10 best collagen supplements, tested by 294 panellists (2025)

Score: 77/100

Ingenious indeed. These clever capsules are a low-maintenance way of ensuring you’re consuming enough collagen for skin, hair and nails when you're not getting enough from your diet. One of our expert testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute tried them as part of the panel and told us: “These took two whole years off of my real skin age, according to our VISIA machine, after just three months.” We like those maths.

The tablets were easy to swallow, and most agreed there was no bad aftertaste or digestion issues. One tester did grumble about the “fishy” flavour, but we think a hold-your-nose-while-you-swallow situation is a small price to pay for a healthier-looking complexion.

One tester gave these tablets “10 out of 10” due to noticeable improvements in their skin, hair and nails, with comments from others including: “My hair stopped breaking and I had fewer split ends”; and “I’ve got the healthiest fingernails I’ve ever had, and I’m 61!” Another, who usually wouldn't dream of going out bare-faced, told us they felt comfortable leaving the house without makeup on after the trial period.

Key specifications

Score: 77/100

This supplement really lived up to its ‘liquid gold’ claims, taking joint top place on our podium. All our panellists said their skin felt smoother and their complexion was improved after the 12-week testing period. “I’ve received positive comments about my skin from friends since using this, and the crepiness of my upper arms has improved,” one told us. “People keep telling me that I look young for my age, and a couple have asked if I’ve been on holiday, I presume because of my brighter, fresher-looking complexion,” added another.

Most noticed significant hair growth, too. One tester praised the “outstanding” results on their lengths, while another said, “My hair feels thicker and healthier, with less breakage, and my nails are growing faster and stronger than they used to.”

The only niggle was that the bottle is quite heavy, which isn’t ideal for people who travel a lot, but there’s no mixing required, and you don’t have to store the bottles in the fridge, which makes them more convenient. One person said she kept them on her nightstand to make sure she remembered to drink one every day.

Key specifications

Score: 74/100

Kiki Health sources its wild fish sustainably (and on a relatively small scale) off the coast of France, from a responsibly-certified fishery. And the brand’s flavourless marine collagen made a great impression on our testers.

Most of our panel noticed their skin felt smoother after just four weeks, and tests in the lab revealed the supplements effectively reduced fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots after 12 weeks. Testers liked how easy the capsules were to take, without any nasty fishy aftertaste, and reported healthier hair and nails post-trial, too.

Key specifications

Score: 74/100

If healthy hair is why you’re here, then this is the supplement for you. Enriched with vitamins E and C, it helps protect hair and skin cells (and thereby scalps) against oxidative stress, as well as providing a collagen boost.

Most of our testers said their hair looked and felt shinier, stronger, smoother and even longer after just four weeks.

Meanwhile, in the lab, our experts were impressed by how much these capsules helped firm up skin and improve its texture after three months. Many panellists reported similar findings, saying their skin looked and felt plumper and more supple.

Key specifications

Score: 74/100

Key specifications

Score: 74/100

Hair growth and nail strength ramped up, too, and some also said they gave them an energy boost. The only complaint from our panel was that the jar needed a good shake to separate the sticky gummies.

Key specifications

Score: 73/100

Our testers said that any dull, tired-looking or textured skin looked better and felt softer after consistently drinking this tropical-flavoured supplement, with most also noting a smoothing of fine lines just four weeks into the trial. Our lab test backed this up, finding it successfully reduced wrinkles after three months.

It wasn't just a hit in the skin department – panellists also found the supplements boosted hair and nails, leaving both noticeably stronger and healthier.

They’re on the pricier side at nearly £2.85 per daily dose, and they come in a single-use sachet, but most panellists said they were quick to dissolve, had a nice fruity taste and were convenient to pop into a bag.

Key specifications

Score: 73/100

Our panel raved about the overall health and growth of their nails after a course of this liquid marine collagen, with over half noticing a difference in nail strength after just four weeks.

The peach and passionfruit flavour helped each ready-to-drink bottle go down easily (you take one daily) and the glass packaging is recyclable.

Most of our testers said they would continue to use this one after the trial, especially as it also improved their skin's firmness, smoothness and hydration and added shine to their hair.

Key specifications

Score: 72/100

The collagen here is derived from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows, which means these collagen peptides (in powder form) are completely flavourless and not at all “fishy” tasting. This makes them versatile enough to add to coffee, water, smoothies or even sprinkle on to your dinner – and the tub even comes with a scoop so you can get the dosage right.

Our panel liked how easily this supplement slotted into their everyday routines, and how quickly they achieved results. Many noticed a boost in skin hydration and smoothness after a month, as well as a reduction in breakouts. Our lab test gave it the thumbs up for tackling unwanted lines, and one tester told us her friends had started to comment on the difference it had made to her skin.

Hair got stronger and shinier after 12 weeks, and nail growth accelerated, making this a great-value buy. Our only moan is that the container is big and bulky, so it’s not ideal for travelling.

Key specifications

Score: 71/100

Vida Glow has given extra thought to ensuring these handy marine collagen sachets (sourced from fish skin) work efficiently for consumers. The collagen has been broken down to its lowest molecular weight, which makes it easier for the body to absorb. So, in theory, you should get more glow per gram.

Happily, it seemed to live up to its claim. Testers noted their skin felt firmer and smoother and looked brighter, albeit only after the full three months. Most said their skin felt more hydrated too (many after only four weeks). Hair also became more resilient for almost everyone, and nails stronger.

Though unflavoured, some found the taste slightly bitter – “like dissolved paracetamol,” according to one tester – but this improved when mixed with tea or coffee.

Key specifications

What is collagen?

Collagen is the structural protein that adds density and plumpness to our skin, making it look smoother and feel more taut.

“It's a crucial protein found in the body, particularly in the skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments,” explains medical consultant and founder of Adonia Medical clinic, Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme. “It provides structure, elasticity and strength to various tissues, making it essential for maintaining healthy skin, joints and overall body function.”

Our natural collagen production starts slowing down from our mid-20s, but if you’re keen to put the bounce back into your skin and your 20s feel like a long time ago, hope is not lost. That’s where some the best collagen supplements can help.

Are collagen supplements worth it?

Not only good for boosting skin elasticity, collagen can also help improve joint, bone, gut, nail and hair health. This means collagen supplements can be beneficial for tackling symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause, from aching joints to flaking nails.

The good news is that there are many ways to boost your collagen production, from topical application of the best collagen cream and serums, to drinking or eating it in the form of gummies, bars, liquid sachets or powdered drinks.

In theory, anyway. Experts don’t always agree on what’s possible – debate rages over the ideal size of collagen molecules, as well as their ability to be absorbed into the skin or to travel safely through the digestive system.

However, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that says collagen supplements can contribute to stronger and faster hair and nail growth, as well as noticeably plumper-looking and more resilient skin.

How do collagen supplements work?

Most drinks and supplements claim to increase collagen levels in the skin by hardwiring the protein – in the form of collagen peptides or hydrolysed collage – to go straight to the stomach. They’re then broken down during digestion into amino acids, absorbed into your system and used by your body to build collagen or other required proteins.

Collagen supplements stay in your body for around two weeks, which means you’ll only feel the effects if you use them regularly. Our tip? Make remembering as easy for yourself as possible by incorporating your chosen supplements into your morning skincare or breakfast routine.

Types of collagen

Bovine

The collagen in supplements is usually derived from bovine (cows) or marine sources (found in the skin and scales of fish). It’s worth noting that bovine collagen supplements have made the news for their contribution to biodiversity issues in tropical regions (from where the ingredients are sourced). If that's a concern, you may want to consider a marine collagen.

Marine

If you’re keen to steer clear of bovine collagen, we recommend opting for a marine collagen supplement instead. We’ve distinguished between them in our ‘key specifications’ boxes below to make your research that little bit more manageable.

Vegan

The rise of vegan supplements is also making waves in the market. These don’t actually contain collagen as it isn’t vegan, but some claim to replicate the amino acid profile of type 1 human collagen, or they contain ingredients such as vitamin C, which help promote collagen production. We don’t have any vegan supplements on our tried and tested list currently, as they’re still fairly new.

What foods are high in collagen?

Bone broth is an increasingly well-known collagen booster, thanks to the fact that it’s rich in the amino acids that form the building blocks that your body needs to create its own proteins, including collagen. You don’t have to boil up a vat of pig’s trotters to get your daily collagen fix, however. Other foods high in collagen include meat, fish, dairy products and eggs, with plant-based protein, such as soy, beans, nuts, seeds and fungi, also helping your body to produce its own collagen.

Certain vitamins and minerals also play a key role in collagen production. Vitamin C boosts collagen levels, as does silica (found in oats, cereals and bananas), copper (found in mushrooms and cocoa) and sulphur (eat lots of garlic). Essentially, a collagen-boosting diet should include a varied mix of proteins, vegetables and grains that are high in fibre.

How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?

We tested collagen supplements for three months (12 weeks), as most brands claim this is how long it takes to see real, tangible results.

Are collagen supplements safe?

“Collagen supplements are generally safe for most people when taken as directed,” says Dr Ejikeme. “However, some individuals may experience mild side-effects, such as digestive discomfort, bloating or mild allergic reactions.”

She adds: “It’s essential to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.”

What age should you start taking collagen?

You can benefit from topping up your natural collagen supplies from your mid-20s onwards, when collagen levels naturally start to fall, but it's particularly helpful during pre- and post-menopause.

Our final verdict on collagen supplements

We couldn't separate our joint winners, Ingenious Collagen and Forte's Gold Collagen, as both supported stronger skin, hair and nails.

The latter is best if you don't want to take a tablet (as it comes in liquid form), while the former works out slightly cheaper.

For luscious locks, our testers loved the QMS Medicosmetics Collagen Intravital Plus and, for an affordable all-rounder, MyVitamins collagen gummies were popular with our panel.

Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve been testing products – from the best bed frames and the best cleansing balms to the best retinol serums and supplements – for over 100 years. Our beauty testers combine their industry knowledge and experience with rigorous protocols and specialist lab machines to analyse and scrutinise products’ performance.

We also have a large panel of at-home testers to call on, who give us detailed feedback that feeds into our final scores, so you know our recommendations will work for you at home.

Our writers are also experts in their fields. Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, has years of experience researching and writing about the latest skincare launches and the most effective health-enhancing ingredients in haircare.

11 March 2025: This article was updated to reflect the most up to date prices and stock levels. We also updated the headline and adjusted seasonal references.