We’ve often heard of collagen for our health and beauty routines, but what actually is it? Collagen is the protein that supports our skin, bones, cartilage, and even our hair and nails. We lose our body’s natural collagen as we age, starting in our mid 20s.
Enter collagen supplements. Some collagen comes from bovines, fish, and seafood, while others are vegan powder alternatives (not actual collagen, but supplements) that boost our natural collagen production.
What are the benefits of collagen?
Adding collagen to our daily routine offers a myriad of benefits for full body health. Collagen is an essential protein for maintaining skin hydration, elasticity, and helping strengthen and grow our hair and nails. It also is a key component of joint and bone health, helping support bone strength and structure, and reducing joint stiffness and pain. Collagen can even help boost muscle mass and strength! It’s a supplement that’s great to incorporate if you deal with gut issues, as collagen can help repair the gastrointestinal lining for better digestion. With all these benefits and more, collagen supplements are an easy way to help improve our collagen production.
Our criteria:
When creating this list, we’ve considered the following:
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS | Each of these collagen powders is ethically sourced and comes from grass-fed bovines and sustainably-sourced fish, with vegan and organic whole food options in the mix.
- DIGESTABILITY | You’ll see options that include digestive enzymes, l-glutamine, and other other gut boosting benefits for sensitive stomachs and better absorption.
We’d like to also note the recent findings about deforestation that are linked to the increase in popularity for collagen in supplements and beauty products. Brands such as WelleCo and just björn use collagen that’s sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish skin, while vegan sources from GOLDE and Ora are great sustainable options. Whichever you prefer, there are clean collagen options out there for you!
Here are the best collagen powders, capsules, and formulas we’ve found from natural and ethical brands. Whether you add it to your morning coffee or afternoon smoothie, your body will love this healthy diet addition. For even more supplements to nourish your skin from within, check out our favorite clean probiotics, fiber supplements, and multivitamins.
Best Overall | Best Vegan | Best Supplement Pill
1. Needed.
Best For | Pre & postnatal collagen
Clean Ingredients | Bovine collagen
Price | $50 for 16 oz; discounted subscriptions available
If you’re an expecting mama (or hoping to be!), look no further than Needed.’s Collagen Protein. This editor-approved powder is made specifically for pre- and postpartum to support pelvic floor tissue, postpartum hair, and more. Needed. ethically sources its hydrolyzed collagen from hormone-free bovines, and each batch is third-party tested for safety and efficacy. Not only is it good for you (and baby), but for the planet too: needed is climate-neutral, a certified B Corp, and gives back to environmental initiatives.
Needed. Review | “This collagen mixes well into my hot herbal tea or even into a glass of water! I value being able to easily get in half a meal’s worth of protein in a drink.” – Haleigh K. [See all reviews]
2. WelleCo
Best For | Marine collagen
Clean Ingredients | Fish collagen peptides, vitamin c, beet root juice powder, digestive enzymes, hyaluronic acid
Price | $60 for 4.2oz; discounted subscriptions available
Welleco isn’t your typical collagen supplement. This revitalizing blend sources marine collagen from sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish skin (a by-product that would typically be disposed of), and amplifies it with hyaluronic acid and vitamin c from to create their skin enhancing elixir. Just two teaspoons a day helps support skin hydration and integrity. You’ll love that it has no fishy aftertaste and added digestive enzymes for a happy gut!
WelleCo Review | “I absolutely love WelleCo elixir. I suffer from [rosacea] and can flare up after weekend indulging! With this elixir my skin clears, the redness and dryness disappears!. I feel great too! Thanks WelleCo” – Lauren P. [See all reviews]
3. mindbodygreen
Best For | Beauty & gut health
Clean Ingredients | Bovine collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C & E, biotin, L-glutamine, turmeric
Price | $70 for 14 oz; discounted subscriptions available
For a powerful daily supplement that can do it all, we like mindbodygreen’s sugar-free beauty & gut collagen+. Not only does this formula include two types of collagen from grass-fed bovines, but it also includes extra nutrients, antioxidants, and bioactives, too. The result? Better skin hydration, stronger hair, and healthier intestinal lining. Pro tip: Use the unflavored supplement for cooking and baking, and the chocolate supplement for added flavor to drinks and oats. Yum!
mindbodygreen Review | “My hair is shiny as ever, my skin feels more hydrated and firm, and my nails are strong.” – Maggie M, Registered Dietician [See all reviews]
4. Thrive Market
Best For | Non-GMO collagen
Clean Ingredients | Bovine collagen peptides
Price | $26 for 20 oz
Thrive Market is your one-stop shop for sustainable, organic, and natural products, including its beloved collagen peptides. This unflavored formula is sourced from pasture-raised cows in South America and is free of GMOs, added sugars, or synthetic hormones. This certified B Corp will send your shipment via carbon-neutral packaging. Get ready for a (grass-fed) glow.
Thrive Market Review | “This is one of the best collagen powders I have tried that is more affordable than comparable products anywhere else. It mixes well with my morning coffee and doesn’t leave a “gelatin” feeling or taste in your mouth that I have found with other other collagen powders. My skin greatly improved with this as well. No more breakouts.” – Anonymous [See all reviews]
5. Ora
Best For | Vegan flavors, sample sizes
Clean Ingredients | Organic pea protein, acerola cherry, aloe vera gel powder, bamboo extract, vitamin E, coconut sugar & milk, vanilla
Price | $37 for 8.47 oz; discounted subscriptions available
If you’re not quite ready for a full-sized collagen tub, you may like Ora’s Aloe Gorgeous powder. Available as a vegan collagen-boosting powder—in two delicious flavors—you can try just one serving at a time to see if it’s for you. Aloe Gorgeous combines aloe vera, pea protein, vitamins C and E, and has USDA certified organic ingredients for a healthy addition to any drink or meal. Buy now, thank us later. 😉
Ora Review | “I was looking for a product that had the benefits of collagen without animal products and after lots of research this is what I landed on. I’ve been using it for about 2 years and see great results in my nail growth, hair and skin.” – Anna K. [See all reviews]
6. GOLDE
Best For | Vegan collagen creamer
Clean Ingredients | Coconut milk powder, bamboo extract, hyaluronic acid, biotin, organic vanilla, monk fruit
Price | $18 for 3.97 oz; available at Target & Ulta
GOLDE crafts plant-based superfood blends and formulas that support our best selves. Its Coconut Collagen Boost supplements our body’s own natural collagen production, using vegan biotin, coconut powder, and bamboo extract. With a subtle vanilla and coconut taste, it’s a great addition to your smoothie, latte, or morning oats without being overpowering. Support this Black woman-owned, sustainable, and cruelty-free brand, and enjoy the benefits both inside and out.
GOLDE Review | “I absolutely love my collagen boost. I add it to my morning matcha latte and it gives it a smoother taste. I’ve been adding it for about 2 years and now I can’t make my matcha without it. A great way to get collagen with a great taste.” – Crystal W. [See all reviews]
7. Live Conscious
Best For | Bioavailable collagen
Clean Ingredients | Hormone-free bovine collagen
Price | $35 for 16 oz; discounted subscriptions available
Live Conscious’ Collagen Peptides is the brands best selling product—and we can see why! With over 1 million pouches sold, this non-GMO and preservative free peptide powder contains 19 bioavailable amino acids and dissolves easily in your drink of choice. It also contains type I & III hydrolyzed collagen, from grass-fed and pasture-raised grade A bovine for the best hair, skin, and joint support. Live Conscious follows stringent quality control practices, with each item third-party tested and manufactured in the USA for the highest quality supplement.
Live Conscious Review | “I’ve been taking this supplement for about 10 months and the hair growth I’ve noticed is insane. It seems to be growing at twice the rate as before and several family/friends have noticed. It’s also helping to grow back my eyebrows. Definitely worth the investment.” – Sarah [See all reviews]
8. just björn
Best For | Digestion & recovery
Clean Ingredients | Marine collagen, vitamin c, calcium, hyaluronic acid, amino acids
Price | $55 for 11.5 oz; discounted subscriptions available
Founded by Björn Skulason, just björn is a Nordic marine collagen supplement developed to support and protect the production of critical proteins in the body. Natural collagen production tends to start depleting once we hit our mid-twenties and can rapidly decline further as we get older—and this is where just björn comes in. Made with minimal key ingredients, including 20 amino acids and 10g of protein per serving, your skin, gut, and ligaments are well supported with this potent formula. just björn exclusively uses ethically-sourced and wild-caught cod skin, helping to lessen the strain that traditional bovine collagen has on our environment.
just björn Review | “We started adding Just Bjorn to our morning routine 6 months ago and have noticed not only stronger nails, healthier skin and hair but more importantly less joint pain and improved digestion. Whether at home or traveling we always have our Just Bjorn with us. We have subscribed to the automatic monthly” – Nancy [See all reviews]
9. The Nue Co.
Best For | Dry skin
Clean Ingredients | Bovine collagen, gelatin, aloe leaf powder, grape & wheat seed extracts, green algae, hyaluronic acid
Price | $45 for 30 capsules; discounted subscriptions available
The Nue Co. understands how important our gut health is—and how connected our own bodies are to Mother Earth. That’s why the team develops ethical and sustainable supplements that benefit both people and the planet. If you’re turning to collagen for clearer, more hydrated skin, then you’ll love The Nue Co’s Skin Hydrator. Each capsule contains a mix of hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen, astaxanthin (an antioxidant from microalgae), and a proprietary blend that gets right to work. Take one dose every morning with breakfast and expect results in just a few weeks.
The Nue Co. Review | “I have been taking Skin Hydrator for over a month and have seen great results. My skin looks and feels refreshed, hydrated and younger. My skin has been clear of ANY breakouts. I am looking and feeling fantastic.” – Marc D. [See all reviews]
Featured image from mindbodygreen
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.