Heard of collagen and are wondering how you take it? There are a fair few options; all will become clear very soon…
Collagen is a protein that’s found throughout our body, in our tendons, skin, muscles and ligaments, and is responsible for giving skin structure and maintaing bones.
Back in the day, the most common way of increase your collagen levels was to eat some pork skin or bone broth (which you can still do BTW…) But in recent years, there’s a new way of increase your collagen intake has emerged that’s become increasingly popular, and it involves taking collagen in supplement form.1
Our bodies make collagen from the amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are present in our food. Animal protein food, such as eggs, meat and dairy, are big contributors towards human collagen production.2
But….
The older we get, the less collagen our bodies produce naturally. It’s thought that by the time we reach our mid-20s, our bodies are no longer producing collagen at the rate it once used to.
And….
Because 75% of our skin is made up of collagen, having less of it in our system can mean more wrinkles start to form and our skin may start to sag – joy!
What age should you start taking collagen?
There’s no set recommended age for boosting your collagen levels, but it’s worth being mindful of the fact it inevitably does start to drop off when you’re 25+ onwards (sorry, but surely it’s best to know than not know?…)
What is the best collagen supplement?
Option 1: Collagen tablets
Collagen pills, collagen tablets, whatever you choose to call them, are a lot quicker and easier way to get more collagen in your body on a regular basis.
These collagen supplements come in different quantities, usually 30, 60, 90 or more days’ worth, and are taken around twice a day with a meal.3
Top 3 collagen tablets
Customer rating: 4.6 stars
Jointace Collagen, which has been designed for those with an active life, in sport or in later life, provides a high-grade collagen that’s been hydrolysed to help improve absorption.
Take two tablets a day with a main meal. Swallow with a full glass of water or a cold drink. Do not take them with tea or coffee, as this may cause the tablets to disintegrate too early.
Customer rating: 4 stars
Bioglan Beauty Collagen tablets have been specially formulated with readily absorbed hydrolysed marine collagento help support the maintenance of hair, skin and nails. Take three tablets a day with a glass of water.
Customer rating: 4 stars
H&B Collagen 1000mg tablets contain Vitamin C, which contributes to collagen formation for the normal function of skin. These fish-free tablets should be taken daily, preferably with meals (between three to five tablets a day).
Option 2: Collagen powder/drinks
If you’re not a fan of taking tablets, then collagen powder could be the answer, especially as there are numerous ways you can take it. For example, by sprinkling some into your smoothies, soups, or even, your baking, there’s none of the swallowing them down the hatch to have to think about!
Collagen powders, which are combined with water to create a collagen drink, are believed to work quickly because the nutrients are absorbed into your bloodstream faster than applying a topical supplement.4
Top 3 collagen powders/drinks
Customer rating: 4.4. stars
Feed your skin with scientifically-researched hydrolysed marine collagen (peptan), hyaluronic acid and Astaxanthin, blended with sweet raspberries and Vitamins E + C, which contributes to normal collagen formation to help support healthy skin from within.
Take one to three teaspoons (4g) a day, mixed in water, juice, smoothie, milk, cereals or porridge.
Customer rating: 4.3 stars
This chocolate-flavoured marine collagen powder provides 12,000mg of the highest quality hydrolysed marine collagen in every serving. Sweetened with Stevia, the powder is mixed with water to make a chocolate collagen drink.
Add one level scoop (15g) of powder to 200ml cold water and stir vigorously until completely dissolved, then drink immediately.
Customer rating: 4 stars
This high strength collagen supplement has been specially formulated with readily absorbed hydrolysed marine collagen and hyaluronic acid. With no taste, strong smell or flavour, it dissolves in water, smoothies, shakes and soups, making it an easy and convenient to support your daily collagen requirement within the foods we eat.
Dissolve one scoop (5g) in warm water, smoothies, shakes and soups.
Option 3: Collagen cream
As well as collagen pills and collagen powder, there’s collagen cream, which comes in different ‘options.’ For example, day cream, night cream, super night time cream and eye cream. Whereas collagen tablets work from the inside out, collagen cream topically targets one specific area, i.e. your face.
Top 3 collagen creams
Customer rating: 4.4 stars
This cream contains a collagen boosting active derived from seaweed, helping to provide collagen to support hydration. Assisted by magnesium PCA and lactic acid, it helps protect your skin from free radicals whilst supporting the peptide technology.
Apply evenly to clean skin. Can be used as a day or night cream.
Customer rating: 4.4 stars
This hydrating collagen boosting night cream helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains high levels of Vitamin C and omega oils that recharge skin overnight for a youthful and healthy glow. Apply as final step in your skincare routine. This cream is 99% natural and 100% vegan. (For more on vegan collagen read, ‘What is vegan collagen made from?’)
Customer rating: 4.3 stars
Dr Organic’s Pro Collagen Plus Dragon’s Blood has been sourced from the Amazonian forests of Peru. This advanced moisturiser helps to increase hydration while working to create smoother and more youthful skin.
Apply in the morning after cleansing. At night, apply after cleansing and toning.
What are the side effects of collagen supplements?
Collagen is considered to be very safe due to the fact it naturally exists in our bodies, and is therefore well tolerated by the human body.5
No major side effects have been linked to collagen however, some people who’ve taken collagen supplements have found that they can leave a bit of a lingering bad taste in their mouth. The other side effects to be mindful of are digestion-related; feeling full up and suffering from heartburn can potentially be caused by taking collagen.6
In the meantime, it’s also worth bearing in mind that while collagen supplements haven’t been linked to any major side effects, they are made from ingredients that some people are allergic to, for instance, fish, shellfish and eggs. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, then you should avoid supplements that list these on their ingredients to avoid the possibility of experiencing an allergic reaction.
Collagen is something our bodies all produce, but sadly start to produce less of from 25-years-old onwards. Colleague supplements, in their many forms, work by helping replenish those declining collagen levels, boosting overall skin regeneration and health and helping fight the signs of ageing. You can take it orally or you can apply it topically, the choice really is yours…
For more on collagen’s age-defying powers read, ‘Could taking collagen turn back the clock?’)
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Author: Bhupesh Panchal, Regulatory Affairs
Bhupesh started his career as a clinical toxicologist for Public Health England, advising healthcare professionals all around the country on how to manage clinical cases of adverse exposure to supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial chemicals and agricultural products. After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019. In his spare time, Bhupesh likes to cycle and has been learning to speak Korean for several years. |
Last updated: 9 December 2020
Sources
1 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
2 https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19995031/collagen-supplements/
3 https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/vitabiotics-jointace-collagen-tablets-60076074?skuid=076074
4 https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a706856/benefits-taking-collagen-supplements/
5 https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/collagen/
6 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits#2.-Helps-relieve-joint-pain
