10 Best Collagen Supplements, Recommended by Dietitians & Dermatologists | Vogue

“By the time you’re in your mid-50s, your body is producing 50% less collagen,” clinical nutritionist Josh Axe, DNM notes. The way to help replenish those reserves, he says, is to consume the best collagen supplements—whether by simmering bones into a savory stock (à la Marco Canora’s celebrity-favorite Brodo) or reaching for one of the many collagen powders, capsules, and tablets on the market.

Turns out, the ingredient is less a fad, but a critical component of our bodies. Axe, author of 2019’s The Collagen Diet, explains that because collagen makes up 30% of all the protein in our bodies, it’s essential to restore collagen levels as you age—especially if you wish to reap its benefits ranging from hair growth to glowing skin and improved immune health. Ahead, we’ve tapped six skin experts (think: dietitians, nutritionists, and dermatologists) to weigh in on everything you need to know about collagen supplements—from hair, skin, and nails benefits to the best products shop.

Here, a look at the incredible dietitians, doctors, and health experts who shared their insight to bring this story to life.

Ancient Nutrition

Multi Collagen Protein

AMAZON

Vital Proteins

Collagen Peptides Advanced with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C

AMAZON

Hum Nutrition

Collagen Love Skin Firming Supplement

AMAZON

HUM NUTRITION

Garden of Life

Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder

AMAZON

Youtheory

Collagen with Vitamin C

AMAZON

SpoiledChild

E27 Extra Strength Liquid Collagen

SPOILEDCHILD

8Greens

Skin Supplement with Marine Collagen

AMAZON

Vida Glow

Original Marine Collagen

AMAZON

REVOLVE

NEIMAN MARCUS

Agent Nateur

Holi (Mane) Hair, Skin, Nails Supplement

DERMSTORE

VIOLET GREY

REVOLVE

Oxomio

Beauty Icon Ultimate Collagen Beauty Complex

AMAZON

NEIMAN MARCUS

“Collagen is a structural protein, rich in amino acids, abundantly found in the body,” nutritionist Dr. Charles Passler tells Vogue. “Skin, cartilage, bones, connective tissue, and tendons use collagen for structural support.

True collagen supplements are made from animal or fish proteins and contain short chain amino acids, peptides.” Promising everything from thicker hair and stronger nails to plumper skin, collagen powders are on track to reach $7.5 billion by 2027, Business Insider previously reported. The sector is led by brands such as the Chicago-based Vital Proteins, which became Instagram-famous when it partnered with Kourtney Kardashian on an organic blueberry-and-lemon–flavored powder sourced from pasture-raised cows in Brazil.

What are collagen supplements actually supposed to do for the body? To get the scoop (pun intended), we’ve tapped Valerie Agyeman, a dietitian and host of women’s health podcast Flourish Heights, who shares all the purported benefits—from healthier hair and stronger nails to improved muscle mass. A breakdown, below:

“The most important thing when choosing a supplement, is making sure the supplement doesn’t contain any unnecessary additives and fillers,” Passler says. “Multiple types of collagen exist and each has a specific function in the body. I prefer a supplement that has more than one type of collagen and is made to be easily absorbed.”

“Most collagen supplements contain types I, II, and III, the primary collagen types in the body,” Agyemang instructs; so look out for these if you’re looking to improve your skin, hair, and bone health. “If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor first before considering it due to limited safety research.”

This is not to say that the results are immediate. But real, perceptible benefits can often be achieved in a few months, Brown is quick to add. Passler says that those who experience joint and muscle pain can see results faster than those interested in the aforementioned cosmetics benefits. Overall, expect at least six weeks to see—and feel—a difference.

“Inside-out beauty is more important than ever,” agrees One Ocean Beauty’s Marcella Cacci, who launched her marine-based skin-care line in 2018 with a five-piece lineup, which includes complexion-boosting collagen supplements that deploy skin-healthy vitamins found in tomatoes and pomegranate extract. Similarly, this inside-out approach led Kate Hudson to develop what she calls her “dream product”—the InBloom Beauty Aura that she indulges in each morning, a step she revealed in her installment of Vogue’s Beauty Secrets.

It’s certainly an appealing premise—if not entirely in line with our increasingly plant-oriented diets. “It’s almost impossible to find the quality of the collagen you are using or exactly where it came from,” Brooke Russell, Ph.D., a vice president of operations at ECM Biosurgery, says of the powders, which are sourced from the bones, skin, or connective tissue of animals like cows or fish. “Most of the time, you don’t really know what is in there.” New York City-based dermatologist Pat Wexler, M.D., isn’t entirely sold either. “There are no negative side effects—but there is a lot more research to be done,” says Wexler, cautioning that many of the studies have been paid for by the companies producing the supplements.

Generally speaking, research suggests that 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen per day is suitable for the American diet. Passler caveats this by stating that those prone to kidney oxalate stones should avoid over 10 grams of collagen per day. (This is the only instance in which someone could take too much collagen.) In any case, it’s best to stick to the serving size of your chosen supplement and, as always, consult your trusted health service provider.

“Collagen is broken down, absorbed in the gut, and used as building blocks for the listed expected benefits. Incorporating a high quality collagen supplement, in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, is a great way to look and feel your best.”