Move over personalized supplements and multivitamins, ditch the protein powder, and wave bye-bye to your skincare routine. It’s time to run for the collagen.

If you’ve spent time on social media in recent years, you’ve probably noticed more people pushing collagen products – like Jennifer Aniston’s favorite Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, Amazon’s ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, or ultimate luxury wellness brand, Thorne’s Collagen Plus.

So what is this new skincare spectacle? A crazy fad or science-backed cure for sagging or stretching skin? Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals, providing skin with structure and strengthening bones, according to Healthline. Humans produce collagen naturally, but as we age, collagen begins breaking down and it becomes more difficult to make more.

While there are plenty of collagen-rich foods to add to your diet, including bone broth and pork skin, some may decide to integrate collagen supplements and powders into their routine for a quicker method of replenishing the lost protein. Most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed, meaning the collagen has been broken down so it absorbs more easily.

A comprehensive review of 26 studies by the National Library of Medicine found that most women who took one to 12 grams of collagen per day for four to 12 weeks experienced improved skin elasticity and hydration. Other studies cited by Healthline indicate that collagen could also help prevent bone loss, improve gut health, and strengthen hair and nails.

With this array of potential benefits, The Post decided to reach out to Regan Le Testa, an IPEC-certified Nutritional Coach, Personal Trainer, and Hormone Specialist, who also happens to have firsthand experience with a variety of collagen brands.

Form: Capsules

Flavor: Unflavored

La Testa has recommended this collagen supplement based on the combination of ingredients.

“It contains Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, which combined with collagen are believed to be a great way to support skin health and anti-aging with hydration and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles,” she shared. Another great draw is the lack of fillers — “It is free of artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives, which is a plus! It has also been 3rd party tested!  All in all, I think this is a decent product and appears to be transparent. It may be a bit costly.” Hum Nutrition hits each requirement when it comes to collagen, but beware that you’ll need to take three capsules per serving for the full benefits (may not be ideal for those who are pill-averse).

Form: Powder

Flavor: Unflavored

This popular celeb-approved brand hits all the marks for La Testa. “I have personally tried Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder. It is flavorless can be mixed in any liquid, and has Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid,” she pointed out.

While La Testa preferred the original Vital Proteins formula, the new advanced edition does offer a plentiful scoop of collagen — 20 grams per serving to be exact, and it is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, making it a wonderful paleo-friendly option. The one downside to this brand is that you’re going to have to carefully measure it out yourself. The new packaging does not contain a scoop.

Form: Powder

Flavor: Unflavored, Cucumber Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Vanilla, more

“I am currently using Ancient Nutrition Collagen Protein,” La Testa said. “It is a flavorless powder that contains ten types of protein, nine grams of protein and ten grams of collagen per scoop,” she noted. This combination collagen powder also contains Vitamin C and soil-based organism (SBO) probiotics, which La Testa says help promote good gut health.

Ancient Nutrition’s collagen powder is made with proprietary fermented eggshell collagen, which is said to minimize exercise-induced discomfort. The fermentation process also allows your body to absorb the ingredients better. A few reviewers mentioned that this brand has a more gritty texture than others, however the plentiful array of flavors makes up for it.

Form: Powder

Flavor: Unflavored, Peach Mango, Blue Hawaii, Cucumber Lime, more

“I just purchased Clean Simple Eats unflavored collagen powder,” said La Testa. She has yet to start taking it, but she likes the serving size and bovine sources. “It contains nine grams of collagen protein per serving, it is third-party tested and is bovine sourced with Types I, II, and III and claims to support skin, hair, nails and joint health. I’m looking forward to starting to use this product!”

Reviewers have shared that this formula is quite effective — some noting that it has aided in their post-workout recovery and others suggesting it has helped with joint pain. There are some mixed reviews on the flavors, with some mentioning that it’s a bit on the sweet and sour side, so you should be prepared for a stronger kick to your smoothie.

Form: Powder

Flavor: Passion berry flavored

“This product is focused on improving skin, hair, and nails. Thorne is a reputable supplement company which is great and the product is gluten-free which I love. The collagen is sourced from cows that are grass-fed and hormone-free. Also pluses,” La Testa shared. 

“It contains 13 grams of collagen per serving so it is on the higher end and contains only Types I and III of collagen, which is not unusual.” For La Testa, the only big downside to this brand is that it only comes in one flavor: berry passion. The formula uses stevia for sweetness, which is not ideal for all people. “It may also be cost-prohibitive for people who are looking to take collagen but are on a budget,” La Testa added.

Form: Capsules

Flavor: Unflavored

“This capsule is a great alternative for vegetarians, as it is made from eggshells and not from animals.  This makes it more effective than vegan products. It contains Type I, V and X of collagen as well as hyaluronic acid, biotin, and a superfood blend for added benefits,” La Testa explained. Given the variety of collagen types, Move & Glow is not just focused on hair, skin, and nails, but also could improve joint pain and mobility.

“The brand also seems to be very focused on no fillers, being gluten-free, non-dairy, keto and paleo friendly…One other amazing thing about the company is that for every bottle purchased, a year of vitamins is given to a child in need. All ingredients are sourced in the USA,” La Testa noted. Unfortunately, it is unclear exactly how many grams of collagen are contained in the product.

Form: Gummies

Flavor: Unflavored

For a reliable drugstore option, we recommend going to Olly. While this brand does not contain quite as much collagen as La Testa recommended (it only offers 2.5 grams per serving), it could be an ideal choice for someone who prefers getting their nutrients through delicious, and easy-to-chew gummies. The brand is “clinically tested,” and most reviewers agree that as far as flavor goes, Olly has nailed it. The Peach Bellini flavor is like candy. The gummies are also gluten-free and use no artificial colors.

Form: Gummy

Flavor: Grape

Vital Proteins has also made their collagen blend accessible in a gummy — what’s not to love? These decadent bites have received rave reviews on Amazon, with many people saying that they noticed differences in their hair and nails within weeks of use.

Some people love the gentle grape flavor and soft texture, but there are a few mixed reviews on the sweetness level. Most people agree that the real draw of these gummies is that they are gluten, dairy, and soy-free as well as free of synthetic colors and artificial flavors. On the downside, each serving only provides a 2.5-gram dose of collagen, which is certainly on the lower side.

Form: Capsules

Flavor: Unflavored

For collagen focused particularly on improving skin, hair, and nails, opt for a formula with type I and III collagen. This advanced formula is also blended with Vitamin C for easy absorption, and reviewers say their skin was glowing after consecutive use. Perhaps our favorite part about this supplement, is that it is available for under $10. Collagen can be expensive, so for those looking to save, we recommend going with Youththeory.

Form: Capsules

Flavor: Unflavored

For shoppers who are very weary of what they’re putting in their bodies, it’s important to find a brand that discloses its testing practices. California Gold Nutrition utilizes third-party testing on its health products and provides key findings that are helpful for consumers — like microbial analyses and heavy metal analyses.

This hydrolyzed collagen also comes with a 100% GOLD guarantee, meaning you can get your money back if you’re unsatisfied with the product for any reason. The one downside of this formula is that you’ll need to take six tablets a day for the best results. For those who don’t enjoy taking pills, this may not be the best option.

As a certified nutritional coach, La Testa specializes in supporting mothers and women over 35 who are working towards taking control of their health, and increasing their energy, and confidence inside and out.

“Collagen, a protein that is responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity, is located in your muscles, blood, and bones. Our bodies make collagen naturally from amino acids but to do so, it needs: proline, vitamin C; copper, glycine, and zinc. These all come from eating a healthy, well-balanced diet,” shared La Testa.

“As supplements, collagen comes in a digestible form called collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen,” explained La Testa. “Collagen supplements are made from the tissues of fish, cows, pigs or chicken. While there are vegan collagen supplements, made from bacteria and yeast, it is unclear whether this type of collagen provides the same possible benefits as collagen made from animal sources.”

“Collagen supplement companies assert that taking collagen supplements provides many benefits to the body. Evidence is still out as to whether this is accurate,’ revealed La testa. She prefers to say that collagen may play a role in strengthening skin, lowering inflammation, preventing bone loss, boosting muscle mass, improving gut health, strengthening hair and nails, and maintaining brain health.

La Testa has shared that collagen can be taken in the form of a powder, capsule, liquid, or gummies: “Based on my research and understanding, it is unclear which form is the most effective. Most of the debate I’ve seen is between powder and liquid forms. I personally use powder because it can easily be mixed with other things. I know people who swear by liquid forms that are daily dose ‘packs’ drunk straight from the package.”

“Generally it is recommended to take collagen one time daily, between 2.5 and 15 grams. Most products I’ve seen or used are approximately 10 grams per scoop of powder,” she noted.

“I prefer supplements that are 3rd party tested because there is no federal oversight of nutritional supplements. Additionally, collagen supplements that contain Types I, II, III, V, and X of collagen may be ideal,” said La Testa. She tries to avoid collagen supplements with little to no fillers and looks for ones that contain amino acids and vitamin C. She also notes that some people have preferences when it comes to flavors or unflavored options.

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