Collagen Supplements UK: What They Are and How to Choose

Short answer Collagen is the main structural protein in skin, bone and cartilage. Supplements supply it as small peptides. Some trials report modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, but the evidence is mixed and there is no authorised health claim for collagen itself in Great Britain.

What collagen is

Collagen makes up about a third of the protein in the body. We make it ourselves from amino acids, and production slows with age. A collagen supplement is collagen from fish, cattle, pigs or chicken that has been broken into small pieces, called hydrolysed collagen or collagen peptides, so it dissolves and is easier to digest.

What the evidence shows

A number of controlled trials have found small improvements in skin elasticity and hydration after eight to twelve weeks of daily collagen peptides. Many were small, short and funded by manufacturers, and reviewers describe the overall quality as limited. That is why UK rules do not allow a product to claim that collagen itself improves skin, hair or joints. Claims you see on a pack normally belong to added nutrients, most often vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation.

Types of collagen

Collagen types and sources
Type or source	Found in	Notes
Marine collagen	Fish skin and scales	Mostly type I; unsuitable with a fish allergy
Bovine collagen	Cattle hide	Types I and III
Collagen peptides	Any source	The hydrolysed form used in most powders and sachets
Type II collagen	Chicken cartilage	Sold for joints; evidence is limited
'Vegan collagen'	Plants or fermentation	Usually collagen-supporting nutrients, not collagen

How to choose

Look for the amount of collagen per serving, the source, any added vitamin C, and third-party testing. Powders and sachets carry larger doses than tablets. Our guide to choosing a collagen supplement sets out the checks, and Oriflame's Beauty Collagen Complex is one sachet option that adds vitamin C and zinc.

More in this section

Collagen for hairThere is no good evidence that collagen supplements thicken hair or reduce hair loss.Collagen for jointsEvidence that collagen eases joint pain is limited and mixed.Collagen for menCollagen works the same way in men and women.Collagen and menopauseSkin loses collagen faster in the years after menopause as oestrogen falls.Liquid collagenLiquid collagen is hydrolysed collagen already dissolved, sold as shots or bottles.Collagen powderPowder is the most economical way to take a meaningful dose of collagen: one scoop usually gives 5g to 10g.Collagen tablets and capsulesTablets and capsules are convenient but hold little collagen, typically 0.5g to 1g each, so matching a powder dose can mean six or more a day.Vegan collagenCollagen is an animal protein, so true vegan collagen from plants does not exist.Bovine collagenBovine collagen comes from cattle hide and supplies types I and III.Collagen types 1, 2 and 3Type I is the main collagen in skin, bone and tendon; type II is in cartilage; type III sits alongside type I in skin and blood vessels.Collagen with hyaluronic acidHyaluronic acid holds water in skin.When and how to take collagenTiming makes no proven difference.Collagen side effectsCollagen is generally well tolerated.Collagen gummiesGummies are the weakest way to take collagen: most contain well under a gram per sweet, far below the doses used in trials, and many add sugar.

Keep exploring

Questions people ask

Do collagen supplements work?

Some trials show modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity; the evidence is mixed and not strong enough for an authorised health claim.

How long does collagen take to work?

Trials that found an effect typically ran for eight to twelve weeks of daily use.

Is collagen safe?

It is generally well tolerated. Check the source if you have a fish, egg or other allergy.

Can I take this with medication?

Ask a pharmacist or GP first; some supplements interact with medicines.

Do supplements replace a balanced diet?

No. They are meant to add to a varied diet, not stand in for one.

Sources

Checked 9 October 2026.