Which Collagen is Best for You and Why Take it
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While collagen is a buzz word and has been for the last several years, it’s actually “old beauty”. Much like that of jade rolling or lymphatic drainage, it was forgotten then suddenly springs up as “new” and used in “aha” moments. While collagen itself wasn’t created in ancient Chinese practices, they did know how to harness its power and use it.
I’ve actually had this topic in my “drafts” for almost 3 years now - oops! Glad to finally get around to it and share, especially since it is still trending and will continue to do so as people realize the importance of it.
What exactly is collagen?
In short, it is probably considered the most important protein in your body. It is responsible for things like your connective tissue, skin elasticity, nails strength, hair health, gut health, and more. The issue? Your body makes this amino acid blend itself; however, it starts to decline once you turn 25. Aging in general (wrinkles, brittleness, etc) is partially due to a lack of collagen. Oh and, there is no way to stop the descent. Not to fear though, you can supplement it!
It isn’t just aging that contributes fo the loss of collagen. UV rays, stress, synthetic materials, disease, sugar, and other factors can decrease your supply and production. That being said it’s probably smart for everyone to make sure to get some form of collagen into their diet. So how to do just that? Know that there are TONS of ways to make sure you help your own collagen supply. Also know that when you are looking for a collagen supplement, know that not all of them are created equal.
How to take collagen
There are a lot of topical treatments out there, but most everyone agrees (scientists and beauty gurus alike) that digesting it is key. If you are going to go topical, try to either combine it was digestables and/or tools like a high frequency wand, gua sha, jade roller, or massage. These help stimulate cell turnover, blood, and more which in turn promote collagen production.
To be honest, my favorite (and arguably the best way) to get collagen is through your food. This also gets around the texture / taste issue. I’ve tried taking powders, but didn’t want to “ruin” my coffee by adding the “flavorless” powder I could totally taste. By consuming a diet including (but not limited to) fish, eggs, chicken, garlic, citrus fruit and berries, red / yellow veggies, and more, you are introducing natural collagen to your body. Note that there aren’t any processed foods on there! Don’t get me wrong - I love chips and things like that, but that’s not going to get you what you need, no matter how many “collagen cookies” you consume. Also note that quality matters. I don’t think everything (especially produce) has to be organic, but if there was an area I’d splurge for organic it would be in the fish, meat, and egg department.
I wanted to mention quality, because as I mentioned earlier, the quality of your collagen matters. Some collagen supplements claim to be good sources of collagen and they actually aren’t. For example if it has marine collage from fish, the fish collagen could very well be degraded if they aren’t careful. So sure, you would be consuming collagen, but it wouldn’t actually be benefiting you. Poorly sourced collagen supplements can also include preservatives, additives, or even heavy metal and diseases which can lead to inflammation, gut issues, or even breakouts.
If you are set on supplementing your collagen, be sure to look for bio-active collagen to reap all its benefits. It’s also good to look for peptides, meaning more than one strain of collagen. Try to avoid those with artificial flavors or sweeteners. ALSO makes sure that you are still consuming a good diet of fruits and veggies. Collagen can’t be made if you don’t have enough other minerals like vitamin c, zinc, and copper. The body works together and there truly isn’t a “magic pill” of sorts.
Overall, you can consume collagen from your diet or from supplements like powders, beverages, gummies, pills, tinctures, and more.
Collagen Products
Here are some of my favorites! I included ones I’ve tried, ones I’ve eyed, and of course tried to find some at different price points and entry levels.
Kettle and Fire Bone Broth. This is my preferred way!! I love heating some up with lemon juice, cracked red pepper, Himalayan sea salt, and garlic. My favorite flavors are the ginger turmeric chicken bone broth and the lemongrass ginger pho beef bone broth. I wrote a whole article on bone broth here. I also really like their bone broth tomato soup and their bone broth chili.
Belcampo Bone Broth. If you’re in Los Angeles, you have to try it. They essentially have it on tap and IT IS SO GOOD. You can also order it from their website.
Vejo Verisol Collagen Pod. You know I love my Vejo blender! They actually have a collage pod they developed with Verisol. They have a watermelon flavor and a strawberry lime flavor, though I prefer the strawberry lime. It’s a really easy (and tasty) way to get 10g of collagen in daily. It also includes vitamin c and zinc, which of course are essential to the production.
Hum Collagen Love. Collagen in a pill form for easy access and great results! I love the Hum label and this product is no exception!
Glotrition Super Beauty Elixir. Easy packets that are full of verisol collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid. What makes them different is that they also have biotin, which helps your hair and nails.
Goop Genes Marine Collagen Super Powder. If you are a pescatarian, this one is for you! It gets its collagen from wild alaskan pollock and is packed full of other good-for-you ingredients as well. It comes in a little packet for on-the-go and is easy to use.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. They are the OG in my book, probably because I first heard of collagen because of them. If their powder isn’t for you, they also have collagen water, bars, shots, and even coffee creamer!
Olly Collagen Gummy Rings. These are something you can grab while you’re at the grocery store. Probably the most budget friendly supplement while still getting the job done / being bio-active, etc.
Skinte Collagen Sparkling Tea. The benefits of tea and collagen in one!
Physician’s Choice Collagen Pills. Bioactive collagen peptides in the simple and easy pill form!
VEGAN FRIENDLY OPTIONS
Collagen products are not vegan friendly in their very essence because they are usually made with animal products. The above products are made of animal bones, skin, and nails. The below are supplements that don’t have actual collagen but do promote collagen production.
The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost. This is a liquid, so it is a quick and easy way to support collagen production. The biggest benefit with this is that it is VEGAN. That being said, it doesn’t have collagen in it, but is a mixture to help and promote your body to make its own.
Moon Juice Collagen Protect. Similar to the above, this is a liquid and it is plant based. Its main ingredients are mushrooms and hyaluronic acid, so truly formed to help promote healthy skin! Vegan friendly!!
Goop Glow Super Powder. Swap your morning OJ with this orangy powder that is full of vitamin c and vitamin e, which help promote collagen production.
Hum Glow Sweet Glow. A (yummy) gummy that has vitamin c and Hyaluronic Acid which stimulates collagen production.
Overall…
Benefits of Collagen:
As a recap, these are how collagen helps you, which should also stress why you should make sure to support the production you still have.
Reduce lines and wrinkles
Maintain skin elasticity
Strengthen fingernails
Relieve joint pain
Aid in gut health
Lower inflammation
Can prevent bone loss and increase muscle mass
Promotes heart health
Natural ways to Protect and Promote Collagen:
You can “take your collagen”, but if you aren’t doing these things too, it might just be cancelling each other out.
Use sunscreen
Zen out more
Use facial tools like gua sha and high frequency wand
Get massages / massage your facial area yourself
Eat your veggies
Remember… The collagen that works the best is the one that you’ll actually take. Find the one that works for you and stick with it! Do you have a favorite collagen product that you love? Do tell!!
As always, do your own research and talk to your doctor.
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