Did you know? Collagen keeps your skin glowing, firm and plump. A large amount of research shows collagen supports the appearance of wrinkles too.
While a good moisturiser can work wonders, it makes sense to approach your beauty ritual from the inside – starting with collagen peptides. This is because skin replenishes itself from the inside - using nutrients from food.
Collagen plays a pivotal role as ‘inner scaffolding’– giving skin firmness and elasticity. Ready to learn why its renowned for skin health, and what our top favourites are for your supplement shelf? Let’s get stuck in.
Best collagen supplements
Here are our most popular, best-selling collagen beauty supplements. Tried and tested products we reckon you’ll love. From the best rated collagen, best collagen powder, best collagen gummies - and everything in between.
What you’ll find in this best collagen guide:
- Why is collagen so good for your skin?
- Best - top rated collagen
- Best collagen powder
- Best collagen peptides
- Best collagen protein
- Best vegan collagen
- Best collagen tablets
- Best collagen gummies
- Best collagen capsules
- Best marine collagen
- Best bovine collagen
- Bovine collagen vs marine collagen
- 3 holistic tips for skin aging
- Holistic skin aging
Why is collagen so good for your skin?
- Wrinkles appear softened – by supporting healthy elasticity
- Skin looks plump and nourished – by supporting hydration
- Healthy and glowing skin– by supporting cell aging
From age 25 onwards our collagen production slows down and signs of aging appear. Getting older is a natural process that we can feel gratitude for (and occasionally frustrated about!). Fine lines and wrinkles hold memories of our lives – and that’s pretty amazing. But there’s no shame in wanting smooth, glowing skin. And if there’s research backed supplements naturally - why not make the most of them?
Best top rated collagen: Radiance Ageless Beauty
With 4.6 out of 5 stars (from 75 customer ratings) Radiance Ageless Beauty is our top-rated collagen. Featuring collagen combined with skin-loving vitamins and antioxidants.
It’s like a collagen and skin vitamin in one. From provitamin A to Zinc and the rest. Like collagen supporting vitamin C, moisturising Vitamin E and essential minerals like selenium. Vinanza and Enzogenol (antioxidants from NZ kiwifruit, grapes and pine bark) protect and soften skin aging.
Being an all-in-one makes it cost-effective too. Start with the loading dose of 2 capsules daily, then after 3 months do the maintenance dose of 1 capsule.
★★★★★
"I started using this product because I felt my skin and face had started to present with quite severe wrinkle lines. I tried it not expecting much but a few months later everyone was commenting how BEAUTIFUL my skin was... I love this product. Still using daily!" - Fiona
|
Best collagen powder: Two Islands Collagen Beauty Powder - Vanilla
For collagen powder, Two Islands – Vanilla Beauty Powder gets our vote of confidence. This powder is very finely milled, so its super-soluble and easy to mix. Add it to your morning coffee or blend it into any liquid. It’s sweetened with natural monk fruit extract and completely sugar free - perfect if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Proudly NZ owned, Two Islands makes sure its marine collagen is sustainably sourced. The yummy vanilla flavour is delicious added to a hot cacao.
★★★★★
“Great taste, great product, easy to mix and after almost finishing this first tub I've definitely noticed the difference.” - Lesley
|
Best collagen peptides: Nutra Organics Collagen Beauty Bioactive Collagen Peptides
We're big fans of Nutra Organics Collagen Beauty Bioactive Collagen Peptides powder for its intelligent formulation. For your healthy inside-out glow, this blend is full of nutrients for healthy skin, hair and nails.
With bovine sourced Verisol, a scientifically researched form of collagen. Verisol is shown to support skin firmness and the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen peptides (proline, serine and hydroxyproline) are hydrolysed – easy to digest and absorb.
With vitamin C – crucial for collagen synthesis, Zinc – for skin vitality, and Silica – for strong nails and hair. It’s a winner.
★★★★★
“Wouldn’t be without it. My skin is more resilient, it used to be thin and fragile. My skin is more moisturised and springy. My nails grow like weeds as well now.” - Majenta
|
Best collagen protein: Mitchells Nutrition Bone Broth Chocolate Protein Powder
A protein powder and collagen supplement in one. Mitchells Nutrition Bone Broth Chocolate Protein Powder gives you a generous 25 grams of protein per serve. And 22 grams of natural collagen, derived from bone broth.
Bone broth offers a natural source of collagen for your diet. It's also rich in bone-loving calcium. With great customer reviews for its yummy chocolate flavour.
★★★★★
“Simply the best!! This is by far the most delicious and satisfying mix I’ve tried. I just mix it with water and go!! I don’t normally go for the chocolate flavour in protein powder, but this one is delicious to say the least!! Highly recommend as I purchased on the reviews below and super pleased I did!! Will be buying again.” - Kate
|
Best vegan collagen: Lifestream Collagen Booster
Here’s a plant-based collagen Lifestream Collagen Beauty Booster. Well, it’s not technically collagen per se but we didn’t want our vegans to miss out on some skin-loving goodies!
It contains plant-derived ceramides plus hyaluronic acid providing support for hydrated looking skin. It does this by nurturing the lipid barrier that retains skin moisture, so it keeps hydration locked in.
For visible results, start on two capsules daily, then after six weeks you can drop down to the maintenance dose of one capsule per day.
★★★★★
“Awesome, so happy to find a plant-based option for collagen that has hyaluronic acid too!" - Rebecca
|
Best collagen tablets: NeoCell Collagen Beauty Builder
NeoCell Collagen Beauty Builder tablets have an advanced, highly bioavailable collagen the body can easily absorb and use. The formula is designed to support visibly firm and nourished skin.
The daily dose has 60 mgs of Vitamin C, a key nutrient for collagen formation. With grass-fed bovine collagen, this is paleo friendly and great if you’re looking to support strong nails and healthy hair too.
★★★★★
“Love this product” - Lenice J
|
Best collagen gummies: Radiance Collagen Beauty Gummies
Looking for an easy, delicious way to take your collagen beauty supplement? Radiance Collagen Beauty Gummies supports a smooth, youthful complexion and satisfies your sweet craving. They’re a great option if you’re not keen on powder or tablets.
These gummies tick all the boxes. A scientifically researched beauty supplement and a tasty treat in one? Tick. These were a very strong contender for ‘best tasting’ too. They taste so great you’ll need to resist the temptation to chew more than the recommended 2 per day.
★★★★★
“I love them, so does my skin!” - Synove
|
Best collagen capsules: Clinicians ReJuvenate With Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid
Clinicians Rejuvenate with Collagen has collagen to support plump, firm skin. Combined with astaxanthin, a wonder antioxidant shown to support skin aging – including elasticity, skin texture and moisture retention. This is a winning combination that offers comprehensive support for skin aging.
Start with a loading dose of 2 capsules daily, after 8 weeks drop down to 1 a day. At the maintenance dose it’s less than $20 a month, great for your skin and your wallet.
★★★★★
"Been using this product for a while. It works and keeps skin smooth and plumped. It’s a keeper." - Anita
|
Best marine collagen: Matakana Superfoods Premium Marine Collagen Powder
Matakana Superfoods Premium Marine Collagen Powder is a pure marine collagen powder – with nothing added. Hydrolysed to make it easy for the body to use, and it's sustainably harvested.
It’s unflavoured which makes it very versatile. Being heat stable means you can add to any food, hot or cold. Try in your morning smoothie, coffee or baked treats.
★★★★★
"Simple collagen. Sometimes brands fancy up their collagen so it’s good to have a simple option. I have been taking collagen for years and this is my newest favorite. Simply added to my breakfast every day and doesn’t alter the taste. Skin is doing very well despite being postpartum." - Susan
|
Best bovine collagen: NeoCell Super Collagen
Because NeoCell specialises in collagen. You know you're getting a quality collagen supplement in NeoCell Super Collagen. This powder is super soluble - easily mixed into any food of drink. It's unflavoured so you can add it to anything – and it delivers 10 grams of hydrolysed collagen peptides per serving.
★★★★★
"I have tried lots of collagens. I love this one…amazing." - Pauline
|
Bovine collagen vs Marine collagen
As far as skin, joint and bone support, both marine and bovine collagen offer the same benefits. Both are backed by research. You’ll notice it’s often claimed that bovine is better for skin as it contains type 1 and type 3 collagen. And marine contains type 1 and type 2, so is better for joints. There’s lots of marketing out there surrounding the different types of collagen.
BUT (and it's a big but), this is all theoretical. There's no independent, definitive research that directly compares the effects of marine and bovine collagen. Or research that establishes that one is better than the other. Our bodies break down collagen before absorbing it.
Both marine and bovine contain the all-important collagen peptides - glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which it the main consideration. Both bovine and marine collagens are relatively sustainable too, as they're derived from by-products of existing industries. So, at the end of the day the choice comes down to dietary preference.
How do I take collagen?
Consistency is key with collagen supplements – research shows the best results come from daily use and taking them long-term for ongoing support. 12 weeks is the average timeframe in collagen studies. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you take them either, just choose a time that fits into your day – so it’s easy to remember to take them.
3 tips for healthy skin aging
Deep sleep
Skin regeneration (including collagen production) happens during deep sleep phases, 7-8 hours is a good target. Beauty sleep really is 'a thing.' - give your guide to a healthy, deep sleep a read.
An antioxidant rich diet
They protect against oxidation, the main driver of aging. Eat a rainbow of fruit and veggies and keep the skin on where possible - that’s where the goodness is. Not big on fruit and veggies? Check out these Superfood Blends to up your antioxidant intake.
Keep your fluids up
This helps clear out toxins that drive aging and it plumps up our skin cells, aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day. Don’t love water? Teas and Tonics count towards the total too! Trouble with visiting the toilet more often when you’ve upped your fluid intake? Try Electrolytes to support fluid balance and hydrated cells. This one is easy to use, has added trace minerals as is our top seller by far: BioTrace Elite Electrolyte liquid.
Holistic skin aging
We're all about natural, healthy aging - for skin that glows with health. A holistic approach, rather than just anti-aging or reducing wrinkles (although we'll take that as a bonus!). Collagen is a great addition for your beauty routine. Great for bone and joint support too.
Keen to know more about holistic aging support? Check out blog: algae supplements - the best big (sustainable) for healthy aging.
|
Always read the label. Use as directed. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a balanced diet.