Beauty trends come and go faster than you can say “serum,” but collagen continues to hold its own in the wellness world. Whether you’re browsing the supplement aisle or scrolling through your favorite beauty influencer’s page, collagen is everywhere—and for good reason.
So, what makes this protein so powerful? And how much do you actually need to see a difference?
What Exactly Is Collagen—and Why Should You Care?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. Think of it as the scaffolding that holds everything together—from your skin and bones to your joints, tendons, eyes, and even your gut lining. It’s made up of amino acids that help maintain structure and strength, promote wound healing, and support the nervous system.
The best part? Your body naturally produces collagen. You can also boost production through collagen-rich foods like fish, egg whites, and dairy.
But here’s the catch: your collagen levels decline as you age—starting as early as your 20s and accelerating after 40. In fact, you could be losing up to 1% of your collagen every year post-40. Factors like sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, and stress only speed things up.
To combat this, many women turn to supplements or other products to ensure they’re getting the benefit of firm, elastic skin for as long as possible. But how much do you actually need to start seeing results? We’ll break it down for you.
Collagen Supplements: Do They Work?
If you’re trying to slow down the clock on sagging skin or creaky joints, collagen supplements can help—but they aren’t magic overnight. It takes consistency and the right dose to see noticeable results.
Most supplements contain hydrolyzed collagen (aka collagen peptides), which are broken down for better absorption. Whether you prefer capsules, powders, or even gummies, hydrolyzed collagen is what you’ll most often find on the label.
So, How Much Collagen Should You Take Daily?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but research and expert consensus generally fall within a sweet spot:
- 2.5–5 grams/day: Great for improving skin elasticity, hydration, and joint pain.
- 10–15 grams/day: May support bone density, lean muscle mass, and deeper structural repair.
A smaller dose of around 2.5 grams has been shown to benefit things like joint pain and overall skin health. On the other hand, larger doses have the potential to improve bone density and muscle mass for those who need it. Just be aware that larger doses may cause side effects like upset stomach and fullness.
Most powders provide around 10 grams per two scoops, so it’s easy to adjust based on your goals. Start low and increase gradually if needed.
Of course, your diet, exercise levels, and other factors like sun exposure all play an important role in how much daily collagen you should be taking, so make sure to consider these before starting a supplement.
Heads up: Large doses may cause mild side effects like bloating or a feeling of fullness. And remember, lifestyle factors like sun exposure, exercise, hydration, and a balanced diet all affect how well collagen works for you.
Now that you know how much of this powerful protein you should take daily, let’s check out some of our favorite collagen-packed products. There’s a million and one out there, so we’ll narrow the list down to our absolute faves.
Editor’s Picks: Our Favorite Collagen-Boosting Products
There are hundreds of options on the market, but we’ve done the heavy lifting to find the standouts. From sustainably sourced powders to delicious daily gummies and beauty blends that go beyond skin deep, here are our top collagen product picks.
FullyVital Hair Skin Gut Collagen, starting at $41
A next-generation collagen blend with 10 types of collagen + clinically studied actives to revitalize hair, skin, and gut from within. Grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen sources, Anagain Nu for thicker hair, and prebiotics/postbiotics for a healthy gut.
Benefits:
✔ Thicker hair, less breakage
✔ Improved skin elasticity & glow
✔ Better digestion, reduced bloating
Unflavored. Gluten-free. No fillers. Just pure results, powered by science.
Beautycore, $49
Beautycore is a daily ingestible beauty supplement designed to support clear skin, lush hair, and a healthy gut. Its groundbreaking formula targets collagen, the body’s most abundant molecule, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, hair growth, nail strength, and more.
Swanson Collagen Peptides, $17.54
Swanson Collagen Hydrolysate Powder provides high amounts of key amino acids like glycine, proline, and lysine, which are essential to maintaining healthy connective tissue. This ultra-pure powder contains absolutely no fillers, flavors, colors, or additives of any kind, offering a clean solution for those seeking the ultimate in systemic protein supplementation.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix, $45
Harlo delivers 10g of bovine collagen alongside electrolytes and creatine for a full-spectrum performance boost. It’s designed to support not just skin and joint health, but also energy, hydration, and muscle recovery—all in a clean, no-fluff formula.
Vegan Vitality Vegan Collagen Complex, $15.75
Vegan Vitality Vegan Collagen Complex offers a stronger, more concentrated formulation for collagen production, ensuring improved collagen absorption with every capsule. Proudly 100% vegan and from a trusted vegan brand, it provides exceptional value with a 2-month supply. Additionally, this collagen is manufactured by a US-certified supplier (AVIVA), guaranteeing the highest quality standards.
Collagen for Her Collagen Peptide Powder, $38.99
One of the most popular ways to take collagen is simply by adding a scoop to your morning coffee or tea. Collagen For Her has zero flavors and doesn’t change the taste or texture of your drink. All of their collagen powders are all-natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and soy-free. In addition, all of their products are third-party tested to ensure they are safe for consumption.
This happens to be our VP’s favorite. She loves to use it in her coffee every morning.
Bulletproof Collagen Protein, $43.95
Bulletproof’s Collagen Protein powder has what you need to get the job done: amino acids to support healthy skin, bones, and joints. Unflavored Protein is grass-fed, flavorless, and mixes easily in hot or cold drinks. Add it to smoothies, coffee, and almost anything for a protein boost with whole-body benefits. Plus, it’s keto-friendly!
Get 15% off your order with code PRIMEWOMEN15.
Terra Origin Collagen Skin Boost, $29.99
Terra Origin gets straight to the stuff you need for a radiant complexion. The active ingredient, VERISOL ® Bioactive Collagen Peptides, is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles. In addition, a dose of vitamin C stimulates natural collagen production and protects skin from free-radical damage. Terra Origin made this a powder, instead of a cream, to nourish deep skin layers from the inside out and to leave you feeling radiant and confident.
As always, their products reflect high standards, and they do not add empty fillers or confusing preservatives.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder, $40.84
This powerhouse is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hides to ensure a natural, high-quality, and sustainable source of this powerful ingredient.
Sports Research Powder Supplement, $32.95
These peptides provide the proteins & amino acids necessary to support healthy bones, skin, and nails, as well as improve joint function and your body’s response to strenuous exercise. Help realize your inner beauty from within – with just one scoop per day.
There are so many benefits to including collagen in your routine, so have fun with it and experiment until you find the right daily supplement for you!
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