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Collagen Supplements Review for Skin and Joints & ...

Quick Summary What is collagen? Collagen is a type of protein found in the skin (types I and III collagen), joints (type II collagen) and other parts of the body. It uniquely contains the amino acid hydroxyproline, along with other amino acids. Collagen in sup

By Collagen & Peptide Nutrition Editorial TeamPublished

Quick Summary

  • What is collagen?

    Collagen is a type of protein found in the skin (types I and III collagen), joints (type II collagen) and other parts of the body. It uniquely contains the amino acid hydroxyproline, along with other amino acids. Collagen in supplements is typically hydrolyzed, i.e., broken down to amino acids and/or chains of amino acids (peptides) to improve absorption as well as the ease with which it mixes into liquids, such as cold water. The specific composition of these "collagen hydrolysate" or "collagen peptide" products can vary somewhat depending on how they are hydrolyzed (which typically involves heat and enzymes). Gelatin also contains collagen, but is not soluble in cold water (see What It Is).

  • Health benefits of collagen:

    Collagen appears to modestly reduce wrinkles and slightly improve the appearance of cellulite. It may also modestly improve joint pain and/or flexibility in osteoarthritis, help with tendons, and possibly help with the treatment of pressure ulcers, burns, and bleeding gums. These effects can require two to six months of daily use (see What It Does).

  • What did CL's tests of collagen supplements find?

    ConsumerLab's tests showed that most products contained their expected amounts of collagen, ranging, per daily serving, from about 2.9 grams to 20 grams among powders, and from 1.8 grams to 6 grams for tablets and capsules. A cartilage-based "UC-II" product contained a much smaller amount (10 mg) but this is appropriate for that particular ingredient. However, another "UC-II" containing product had a smaller amount of collagen and did not receive Approval in testing (see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated).
  • Among the products Approved in testing, ConsumerLab selected a Top Pick for skin (wrinkles) and a Top Pick for joint pain. In addition to passing tests for quality, these products contained brands used in clinical studies that suggest benefits and, for powders, had superior taste when mixed in liquid.

  • How much collagen should I use?

    Typical daily dosage of hydrolyzed collagen is 1 to 10 grams. Dosing with UC-II, a cartilage-based product, is much lower. Collagen may be taken with or without food. There is no "vegan collagen," as plants do not produce collagen. However, there are some supplements that contain certain vitamins, amino acids, and other ingredients used in building collagen. For details see ConsumerTips.

  • Collagen supplements safety and side effects:

    Collagen supplements are generally well-tolerated, but mild side effects including gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness and rash can occur. People with allergies to specific sources of collagen (such as fish) should avoid collagen products derived from these sources. Stop taking collagen before certain bone-related blood tests. Although there is theoretical concern that collagen and gelatin (including gelatin capsules) derived from cows could be contaminated with the infectious agent that causes “mad cow disease,” these ingredients are not derived from high-risk tissue and are subject to regulations that make this unlikely. For details, see Concerns and Cautions.

Products tested in 2023 and 2025

+— 83 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings for collagen supplements. You will get results for 11 collagen supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab plus four others that passed the same testing in CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program.

In this comprehensive review of collagen supplements you'll learn:

  • The differences among types of collagen (types I, II and III), forms of collagen (collagen hydrolysate, collagen peptides, gelatin, and "raw" undenatured collagen), and branded ingredients (Verisol, NeoCell, BioCell, UC-II, and NT2)
  • Dosage for specific uses including wrinkles, joint pain, and building muscle
  • Safety and side effects with collagen supplements
SUPPLEMENTAL FIELD FILE

Notes to carry forward.

Source-derived references linked through this guide’s public topic markers.

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QUESTIONS FROM THE TRAIL

Related questions

Q01What are collagen supplements?

Collagen is a big protein. Your body can't absorb it unless it's broken down into smaller amino acids. So, oral collagen supplements contain absorbable fragments of collagen, such as hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides. Some supplements also contain:

Source trail · www.medicinenet.com →
Q02How closely do these models reflect real human muscle responses to exercise, injury, regeneration, and pharmacological treatments?

Our muscle models behave in ways that closely reflect normal human muscle biology, and we’ve established multiple validation points to demonstrate this. We have validated them using compounds such as leucine, insulin, testosterone, and Resolvin E1, demonstrating predictable changes in muscle morphology and function. The tissues can also be mechanically or electrically stimulated to simulate exercise, thereby altering force production and muscle characteristics. We have developed disease models of metabolic disorders by exposing tissues to excess fatty acids, creating metabolic dysfunction similar to that observed under high-fat diet conditions. We can also induce injury using compounds such as barium chloride and observe subsequent regeneration, enabling detailed investigation of repair mechanisms in a highly controlled environment.

Source trail · www.news-medical.net →
Q03Is Mindbodygreen creatine good?

Our expert tester, Kelli McGrane, thinks the Mindbodygreen creatine supplement is a good product and checks all the right boxes, saying “it’s third-party tested, suitable for a variety of diets (vegan-friendly, gluten-free, etc.), contains an effective dose of creatine monohydrate, and is free from artificial additives”., However, she noted that it has a slightly soapy taste in water and is more expensive than some alternatives.

Source trail · www.healthline.com →
Q04Where is collagen found?

In nature, collagen is found exclusively in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. Collagen is a part of the connective tissue that in the skin helps in firmness, suppleness and constant renewal of skin cells. Collagen is vital for skin elasticity. Ligaments are another type of connective tissue that attach two bones and consequently hold the joints together. Tendons are similar but different type of tissue that attach the muscles to the bones. All of these tissues, the bones, ligaments, tendons and the skeletal muscles themselves, are made up of proteins. One of the most predominant proteins is called collagen. Collagen is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.

Source trail · www.news-medical.net →
Q05Do collagen supplements really work?

A 2019 literature review that included 11 studies involving 805 people found that supplemental collagen helps improve skin elasticity, hydration, and collagen density. It may also be useful for wound healing. A 2021 literature review also found collagen supplements beneficial for joint health. Confirming these benefits and exploring the full effects requires further research.

Source trail · www.medicalnewstoday.com →

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