Best collagen supplements: Benefits + 12 best products to buy

What is the point of taking collagen supplements?
11 best collagen supplements to buy now
What are the benefits of taking collagen supplements?
How do collagen drinks work?
Are there downsides to collagen supplements?
The best type of collagen supplement to take: pill, powder or drink?
Is it good to take collagen every day?
Which is the best form of collagen to take?
So, do collagen supplements really work?

Have you tried a collagen supplement, drink, pill or and gummy? Even if not, you've likely noticed the swatches of such products on the shelves of high street chemists, promoted via your online beauty destination or littering your friend's bathroom shelves.

Best collagen supplements

Collagen supplements are booming. Boots reported a 1,570% increase in searches last year alone, while and, if the array of new collagen supplements cropping up are anything to go by, demand is only growing for 2026 – and fast. In fact, the UK's marine hydrolyzed collagen market is expected to grow at a rate of 9.2% from 2025 to 2030.

There's a reason why the best collagen supplements are so popular. Collagen is a protein that effectively acts as the scaffolding of your skin, holding your face up and keeping your visage firm and pump. When your supplies begin to decline, around the age of 25, you might start to see the first signs of creases and fine lines. Anything which claims to rejuvenate such supplies, then, is probably going to appeal to a lot of people.

But do collagen supplements actually work? What exactly does the science say? Are there benefits of taking collagen supplements? And, if so, what are the most effective collagen drinks, powders and pills on the market? Scroll on, as WH digs deep.

What is the point of taking collagen supplements?

'Your skin is made up of 75% collagen, but after the age of 25, collagen synthesis reduces at a rate of 1.5% a year and after the age of 45, your collagen levels may have fallen by as much as 30%', says Kathryn Danzey, Founder of Rejuvenated.

'Collagen is responsible for the firmness of the skin' says Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe, Cosmetic Doctor and Founder of SKNDOCTOR. 'Hence, when your collagen levels start to deplete, the skin will gradually become more "saggy" and less plump'.

The visible effects of this breakdown don’t just appear as wrinkles, fine lines and dry skin; it can also materialise as physical ailments, as collagen is basically the glue that holds your ligaments, joints and bones together.

'Hydroxyproline is the amino acid which is most effective at creating collagen and hydrolysed marine collagen contains a higher concentration of this amino acid over and above other types of collagen', Danzey continues.

11 best collagen supplements to buy now

1. Best vegan collagen

Feel Pro Collagen

£43 at wearefeel.com

Credit: Feel

Formulated with plant-based ingredients and coming in delicious flavours such as Pineapple & Grapefruit and Peach & Strawberry, this collagen-boosting elixir will help to combat lines and impart a glow after a month's use.

The powder is also easy to add to smoothies, juices or water, making it a straightforward way to build collagen support into your daily routine. Its plant-based formula makes it a useful option for vegans and vegetarians.

2. Best collagen powder

Paid content

Wild Nutrition Collagen 500 Plus

Paid content

Wild Nutrition Collagen 500 Plus

Now 50% Off

£19 at wildnutrition.com

Use code HABIT50 for 50% off your first 3 months, 20% off thereafter

We love the convenience of an unflavoured collagen powder, and this one from Wild Nutrition really delivers. Each serving contains 3g of hydrolysed Type I marine collagen, plus it uses 500 Dalton weight peptides (an ultra-low molecular weight), which means it’s absorbed and bioactive in just five minutes. The addition of Mesoporosil® silica supports firmer, smoother and more radiant-looking skin, while vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation and vitamin E and biotin provide additional support for skin and hair.

The hydrolysed powder mixes easily into hot or cold drinks, making it simple to build into your daily routine. It’s also Friend of the Sea certified, comes in refillable packaging and took the crown for New Wellness Product at The Industry Beauty 2025 Awards.

*Not suitable in pregnancy. Please seek healthcare advice or speak to our nutritional therapists if breastfeeding. Contains Vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin; Biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and hair; and Vitamin E, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Also contains Mesoporosil® Silica, scientifically shown to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Mohta, A. et al. (2025), CosmoDerma, 5:33.

3. Best collagen capsule or collagen pill

Nature's Best Colladeen Original

Now 30% Off

£14 at naturesbest.co.uk

A potent combination of green tea extract, Vitamin C and anthocyanidins (known to reinforce and preserve collagen structures) helps to re-plump and reinforce your skin’s natural barrier.

With its simple capsule format, it’s a convenient choice if you’d rather not mix a powder into your morning drink. It also comes at a relatively wallet-friendly price, making it a good starting point for anyone new to collagen alternatives.

4. Best collagen drink

Absolute Collagen Marine Collagen Liquid Drink

Now 18% Off

£28 at absolutecollagen.com

Liquid collagen that's ready to drink straight from the sachet sound good? Then give Absolute Collagen a whirl. Made from marine collagen, plus brightening vitamin C, these little doses could have a mighty impact on your skin.

Each sachet is pre-portioned, so there’s no measuring or mixing required – just tear one open and drink. The ready-to-take format is particularly handy for keeping up your routine while travelling or on busy mornings.

5. Best collagen course

Skinade Collagen Drink 20 Day Course

Now 10% Off

£78 at Face the Future

If you want to go the whole hog, as Banwell advises, then committing to a course, such as the 20 or 30 day offerings from Skinade, could help you commit to your skincare routine.

The drinks are designed to be taken daily, making the course format useful if you prefer a clearly defined routine rather than committing to a larger tub or ongoing subscription. It’s also a convenient option for anyone who prefers a liquid supplement.

6. Best budget collagen powder

Beauty Pie Collagen Super Powder

£29 at Beauty Pie

Beauty Pie fans rejoice, as well as incredible skincare and make-up ranges, you can now access supplements without the mark ups. First in line is their Collagen Super Powder than when tested in studies, was found increase skin moisture by 12% after 8 weeks and decreased collagen fragmentation by 31% after 12 weeks. Impressive, eh?

The generous 340g tub should last longer than many smaller collagen powders, while Beauty Pie members can access it at a particularly competitive price. It’s a strong choice if value for money is your main consideration.

7. Best collagen capsules with hyaluronic acid

HUM Collagen Love

£44 at u-buy.co.uk

These clever gummies are empowered by bioavailable and naturally derived nutrients of clinically proven quality and they've also been triple-tested for potency and purity. Brimming with collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, they help tackle signs of ageing.

Plus, the gummy format makes these a more enjoyable option if you struggle with large capsules or powders.

8. Best collagen creamer

Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer - Vanilla

£38 at iHerb

Credit: Vital Proteins

Added to your morning coffee this delicious cream is packed with good fats from coconut milk as well as skin-strengthening collagen peptides that are made from pasture-raised bovine. Perfect for those who lead active lifestyles, this powder helps to fortify cartilage, and your ligaments as well as strengthen your skin.

The vanilla flavour works particularly well in coffee, adding a creamy sweetness without requiring an extra step to your morning routine. It can also be stirred into smoothies or breakfast bowls if coffee isn’t your thing.

9. Best dairy-free collagen

Dose & Co Dairy-Free Collagen Creamer - Caramel

Now 25% Off

£22 at Holland and Barrett

Loved by Khloe Kardashian, this dairy-free collagen caramel creamer is packed full of collagen and good fats to help support healthy hair, skin, and nails. Just one serving offers 10 grams of bovine collagen that is easily digested and absorbed and can be added into your coffee, smoothies or breakfast.

Despite being dairy-free, this creamer still contains bovine collagen, so it isn’t suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The caramel flavour makes it a good option for anyone who wants their supplement to feel more like a morning treat.

10. Best collagen capsules with added protection

ARTAH Skin Clinic

£45 at artah.co

Thought up by nutritionist Rhian Stephenson, this hardworking supplement targets a host of skincare concerns – eczema, acne and dehydration – whilst also promoting collagen production. A winning protective formula too, it's rich in antioxidants to protect against free radicals and support the all-important skin barrier.

It’s a particularly good fit for anyone looking for a broader skin-support supplement rather than collagen alone. The antioxidant-rich formula is designed to complement the rest of your skincare routine, although the capsule format means you’ll need to be consistent with your daily dose.

11. Best collagen sachets

VIDA GLOW Natural Marine Collagen

£39 at Boots

So popular are Vida Glow's Natural Marine Collagen supplements that one sells every four seconds. The secret to its success? Due to its low molecular weight (the lower the molecular weight, the easier collagen is for the body to absorb) and with an absorption rate above 90%, it is said to visibly plump the skin and stimulate fresh collagen production.

The individual sachets are easy to stash in a handbag, desk drawer or suitcase, so they’re well suited to anyone who wants to maintain their routine away from home. Simply add one to water, a smoothie or another drink of your choice.

What are the benefits of taking collagen supplements?

'Type 1 collagen is the most abundant form of collagen in our skin and levels deplete rapidly as a result of both intrinsic and extrinsic ageing processes,' explains dermatologist Dr Anita Sturnham.

'It makes sense that providing the body with a nutritional source of bioavailable type 1 collagen will allow replenishment of collagen stores in the dermis and help to boost the skin’s natural scaffolding.'

Do any studies support taking collagen supplements?

'Whilst the studies on collagen supplements are patchy, the evidence that does exist is positive,' says Dr Ukeleghe. 'Importantly, it needs to be hydrolysed collagen (also known as 'collagen peptides') with additional vitamins, such as Vitamin C, which increase the benefits of the supplement'.

This is because whole collagen – as opposed to hydrolysed/peptides – is broken down during digestion, and there is super limited evidence that these fragments will go on to travel into your bloodstream in high enough doses to result in any real change to your skin.

Some experts argue that hydrolysed collagen/collagen peptides are better able to handle this process, and do become absorbed into your bloodstream, but, again, robust, high-quality scientific evidence is sparse.

How do collagen drinks work?

The nutrients are absorbed into your bloodstream faster than any topical remedy. Once in your body, these collagen peptides then stimulate fibroblasts in your skin to trick your own collagen into becoming more active.

'The high proportion of hydrolysed collagen that enters your system when you ingest it, enables 90-95% of the collagen peptides to reach target sites in your body', says Danzey.

They can also help with your diet. Due to its high glycine content, collagen stimulates stomach acid production, which promotes better digestion of food.

❗For the best absorption, it’s advised to take a collagen supplement one hour before or after food at any time of the day and should continue on a basis of 8 - 9 weeks for the most noticeable results. After this time, you can top up as and when you think it's needed.❗

Are there downsides to collagen supplements?

Skeptics of collagen supplements will tell you that the goodness of your collagen drink never really reaches your skin. That's because, as collagen is a protein, it is broken down in your gut during your digestion.

Plus, as skin specialist at the Banwell Clinic and Skinade ambassador Paul Banwell points out, collagen is not a 'quick win', as most collagen supplements take a minimum of 30 days to see a difference.

They're a lifestyle choice you have to stick with, as if you don't take them regularly, he says they have no benefit at all. 'Remember that getting fit at the gym takes time and effort—the same applies to your skin.'

He adds, though, that: 'Collagen drinks increase collagen in the bloodstream which in turn trigger the body’s own collagen production by firing up the fibroblasts, our own collagen factories.' Pretty neat, right?

The best type of collagen supplement to take: pill, powder or drink?

Banwell advises consuming collagen in liquid form as they are believed to have a higher absorption rate to tablets and powders.

Meanwhile, nutritionist and founder of Artah, Rhian Stephenson, says it's all about the formulation. ‘Collagen needs to be broken down into amino acids, which are the raw materials the body needs to synthesize collagen.’

She adds: ‘If you're investing in a collagen supplement for your skin, look for one that has pro-collagen factors and the basic building blocks of collagen, or make sure the collagen is hydrolyzed. That means it's been broken down so that it can be absorbed more readily.’

Is it good to take collagen every day?

Any expert will tell you that a collagen supplement is not a quick-fix that can replace nourishing food or a healthy lifestyle, nor will it magically reverse the appearance of wrinkles. 'Collagen supplements won't be a magic bullet; for example, they wouldn't correct deep-set lines and wrinkles,' Stephenson confirms.

But, she says, research is promising where skin health is concerned. 'If it's combined with the correct accessory nutrients, a daily skin focussed supplement can absolutely help with skin quality, health, and appearance,' while stressing that collagen supplements do have limitations and that focussing on sleeping well, eating a varied diet and so forth, are paramount.

Which is the best form of collagen to take?

There are over twenty different types of collagen in the body, says Stephenson, but types 1 + 3 appear to be the most relevant for skin health. However, no matter the form you take, the supporting ingredients within your supplement are just as important.

However, regardless of the type of collagen you take ‘it's important that the supplement includes the cofactors [that are involved in collagen synthesis] to prevent damage and improve elasticity, like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Zinc, Hyaluronic Acid and other antioxidants,’ she adds.

So, do collagen supplements really work?

When it comes to collagen supplements, the jury is out. Collagen-laced serums are thought to only pep-up the top layers of your skin, but pinpointing where ingestible supplements reach via the bloodstream is pretty much impossible.

Some scientists claim that after the molecule is broken down, the fragments are absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed through the entire body and that, essentially, your body is tricked into thinking that these fragments indicate collagen breakdown and repair is urgently needed, which then stimulates fibroblasts to produce more:

collagen
elastin
hyaluronic acid

Aka, the compounds that give our skin its youthful qualities.

But, as mentioned, others note that even collagen peptides are lacking hard enough evidence to support the theory that they can be absorbed into your bloodstream in high quantities, as part of the process of digestion.

Short story: Further research is needed. But in the meantime, if you've got your heart set on boosting your collagen levels with a supplement, ensure you invest in the very best.