Our Top Picks: Collagen Protein Supplements for Aging Skin in 2025

• Support healthy, dewy-looking skin*
• Support hair thickness and density*
• Support muscles and metabolism*
• Support join health and an active lifestyle*

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTATION

• Reduce the look of crepey, sagging skin*
• Support skin hydration*
• Help minimize the appearance of fine lines*[5]
• Support skin elasticity*

Best types of collagen to support skin*

When it comes to collagen supplements there are five main types of collagen, types I, II, III, V, and X. Although each of them is linked to different wellness benefits, there are two collagen types that are thought to support collagen production in the skin*:

Top Collagen Supplements of 2025

What To Look For

What To Avoid

Important Criteria

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Types I and III Collagen

Sourced from Bovine

Dissolves/Mixes Well*

Neutral Flavor*

Over 5g Protein 

Calcium

Primal Collagen

by Primal Harvest

Multi Collagen by BeautyLux

Collagen Peptides

by Vital Proteins

Original Collagen Peptides

by NativePath

Super Collagen Peptides

by Neocell

Collagen and skin care seem to go hand in hand these days, and if you’re thinking about taking collagen for skin, you're not alone. More and more people are using collagen for its many purported skincare benefits. It’s no wonder the collagen market has exploded with a huge mass of collagen products from collagen supplements to collagen cream for skin. 

Before presenting the top collagen supplements for skin, here are some basics that are important to know when adding this skin-supporting supplement to your routine…

What is collagen?

Simply put, collagen is a protein that forms the connective tissue all over our bodies. It makes up about 70-80% of the dry weight of your skin and can help keep it looking supple and smooth. [2]

It is also found in bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons, and plays an important role in maintaining healthy-looking skin and hair as well as supporting bone and joint health and maintaining muscle mass to help keep you active and fit.

But here’s the most important thing you need to know about collagen for skin:

The older you get, the more collagen you need.

As you age, the less collagen your body produces. By your mid-20s it starts to decline. By 40, it’s down 25% and, by 60, it can decrease by more than 50%. This can lead to a loss of skin elasticity, sagging, and more visible fine lines and wrinkles. [2,3] 

Why your skin needs collagen

As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen plays a key role in skin elasticity, hydration, and texture. Basically, it is what keeps your skin from sagging and helps to maintain that glowy, plump, youthful appearance. 

In fact, many studies have found that collagen supplements have the ability to noticeably maintain skin elasticity, hydration, and density with consistent use. [4]

These studies reported that because the collagen peptides were able to reach deeper layers of the skin, the supplements created “long-lasting and cosmetically relevant regeneration of the skin.” [4]

Type I

This is the most abundant collagen in the human body and is thought to be the most beneficial collagen for healthy skin. Type I collagen is the primary building block of your skin, and has been shown to support skin elasticity and hydration, lessen the appearance of fine lines, and support the skin barrier. Bovine is a common source of type I collagen. [3,4]

What To Look For In A Collagen Supplement*

TIP: Did you know that a high-quality collagen powder can make a great addition to your morning coffee or tea? 

Premium collagen powders have no flavor and dissolve easily into any drink - hot or cold. This makes it easy to add to your daily wellness routine which means better results!

What To Try To Avoid In A Collagen Supplement

Type III

This is another of the most commonly found collagen types in our body. Also highly beneficial for supporting skin health, type III collagen makes up a large part of our skin and organs. Bovine collagen is also a source of type III collagen. [3,4]

About 30%

of the protein in your body is collagen.[1]

Approx. 70-80%

of the dry weight of your skin is collagen. [2]

We lose 1% per year

after age 40 [2,3]

No Sweeteners

No More Than 45 mg Sodium

If you’re wondering how to build collagen in skin, taking a collagen supplement may help to maintain healthy collagen levels, especially as you age. 

BUT - be sure to choose a collagen supplement for sagging skin that is hydrolyzed. This means that the collagen is already ‘broken down’ so that it is more easily absorbed by the body. The end result is what’s referred to as collagen peptides. 

Our Choice

• 10 G Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen
• 9 G Protein Plus 20 MG Calcium
• Essential Amino Acids
• GelcoPEP® Technology for Mixability
• Free Shipping on Orders Over $75

Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest 

5. Super Collagen Peptides

by Neocell

PROS

• Hydrolyzed bovine collagen 
• No artificial flavors 
• 8g protein per serving

CONS

• No calcium content
• 60-day money-back guarantee

BOTTOM LINE

Super Collagen Peptides by Neocell is formulated with 10g of hydrolyzed collagen per serving. The unflavored powder dissolves reasonably well in most liquids. However, like other lower-ranked competitors on this list, it lacks added calcium content that may help support optimal collagen synthesis and bone health. Those considering this option should also note that while there is a money-back guarantee, it only extends to 60 days, falling short of the 90-day guarantee offered by some higher-ranked options. 

RATING

C

AT A GLANCE

• BEST FOR: Hair, skin, and nails 
• COLLAGEN TYPES: Types I & III 
• SOURCED FROM: Bovine 
• FLAVOR: Unflavored 
• MIXABILITY: Good

by Vital Proteins

PROS

• Certified grass-fed bovine collagen
• Gluten and dairy-free
• Made in the USA

CONS

• 110 mg sodium
• No 90-day money-back guarantee

BOTTOM LINE

Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins is formulated with 20g of grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen. 

Like Primal Collagen by Primal Harvest, the Vital Proteins formula is easy to use. Although this unflavored formula is a solid choice for a collagen powder, some people may want to note that it contains 110 mg of sodium. This is especially something to consider for those watching their sodium intake. It also makes the product less versatile as the sodium content may impact the flavor.

4. Collagen Peptides

RATING

C

AT A GLANCE

• BEST FOR: Gut and joints
• COLLAGEN TYPES: Unspecified
• SOURCED FROM: Grass-fed bovine 
• FLAVOR: Neutral (slightly salty)
• MIXABILITY: Good

3. Original Collagen Peptides

by NativePath

PROS

• Grass-fed bovine collagen 
• Single-ingredient formula 
• Dissolves clump-free

CONS

• Premium price point 
• No calcium content

BOTTOM LINE

Original Collagen Peptides by NativePath is formulated with 10g of grass-fed bovine collagen per serving. While it offers a clean, single-ingredient formula similar to our top picks, the higher price per serving may make it a less attractive choice for those looking to adhere to a budget. The powder dissolves well in beverages and contains minimal sodium, which is a plus. However, the lack of calcium is notable since calcium works synergistically with collagen to support bone health and density. Without this crucial mineral, users may need to supplement separately for optimal results. 

RATING

B

AT A GLANCE

• BEST FOR: Skin, joints, and digestion 
• COLLAGEN TYPES: Types I & III 
• SOURCED FROM: Grass-fed bovine 
• FLAVOR: Neutral (unflavored) 
• MIXABILITY: Good

2. Multi Collagen

PROS

• 5 collagen types
• Collagen from 4 food sources
• Hydrolyzed collagen for better absorption
• Dissolves well
• No unpleasant aftertaste
• Fairly priced and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

CONS

• Only sold online
• Sometimes runs out of stock

BOTTOM LINE

BeautyLux Beauty Multi Collagen is an unflavored multi-collagen peptide powder, formulated from bovine, marine, chicken, and eggshell membrane collagen. This premium powder features collagen types I, II, III, V, and X which are sustainably sourced from cage-free chickens, grass-fed cows, and kosher, North Atlantic fish.*

Each once-a-day serving contains 7.8 g of hydrolyzed collagen which can easily be added to any liquid of your choice. As an added perk, the formula also contains 7 g of protein.*

This unflavored collagen powder mixes well and leaves no aftertaste. It's made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients and is third-party lab tested. 

RATING

A

AT A GLANCE

• BEST FOR: Hair, skin, and nails
• COLLAGEN TYPES: I, II, III, V, X
• SOURCED FROM: Bovine, marine, chicken, and eggshell membrane
• FLAVOR: Neutral
• MIXABILITY: Good

Primal Collagen by Primal Harvest delivers hydrolyzed bovine collagen types I and III that have been produced with GelcoPEP® technology for maximum dissolvability and absorption support.*

This formula dissolves quickly and easily and is neutral in flavor, making it convenient to stir into any liquid of your choice, from your morning coffee to smoothies and juice. You can even shake it in a shaker for when you're on the go. Each scoop provides you with 10 g of ultra-premium hydrolyzed collagen, 20 mg of calcium, and a wide range of amino acids.

Primal Collagen is third-party lab tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. The brand also offers a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order Primal Collagen through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping.

All in all, this collagen supplement delivers great value and quality at a reasonable price point. To top it off, Primal Harvest offers a 90-day money-back guarantee for all of its products.

• Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients 
• Premium quality hydrolyzed bovine collagen from grass-fed cows
• Nine essential amino acids
• 9 g of protein plus 20 mg calcium
• Unflavored, easy-to-dissolve powder
• GelcoPEP® technology for mixability
• The brand offers a hassle-free subscription service 

PROS

CONS

• Only available online
• Due to popularity, sometimes runs out of stock

BOTTOM LINE

RATING

A+

• BEST FOR: skin, hair, nails and joints* 
• COLLAGEN TYPES: I and III
• SOURCED FROM: Grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine
• FLAVOR: Neutral
• MIXABILITY: Excellent

AT A GLANCE

615 Reviews

BEFORE & AFTER

Note: Individual results may vary. The benefits stated are based on personal experiences and subjective feedback and may vary from person to person.

90-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Third Party Tested

Subscription Service

*We try to update product information as often as we can. Please visit product websites for more information.

*Based on the individual experience of the Smarter Choices team and on a number of user reviews of the product. 

[1] Ricard-Blum, Sylvie. “The collagen family.” Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology vol. 3,1 a004978. 1 Jan. 2011, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a004978

[2] Oikarinen, A. “Aging of the skin connective tissue: how to measure the biochemical and mechanical properties of aging dermis.” Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine vol. 10,2 (1994): 47-52.

[3] León-López, Arely et al. “Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,22 4031. 7 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/molecules24224031

[4] Bolke, Liane et al. “A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study.” Nutrients vol. 11,10 2494. 17 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11102494

[5] Borumand, Maryam, and Sara Sibilla. “Daily consumption of the collagen supplement Pure Gold Collagen® reduces visible signs of aging.” Clinical interventions in aging vol. 9 1747-58. 13 Oct. 2014, doi:10.2147/CIA.S65939

To see a list of our other references, please click here. 

CITATIONS

DISCLAIMER: This scientific research is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Primal Harvest provides this information as a service but does not endorse it. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific products.

• PURITY & QUALITY: Choose only grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine or sustainably-sourced seafood collagen.*
• HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN PEPTIDES: Hydrolyzed collagen peptides mean the amino acids have been broken down for super easy digestion and absorption.*
• A COMBINATION OF COLLAGE TYPES (TYPE I & III): A popular combination used for targeting aging and sagging skin.*
• QUANTITY: Check the label for the collagen and protein content. Most quality brands also include the amino acid profile of their collagen supplement.* 
• FLAVOR AND MIXABILITY: Some off-the-shelf collagen supplements tend to taste bad and do not mix well. Try to find a collagen supplement you'll be glad to consume every morning!

• Collagen That Hasn't Been 'Hydrolyzed': Collagen that is hydrolyzed has already been ‘broken’ down for better absorption and digestibility. Hydrolyzed collagen is also labeled as collagen peptides so be sure to look out for either term on the package.
• Collagen Lacking Testing: Always check that a product has been ‘third party lab-tested’ to be certain that the product has been independently tested for potentially harmful ingredients to ensure safety.
• Soy-Based fillers: Sometimes used to bulk up products, soy fillers can negatively impact important vitamins and minerals in your body.