Bargain vs Bougie: The Difference Between These 4 Popular Collagen Supplements
Emily Algar is a freelance writer, content consultant and creator, beauty journalist and great skin-haver.
Key Takeaways
- Collagen is vital for youthful hair, skin, and nails, providing structural support to the body.
- Hydrolysed collagen in supplements is broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption.
- Benefits include improved skin elasticity, hydration, and stronger nails and hair, with ongoing research supporting these claims.
- Consistency is key when taking collagen supplements; expect to see results in around eight to 12 weeks.
- Three to ten grams of collagen per day is the recommended dosage for optimal effects.
- Type I and III collagen are most beneficial for skin, hair, and nails, with marine collagen being my preferred choice.
- Enjoyable supplements increase adherence; I suggest choosing a format that fits your lifestyle, whether liquid, powder, gummy, or tablet.
- My top pick is Vida Glow for its effectiveness and higher collagen dosage, although each type offers unique advantages.
Of all recent beauty trends, collagen supplements are definitely the most notable.
From powders and tablets to chewable gummies and liquid collagen for skin, it seems there are new collagen formulas launching daily.
Spoiler: They all promise to help us maintain youthful hair, skin and nails.
Collagen supplement reviews are mixed - some swear by the alleged collagen powder benefits while others would say it's a load of BS.
Full disclaimer, I've been taking collagen supplements for skin for years. Partly because it’s my job to test stuff (yay) but also because I believe in them.
I've honestly been taking some form of collagen supplement for so long, it was impossible for me to dig up collagen supplements before and after photos.
If you find the right product and stick with it, you’ll more than likely reap the rewards. The trick, however, is zeroing in on the one to begin with.
So, which are the best collagen supplements for you?
Does collagen help hair growth? Is collagen good for skin? What are the benefits of collagen supplements for hair? Do collagen supplements even work?
I hear you, which is why I’ve done the legwork and compiled an edit of the best collagen supplements in Australia.
There’s an option for every taste, lifestyle and budget, the only thing you have to do is choose.
Keep scrolling for my picks, plus a break down on how and why (and if) collagen supplements work.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, found everywhere from joints and ligaments to the hair, skin and nails.
It’s made up of a series of amino acids, and because it’s quite rigid by nature, it works well to hold things together like an in-built support system.
What Is Collagen Made Of?
Most collagen supplements on the market are made up of either bovine (cow) or marine (fish) collagen that’s been hydrolysed for maximum benefit.
Collagen molecules are actually quite big, so the idea behind hydrolysis is to break them down into tiny peptides. That way, they are more easily absorbed through the gut wall.
And before you ask, there’s no ‘complete’ vegan collagen. It’s an animal product, however some brands use a plant-based vegan collagen alternative.
What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen is essential for many different bodily functions.
But because we’re here to talk beauty (obvs), we can think of it as the scaffolding that gives our skin its bounce, and hair and nails their strength.
When we’re young, our collagen levels are high, hence a springy, bouncy complexion.
As we age, our collagen production process slows down, causing signs of ageing — think loss of volume in skin, brittle nails, thinning hair and slackened skin.
The answer to how to increase collagen is by supplementing a healthy diet and lifestyle with a supplement.
The idea behind supplementation is that it works to top up declining levels, plus encourage its natural production.
A win-win type of scenario.
What Is Collagen Good For?
Research into the impacts of ingestible collagen is ongoing, however collagen supplements benefits include:
- Changes in skin elasticity, hydration and density.
- Healthier hair, skin and nails.
- Anecdotally, people who take collagen supplements see increased nail growth and strength.
- May aid digestion and gut health.
- Collagen may help in the management of bone health and joint pain.
Do Collagen Supplements Work?
Yes, but they aren't a quick fix or magic pill.
It’s important to point out that collagen supplements — like all supplements — are designed to support a healthy diet and lifestyle overall.
Things like good nutrition, sleep and daily sunscreen are absolutely your first line of defence against premature ageing, but there is a lot of emerging science to suggest that ingestible blends are an effective complimentary option.
How Long Does It Take for Collagen Supplements to Work?
Short answer: Around eight to 12 weeks.
Here's the catch - like with any skin routine, skin treatment or active skincare product, you have to take your collagen supplements consistently over a period of time to see results.
So don't expect results after one day or one spoonful of collagen in your smoothie, OK?
How Much Collagen Per Day Should You Take?
The magic number when it comes to dosage is vague, but three to 10 grams daily is a good benchmark.
It’s worth noting that you can’t really overdo it on ingestible collagen, so any excess you consume will simply be excreted (i.e. come out as expensive pee).
Best Type of Collagen Supplement?
Finally, the type of collagen you consume matters.
Our skin is made up predominantly of type I and type III, so keep an eye out for these when buying a supplement.
Bovine collagen tends to contain mostly type I, whereas marine is made up of both I and III. Both are essential, but type III is the most important in regards to hair, skin and nails.
I prefer marine collagen, and add it to a glass of water every single morning. At the very least, it has me drinking more water!
Best Collagen Supplements in Australia.
The truth is that the best collagen supplement is one you actually enjoy taking.
Consistency is key, so my best advice is to go for the best collagen supplements for skin and hair that fit into your lifestyle.
But with that being said, there’s a stack of liquid, powder, gummy and tablet options at our disposal, so I’m going to chat through a few Adore favourites to help you in the decision-making process:
1. Best Liquid Collagen Supplement.
What:
- A cult product with tonnes of positive The Beauty Chef reviews.
- Comes in a 200ml bottle for $29 and 500ml for $49.
- Plant-based vegan formula designed to support natural collagen production to promote a radiant, naturally-plumped complexion.
- Liquid does not contain collagen, but rather stimulates collagen production with a bio-fermented probiotic concentrate, vitamin C, pomegranate, gotu kola, organic goji, acai and maqui berries.
- Add 15ml to 200ml of water, your favourite cool drink or even a smoothie.
Best for:
Vegans, or anyone who wants to support their gut and skin simultaneously. The delicious berry flavour profile is also perfect for fussy palettes.
My Beauty Chef Collagen review:
I have always loved The Beauty Chef supplements and this is no different.
It tastes amazing (like, seriously good) and is a great option for vegans, or those who also want to nourish their gut and support general skin health.
I also drink way more water when I add a splash of this. It's basically a healthy cordial for adults!
P.S. Just so you know, you can get 20% off when you buy The Beauty Chef's collagen liquid with the brand's cult GLOW powder.
The Beauty Chef Glow & Collagen Duo Bundle gives you a cheeky saving of $18!
2. Best Powder Collagen Supplement.
- Vida Glow is arguably the market leader, with a cult following and many a raving Vida Glow review to its name.
- Anecdotal Vida Glow Marine Collagen reviews aside, a tub of the brand's original Marine Collagen sells every four seconds.
- $70 for 30 single-serve sachets each containing three grams of hydrolysed type III marine collagen.
- Slowly add and stir the heat stable powder into any beverage, including your coffee, one to three times a day.
Best for:
Those chasing noticeable results, whether that’s firmer skin or stronger hair and nails.
My Vida Glow collagen review:
I’ve been taking the Vida Glow Original Marine Collagen since it launched and I honestly love it.
It’s truly tasteless, dissolves quickly and I always notice my skin and nails look better when I’m being consistent.
My 55-year-old mum also swears by it, so there’s that!
Quick tip: To avoid little lumps of powder in your drink, add the powder bit by bit, stirring until it has dissolved before adding more. Takes some patience, but worth it.
3. Best Tasting Collagen Supplement.
- Yes, we're talking about Swisse Collagen Glow gummies you can chew!
- Each chewable Swisse collagen gummy contains 2.5 grams of hydrolysed collagen peptides, both type I and type III collagen.
- The suggested dosage is three gummies daily, and you get 45 in a jar for $24.99.
- Strawberry-vanilla flavour is 99 per cent sugar free, with no artificial colours or sweeteners.
Best for:
Fussy eaters, busy people, travel or anyone who loves a sweet treat.
My Collagen Glow Swisse review:
I wasn’t sold on the idea of a collagen gummy, but these are surprisingly delicious.
The strawberry vanilla flavour is subtle but sweet, and I love the fact they contain added grape seed and vitamin C.
I don’t think I’d rely on these as my daily dose of collagen, but would absolutely throw them in my bag when I’m super busy or traveling.
4. Best Tablet Collagen Supplement.
- me today is a new cruelty-free brand made in New Zealand that make a whole range of supplements and skin care.
- Think of me today Beauty capsules as your all-in-one daily supplement to help promote hair, skin and nail growth.
- The formula contains marine collagen peptides, biotin (a B vitamin common in hair growth supplements) and antioxidant vitamin C.
- $37.99 for 60 capsules covers you for 60 days. Adults take 1 vege cap daily with water or as directed by your healthcare professional.
Best for:
Taking on the go, those who prefer tablets or anyone who wants the added benefits of biotin.
My me today collagen review:
I love the fact these have the added benefits of biotin and vitamin C. Not only does this help with absorption, but is great for strong hair!
The tablet is also really easy. Like the gummies, these would be great for travel.
While the dosage isn’t super high (225 mg collagen per tablet), it’s a well-rounded supplement for general hair, skin and nail health.
Final Verdict...
While all the above collagen supplements have their pros and cons, Vida Glow is my personal pick.
It's results-oriented, has a higher dose of collagen than others, and the brand puts a lot of work into innovation.
But like I mentioned previously, the best supplement for you is one you’ll commit to taking every day.
Don't like swallowing tablets? Try a liquid or powder. Can't be bothered stirring a powder into your drink? A capsule or liquid might be for you.
Want something quick and easy? You've got gummy and capsule options. And if you don't want to taste anything, a daily tablet or flavourless powder might be for you.
See? Something for everyone.
So yeah, it's probably not surprising to hear I do believe collagen supplements work — especially as we age and start to experience a decline.
When I’m taking it routinely myself, I notice my skin seems plumper and my nails stronger, and that’s all the proof I need.
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