Which Collagen Supplement Should I Choose?
Do you also want radiant skin during the cold winter months? Then collagen is a must-have in your skincare routine! This fibrous protein provides structure, cohesion, elasticity, and firmness to the skin, which consists of 70% collagen. Adding collagen daily to a healthy diet is incredibly effective for the care and support of the skin. At Vitaminstore, we often get asked: which type of collagen should I choose, and should I opt for capsules, loose powder, or topical collagen? Time to discuss the key points.
Collagen Type 1 or Collagen Type 2
There are over 28 different types of collagen in the body, of which types I, III, V, and XI are found in almost all kinds of connective tissues. Type I is the most prevalent at 90% and can be found in:
- skin
- bones
- cartilage
- blood vessels
- hair
- nails
- tendons
- ligaments
- knee
- hip
- elbow
- wrist
- finger
- intervertebral discs
Hydrolysed Collagen
When choosing a collagen supplement for the skin, it is important to choose the right type, but it's also good to check if it is hydrolysed. Hydrolysed collagen is obtained by using enzymes to cut the collagen protein into small pieces, making it better absorbed by the body. This can be beneficial when choosing collagen to support the skin.
Undenatured Collagen
Also, always choose collagen in undenatured form; in the undenatured form, the collagen protein is not processed, keeping the original structure intact. Think of an egg: a raw egg is undenatured, and a boiled egg is denatured, where the original liquid structure of the protein has been changed by heating.
Is There Such a Thing as Plant-Based Collagen?
Collagen is always of animal origin, such as bovine, porcine, or fish. However, there are vegan collagen supplements available. How does that work? These are supplements that contain a complex of nutrients that support collagen production or have an important synergy with this vital protein. Nonetheless, a collagen supplement that actually contains collagen is the most effective. Collagen that most closely resembles human collagen is fish collagen, which is also easier to digest and better absorbed.
Collagen: Powder or Topical Application?
Collagen is most effective when it works from the inside out; therefore, choose a collagen powder or CollaCaps if you specifically want to support the skin. Powders can be easily mixed into your daily drinks. Unfortunately, applying collagen topically is not very useful because this protein molecule is so large that it cannot be easily transported through the skin. It is better to choose a supplement like a loose collagen powder or a collagen capsule instead of a cream. One advantage of a loose powder over a capsule is that you can easily consume a larger amount of collagen at once. The optimal daily dosage of collagen is between 10 to 15 grams per day. It is also very important to take your collagen supplement consistently over a longer period, for a minimum of 3 months. In this way, collagen helps maintain the skin's elasticity and softness. Additionally, it beautifies the skin from the inside out and promotes natural rejuvenation. At the first signs of skin ageing, collagen is perfect to use as an anti-aging remedy. It makes the skin of the face and body radiant, softer, smoother, and more supple. To optimise the effect, combine collagen with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Both substances have a significant synergy with collagen. For example, Vitamin C contributes to collagen production in the body.
Written by: Noëlle van Seggelen
