There are over 3,000 possible skin disorders. Considering that one in four Americans (84.5 million) have been impacted by skin diseases, and how at any given time as many as one in three can be currently battling a skin problem from acne to cancer, your skin deserves a little TLC.
You may be thinking that an expensive cream or higher SPF will cut it when it comes to caring for your skin, but true skin health starts from the inside out. That’s where collagen enters the picture. Collagen is the connective glue that holds our bodies together, especially in the skin, and without collagen, your skin simply isn’t healthy.
Adding collagen to your diet will not only help your skin but could improve digestion, immune function, bone density, joint strength, and more. But not all collagen will have the ingredients you need to truly care for your skin, so our team of researchers found the top five collagen supplements to settle once and for all the best collagen for skin.
Editor's Choice: Codeage Collagen Peptides+
We chose Codeage Collagen Peptides+ because of the product’s hyper-focus on skin health. Every aspect of this collagen product is aimed at improving skin tone, moisturization, and elasticity, which leads to fewer wrinkles and more youthful-looking skin. Codeage Collagen Peptides+ has hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, types I and III collagen, as well as 20 grams of collagen.
Our Review Process
Our team of researchers has established some basic collagen criteria we use for every review, like price, availability, taste, and more. But for skin health, we needed to add some particularly important criteria: whether or not the collagen supplement has types I and III collagen and hyaluronic acid on the ingredients label.
Type I collagen helps your body repair skin and thickens the outer skin surface, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Type III collagen, along with type I, are the main components of the interstitial matrix, which is the connective tissue that fastens various parts of your body together. This interstitial matrix keeps your skin from sagging, so taking both types I and III together will lead to more elasticity in your skin. Hyaluronic acid helps your body retain water, which in turn leads to more supple, dewy skin that isn’t as likely to wrinkle.
#1: Codeage Collagen Peptides + Laser Focused On Skin Health
Collagen Specifications
Collagen Amount: 20 g
Protein Amount: Not Listed
Gluten-Free: Yes
Multi-Sourced: No
Multiple Types: Yes
Hydrolyzed Collagen: Yes
Vitamin C: Yes
Taste: 4.2/5
Price: $$$$ $26.69 for 14 servings ($2.12/serving)
Accessibility: Available on Amazon
Types I and III: Yes
Hyaluronic Acid: Yes
Collagen Per Serving
20 g
Reasons To Buy
Higher collagen content, available on Amazon, has hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, digestive enzymes, and types I and III of collagen.
Reasons To Avoid
Only unflavored available, somewhat expensive, only one source.
Codeage Collagen Peptides Powder + is our number-one choice for the best collagen for skin health. With the powerhouse combination of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, types I and III collagen, and a very high collagen content (20 g!) it’s your best bet to target your skin concerns. While Codeage has other collagen products with more types of collagen, this product was specifically formulated to improve your skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and repair skin damage.
The downside to this collagen is that it is bovine only, meaning you are missing out on the full benefits of collagen, especially type II, IV and V, which help with bone strength, joint health, immune response, and digestive health. Codeage only produces an unflavored version of this collagen, which, depending on your preference, is either a good thing or a bad thing. Overall, this is the best collagen for skin health, and if you are looking for collagen focused solely on your skin, this is it.
#2: Xyngular Complete Collagen - Skin Health And More
Collagen Specifications
Collagen Amount: 10 g
Protein Amount: 9 g
Gluten-Free: Yes
Multi-Sourced: Yes
Multiple Types: Yes
Hydrolyzed Collagen: Yes
Vitamin C: Yes
Taste: 4.5/5
Price: $$$$ $2.17 per serving, $65 for 30 servings
Accessibility: Have to order via distributor or website
Types I and III: Yes
Hyaluronic Acid: Yes
Collagen Per Serving
10 g
Reasons To Buy
Has multiple sources and types of collagen, has vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, has collagen types I, II, III, IV, V, pina colada flavor is one of the best on the market.
Reasons To Avoid
You have to order through their website, on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
Xyngular’s Complete Collagen is a close second to Codeage Collagen Peptides +, and only because it is more rounded out when it comes to collagen rather than laser-focused on skin health. If you want the benefits of Codeage Collagen Peptides + for your skin, but you also want stronger bones and joints, better gut health, and improved immunity, you’ll want to go with Complete Collagen from Xyngular.
This is a one-stop shop for all the benefits collagen offers, and while we obviously love the focused approach of Codeage for skin health, Complete Collagen has everything that Codeage has with the exception of a lower collagen content (10 grams in Complete Collagen and 20 grams in Codeage).
One major con for Complete Collagen: you can’t get it on Amazon, you have to shop through their website or buy directly from a distributor. Overall, Complete Collagen is one of the most well-rounded collagen products on the market and a solid choice for collagen for skin health.
#3: Bruno MD Royal Collagen Peptides - Convenient With Great Flavors
Collagen Specifications
Collagen Amount: 5.2 g
Protein Amount: 4
Gluten-Free: Yes
Multi-Sourced: No
Multiple Types: Yes
Hydrolyzed Collagen: Yes
Vitamin C: Yes
Taste: 4/5
Price: $$$ $59.98 for 30 servings, ($1.99/Serving)
Accessibility: Available on Amazon
Types I and III: Yes
Hyaluronic Acid: Yes
Collagen Per Serving
5.2 g
Reasons To Buy
Packet form, good flavors, has vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and types I and III collagen.
Reasons To Avoid
Only bovine sourced, expensive for such a low collagen content, no unflavored option.
Bruno MD Collagen Peptides have hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and types I and III collagen, which makes it a good fit as collagen to help with your skin’s appearance. It also comes in packets, which makes them easy to pack and drink on the go. With blood orange, dragon fruit, and strawberry acai, it has some of the best-tasting collagen on the market. That being said, they don’t offer an unflavored version, and for many collagen consumers, unflavored is a must.
Bruno MD Collagen Peptides also only has 5.2 grams of collagen and 4 grams of protein, which is about half the amount recommended for best results. However, some people prefer the lower dosage, especially when they first start taking collagen supplements. It’s also fairly expensive for such a low collagen content, but the convenience of the stick packs might be enough to make it worth it if you need collagen on the go.
#4: Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen Peptides - An Inexpensive Option Missing Some Important Ingredients
Collagen Specifications
Collagen Amount: 15g
Protein Amount: 14 g
Gluten-Free: Yes
Multi-Sourced: No
Multiple Types: Yes
Hydrolyzed Collagen: Yes
Vitamin C: No
Taste: 3.8/5
Price: $$$ $22.49 for 14 servings ($1.61 per serving)
Accessibility: Available on Amazon
Types I and III: Yes
Hyaluronic Acid: Yes
Collagen Per Serving
15 g
Reasons To Buy
Fun flavors (lavender lemon, strawberry lemon, tropical hibiscus), has probiotics and high collagen content (15 g.)
Reasons To Avoid
No vitamin C, only one source of collagen, no unflavored option.
Vital Proteins has different collagen products to address all kinds of issues, and this particular product is focused on skin, hair, and nails. With 15 grams of collagen per serving, it’s on the higher end of the spectrum for collagen content, and that higher count can help you see results faster but for some, can be too much collagen too fast and cause digestive problems. It also has hyaluronic acid, which helps keep your skin hydrated.
Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen Peptides also have probiotics, which is an interesting addition to collagen that can help with your gut health. However, it doesn’t have vitamin C, which not only helps with skin health but is also required for your body to effectively use collagen. You’ll have to take a separate vitamin C supplement to get the full benefit of this collagen product. It’s also only bovine collagen, which is good for skin health but you miss out on the benefits of chicken and marine collagen. This is a decent choice if you already take vitamin C and you are allergic to chicken and/or fish.
#5: Natural Force Clean Marine Collagen Powder - Simple Ingredients With Fewer Results
Collagen Specifications
Collagen Amount: 11.1 g
Protein Amount: 10 g
Gluten-Free: Yes
Multi-Sourced: No
Multiple Types: Yes
Hydrolyzed Collagen: No
Vitamin C: No
Taste: 3.2/5
Price: $$$ $52.24 for 30 servings ($1.74 per serving)
Accessibility: Available on Amazon
Types I and III: Yes
Hyaluronic Acid: No
Collagen Per Serving
10 g
Reasons To Buy
Very simple ingredients— no extras, decent price, marine collagen.
Reasons To Avoid
No vitamin C, no hyaluronic acid, only one source, no flavors.
Natural Force Clean Marine Collagen Powder is the best choice for people who are already taking a vitamin C supplement and a hyaluronic supplement, and only want marine collagen. Granted, marine collagen is a great source of types I and III collagen, and because this product is only sourced from wild-caught cod, you’re going to get a clean, healthy dose of both types. But that is just about all you get with this product: just marine collagen. For some, that might be a selling point, but for most people the fewer supplements you have to take the more likely you are to continue taking them.
This collagen doesn’t have hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, digestive enzymes, probiotics, or anything else that supports skin health and collagen absorption. Without vitamin C, your body can’t use collagen as effectively, which means you aren’t getting the full benefit of the supplement. Ultimately, some people might prefer the very simple ingredients in this collagen product, but if you want more bang for your buck this isn’t the supplement for you.
How Collagen Can Help Your Skin
Collagen is the glue that holds us together and nowhere is that more true than in the biggest organ of our bodies: the skin. Your skin is made up of layers, and those layers are made up of net—like structures that, with the right amount of collagen, stay taut and firm.
Collagen makes up 70% of the dermis layer of the skin (the layer right under the epidermis, the top layer). But as you age, your body stops producing collagen at a significant rate, and that means the “net” under your skin becomes looser, which leads to wrinkles.
By adding collagen to your routine, you are repairing the nets and adding strength to them, which leads to fewer wrinkles and fine lines. When you combine collagen with hyaluronic acid, you get a powerful combination for reducing wrinkles and increasing moisture and elasticity. In fact, a recent study found that taking hyaluronic acid orally “inhibits skin wrinkles and improves skin condition.” Not only that, but hyaluronic acid makes it easier for collagen to move through your body and helps with skin and joint health.
Vitamin C is crucial for skin health but also helps your body synthesize collagen effectively for use in the rest of your body. Without types I and III collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C, your collagen supplement won’t effectively reduce wrinkles and increase elasticity.
Source/Credit: HealthMatters.NYP.org
How To Effectively Add Collagen To Your Diet
As with all collagen, the key is consistency. If you take it for a week and stop, you won’t see results. So finding your favorite way to incorporate collagen into your daily routine is your best bet for lasting results. You can add collagen to your morning coffee or tea, baked goods, yogurt, smoothie, scrambled eggs, soups, and sauces, or even drink it plain in water. Make sure that you are getting between 10-15 grams of collagen a day to see results, and if your collagen product doesn’t have vitamin C, make sure you add that to your vitamin lineup. Also, if your collagen doesn’t have hyaluronic acid, make sure to take that in some other form to help your skin heal faster and stay hydrated.
To really boost the effectiveness of collagen for your skin, add foods that support healthy skin to your diet. Some ideas are watercress, red bell pepper, papaya, broccoli, spinach, almonds, avocado, blueberries, salmon, and lentils. And, of course, make sure you are drinking enough water, which is between 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women.
Why Your Skin Matters
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and provides the first line of defense against illness and injury. It regulates temperature, protects the delicate environment inside your body, and allows us to feel sensations as we move throughout the world. It also helps produce vitamin D in our bodies, and low vitamin D is linked to all kinds of illness and disease, including osteomalacia which leads to weak bones, bone pain, and muscle weakness.
Our skin is more than just a reflection of our age, but is a reflection of our overall health. By adding collagen to your diet, you improve the strength and integrity of all the layers of your skin, which obviously leads to fewer wrinkles, but more importantly, leads to better overall health. When we take care of our skin we take care of our whole body, and collagen is a major component of skin health.
Editor’s Choice CTA: Codeage Collagen Peptides +
Our team researched to find the best collagen for skin care on the market that was totally focused on skin health. Our top choice, Codeage Collagen Peptides+ has hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and types I and III collagen. These ingredients and the higher collagen content (20 grams, a solid 8-12 grams more than most collagen products) will help your body reduce wrinkles, improve suppleness and elasticity and prevent wrinkles down the road. If you are ready to focus on your skin health, Codeage Collagen Peptides is the best place to start.
