The Best Collagen Supplements, According to Registered Dietitians (2024)

Made from high-quality, grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine sources, this popular collagen supplement is versatile and convenient and delivers 20 grams of collagen per serving. Our registered dietitians love the unflavored option and say that it easily mixes into both hot and cold liquids. We've tested it in smoothies, coffee and even baked goods and it doesn't change the taste or texture significantly. You can even purchase single-serving packets for on-the-go.

Our pros also appreciate that this powder is third-party tested and is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning that the product has been thoroughly assessed for quality, safety and purity. Plus, these collagen peptides are small, making them better absorbed by the body. This collagen contains Type I and III collagen, best to support hair, skin and nails.

We're also fans of the brand's advanced collagen formula, which adds in a dose of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. We know that vitamin C can help support collagen production in the body, and hyaluronic acid may improve skin hydration and joint mobility.

A multi-source formula, this powder from Ancient Nutrition utilizes 10 types of collagen from four different sources to cover all your bases. Ancient Nutrition says that the hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen peptides are pasture-raised and grass-fed in South America and that the hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides come from sustainably wild-caught haddock, cod and pollock from North American waters.

This blend also contains a hefty dose of vitamin C in a special form that is easier for the body to absorb and retain. On top of that, this supplement offers up 2 billion CFU of a special probiotic strain called Bacillus coagulans to support a healthy gut. Our dietitians also appreciate that the brand publishes their Certificate of Analysis readily available on the site, which is a document that shows you everything that's in the product and what's not. Plus, their finished products are tested for heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury.

We found in our tests that this powder dissolves well in all different types of liquids. However, the unflavored does have a bit of slight fishy odor likely because this collagen comes from so many sources. That being said, it is not a strong smell but noticeable compared to other powders we tried, but luckily this did not impact the taste. The brand also makes the powder in a few different flavors like chocolate, cold brew and more.

Designed specifically for athletes, these collagen peptides from Momentous contain bovine collagen, vitamin C and FORTIGEL, which is a hydrolyzed form of collagen. The brand also cites research that suggests that collagen peptides may play a role in muscle recovery, strength and joint functionality.

Serious athletes will also appreciate that this supplement is both NSF Certified for Sport and also Informed Sport Certified, meaning it has been extensively tested for purity and potency and does not contain any of the substances banned by the major athletic organizations. Momentous even provides recommendations on when to take the powder — on rest days, they recommend taking it 2 to 3 hours post-caffeine consumption, and on training days to take it 30 to 60 minutes before exercise.

We noticed that it dissolved well in hot liquids but had some issues in colder beverages, though it worked great in smoothies. There is no noticeable taste but if you prefer not to take it in powdered form, the brand also makes a collagen shot that can be easy to drink on-the-go.

If you don't eat meat or meat-derived products, most collagen won't be suitable for your lifestyle since it is made from bovine. But some collagen is now available from marine sources, like this pick from Sports Research. Available in unflavored or dark chocolate, this marine collagen contains hydrolyzed types I and III with 18 amino acids.

We found that this marine collagen was easy to take, had no fishy aftertaste and even dissolved well in hot and cold beverages. It had a bit of a smell but this did not impact the taste. The product is third-party tested for quality and you can view the Certificate Analysis and third-party testing of every product you purchase from Sports Research on their website to verify that what is on the label is exactly what is in the container.

You may be familiar with collagen in powder form, but if you prefer to just add a pill to your supplement routine, this choice from HUM comes in a capsule form. The base is a mix of types I and III collagen from grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine, complimented by a dose of vitamin C and then a blend of hyaluronic acid, red wine extract, grape seed extract and chondroitin sulfate to support healthy skin.

This supplement was formulated by a team of registered dietitians and has been third-party validated for purity and quality by the Clean Label Project. In general, all of HUM's products are tested by a third-party for purity, strength, composition and contaminants. Our pros also appreciate that this pick has no artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors or preservatives. But take note that a serving requires three capsules.

If you want to avoid adding a powder or capsule to your supplement regimen, these easy-to-take gummies from Olly may be the perfect way to get your collagen fix. Not only do they have a delicious peach flavor, but you can take a two gummy serving on its own without additional food or water.

Free from synthetic colors, these gummies only have one gram of sugar per serving and get their coloring from lycopene (an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their beautiful color) and paprika. Plus, the supplement is NSF Contents Certified so you know that what is on the label is actually present in the container.

The collagen in these gummies has also been clinically studied to improve skin health including skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles in as little as four weeks. But keep in mind that there are only 15 servings per container.

Designed to combat age-related collagen loss, each packet of this liquid collagen from Youtheory supplies 5,000 milligrams of hydrolyzed collagen. It has a balanced berry flavor and uses a hint of stevia leaf extract for sweetness.

Youtheory does not specify the type of collagen in this blend, but utilizes collagen peptides from bovine sources and says that the blend is aimed specifically at improving skin, hair and nail health. There are only 12 packets per container, and the single-serve option can feel a bit wasteful, but it was one of the best liquid collagen supplements we tested in terms of taste and performance and was really convenient to take with you on-the-go.

The brand has high quality control standards and they manufacture every product in-house in their GMP-certified facility. They also claim to test every product beyond industry standards and implement third-party testing for heavy metals and pesticide residue.

Collagen is an abundant protein in the body that provides structure and support to muscles, bones, connective tissues and more. There are different types of collagen (we detail those later on), but type II collagen has shown promise with joint health in patients with osteoarthritis. In fact, research suggests that undenatured type II collagen may be even more effective than glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplementation for joint health.

One of our favorite joint health supplements, this pick from Life Extension is formulated with undenatured type II collagen, glucosamine, boswellia and boron, all to promote healthy bones and joints. Plus, this choice passed strict tests as part of ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program, and Life Extension has high quality control standards too. But the capsules are on the larger side, so keep this in mind.

Most collagen supplements are missing tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid not made by the body. But our registered dietitians like that Neotein collagen is fortified with the correct ratio of tryptophan to make it a complete protein source. Flavors include lemon lime and the new cherry passionfruit, which come in convenient single-serve packets.

What also makes this product unique is that it contains electrolytes. Since many people take a protein supplement and an electrolyte supplement at the same time, this involves drinking a lot of liquid. But this all-in-one protein and electrolyte powder gives you both in an efficient form.

Each packet from Neotein provides a solid 10 grams of protein and 140 milligrams of sodium, all with no carbs or sugars. We also appreciate that this supplement is Informed Sport Certified, which means it has been tested for purity and meets strict quality standards, but it is one of the more expensive price per servings we have seen.

Meeting your nutritional needs during pregnancy and postpartum can be a challenge. If deemed appropriate by your healthcare provider, you may consider taking a collagen supplement during pregnancy to support healthy joints, skin elasticity, postpartum hair and more. This pick from Needed is specifically designed for the prenatal and postnatal period. It features high-quality collagen sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone-free bovine. Just one scoop delivers 14 grams of protein as well which can be easily mixed into oatmeal and yogurt, and blended into smoothies. We found it did well in warm liquids, but had some difficulty with clumping in colder beverages.

Needed's collagen protein is manufactured in the U.S. at a FDA, GMP and QAI Certified Organic facility. Every batch is tested for quality and performance, including third-party testing for nutrient content, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals, microbes, allergens and other contaminants.

Our registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab rigorously evaluate supplements based on nutritional expertise, ingredients and third-party testing data.

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness prior to going to market, it's incredibly important to thoroughly research each supplement you add to your regimen and speak with your doctor before purchasing.

We prioritized recommendations that have been tested for purity, potency and safety by a credible third-party organization, as well as products with strict internal quality control standards. We reviewed marketing claims, ingredient lists and product quality.

In general, we found in our tests that most powdered collagen is easier to dissolve in liquids than standard protein powders. But there are a few considerations you may want to take into account when finding an option that is best for your needs.

✔️ Form: Most collagen comes in powdered form that can be easily incorporated into food and liquids, but some brands offer capsules, gummies or even liquid options. Blatner adds to look for ones in an easily digestible form labeled hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides. "These forms have a small particle size so it may be easier for the body to digest and absorb," Blatner said.

✔️ Source: Most collagen comes from bovine sources. But if you don't eat meat or meat-derived products, then you may consider a collagen derived from marine sources. There are also plant-based collagen products on the market, but those don't actually contain collagen.

✔️ Type: "Technically there are nearly 30 different types of collagen," Blatner said. "The most common are type I, II and III." Each type has a different purpose, which we detail later on.

✔️ Price: Keep the price in mind and consider price per serving as well as serving size. You may want to take a look at the amount of collagen in the serving as well, since that can vary greatly by brand.

✔️ Quality: Check the ingredients to ensure there are no artificial additives in the supplement itself. Look for brands like many of the ones in this article that are third-party tested for purity, potency and safety from credible institutions, such as USP or NSF, to ensure quality standards, and that what is on the product label is, in fact, what you'll be consuming. Blatner also said to prioritize brands that give full transparency of ingredients and don't utilize "proprietary blends." Sustainable sourcing is also important.

"Collagen is a fibrous protein that acts as a major component of the extracellular matrix, which provides structure to cells and tissues in your body," explained Jaime Schehr, ND, RD, CDN, a nationally recognized expert in integrative medicine and nutrition. "The body naturally produces collagen, but its production can decline with age. Factors such as UV exposure, smoking and a poor diet can also affect collagen synthesis."

Dr. Schehr also notes that collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin elasticity and hydration, contributes to the strength and structure of skin, and even provides the structural framework for cartilage which contributes to joint flexibility and cushioning. "Collagen supplements are often derived from animal sources like bovine or marine collagen, therefore I would recommend third-party testing, organic or grass-fed when possible," Dr. Schehr said.

Collagen supplements can be sourced from animal connective tissues, often derived from bones and skin of animals like cows, pigs, chicken and fish, according to Blatner. She explained the most common types, I, II and III, below:

• Type I is the most prevalent and makes up about 90% of the collagen in our body. It is often taken to support skin, tendons, ligaments, bones and teeth.
• Type II is often taken to support joint and cartilage health.
• Type III works alongside type I and is particularly abundant in muscles and blood vessels. Many collagens on the market blend the types for holistic benefits.

You may notice several vegan or plant-based collagen supplements on the market, but Blatner said that plant-based collagen does not actually contain any collagen. "These supplements contain amino acids, vitamin C and other nutrients needed to support the body in making collagen."

"Collagen is not just hype," Blatner said, citing research that suggests the potential benefits of collagen may include the following:

• Skin: Hydration, elasticity, decreased appearance of wrinkles
• Joints: Decreased pain/discomfort, increased mobility/joint function
• Bones: Increased bone mineralization/strengthening

Other potential benefits include hair and nail growth/strength, wound healing, dental/gum health and digestive support, including GERD and bloating, according to Blatner.

As director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, Registered Dietitian Stefani Sassos handles all nutrition-related content, product testing and evaluation. She stays up-to-date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition. Stefani runs and oversees supplement testing and analysis for Good Housekeeping and has covered several other supplements in the past including multivitamins, vegan protein powders and vitamin D.

Dawn Jackson Blatner is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She was the winning health coach on a reality TV show, head dietitian for a pro-baseball team for 10 years and has authored two books, The Flexitarian Diet and Superfood Swap. She is an expert in using Positive Nutrition Therapy to help clients achieve optimal health. Follow her on social @djblatner.

Jaime Schehr, N.D., R.D,. C.D.N., is a licensed Naturopathic physician and a Registered Dietitian practicing since 2006. Dr. Schehr is the owner of Schehr Nutrition as well as co-founder of xFitLab, a medical fitness consulting company. Dr. Schehr is the assistant director of academic integrative family medicine at the Institute for Family Health of Mt. Sinai. She is a prominent speaker in Integrative Medicine and Nutrition and is often sought to lecture in both the corporate and academic space.