 grams of protein, is easily digestible, and is paleo-and-keto friendly.
What to Look for in a Collagen Supplement
- Hydrolyzes collagen: Tamar Samuels, RD, NBC-HWC, a New York City-based holistic dietitian and nutritionist and the co-founder of Culina Health, recommends looking for supplements that are formulated with hydrolyzed collagen, which indicates that it’s easier to digest and is more quickly absorbed after ingestion. “It’s also high in theamino acidsglycine and proline which are essential for building new collagen in your muscles, bones, and gut,” she adds.
- Grass-fed, pasture-raised, and antibiotic free: When shopping for acollagen supplement, Samuels also stresses the importance of choosing a product that’s made from grass-fed, pasture-raised, and antibiotic-free animals to ensure you’re ingesting the healthiest collagen possible. Even if you are vegan, you can find plant-based collagen supplements that include ingredients that help boost your body's collagen production.
- Ingredients: “The collagen shouldn’t contain any additives or fillers,” says Samuels. “Dietary products are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to be mindful of the source of your ingredients to avoid excessive exposure to antibiotics, pesticides, and other potentially harmful substances."
- Verification: Samuels also recommends looking for products with verification via independent companies to ensure that the product lives up to its claims and contains the ingredients it says it does. “These companies also ensure there aren’t any additional ingredients in the product that aren’t listed on the label,” she says. She suggests looking for verifications by the following credible groups:NSF International,UL, andUS Pharmacopeia.
FAQ
What are the benefits of collagen supplements?
“Emerging research using nutritional supplements containing hydrolyzed collagen is beginning to show additional anti-aging, collagen-boosting promise in the skin,” says Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, a nutrition professor at Boston University and host of the podcast Spot On! Additionally, research using Verisol shows a decrease in the wrinkles that appear around your eyes.
Do collagen supplements expire?
Yes. However, according to Woods, most collagen supplements have a pretty long shelf life. “Even after the expiration date, the dry nature of powders means they don't technically spoil or become unsafe to eat," she says. "However, the quality of the collagen will likely decrease, whichmay impactits effectiveness.”
How often should you take collagen supplements?
“Consistency is key for results,” says Woods, who recommends taking one serving per day. “A lot of people like mixing it in their coffee, smoothie, but you can add it to any beverage. You can also add it to oatmeal or baked goods. However, it's not necessaryto take collagen with food.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and has over a decade of experience in the nutrition industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She specializes in plant-based nutrition and is one of the most recognized nutrition experts in America.
Our senior commerce editor, Lauren Pardee, worked with experts and fact-checkers to ensure our list was up to date and delivered the best of the best. She's a fan of collagen supplements herself and especially enjoys the Vital Proteins pick.
For this story, Byrdie worked with several experts to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when buying collagen supplements. Those experts included:
- Breanna Woods, MS, RD, a dietitian based in Indianapolis.
- Tamar Samuels, RD, NBC-HWC, a New York City-based holistic dietitian and nutritionist and the co-founder of Culina Health.
- Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, a nutrition professor at Boston University and host of the podcast Spot On!
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any collagen supplements from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
