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Walk the aisles of any health food store or pharmacy, and the sheer volume of collagen supplements—which research suggests offer benefits ranging from improved joint pain to enhanced skin hydration—might overwhelm you.
To help narrow down your search, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two accredited nutrition experts who provided their recommendations for the best collagen powders of 2022. Star ratings were then determined solely by the editorial team, factoring in cost and user satisfaction.
Read on for our top picks (note that all prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
per ounce
(from bovine)
“This company is one of the leaders in collagen powders,” says Melina Jampolis, an internist, board-certified physician nutrition specialist and 2022 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “This product in particular contains 20 grams of hydrolyzed collagen protein from cows and is unflavored so it can easily be mixed into smoothies and hot beverages.”
“The product also contains 90 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 100% of the RDA [recommended dietary allowance] and 80 milligrams of hyaluronic acid, which some research suggests may help with joint pain, osteoarthritis and skin moisture,” she adds.
Recommended by: Melina Jampolis and Taylor Wallace
per ounce
(from bovine)
Dr. Jampolis stirs this collagen into her morning coffee, noting it tastes good, dissolves well and contains type I and type III collagen protein to aid in both skin and joint support. “It also contains reishi mushrooms, which support healthy immune function, and cocoa powder, which is an antioxidant,” she says.
Recommended by: Melina Jampolis
per ounce
(from bovine, chicken, fish and eggshell)
“This [product] provides the consumer with efficacious amounts of type I, II, III, V and X collagen,” says Taylor Wallace, Ph.D., principal and CEO of the food science and nutrition research firm Think Healthy and a 2022 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “This product does the trick for skin, joint and bone health due to the larger dose and array of collagens present. It’s also easy to add to water or other beverages like coffee.”
Recommended by: Taylor Wallace
per ounce
(from cod)
Dr. Jampolis recommends this product as an alternative to bovine collagen, noting the protein is sourced from sustainably sourced, wild-caught cod. “This product also contains a healthy dose of vitamin C (45 milligrams—50% of the RDA), which may help with collagen production, especially if you aren’t getting enough vitamin C daily,” she adds.
Recommended by: Melina Jampolis
(from chicken)
Although not a powder, “BioCell Collagen is made from chicken sternal cartilage, which closely mimics human cartilage,” says Wallace. BioCell Collagen is not a product itself, but a trademarked dietary ingredient. Collagen supplements that contain BioCell have its logo on their labels.
“The type II collagen (along with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid) present in the product works best for musculoskeletal joint pain associated with many types of arthritis, most notably osteoarthritis,” says Wallace.
Recommended by: Taylor Wallace
Dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and ingredients and their amounts may vary. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
Products | Forbes Health Ratings | Cost | Type of Collagen | Learn more CTA below text | View More | View More |
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$2.00 per ounce | Hydrolyzed (from bovine) | On Amazon | Buy Now | ||
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$2.73 per ounce | Hydrolyzed (from bovine) | On Amazon | Buy Now | ||
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$4.71 per ounce | Hydrolyzed (from bovine, chicken, fish and eggshell) | On Amazon | Buy Now | ||
Nordic Naturals Marine Collagen |
$6.42 per ounce | Hydrolyzed (from cod) | On Amazon | Buy Now | ||
|
Varies | Hydrolyzed (from chicken) | View More |
Our Best Collagen Powders of 2022 ranking is determined by a Forbes Health panel of experts. They provided their product recommendations, along with reasons they stand out.
Diet / Nutrition
Collagen is a protein that aids in strengthening skin, bone and other tissues. There are at least 16 different types of collagen, and 80% to 90% of collagen in the body is types I, II or III[1]Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 22.3, Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix. .
While collagen is plentiful within the bodies of mammals, research shows natural collagen production decreases with age and lifestyle factors ranging from excessive sun exposure to smoking to lack of sleep. Research shows declining collagen production can result in changes like loss of skin firmness and elasticity, as well as bone loss.
As a result, many people use collagen supplements in an effort to offset natural collagen loss. Collagen supplements often come in powder form, which can be mixed with water or coffee, or as a pill, tablet, gummy or liquid.
The collagen used in supplements is extracted from two primary sources: Animals and plants. Animal-based collagen typically comes from fish scales, pork or chicken skin, bone broth or egg whites. Plant-based collagen supplements are often manufactured using modified yeast and bacteria.
Collagen supplements are typically available in the following forms:
While more research is warranted, existing studies show collagen supplementation may offer the following benefits:
Collagen supplementation might provide additional benefits for athletes specifically. Shannon O’Grady, who holds a doctorate in nutritional physiology and works as the chief operating officer at Gnarly Nutrition in Salt Lake City, says athletes are especially at risk for complications of collagen loss. “Taking collagen peptides in the 30 to 60 minutes prior to training kickstarts collagen synthesis and may make tendons, ligaments and joints healthier, stronger and more resilient,” she says.
When shopping for a collagen supplement, it’s important to remember that collagen is not a complete protein, says Zoe Schroeder, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Tucson, Arizona. Therefore, she recommends combining a collagen supplement with other protein sources like foods or protein powders.
Schroeder advises consumers to also look for products that are third-party tested—doing so will lower the risk of heavy metal contaminants being present in the product.
Additionally, she recommends reading the ingredient list carefully. The key, she says, is finding a supplement with a short ingredient list. “There really should just be collagen,” she notes, adding that some brands may also include vitamin C, which is fine, too. Schroeder looks for unflavored varieties to allow for greater versatility.
There are flavored products as well, though she reminds consumers that choosing a flavor might also mean the inclusion of more ingredients and additives.
While there’s limited data to prove the safety of collagen, its side effects are relatively mild (and are often limited to diarrhea, a feeling of fullness and skin rashes). In most adults, a collagen supplement shouldn’t pose a significant health risk.
For her clients, Schroeder recommends adding 10 grams of collagen hydrolysate to their diets by mixing the powder into a hot or cold beverage.
To determine the best collagen powders of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two accredited nutrition experts who provided their product recommendations. Star ratings were then determined solely by the editorial team, factoring in cost and user satisfaction.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
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Lizzie Duszynski-Goodman is a journalist living in the Midwest with her husband and two young children. Her work explores the intersection of mental health, wellness and parenting. She is the former managing editor of Pregnancy Magazine. When not behind her computer, you can find her on a yoga mat or with her nose in a good book.
Sarah is an experienced writer and editor enthusiastic about helping readers live their healthiest and happiest lives. Before joining Forbes Health, Sarah worked as a writer for various digital publications including LendingTree, theSkimm, CNBC and Bankrate. When she isn’t writing or editing, you can find Sarah with her nose in a book or enjoying the outdoors with her French bulldog, Honey.