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'Our winning collagen supplement took two years off my skin age black rice extract powder
The best collagen supplements on the market claim to be a simple way of getting more of this skin-plumping powerhouse protein into your diet, but do they really deliver on their promises? In short, yes, but only with consistent, daily consumption.
Helped by a panel of nearly 294 readers, our Good Housekeeping Institute experts found the supplements below improved testers’ skin during a robust three-month long trial.
Here are the top-rated supplements in one quick list if you’re ready to shop, but scroll on to find out more about the benefits of collagen and read our full reviews.
We’ve also tested nail supplements, hair growth supplements and pre-workout supplements for all your beauty and wellness needs.
Collagen is the structural protein that adds density and plumpness to our skin, making it look smoother and feel more taut.
“It's a crucial protein found in the body, particularly in the skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments,” explains medical consultant and founder of Adonia Medical clinic, Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme. “It provides structure, elasticity and strength to various tissues, making it essential for maintaining healthy skin, joints and overall body function.”
Our natural collagen production stars slowing down from our mid-20s, but if you’re keen to put the bounce back into your skin and your 20s feel like a long time ago, hope is not lost. That’s where some of our best collagen supplements come in.
The GHI experts recruited 294 panel members to trial 20 brands of collagen supplements over a period of three months. We asked them to assess taste, ease of use and efficacy, highlighting any improvements in skin, hair and nail condition after taking each product as instructed. Testers also noted how quickly they saw improvements and submitted feedback every four weeks.
The next stop was the GHI lab, where our in-house experts used the VISIA Skin Analysis machine to assess any changes in users’ fine lines, wrinkles, texture and browns spots, giving each product a score out of five for performance.
Let’s take a look at the results.
Ingenious indeed, these clever capsules are a low-maintenance way of ensuring you’re consuming enough collagen for skin, hair and nails, when you're not getting enough from your diet. One of our expert testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute tried this for herself, and told us: “These took two whole years off of my real skin age, according to our VISIA machine, after just three months.” We like those maths.
The tablets were easy to swallow, and most agreed there was no bad aftertaste or digestion issues. One tester did grumble about the “fishy” flavour, but we think a hold-your-nose-while-you-swallow situation is a small price to pay for a healthy-looking complexion.
One tester gave these tablets “10 out of 10”, due to noticeable improvements in their skin, hair and nails, with comments from others including: “My hair stopped breaking and I had fewer split ends,” and “I’ve got the healthiest fingernails I’ve ever had, and I’m 61!” Another told us their skin was good enough to leave the house without makeup on after the trial period, whereas they wouldn't normally dream of going bare-faced. What a result.
This liquid gold really lived up to its namesake in our tests, taking joint top place on our podium. All of our panellists said their skin felt smoother and their complexion was improved after the 12-week testing period. Everyone noticed some difference, which is impressive for a supplement. “I’ve received positive comments about my skin from friends since using this, and the crepiness of my upper arms has improved,” one told us. “People keep telling me that I look young for my age, and a couple have asked if I’ve been on holiday, I presume because of my brighter, fresher-looking complexion,” added another.
Most noticed significant hair growth, too. One tester praised the “outstanding” results on their lengths, while another said, “My hair feels thicker and healthier, with less breakage, and my nails are growing faster and stronger than they used to.”
The only niggle was that the bottle is quite heavy, which isn’t ideal for people who travel a lot, but there’s no mixing required, and you don’t have to store the bottles (you get 10 in a box) in the fridge, which makes them more convenient. One person said she kept them on her nightstand to make sure she remembered to drink one every day.
This marine collagen was the joint runner-up in our tests. Kiki Health sources its wild fish sustainably (and on a relatively small scale) off the coast of France, from a responsibly-certified fishery. And the brand’s flavourless marine collagen made a great impression on our testers.
Most of our panel noticed their skin felt smoother after just four weeks, and tests in the GHI lab revealed they effectively reduced fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots after 12 weeks. Testers liked how easy the capsules were to take, without any nasty fishy aftertaste, and reported healthier hair and nails post-trial.
If healthy hair is why you’re here, then this QMS supplement is for you. Enriched with vitamins E and C, it helps protect hair and skin cells (and thereby scalps) against oxidative stress, as well as providing a collagen boost.
Most of our testers said their hair felt shinier, stronger, smoother and even longer after just four weeks.
Meanwhile, in the lab, our experts were impressed by how much these capsules firmed up skin and improved its texture after three months. Many panellists reported similar findings, saying their skin looked and felt plumper and more supple.
This marine collagen impressed mainly in the hair growth and shine department – many people commented on what it did to their locks. “It really does seem to have strengthened my nails and thickened my hair”, one tester told us, while another said: “My hair is unusually shiny, which is surprising as I’ve recently been on a few hot holidays where it would typically go frizzy.” One person told us their neighbour had commented on the change to their hair – talk about turning heads! It fared well in our taste tests, too. Everyone loved the red fruit flavour, which was described as “pleasant without being overly sweet.” We did get a few grumbles about needing scissors to open the portioned-out doses though, despite the packet saying they’re easy to rip open. People also said they’d prefer to use less plastic, if they had the choice.
These pomegranate-flavoured gummies add key nutrients (vitamins C and A) to your diet, and claim to be the “tastiest way to top up on collagen”. Most testers agreed they were particularly yummy, but they did a lot more than satisfy a sweet craving. Though not the star performer in our lab analysis for minimising fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation, our joint top supplements still did a decent job over 12 weeks. Many testers enjoyed better complexions only four weeks in, with further improvements in firmness and smoothness reported later.
Hair growth and nail strength ramped up, too, and some also said they gave them an energy boost. The only complaint from our panel was that the jar needed a good shake to separate the sticky gummies.
Our testers said that any dull, tired-looking or textured skin looked better and felt softer after drinking this tropical-flavoured supplement, with most also noting a smoothing of fine lines just four weeks into the trial. Our lab test backed up their comments, finding it successfully reduced wrinkles after three months.
Not only a hit in the skin department, panellists also found the supplements “incredible” for hair and nails, leaving both noticeably stronger and healthier.
They’re on the pricier side at nearly £2.50 per daily dose, and they come in a single-use sachet, but most testers said they were quick to dissolve, liked the fruity taste and found them convenient to pop into a handbag.
Our panel raved about the overall health and growth of their nails after a course of this liquid marine collagen, with over half noticing a difference in nail strength after just four weeks (a third of the full trial period).
The peach and passionfruit flavour helps each ready-to-drink bottle go down easily (take one daily) and the glass packaging is recyclable.
Most of our testers said they would continue to use it after the trial, especially as it also improved their skin's firmness, smoothness and hydration and added shine to their hair.
The collagen here is derived from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows, which means these collagen peptides (in powder form) are completely flavourless and not at all “fishy” tasting. This makes them versatile enough to add to coffee, water, smoothies or even sprinkle on to your dinner – and the tub even comes with a scoop so you can get the dosage right.
Our panel liked how easily this supplement slotted into their everyday routines, and how quickly they achieved results. Many noticed a boost in skin hydration and smoothness after a month, as well as a reduction in breakouts. Our lab test gave it the thumbs up for tackling unwanted lines, and one tester told us her friends had started to comment on the difference it had made to her skin.
Hair got stronger and shinier after 12 weeks, and nail growth accelerated, making this a great-value buy. Our only moan is that the container is big and bulky, so it’s not ideal for travelling.
Vida Glow has given extra thought to ensuring these handy marine collagen sachets (sourced from fish skin) work efficiently for consumers. The collagen has been broken down to its lowest molecular weight, meaning it’s more easily absorbed by the body. So, in theory, you should get more glow per gram.
Happily, it seemed to live up to its claim. Testers noted their skin felt firmer and smoother, and looked brighter, albeit only after the full three months. Most of the panellists said they felt more hydrated too (many after only four weeks). Hair also became more resilient for almost everyone, as did nails.
Though unflavoured, some found the taste slightly bitter – “like dissolved paracetamol,” according to one tester – but this improved when mixed with tea or coffee.
Although there were a few comments about the “boring” packaging, we don’t think that’s a dealbreaker, especially given the price. These supplements packed a real punch when it came to strengthening nails, with many panellists noting an improvement after just four weeks. One person who described their nails as “soft and prone to breakage” but said they now “seemed strong and grow quickly.” Almost everyone said the strength and look of their nails improved over the 12-week trial. That’s one way to save on salon trips.
People also found them convenient to take – it’s three tablets with your evening meal – but many said they didn’t love taking tablets in general. However, these had “no nasty taste or uncomfortable after effect,” according to one tester and most of our panellists said they would continue to buy and use them after the trial period – as markers of success go, that’s a pretty good one.
Not only good for boosting skin elasticity, collagen can also help improve joint, bone, gut, nail and hair health. This means collagen supplements can be beneficial for tackling symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause, from aching joints to flaking nails.
The good news is that there are many ways to boost your collagen production, from topical application of collagen creams and serums, to drinking or eating it in the form of gummies, bars, liquid sachets or powdered drinks.
In theory, anyway. Experts don’t always agree on what’s possible – debate rages over the ideal size of collagen molecules, as well as their ability to be absorbed into the skin or to travel safely through the digestive system.
However, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that says collagen supplements can contribute to stronger and faster hair and nail growth, as well as noticeably plumper-looking and more resilient skin.
Most drinks and supplements claim to increase collagen levels in the skin by hardwiring the protein – in the form of collagen peptides or hydrolysed collage – to go straight to the stomach. They’re then broken down during digestion into amino acids, absorbed into your system and used by your body to build collagen or other required proteins.
Collagen supplements stay in your body for around two weeks, which means you’ll only feel the effects if you use them regularly. Our tip? Make remembering as easy for yourself as possible by incorporating your chosen supplements into your morning skincare or breakfast routine.
The collagen in supplements is usually derived from bovine (cows) or marine sources (found in the skin and scales of fish). It’s worth noting that bovine collagen supplements have made the news for their contribution to biodiversity issues in tropical regions (from where the ingredients are sourced).
If you’re keen to steer clear of bovine collagen, we’d recommend opting for a marine collagen supplement instead. We’ve distinguished between them in our ‘key specifications’ boxes below to make your research that little bit more manageable.
The rise of vegan supplements is also currently making waves in the market. These don’t actually contain collagen as it isn’t vegan, but some claim to replicate the amino acid profile of type 1 human collagen, or they contain ingredients such as vitamin C, which help promote collagen production. We don’t have any vegan supplements on our tried and tested list currently, as they’re still fairly new.
Bone broth is an increasingly well-known collagen booster, thanks to the fact that it’s rich in the amino acids that form the building blocks that your body needs to create its own proteins, including collagen. You don’t have to boil up a vat of pig’s trotters to get your daily collagen fix, however. Other foods high in collagen include meat, fish, dairy products and eggs, with plant-based protein, such as soy, beans, nuts, seeds and fungi, also helping your body to produce its own collagen.
Certain vitamins and minerals also play a key role in collagen production. Vitamin C boosts collagen levels, as does silica (found in oats, cereals and bananas), copper (found in mushrooms and cocoa) and sulphur (eat lots of garlic). Essentially, a collagen-boosting diet should include a varied mix of proteins, vegetables and grains that are high in fibre.
We tested collagen supplements for three months (12 weeks), as most brands claim this is how long it takes to see real, tangible results.
“Collagen supplements are generally safe for most people when taken as directed,” says Dr Ejikeme. “However, some individuals may experience mild side-effects, such as digestive discomfort, bloating or mild allergic reactions.”
She adds: “It’s essential to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.”
You could top up your natural collagen supplies from your mid-20s onwards, when collagen levels naturally start to fall, but the greatest benefit will be seen pre- and post-menopause.
If you’re looking to firm up your skin and boost elasticity, Kiki Health Marine Collagen Beauty Blend, has you covered. For luscious locks, our testers loved the QMS Medicosmetics Collagen Intravital Plus and, for an affordable all-rounder, MyVitamins collagen gummies were popular with our panel.
At the GHI, we’ve been testing products – from bed frames and cleansing balms to retinol serums and supplements – for over 100 years. Our beauty testers combine their industry knowledge and experience with rigorous protocols and specialist lab machines to analyse and scrutinise products’ performance.
We also have a large panel of at-home testers to call on, who give us detailed feedback that feeds into our final scores, so you know our recommendations will work for you at home.
Our writers are also experts in their fields. Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, has years of experience researching and writing about the latest skincare launches and the most effective health-enhancing ingredients in haircare.
Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.
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