The one thing I've never liked about protein or collagen powders is that, in most cases, the taste is pretty bad. That's why I switched to collagen supplements in capsule form years ago.
One thing you have to be careful about, though, is picking the right product for your personal goals.
Why’s that?
There are different collagen types, and some of them are good for your skin, while others may help with joints and nails.
So, we spent about three months testing different products to see if we could come up with a list of the best collagen supplements. We'll skip the powders in this article and focus on the pill.
Here’s what we found.
12 Best Collagen Supplements (September 2023)
1 - Beyond Collagen by Live Conscious (Editor's Choice)
Beyond Collagen by Live Conscious takes the top spot on our list with its rich ingredient profile and noticeable physical effects.
Moreover, Live Conscious products are manufactured in the USA and third-party tested to ensure accurate labeling.
This non-GMO product contains five different types of all-natural collagen, 20 amino acids, vitamin C, and biotin, which all work together to bring out the strength and beauty of your joints, hair, skin, and nails [1]. These ingredients also help improve your health at a cellular level [2].
After personally testing this product, we observed accelerated nail growth, improved nail health, and potential joint support following intense workout sessions.
Many customers say this supplement has made their skin look youthful again and helped their hair and nails grow.
- Dose : 10.1 g
- Helps strengthen the joints and nails
- Brings out the radiance of the hair and skin
- Contains five different collagen types
- The powder is flavorless and mixes easily into hot or cold drinks
- Proprietary collagen blend
2 - Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen Hydrolysate
Transparent Labs earns the second spot on our list for its effectiveness, purity, and label accuracy.
The company’s collagen hydrolysate is a peptide supplement, an effective collagen form. Therefore, it works better in reducing visible signs of aging, improving bone and joint health, and aiding recovery for athletes [3].
We found that it mixes easily, whether you blend it with water, milk, or coffee.
It’s also free of gluten, GMOs, artificial sweeteners, coloring, and preservatives, making it one of the cleanest collagen products on the market.
- Dose : 11g
- Comes in the most effective form of collagen
- Helps reduce wrinkles and skin aging
- Supports bone and joint health
- Hydrolysate form means better mixability and absorption
- Uses stevia as a sweetener
3 - Purely Optimal Collagen Complex
Purely Optimal Collagen Complex deserves the first place on our list of the best collagen supplements. What we love about their Collagen Complex is the fact that their bovine collagen source is grass-fed. It has five different types of collagen, all packed into one easy-to-swallow pill.
It also works to strengthen bones with a formula entirely free of GMOs.
Assuming you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients within this collagen supplement, Collagen Complex is considered one of the most trustworthy and effective supplements around.
This supplement has been a significant relief for my joint pain. Furthermore, numerous users struggling with conditions like arthritis, joint pain, tendon discomfort, and chronic pain have echoed the effectiveness of this product.
- Dose : 1,500 mg
- Easy-to-swallow capsules
- Claimed to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks
- Helps protect bones and joints
- Contains 5 major collagen types
- It may cause an allergic reaction in some users
4 - Dr. Emil's Nutrition Multi-Collagen Plus
Based on tests, we found that Dr. Emil’s may have the best all-around effects due to a full range of collagen types and a high dose sourced from chicken bone broth [4].
We also found that the capsules seem easy to swallow. If you're not a fan of powdered supplements, this collagen hydrolysate is the one to try.
- Dose : 1,735mg
- Claims to contain collagen type 1, 2, 3, 5 & 10
- May work well for joint, hair, skin, and nails
- Non GMO and no unnecessary fillers
- Comes in easy to swallow capsules
- Full dose requires three capsules in one go
5 - Caribou Nutrition Multi-Collagen Pills
Caribou has aimed to create a collagen supplement with a broad mix of sources, including grass-fed, pasture-raised cows.
This may provide a higher purity that many reviewers say improves the vibrance of their skin, hair, and nails.
Additionally, our test results revealed that it may help support your gut health and digestion.
- Dose : 2,000 mg
- Uses a unique blend of chicken, grass fed bovine, and marine collagen
- Some positive reports that it may help with joint pain
- May also help to boost stomach and gut health
- It’s not cheap
6 - Orphic Nutrition Premium Collagen Peptides
What stood out for us with this product is that the collagen peptides helped with joint and back pain.
The vital proteins it provides seem to target soft tissue in those areas.
- Dose : 1,500 mg
- Seems to work well for skin, hair, and nails
- Doesn’t leave a smell or aftertaste
- Online comments are positive about joint and back pain relief
- Pills seem to be quite large
7 - Youtheory Collagen
This is one of the few collagen supplements we found with the added bonus of some vitamin C.
It’s also one of the highest doses we could find, which might make it suitable for anyone with significant joint issues.
However, our tests showed that it might not be as effective for your skin and nails.
- Dose : 6,000 mg
- Might be the most suitable for joint issues due to high dose
- Contains some added vitamin C
- Dairy, soy, and gluten free option to avoid allergies
- Only contains three types of collagen
8 - Physician's Choice Bioactive Collagen Pills
This is a product that has been created for anti-aging benefits in women. We noted in quite a few reviews that it might help to improve skin elasticity within about four weeks.
It has some vitamin C mixed with it, so it may also help with immunity [5].
Our tests showed that it may also improve your joints and reduce inflammation. But for the full dose, you’ll need to swallow five pills.
- Dose : 2,500 mg
- Specifically formulated for women to help with the appearance of skin and hair
- Reports of it showing improvements within four weeks
- The vitamin c and grass fed source of bovine collagen should also promote healthy joints and bones
- You’ll have to remember to take five pills
9 - Zeal Naturals Collagen Peptides
Another one of the stronger products available is Zea Naturals Collagen Peptides.
It also contains the amino acids that work to keep your skin and joints healthy and does not have any carbohydrate fillers [6].
The only thing we’d say is that swallowing six capsules might not suit everyone, in which case you may want to consider a collagen powder supplement.
- Dose : 3,000mg
- Uses hydrolyzed grass fed collagen from cows for better quality
- Keto and paleo friendly due to no carb fillers
- Positive reports that it may help with joint health within weeks
- Swallowing six capsules might not suit everyone
10 - NutriRise Hydrolyzed Collagen Complex
This is one of few collagen supplements that is purely based on marine sources. By using wild-caught and sustainable fish stocks, it claims to provide a higher quality source of the main types of collagen.
Just keep in mind that you might get a slightly fishy aftertaste, which 60% of the trial participants found a bit too strong. In that case, you may want to consider another brand instead.
- Dose : 1,500 mg
- Contains the most important collagen types
- Sourced from wild caught fish and sustainable stocks
- Certified gluten free and non GMO for added peace of mind
- Might leave a slightly fishy aftertaste
11 - Reserveage Ultra Collagen Booster
This is another one formulated as a beauty enhancer for women.
It comes with hyaluronic acid and an added herbal blend that suggests it may help to detox and rejuvenate your skin [7].
In our trials, female participants noted a noticeable improvement in their skin texture as a result of using this product for two months.
However, we found that it has a considerably lower dose than the above products, so consider that when comparing the prices.
- Dose : 1,000 mg
- Contains hyaluronic acid and an herbal blend for added skin benefits
- Specifically formulated for women
- Capsules seem to be easy to swallow compared to a collagen powder
- Not the strongest dose available
12 - Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
This is the final collagen peptides supplement we’ll recommend, and we like it because it’s available in a nice bulk-order bottle.
There are also positive reviews about its effects on skin health due to its amino acid profile, which may be particularly interesting to women [8].
However, most of the trial participants found that the pills were pretty large, so you may want to break them down a bit.
- Dose : 3,300 mg
- Good bulk serving option
- Positive reports on it promoting skin health
- Some users have reported relief for joint issues
- The capsules are pretty large to get used
How Do I Choose the Right Collagen?
To choose the right collagen, consider factors like the sources and types of collagen in the supplement and the dosage.
1 - Compare The Dosage
The good thing with collagen supplements is that they are pretty easy to compare based on the dosage. Compared to the powdered form, a collagen pill is also a lot easier to take if you need a higher dosage.
This is much more important than looking at the number of servings, which could be a bit misleading.
If you have serious joint issues, then aim for something stronger, like supplements designed for relieving joint pain. And if you want to boost your appearance, then a lower dose may work fine.
2 - Pay Attention To The Collagen Source And Types
Collagen supplements and pills can be sourced from many different animal products. Chicken, cows, and eggs are very common, but marine collagen is becoming more popular as a sustainable option.
The important thing to look out for is the type of collagen the supplement contains. The main ones for the human body are types I, II, III, V, and X [9].
The blend of these collagen types with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants maintains skin elasticity and texture and promotes better collagen production in the body [10].
We generally recommend getting all of them in one supplement, as this may give you the best overall results.
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FAQs
Which Form of Collagen Is Most Effective?
Type I is the most effective form of collagen. It is the most abundant form of collagen naturally present in the body, playing a crucial role in maintaining collagen levels within the skin, hair, and nails.
How Long Should I Take Collagen?
You should take collagen for eight to twelve weeks daily for enhanced skin and hair health. In cases of arthritis, a daily dosage of ten grams of collagen peptides, divided into one to two doses, is advised for approximately five months.
What Is The Best Collagen Supplement?
Of all the collagen supplements we tested, we found that Beyond Collagen by Live Conscious had the best effects on the whole body.
It has five different types of collagen and is complimented by biotin and vitamin C, amplifying its beautifying and strengthening effects on the hair, skin, nails, and joints.
Also, it doesn’t alter the taste of the beverage you mix it into and dissolves very easily.
If you want to get the benefits of collagen supplementation, this one is certainly worth adding to your regimen.
Our #1 Recommendation
Beyond Collagen by Live Conscious
- Helps strengthen the joints and nails
- Brings out the radiance of the hair and skin
- Contains five different collagen types
- The powder is flavorless and mixes easily into hot or cold drinks
- Proprietary collagen blend
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