Like with any new beauty and wellness trend, brands have jumped on the bandwagon and the offering is exhaustive. From pills and powders to topical creams and liquids, there’s A LOT out there. And they offer some pretty hefty promises to boot.
But they’re not all the same thing – some are better than others.
“Not all hydrolysed collagen is created equal. Different processing methods can result in very different collagen purity, concentration, composition and peptide size,” explains Dr Squire.
“This means that quality and dose can vary enormously between brands (which is likely why some people report little result from collagen supplementation).”
If you do want to try collagen supplements, then what should you look for? Is there a specific type of collagen that is ‘better’ than others?
“Good collagen supplements contain tiny peptides two to four Kilodaltons in size (2000-4000 Daltons) that are soluble, tasteless and bioactive,” explains Dr Squire.
*Takes notes*.
In terms of dosage, Squire said you need to decipher the ingredient list on the back to know how much collagen your product actually includes.
“Taking the right dose is key to getting results. There are so many collagen supplements available, so dosage isn’t standardised – you will need to read the nutritional information panel on the label to see how much collagen your product contains in order to take an effective dose,” said Dr Squire.
“Subjects in clinical trials took 2.5-10g/day for 12 weeks before results were measured (I aim for 5-10g/day initially, then 3-5g/day after three months). Results should be evident by three months, although may be apparent earlier, depending on dose, the quality of the supplement and the skin’s own collagen requirements,” she adds.
If you decide to take collagen supplements, Dr Squire said you need to set yourself up for a long haul. “The thing to remember is that collagen supplements are like good skincare and good health… consistency is key!”
Are collagen powders the only way to boost collagen?
No, you sweet fool. Not even close. Experts say that eating a rich, nutritious and colourful diet will help increase your collagen production.
“Genetics, poor intake of nutrients required for collagen production, nutritional deficiencies and digestive system dysfunction can all affect collagen synthesis,” said Tuck. “Ensuring adequate nutrition is therefore one of the most important things we can do for skin health,” she said.
See? Told ya!
“Eating a diet rich in vitamin C and polyphenols (think deeply coloured plant foods) is important for skin health and collagen. Even good quality coffee contains polyphenols – just ditch the added sugar and whipped cream,” said Tuck.
Discussion about this post