12 Min Read
The Best Marine Collagen Supplement
Looking for a collagen supplement for your skin, hair and nails? Or to treat joint pain and strengthen your bones? You’re not alone. Every year we British buy nearly £20 million of collagen supplements. [11] But how can you tell the good from the bad?
Our in-house nutrition expert Ariel Kaur Maan explains what ingredients to look for in a good collagen complex, how they work, and reviews the best 5 choices on the market.
| Swallow | VitaBright | Pretty Smart Food Co | New Leaf | Superself | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrolysed | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Effective dose of collagen (over 1000mg) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Probiotics for skin | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| CoQ10 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contains vitamin C | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Contains Hyaluronic acid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Contains Biotin | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Contains vitamin E | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Other nutrients (at least one of zinc/ copper/ vitamin B2/ vitamin B3) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Third party lab tested | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Clean supplement with NO additives | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Money-back guarantee | 6 months | 35 days | 30 days | 30 days | 90 days |
References
1 - Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis, E Proksch 1, M Schunck, V Zague, D Segger, J Degwert, S Oesser
3 - 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain, Clark, K. L., Sebastianelli, W., Flechsenhar, K. R., Aukermann, D. F., Meza, F., Millard, R. L., Deitch, J. R., Sherbondy, P. S., Albert, A.
5 - Antiwrinkle and Antimelanogenesis Effects of Tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus
6 - A Probiotic Application of Lactobacillus acidophilus HT1 for the Treatment of some Skin Pathogens
8 - Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study, Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture
9 - Effect of collagen hydrolysate in articular pain: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Bruyère, O., Zegels, B., Leonori, L., Rabenda, V., Bourges, C., Reginster
10 - Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled study, König, D., Oesser, S., Scharla, S., Zdzieblik, D., & Gollhofer, A
*This is a paid advertisement and is sponsored and owned by theswallowco and vitabright. It is not a news article or independent advice.
The content on this site is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you have, suspect, or anticipate any medical condition, please consult with a healthcare professional. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the European Food Safety Authority. Results are based on the VitaminGuide System and may not represent typical outcomes from using these products. Please visit product websites for more information. Rankings may be influenced by relationships or ownership interests we have with the products featured. All trademarks featured on our website are the property of their respective owners, and no endorsement of our website or services is implied or expressed.
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Our Expert’s Choice
ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: This website is funded by its audience. The content provided is neither a news article nor an independent review but is a sponsored comparison by theswallowco & vitabright. See
ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: This website is funded by its audience. The content provided is neither a news article nor an independent review.
This comparison and ranking are sponsored by theswallowco & vitabright. For further details, please refer to our
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Signs you might need a collagen supplement
- Sagging skin or fine wrinkles as your skin loses elasticity
- Brittle hair that snaps, or nails that break or split easily
- Joint pain or stiffness which is worse when you exercise
- Reduced muscle mass or weakness and loss of muscle tone
- Cuts, bruises, and other skin injuries take longer to heal
- Losing a centimetre or more in height (due to osteoporosis)
- Bones breaking easily as they are weaker and more brittle
- Leaky gut syndrome leading to tummy upsets and food intolerances
Bear in mind there can be many causes of these symptoms. It’s essential you see your doctor if you have any concerns.
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Collagen supplements provide key building blocks our body needs to support its own collagen production.
Support Bone Density and Strength
Collagen makes up 90% of the organic matrix in our bones, and keeps the vital minerals in place. Collagen supplements may help maintain bone strength, reduce the risk of fractures, and support overall bone health, especially as we grow older
The benefits of collagen supplements
Promote Muscle Recovery and Growth
Rich in glycine, an amino acid crucial for muscle repair, collagen supplements can help speed up recovery from exercise-induced injuries and promote muscle growth and endurance [12].
Strengthen Hair and Nails
Collagen provides essential amino acids that support the structural integrity of hair and nails [2], making them less brittle and more resistant to breaking.
Improve Digestion
Collagen contains glutamine, which helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining. This can reduce symptoms of leaky gut syndrome.
Improve Skin Elasticity and Hydration
You can help maintain your skin's firmness and elasticity by replenishing collagen levels. This can reduce wrinkles and promote a more youthful and hydrated complexion [1].
Support Joint Health and Mobility
By supporting cartilage regeneration and reducing joint inflammation [3], collagen supplements can help alleviate joint pain, improve flexibility, and prevent the progression of degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Reduce Cellulite and Stretch Marks
By strengthening the dermis and improving skin elasticity, collagen can help reduce cellulite and stretch marks, leading to smoother, firmer-looking skin [13].
Boost Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Collagen supplements can accelerate the repair of damaged skin, reduce scarring, and promote faster recovery from cuts, wounds, and surgical incisions.
Skin Hydration
Strengthen Hair
Joint Support
Improve Mobility
Improve Digestion
Support Bone Strength
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Collagen supplements are NOT all created equal
Before you start shopping around for some collagen, there are some key things you need to know. Make the right choice so you don’t waste your money on a product that fails to deliver results.
Artificial additives or flavours
Supplements with too many gimmick ingredients
Proprietary blends without disclosed amounts
Avoid
Unnecessary ingredients can dilute the product's potency and may cause unwanted side effects. In particular, beware of hidden sugar and artificial flavours in gummies or in powder supplements designed to be added to drinks.
Superfoods may sound nice in an ingredients list, but they’re not all clinically tested or proven to have any benefit in supporting human collagen - especially in the tiny quantities that can fit inside a capsule. They’re often included at the expense of effective doses of proven ingredients.
Proprietary blends often hide the true dosage of each ingredient, making it impossible to know if you're getting an effective amount. Be especially wary of supplements that aren’t transparent on how much collagen they contain.
Hydrolysed collagen peptides
The right dose (1000mg daily) Choose what makes ours unique here - CoQ10
Coenzyme Q 10 for deeper benefits
Choose
When collagen is hydrolysed, it means that the proteins have been broken down into smaller molecules called peptides. This makes it easier for the body to absorb it into the bloodstream.
Collagen supplements work by triggering your own body’s production of collagen, drawing in nutrients from many of the foods you eat. An effective dose to do this is around 1000mg a day.
Providing antioxidant protection, CoQ10 reduces wrinkles, improves skin firmness, and combats signs of ageing. The best collagen complexes for beauty include this powerful ingredient.
Collagen-supporting nutrients including Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration and joint lubrication. Other proven vitamins for collagen support include vitamins B2, B3, B7 (Biotin) and E. Useful minerals for hair, nails and skin include zinc, copper, iodine and selenium.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus for clear skin
This probiotic is proven to help the skin glow in several ways. It kills various bacteria that can infect the skin and cause pimples, skin blemishes and rashes or even make eczema worse. It also shields the skin from sun damage, fending off wrinkle formation.
Your Collagen Supplement Checklist
Pro Marine Collagen Peptides
by Swallow
✅ Effective dose of marine collagen
✅ Collagen is hydrolysed
✅ Contains skin health probiotic
✅ Contains antioxidant CoQ10
✅ Full dose hyaluronic acid
✅ 5 vitamins & 4 minerals for collagen support
PROS
CONS
❌ Not the cheapest product
❌ Only available online
Our Expert’s Conclusion
This powerhouse formula boasts a strong and effective 1000mg dose of marine collagen that’s hydrolysed for maximum absorption. The addition of a potent 2.5 billion CFU dose of the clinically proven skin health probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, sets this product apart, working from within to help keep skin clear of blemishes.
Swallow’s Pro Collagen Peptides is also packed with antioxidant CoQ10 and a full dose of hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and youthful. It goes even further by including a blend of five vitamins (C, B2, B3, D-biotin and E) at strong doses and in their activated, highly bioavailable forms. It also packs in four minerals - zinc, iodine, copper and, unusually, selenium - which work together to give proven support for collagen synthesis and skin, hair, and nail health.
While this product isn’t the cheapest and is only available online, we think it’s worth every penny. Plus, with third-party lab testing for purity and a 6-month money-back satisfaction guarantee, Swallow demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction that’s hard to beat. With its combination of top-quality ingredients and excellent customer service, Pro Collagen Peptides by Swallow easily takes the crown as our top-ranked collagen supplement.
Marine
Collagen +*
by VitaBright
✅ Effective dose of marine collagen
✅ Collagen is hydrolysed
✅ Added hyaluronic acid
✅ 4 vitamins & 3 minerals for collagen support
PROS
CONS
❌ No antioxidant CoQ10
❌ Only available online
❌ Sometimes runs out due to high demand
Marine Collagen Hydropro+
by Pretty Smart Food Co
✅ Effective dose of marine collagen
✅ Collagen is hydrolysed
✅ Added hyaluronic acid
✅ 4 vitamins & 3 minerals for collagen support
PROS
CONS
❌ No antioxidant CoQ10
❌ No skin probiotics
❌ Not the cheapest option
Magnesium Comp. with Zinc + D3
by Bettervits
✅ Easily absorbed with 3 types of chelated magnesium
✅ Added zinc and vitamin D3 to increase absorption
PROS
CONS
❌ Less than the NHS recommended magnesium dose (225 mg)
❌ Contains some additives including bulking agent
Our Expert’s Conclusion
This is an effective supplement which provides three well-absorbed types of magnesium - Magnesium Citrate, Glycinate and Malate. It’s also boosted with two forms of zinc, both ascorbate and citrate, and with vitamin D3 to increase your absorption of the magnesium. The vitamin D dosage is generous, and it’s also from a vegan source. With rice flour as a filler, this is a nice clean supplement without unnatural additives.
Marine Collagen
by Superself
✅ High dose of marine collagen
✅ Collagen is hydrolysed
✅ Added hyaluronic acid
✅ Added vitamin C
PROS
CONS
❌ No antioxidant CoQ10
❌ No minerals vitamin E, B2, B3 or biotin for collagen support
❌ Have to swallow 4 capsules daily
Marine Collagen
by New Leaf
✅ Effective dose of marine collagen
✅ Collagen is hydrolysed
✅ Added hyaluronic acid
✅ Added vitamin C
PROS
CONS
❌ Limited supporting nutrients
❌ No antioxidant CoQ10
❌ No skin probiotics
Pro Marine Collagen Peptides
by Swallow
Powerful dose of hydrolysed collagen
CoQ10 for antioxidant protection
Probiotic lactobacillus acidophilus for UV protection & clear skin
Clean supplement with no additives
9 vitamins and minerals for collagen support