The Top 3 Collagen Peptides Of 2024
Updated 11/19/2024Here's what you need to know when picking collagen that actually works.
Collagen peptides are one of the trendiest dietary supplements of 2019 — and for good reason, because it’s a fantastic whole body boost that works to improve your health from the inside out. Also, the best collagen peptides are a flavorless powder that you can add to coffee or water, so it's an easy addition to your routine.
You may have heard about collagen’s amazing ability to strengthen your hair and nails, as well as promote skin elasticity. But quality collagen peptides can also do so much more, like support your bone and joint health, encourage muscle growth, boost gut health, and strengthen your immune system.
However, since collagen has recently become so popular, countless new dietary supplements have begun to flood the market and it may be difficult to pick the right one.
That’s why Consumer Survey created this guide to help you better understand what to look for in a great collagen peptide powder that will deliver noticeable results. We’ve also researched over 59 collagen dietary supplements to uncover the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
What Are Collagen Peptides?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, but as you age your body begins to produce less of it and getting it from another source, such as collagen peptides, can be very beneficial.
Collagen peptides are short-chain amino acids naturally derived from collagen protein. But not all collagen peptides were created equally... that's why we suggest looking for a dietary supplement with hydrolyzed collagen peptides.
Now, don’t be intimidated by the scientific name, because when collagen peptides are hydrolyzed that just means the amino acids have been broken down, so it’s easier for your body to digest.
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides can come from several different sources, such as fish and bovine. But when hydrolyzed collagen peptides are derived from fish, it becomes less potent than if it came from bovine. That’s why we highly recommend going with hydrolyzed collagen peptides that have been derived from organic, grass-fed bovine, due to their potency and effectiveness.
What's The Difference Between The Types Of Collagen?
There are 16 different kinds of collagen, however about 90% of the collagen in your body is either type I, type II, or type III. These 3 different types of collagen all have different functions and it’s important to know the difference between them.
The 3 Types of collagen To Know About:
♦ Type I is the most common type of collagen that's found in skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, teeth, and between organs. It's also well known for its hair, skin, and nail benefits. Simply put, it's a versatile protein that has many benefits for your whole body health.
♦ Type II is predominantly located in your eyes and cartilage. It's a very specific type of protein that helps improve your joint health. Since other types of collagen also have benefits for joints, finding a collagen dietary supplement that uses type II is not necessarily vital.
♦ Type III is found in your skin, muscles, and blood vessels. This type of collagen usually goes alongside type I and they compliment each other very well. Type III is also known for helping to improve your skin's elasticity and smoothing about fine lines.
The most effective collagen peptides will list both type I and type III on their label.
However, some collagen powders go overboard and include up to 5 or more different types of collagen. At first glance, this may seem great — the more the merrier, right?
Unfortunately, that's not the case... by cramming more types of collagen into one dietary supplement, you'll be getting less of the few important types that have been shown to improve your health.
So considering this information, here are the ingredients we suggest to look for and which to avoid when picking collagen peptides.
Ingredients To Look For:
Diverse Amino Acid Profile
Pasture-Raised Hydrolyzed Collagen From Bovine
Type I and III Collagen
Magnesium
Ingredients To Avoid:
Soy Fillers
Citric Acid
Artificial Additives
Non-hydrolyzed Collagen
Dairy Preservatives
Natural Flavors
BEWARE: Natural Flavors
If you see a collagen label list ‘natural flavors,’ run the other way. That’s because natural flavors are derived from chemicals found in food, but are later enhanced in a laboratory. Simply put, natural flavors are not actually natural.
Plus, the FDA hasn’t officially defined what natural flavors mean, so it can actually be used to describe a lot of different things that may not always be good for you.
What Else To Look For In Collagen Peptides
Making sure your collagen peptides contain all these powerhouse ingredients that were mentioned above is important, but there are some other factors you should consider before spending your hard-earned money.
So ask yourself these 3 questions when buying collagen peptides.
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Does the label list all of its ingredients?
Many manufacturers uses deceiving tactics to trick consumers into buying. One of the most popular tricks is omitting certain things on their label, so you may run the risk of using a product with potentially harmful or unwanted chemicals and additives. That’s why it’s vital to look for a brand that’s not afraid to list all of its active ingredients clearly on the label.
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What do the reviews say?
Make sure to read reviews from many different websites and see what other customers, just like you, have to say about the product. That way you can get a strong understanding of what others liked about the product and what they didn't like about it.
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Are the ingredients in the right dosages?
Finding a collagen with all the right ingredients might not be enough — you may need to check the dosages, too. Some brands will use quality ingredients, but skimp out on dosages in order to save money. You see, even if you’re getting the right ingredients, if they’re not in their recommended dosages, you won’t experience the benefits. So make sure the label lists at least 11 grams of collagen peptides per serving.
Relying On Amazon Reviews
- Amazon is a fantastic marketplace and resource for many consumers, but sadly relying only on Amazon reviews can be tricky. That's because up to 60% of reviews on Amazon were paid for by shady third party companies. So when it comes to shopping on Amazon, just make sure to be extra vigilant and take it with a grain of salt.
The Results Are In...
We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing 59 collagen supplements, only a handful offered users the right combination of ingredients and purity. According to our extensive research, these are the top 3 collagen supplements on the market today.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
Consumers Survey Recommended
- Formulated with quality ingredients
- Free from soy, dairy, chemicals, additives, and preservatives
- Flavorless taste
- 365-day money-
back guarantee
#1: LiveWell Collagen Peptides
Coming in at number 1 on our list is LiveWell’s Collagen Peptides. This supplement uses quality ingredients, has a diverse amino acid profile, and uses the best available type I and type III hydrolyzed bovine collagen in the recommended dosages.
There’s also no harmful chemical or additives and it’s free from dairy, preservatives, and soy.
Plus, it’s easily dissolvable and flavorless, making it simple to add this collagen supplement to your morning coffee, shake, or even a glass of water.
Another major bonus is that LiveWell recently launched their Amazon store, so purchasing their products has become easier than ever.
LiveWell’s Collagen Peptides check all our boxes and is the clear winner for our number 1 spot.
Buy Now > >
#2: Essential Elements Collagen Peptides
Coming in second is Essential Elements for their simple, straight-forward collagen peptide formula containing over 19 naturally occurring amino acids.
Their peptides are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised, Grade A bovine, and certified hormone-free and 100% non-GMO. We were able to add it to our morning coffee with no difficulty blending or chalky aftertaste.
They also recently opened a store on Amazon, where their collagen is available to purchase at a very affordable price.
With 10 grams of protein per scoop, we felt confident starting our day with Essential Elements and with placing it as #2 on our list.
Buy now On Amazon > >#3: Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein is a good supplement, but just falls short of being great.
Instead of concentrating on just a few types of hydrolyzed collagen that your body can benefit from the most, this supplement uses 5 different types. Unfortunately, Ancient Nutrients just over does it.
Also, they use collagen from fish and other sources, so it’s not purely from grass-fed bovine. In other words, it’s diluted and not as potent a collagen supplement that been derived solely from bovine.
Plus, the reviews has been mixed, with a handful of people complaining that it upset their stomach.
Buy Now On Amazon > >What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.