Collagen is a structural protein essential in holding the tissues of our body together. We usually have plenty collagen to go around — found in our tendons, muscles, skin and bones. However, collagen maintenance and production slows down as we age, leading to wrinkles and loss of bone strength.
That’s why many people are turning to collagen supplements, which offer several benefits like slowing skin aging and improving bone and joint health. But there are many collagen powder options, ranging in ingredients, flavors, and dosages. This can make it difficult to determine which collagen powder is best. We’ve compiled a list of our top collagen powder picks based on price, ingredients, and third-party testing.
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Vital proteins
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder is our pick for the best total collagen powder because of its versatility and quality. It’s a type of collagen powder that will appeal to everyone, whether you’re just starting out or a collagen pro. With 20 g of collagen per serving (2 scoops), Vital is a hit. It supports the health of the skin, hair, nails, bones and joints.
The collagen in Vital is made from grass-fed and pasture-fed cattle. The powder contains additional benefits such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin c for skin health. User reviews are extremely positive, praising how easily it dissolves in liquid and visible results.
Collagen content per serving: 20g per portion
Price: $47 for 28 servings
The best features of Vital Collagen Powder:
- Third-party tested for NSF Certified for Sport
- Vital Collagen Powder is Paleo Certified and Whole30 Approved
- In each serving, you get 20 g of grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen.
Things to consider:
- Vital has a higher price than other available options. You only get 28 servings for $47.
The organ
If you’ve been around the protein powder space for a while, you probably know Orgain and its affordable prices. Orgain’s collagen powder is our pick for the best collagen powder on a budget because of the balance between price and quality – it’s the most affordable on the list without sacrificing quality.
Like many of the other options on the list, Orga’s collagen powder comes from grass-fed and pasture-fed cows and includes type I and type III collagen. Collagen I is most abundant in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Type III forms the reticular fibers of organs and soft tissues. The only ingredient on the label is collagen peptides, making Orgain a great choice for those looking for a one-ingredient solution that cuts out excess sugar or artificial additives.
Collagen content per serving: 20 g per two scoops
Price: $31.99 for 45 servings
Best features:
- A 45-day supply of Orgain Collagen Powder is inexpensive compared to other options.
- It does not contain dairy products and soy.
- Meets CGMP to ensure product quality and purity.
Things to consider:
- This product does not contain additional nutrients such as vitamin C or zinc.
Emperor/of
Care/of is a popular vitamin and supplement subscription service highly regarded for personalization. When you sign up for Care/of, you take a quiz that tailors your supplement suggestions based on your diet, exercise, lifestyle and health goals. That’s why it’s the best collagen powder subscription available.
Care/of bovine collagen powder is made from grass-fed cows and supports skin hydration and elasticity. It also helps to strengthen the nails. Made without fillers or artificial ingredients, this collagen powder can be easily mixed into your tea, coffee or smoothie. This collagen powder also includes real ingredients like organic lemon and vanilla.
Collagen content per serving: 10 g on two scoops
Price: $24 for 15 servings
Care/Best Features:
- Care/of has a handy app you can use to track your supplement routine and recommended dosages.
- The useful Care/of quiz is easy to take. Your results suggest supplements based on your diet, lifestyle, exercise routine and goals.
- This collagen powder is dairy and gluten free.
Things to consider:
- Unflavored Care/of Collagen Powder comes in a 15-serve package and costs $24. It is more expensive than other options. However, you get free shipping on orders over $20.
- Flavored collagen powders from Care/of are more expensive. Matcha, vanilla oat cream and lemon passionfruit cost $32.
Further food
Sometimes you want your collagen powder to be seen, but not tasted. If you’re adding collagen powder to a smoothie or coffee and don’t want to taste or smell it, consider Further Food Collagen Peptides.
This flavorless collagen powder is hydrolyzed, which means it breaks down into amino acids that your body can absorb more easily. You don’t have to worry about fillers or artificial sweeteners with Further Food Collagen Peptides; the only ingredient is hydrolyzed bovine collagen. In this product you will get collagen of both types I and III.
Further Food shines in testing, making it one of the best collagen powders you can get. Not only is it rigorously tested for purity, but it is also third-party tested to ensure that the quality and potency of each bottle is what is advertised. The facilities that Further Food uses to manufacture this collagen supplement meet cGMP standards.
Collagen content per serving: 8000mg (8g) of collagen peptides
Price: $24.99 for 28 servings
Additional Best Features of Food Collagen:
- It is available in one-month, three-month supplies, and single-stick packs.
- Tested and manufactured by a third party in cGMP certified facilities.
Things to consider:
- The dose of collagen per portion is slightly lower than other products and amounts to only 8 g. Although one serving is only one scoop, others have a serving size of two scoops for 20g.
Ancient Nutrition
If you’re someone who likes your healthy choices to taste good, try Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder. Vanilla and chocolate flavors are fan favorites, but they have unique flavors like cold brew, strawberry lemonade, and cucumber lime. This collagen powder is made from grass-fed, cruelty-free and non-GMO sources.
Contains hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is more easily absorbed by your body because it has already been broken down into amino acids. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder also includes vitamin C, hydrolyzed peptides of beef and fish collagen.
You get 10g of collagen per serving, which is just one scoop. Some of the options on the list have a larger serving size that includes more collagen. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder has an average amount of collagen per serving – there are options with more or less.
Collagen content per serving: 10g per portion
Price: $49.95 for 45 servings
Best features of Ancient Nutrition:
- Ancient Nutrition stands out for its variety of flavors.
- This collagen powder includes several sources of collagen – beef skin, fermented eggshell membrane and fish collagen peptides.
- It’s a good option.
Things to consider:
- With flavors like cucumber lime and strawberry lemonade, the flavor isn’t for everyone.
Momentous
Athletes must pay special attention to the supplements they buy to make sure they do not contain banned substances. Momentous Collagen Peptides is NSF Certified for Sport, which means it has been tested and proven to be free of any illegal substances. NSF is the gold standard for supplements.
Each serving provides 11.6 g of collagen from grass-fed beef collagen and Fortigel® collagen. Fortigel® collagen is a patented collagen peptide that stimulates collagen production in important areas such as tendons and ligaments, which is essential for athletes. Momentous collagen powder also includes vitamin C.
Collagen per serving: 11.6 g for one scoop
Price: $49.50 for 30 servings
The best features of Momentous collagen:
- Momentous is designed to target more than skin and hair. Contributes to the long-term strength of tendons and joints.
- It does not contain GMOs and gluten.
Certifications include NSF certification for sports and informed sports.
Things to consider:
- Momentous Collagen Peptides powder is a bit more expensive than the other options on the list.
Garden of Life
All collagen supplements are derived from animal sources. Garden of Life mykind Organics Collagen Builder does not contain any collagen. However, it does include key nutrients like vitamins A and C that help your body naturally produce collagen. It is a good option for vegetarians and vegans who want to increase the amount of collagen. Garden of Life Collagen Builder is made with organic plant extracts and tea. It also includes 2,500 mcg of biotin to improve the health of your nails and hair.
Collagen content: There is none
Price: $27.99 for 30 servings
Best features:
- Garden of Life shines in product testing. It has USDA organic, vegan and NSF certification.
- It is a good option for vegans and vegetarians who want to increase collagen production without taking collagen.
Things to consider:
- This product does not contain collagen.
- There are additives like tea extract in this collagen booster.
How we chose the best collagen powders
The FDA does not regulate the supplement industry before it reaches the consumer. This means that fewer demands are placed on the products. To complement this, I looked at third-party tests that guarantee the quality and purity of the product. Price and collagen content are also taken into consideration when choosing the best collagen powders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take collagen powder?
Collagen powder has gained popularity due to its various benefits for hair, nail and skin health and strengthening bone density. Usually, most people can take collagen powder without any negative side effects. However, if you have food allergies, pay close attention to the ingredient label, as many of the best collagen powders include dairy, soy, and eggs.
Those who should not take real collagen powders are vegans and vegetarians. Collagen powder available on the market is made from animals or fish. Vegan supplements help the body produce collagen, although they do not contain collagen powder.
Things to consider when buying collagen powder:
- Third party testing: Given the lack of FDA regulations, third-party certifications such as Current Good Manufacturing Practices, National Sanitation Foundation, and Informed-Sport Certification help establish product quality and purity.
- Price: There are different prices on the collagen market.
- Ingredients: Read the ingredient label carefully to see what is included in the collagen powder. Common additives include vitamin C and zinc. It’s important to check the recommended daily value of these ingredients to make sure you don’t get too much of anything.
- Type of collagen: Collagen is obtained from animal sources – usually pork, beef, eggshell and marine.
Is collagen powder vegan?
No collagen powder on the market today is vegan. Currently, all products containing collagen are made from animal sources. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, although they do not contain collagen. Instead, they contain vitamins and minerals that help increase collagen production in your body.
What are the different types of collagen supplements?
Collagen powders are usually preferred as they provide the most potent doses. However, other forms of collagen are available – liquid collagen, collagen pills and collagen gummies. All of these options have a lower dosage than collagen powder.
How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?
Research suggests that the benefits of collagen, such as skin hydration and elasticity, can be seen as early as four weeks or even 12. How quickly results take effect varies from person to person. With collagen products, progress is measured in months, not weeks.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care professional with any questions you may have about your health condition or health goals.