Are All Collagen Supplements Made Equal? What to Look For in a Premium Collagen By Dr B

Collagen has become one of the biggest trends in wellness, and with good reason. But if you’ve ever searched for collagen supplements, you’ll know there are hundreds to choose from.

Powders, tablets, sachets, gummies, drinks, marine collagen, bovine collagen… and prices that can vary dramatically.

I was at conference the other day where brands were talking about where their expenditure lies in their product. For GEN, it’s the collagen – it is our most expensive ingredient and rightfully so. If we want to create a premium Collagen drink, why would we not use the best collagen – 8 grams, hydrolysed, low Dalton weight, low density, highly water soluble and with vitamin C!

 

So, are all collagen supplements made equal?

The source of the collagen, how it has been processed, its molecular size, the amount you’re actually getting and what else is included can all make a difference when choosing a collagen supplement.

At GEN, we believe that a premium collagen product should be about more than simply putting the word “collagen” on the label. It should be about quality, formulation, transparency and convenience.

 

Here’s what I look for-

Most collagen supplements come from either bovine or marine sources.

Bovine collagen is generally derived from cattle and is naturally rich in Type I collagen, the most abundant type of collagen in the human body. Marine collagen is usually sourced from fish skin or scales and is also predominantly Type I.

There is a common perception that marine collagen is automatically more premium because it can be more expensive. But price doesn’t necessarily equal quality.

Marine collagen can cost considerably more than bovine collagen, in some cases, around three times as much, partly because of the raw material and processing involved.

That doesn’t automatically mean it is three times better for you.

When comparing collagen products, I’d be much more interested in what form the collagen is in, how much you’re getting and how it has been processed than simply whether it says “marine” or “bovine” on the front of the pack.

 

One of the most important words to look for on a collagen label is hydrolysed.

Hydrolysed collagen, also called collagen peptides, has been broken down enzymatically into smaller chains of amino acids and peptides.

Why does that matter?

Your digestive system doesn’t simply take a whole piece of collagen and deliver it directly to your skin. Collagen is digested into smaller components which can then be absorbed.

Research suggests that lower-molecular-weight collagen peptides have greater bioavailability, meaning they can be more readily available to the body. (PubMed)

So when you’re looking for the best collagen supplement, don’t just look at the word “collagen”. Look for hydrolysed collagen peptides and information about the quality and processing of the collagen used.

 

This brings us to bioavailability.

A product might contain collagen, but the amount listed on the front of the pack isn’t the whole story. We also need to consider the form of the collagen and how effectively the body can digest and absorb it.

Hydrolysis produces smaller peptides that are easier to digest and absorb. This is one reason why hydrolysed collagen is so commonly used in modern collagen supplements.

And this is where I think the phrase “more is always better” can be misleading.

A premium collagen product isn’t necessarily the one with the biggest number printed on the label. It’s the one where you understand what you’re taking, in what form, and why it’s there.

 

Here’s one of my favourite things to look for when assessing a collagen supplement:

Vitamin C is required for normal collagen formation in the body. It plays an important role in the biochemical processes involved in producing and stabilising collagen.

So, rather than thinking of collagen and vitamin C as completely separate ingredients, it makes sense to consider how they work within the body’s normal collagen-production process.

There is scientific evidence supporting the important role vitamin C plays in collagen synthesis, although it is worth remembering that taking more vitamin C doesn’t necessarily mean your body will produce unlimited amounts of collagen. (PubMed)

This is one reason GEN contains vitamin C alongside collagen.

We wanted the formulation to make sense — not simply to add ingredients because they sound good on a label.

When I talk about a premium collagen supplement, I’m also looking beyond the collagen itself.

I’d consider:

Our collagen provider, Rousselot, is world renowned and have clear traceability, observe sustainability and have data led results.

And, last but not least, almost the most important question; whether the product is something you’re actually going to enjoy taking.

Because the world’s best supplement isn’t particularly useful if it sits unopened in your cupboard! You need to be consistent with your collagen intake for it to be effective!

This is one of the reasons we created GEN as a ready-to-drink collagen drink.

Taking collagen shouldn’t have to mean remembering to mix a powder, find a shaker or swallow several tablets every morning.

GEN combines collagen with vitamin C in a sparkling drink that you can simply take from the fridge and enjoy.

For many people, that convenience can make it easier to build something into their everyday routine.

And when it comes to nutrition and wellness, consistency matters.

There’s another question I think we should be asking more often:

It is very easy to focus on the ingredient list and forget about the journey a product has taken before it reaches your hands.

GEN is made in the UK, which means we can manufacture our finished drinks closer to the customers we’re serving here in Britain.

That doesn’t mean that “made in the UK” automatically makes a product sustainable — the environmental impact of any food or drink involves much more than its final manufacturing location. Raw material sourcing, packaging, transportation, energy use and supply chains all matter.

But manufacturing closer to home can be one part of a more considered approach to the supply chain.

For us, it’s about making sensible choices wherever we can rather than making sweeping sustainability claims.

In addition, by using marine collagen, we are using fish skin, which would otherwise be wasted. This is turned into high-purity, bioavailable collagen peptides, thereby reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.

For me, it isn’t simply whether the label says marine collagen, whether the tub is expensive or whether the marketing promises miraculous results.

I’d look for:

✔ High-quality collagen peptides
✔ Hydrolysed collagen for easier digestion and absorption
✔ A sensible, clearly stated collagen dose
✔ Vitamin C to support normal collagen formation
✔ Transparent sourcing and manufacturing
✔ Good quality control and traceability
✔ A formulation that fits easily into everyday life
✔ Consideration of the environmental impact of the supply chain

And perhaps most importantly, I’d look for a brand that doesn’t promise the impossible.

Collagen is not a magic potion. Your body naturally produces collagen, and that production changes as we age. Diet, sleep, exercise, sun exposure, smoking, alcohol and overall health all play a role in how we age.

Collagen supplementation is an area of active research, and studies have reported potential benefits for measures such as skin hydration and elasticity, but the evidence isn’t perfect and more high-quality research is still needed. (PubMed)

That’s why I prefer a science-led, realistic approach.

At GEN, we’ve tried to take the complicated part out of collagen.

Because looking after yourself shouldn’t require a cupboard full of supplements or a complicated morning routine.

It should be something you can actually enjoy — and keep doing.

Definitely not.

And when you’re choosing your next collagen supplement, don’t just ask “How much does it cost?”

Ask:

Those questions will tell you far more about quality than a premium-looking label ever will.