Does Collagen Really Work? A Beginner’s Guide to Collagen
Summary
I began taking Vital Protein’s collagen powder 4-5 years ago. I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin and hair health. Though I never really looked into its benefits, types, how to consume, and more, which I’ll explain everything that I know in this post.
Table of Contents
What is collagen? Simply Explained.
Collagen is a type of protein our bodies produce naturally. Proteins are the essentials our bodies use to repair and build itself. There are different types of proteins in our body. And Collagen is a structural type (joint, bones, skin) of protein present in our system naturally.
What collagen is best for skin, hair, and joint? Does collagen help with hair thinning?
For skin and hair, collagen type | and ||| together is considered the best combo. Since Type I is considered the most abundant type of collagen, and Type III provides elasticity and tissue health (Clinic, 2022).
According to Mascio (2025), type I collagen makes up over 90% of our bodies total collagen.
For joint pain, Type || collagen is recommended (Rath, 2026). However, collagen is a commitment and it requires consistency. You won’t notice instant results in a day or two. It takes time and patience to see its effects. Oh there is always a chance or bad luck that you might not even notice any positive results at the end of a long time period. Your body might not like it or waste it without even using it properly.
The best form of collagen to take out there?
Traditional oral collagen supplements (hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides) are sold in three forms: pills, liquid or powder that come from bovine (cow) and marine (fish).
I enjoy using the powder form because I can mix it with anything and everything. It’s not easy to take 5-6 collagen pills daily for me. Additionally, some friends of mine have shared that they chose to go with the marine collagen as it doesn’t come from cows.
Why collagen needs Vitamin C? And which foods are rich in collagen naturally?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, zinc, copper, and vitamin C are also needed for our bodies to produce collagen using amino acids, which are the building blocks of collagen. Speaking of which, I’ve noticed several collagen firms adding vitamin C to their collagen products lately.
A balanced, nutrient-rich diet already provides the protein our bodies need. Yes, our bodies can produce collagen naturally without needing any additional collagen supplements. BUT as we age, our bodies gradually produce less collagen.
Protein from animal products contains all essential amino acids that make up collagen, in the form of collagen. Note that collagen itself can only be sourced from animal products such as fish, beef, chicken with skin, eggs, and more.
On the other hand, plant-based foods only provide the amino acids needed to produce collagen – beans, tofu, quinoa, mushrooms, lentils, and more.
Best way to take collagen - Should collagen be taken in the morning or at night?
I love prepping my own little collagen packs with colostrum. I prep these packs for 30 days. This little planning activity motivates me to stick eagerly to my wellness plan.
Lately, I’ve been mixing my collagen powder and colostrum mix with a mixture of chia seeds, oatmeal, cacao, milk / coconut milk / almond milk and banana. I leave this mixture in the fridge overnight, then enjoy it in the mornings. I used to make smoothies in the past as shown in the picture below – an acaii pack ready for a smoothie. In a nutshell, whatever works best for you! Some of my friends enjoy mixing it with their morning coffee so that they don’t have to be worrying about prepping and taking their collagen throughout the day.
I’d recommend taking your collagen in the morning since you will have plenty of options to pair it with. Maybe with some Vitamin C? Mix it with a cup of orange juice!
Does Collagen support healthy aging? Or does it reverse aging?
If you only take a collagen pill alone without getting enough or regular sleep, exercising, or eating well. Collagen supplements won’t help you much. These supplements are complementary.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen for UV protection. And bear in mind that our bodies don’t naturally know how to use collagen supplements – for what purpose? Is it for your overall health? For your skin? Or your hair?
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides vs Orgain Collagen Peptides
I’ve tried a few different collagen powder brands in the past. One of them was Vital Protein’s collagen powder – 20 gr per serving (see the image on the right below). I currently use Orgain’s collagen powder (on the left), which also provides 20 grams peptides per serving, and it is also more affordable than Vital Proteins’ collagen powder. Both powders are in the form of bovine collagen peptides along with 20g of peptides per serving – see the comparison below.
If you are in search of a good collagen powder, get one that provides 20 gr collagen per serving. At first, you might be getting a mild headache. If you do, take half of the recommended serving for a while.
References
Clinic, C. (2022, May 26). Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen
Mascio, J. (2025). What is collagen made of? Collagen represents a quarter to a third of all protein content in mammals and st… Goldman Laboratories. https://goldmanlaboratories.com/blogs/blog/what-is-collagen-made-of?srsltid=AfmBOooSWydk2mQXhjbRcbqpGeCBYI9Y1uAblIjkn9A0xZq2LW6MBBJ0
Can Collagen Supplements Help Arthritis? (2026, February 6). Arthritis.Org. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-vitamins/can-collagen-supplements-help-arthritis
