Best Collagen Supplement: How to Choose the best one in 2025
Looking to preserve a youthful look like Jennifer Aniston or Kourtney Kardashian? Or maybe you’re planning to age like Brad Pitt? Or perhaps you’re an athlete who’s heard about the benefits of collagen from your friends or teammates. No matter who you are or why you’re looking at collagen supplements, knowing how to pick the best collagen is essential.
There’s a range of collagen products on the market, making it hard to find which collagen powder suits you best. So, to help you out, we’ll cover what to look for when picking a collagen supplement.
What is collagen?
Before you understand how to pick the top collagen supplement, let’s learn more about collagen.
Collagen is one of the most common proteins in animals, making up about one-third of our total protein and ¾ of the protein in our skin. It takes on a fibrous structure comprised of three parallel strands in the shape of a helix. Collagen is a major part of our connective tissue and makes up our skin, tendons, and ligaments. It also makes up our cartilage, bones, and teeth. This protein is vital for our health and for our body’s function.
Do we need to supplement collagen?
Do you really need to supplement collagen? While supplementing isn’t necessary, there are four reasons why it may be beneficial.
- Skin support with age. Collagen production falls significantly with age. Collagen supplements may offer a way to support our own collagen production, decreasing wrinkles and signs of ageing. Collagen supplementation may also make skin more hydrated.
- Ligament support for those who are active. Collagen may help support free, painless movement. It appears to improve joint function and may even help change body composition and support muscle recovery.
- Weight support. Collagen peptides may support weight loss by suppressing fat accumulation. While more research will help confirm the findings, the first study of this kind has shown positive results.
Hair support. While more research is needed, a study using in vitro and in vivo models has suggested that specific marine collagen peptides may help with hair loss. While it may be too early to go searching for the best collagen powder for hair, it’s undoubtedly an exciting time in the area.
Collagen can be a valuable addition to a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. It won’t work miracles, but it can make a difference where you need it.
How do collagen supplements work?
Collagen supplements for men and women may sound like an attractive option for supporting skin and ligament health. But how do they actually work?
Collagen supplements are thought to work in two ways. When we digest them, we break collagen down into peptides and amino acids. The body can absorb these and use them to make new collagen. So, collagen supplements act as an extra helping of necessary building blocks.
The second way is through collagen peptides being absorbed directly and attaching to receptors in our skin cells. They help increase the production of elastin, another critical protein and hyaluronic acid in the skin cells themselves. A similar thing appears to happen in our connective tissues. Plus, collagen helps take care of UV damage alongside that.
Forms of collagen
One of the critical differences between collagen supplements is the form in which the supplement comes. It can be a powdered form, one of the most common ways people take collagen. Supplements of collagen can also come in the form of pills and liquids. Each form has its own considerations, so you need to make sure you know what form of collagen would suit your lifestyle.
Powdered collagen
One of the most common forms of collagen is powdered collagen. Here, collagen comes in the form of a powder. To use it, simply mix the collagen supplement with water or add it to a juice or a smoothie. Some powdered collagens can be complexes of ingredients aimed at addressing specific concerns. However, if you’re just looking for collagen, simplicity is better. The best powder collagens should contain hydrolyzed collagen and some flavorings. Additional vitamin C can also be a great addition to the ingredient list.
Some of the advantages of powdered collagen include adding it to various liquids to shake things up a little. In addition, it’s easy to adjust the serving size as you can add more scoops. This type of collagen can also be sold in bigger packs, so you can get it in bulk.
Our new formulation, Flex Joint, offers high-quality collagen paired with additional ingredients to boost joint flexibility and support movement.
Collagen pills
Collagen can also be taken in the form of pills. This form of collagen typically provides less collagen per pill compared to a scoop of powdered collagen supplement, which is an important consideration for those wanting larger doses of collagen. However, collagen pills are easy to take and portable, making them a great choice for those with busy lifestyles.
If you’re looking for a collagen pill, check out Collagen Type 1 and 3. With Peptan B collagen, each serving provides 3 grams of quality bovine collagen alongside vitamin C for better absorption.
Liquid collagen
Liquid collagen is a liquid supplement, as the name implies. It often contains multiple ingredients alongside collagen. Liquid collagen can be consumed directly, so it’s quick and easy to use and requires no mixing. This can be useful if you’re on a schedule.
Maxler Beauty Collagen is a fantastic combination of great-quality collagen with ingredients known to support skin beauty and youth. Our proprietary blend of natural ingredients aims to support beauty from within.
Now that we’ve understood what the best collagen supplement form for you may be, it’s time to learn the other things to keep in mind.
Here are our top 5 other things to check in your collagen supplement before buying it:
- Check your collagen source. Collagen comes from animals, typically from fish or from cows. These vary by the type of collagen they contain, with people seeking to improve skin health often choosing marine collagen supplements. You may have specific dietary restrictions that may allow you to use only certain types of collagens. Therefore, checking what kind of collagen your supplement contains is a good idea. If you’re seeking vegan or vegetarian collagens, keep in mind that they won’t contain collagen protein. They will usually be a mix of amino acids and micronutrients your body needs to make collagen.
- Choose hydrolyzed collagen. Collagen is too big to get into our cells. Therefore, if you want it to be absorbed by the body, choose hydrolyzed collagen, which is broken into smaller pieces for better absorption.
- Check the additional ingredients. Depending on your needs, you may want additional ingredients to help you reach a specific goal. Other joint-friendly nutrients will be ideal for those looking after their ligaments. If you’re just looking to take collagen, seek out supplements with minimal additives or those with extra vitamin C. Vitamin C participates in collagen synthesis and may help boost collagen production.
- Choose quality. Your body deserves the best. This means no extra fillers and high-quality source materials. Pick brands that are open about their quality controls and ingredients. Maxler produces all supplements in GMP and IFS-certified factories and uses some of the best available forms of collagen, including Peptan B.
- Pick something you enjoy. Collagen supplements take a while to work, and regular usage can be key to results. Therefore, it’s important to pick a collagen supplement that works for you. Whether it’s pills for more convenience or a great-tasting collagen powder, pay attention to what will make the experience enjoyable for you. Picking a collagen supplement doesn’t have to be hard. Choose something that you know will work for you, and you’ll be set for success.
How long will it take to see results?
Our bodies are all unique. Trying out collagen as a supplement may take a while to show results. Ideally, it is best to continue to take collagen regularly for at least 1 or 2 months to see results. You may have to have a little bit of patience, but good things come to those who wait. Most often, though, people use around 2.5-10 grams of collagen daily for up to 6 months.
If you’re taking collagen for a specific reason or if you’re trying to understand how much collagen you should be taking and for how long, your best bet is consulting with a medical professional. They can help you figure out how to best take collagen for your specific concerns.
Collagen can be a great way to address concerns related to skin health, beauty, and youth. It’s also a great supplement for those who are highly active, as it may be able to support joint health. When picking collagen supplements, pay attention to the ingredients, quality, and form of your supplement. Remember that collagen supplements are a great way to help you reach your goals, but they may require lifestyle changes as well.
