Best Collagen Supplements
A common problem many women in the UK experience when they age is that the collagen levels in the face deplete, which in turn reduces skin elasticity and leaves the complexion lined, saggy and drawn. Basically, when the face ages, one of the side effects of the ageing process is that the collagen levels in the dermal layer of the skin decrease, so the skin can weaken, and lose fullness and elasticity. This slowdown in collagen production occurs from about age 30, which is when many people can begin to notice sagging, fine lines and wrinkles.
Collagen can easily be depleted by the sun, smoking and a high sugar diet. As we get to about that age of 30, the body starts to slow down its collagen-producing ability and by about age 60 our collagen levels have greatly declined. But there are numerous solutions that you can do to aid in restoring the collagen levels in your body, and some are as simple as eating a diet high in protein and amino acids.
One of the best ways to stimulate collagen production is via amino acids, specifically Threonine, as Threonine is an essential amino acid for collagen production. Basically an essential amino acid can’t be made by the body so must be derived from food or dietary supplements. Threonine can be found in lentils, peanuts, eggs, milk, pork, beef but has now recently been made available in collagen supplement form.
But not all collagen supplements are made equal, so our team of skincare experts has rounded up some of the top collagen supplements for our list of “Best Collagen Supplements in the UK”. But before you go out and buy collagen supplements, you need to determine which Type of Collagen is right for you!
Types of Collagen
NeoCell Super Collagen Powder
Editor’s choice for the best 100% pure pharmaceutical collagen
NeoCell’s Super Collagen powder is a Gluten Free and Non-GMO product, and is one of only a few products on the market that is 100% pure pharmaceutical collagen. The NeoCell collagen powder works by stimulating natural collagen production, and by doing so, the collagen production works at a skin deep level to increase collagen within the dermal layer, which in effect may help to combat fine lines and the reduction of frown lines. The product is derived from 100% pharmaceutical food grade collagen and is best taken as a food supplement, either mixed into water or into other foodstuffs.
Note that NeoCell pharmaceutical collagen is NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Each NeoCell product is designed specifically to support the Collagen systems in our bodies such as those that maintain vibrant youth, radiant beauty, and total body wellness. It contains the highest recommended dosage (6,600mg of Collagen Type 1&3) on the market for offsetting Collagen loss and sustaining healthy peptide concentration levels.
BioActive NeoCell Collagen is standardized to a very low molecular weight and enzymatically hydrolyzed for high absorption and bioactivity.
- Contains the highest recommended dosage (6,600mg of Collagen Type 1&3) on the market
- Derived from 100% pharmaceutical food grade collagen
- Enzymatically hydrolyzed for high absorption and bioactivity
- NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans
Troo Health Care Pure Marine Collagen Capsules
Best value Pure Marine Collagen supplement
These 600mg pure marine collagen capsules from Troo Health Care are a natural food supplement containing a blend of Type 1 & 2 pure hydrolysed marine collagen. The collagen supplements are made in the UK to a strict GMP code of practice, and the company follows strict quality control processes and has even been awarded an ISO 9001 quality assurance certification. Troo Health Care are passionate about using only the finest and best quality raw ingredients, to guarantee that consumers receive consistently high quality collagen products.
The marine collagen in the Troo Health Care collagen supplements are derived from fish skins, namely herring, anchovies and mackerel and in capsule form contain 600mg Type 1 & 2 Pure Hydrolysed Marine Collagen. Most users of the collagen supplements have reported health benefits including healthier and younger looking hair and nails.
- Comes in letterbox and storage friendly packaging
- Manufactured to ISO 9001 quality control standards
- Made in the UK to GMP code of practice
- Contains 600mg Hydrolysed marine collagen (Type 1 and Type 2) per capsule
- Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
Flexicoll High Strength Collagen drink
Best collagen supplement for joint health
If you are suffering from joint pains and aches, then you should definitely consider a collagen supplement such as this one from Health Arena. The Flexicoll Fortigel collagen powder has been specifically formulated to target joint health, and numerous consumers have provided glowing reviews of the product and its efficacy in relieving joint pain and arthritic pain. It’s recommended to dissolve a scoop of the collagen supplement (comes in a powder format) into water or some juice, and to consume it just before bedtime for maximum effect. Each serving contains 5000mg of Fortigel collagen (Hydrolysed Bovine collagen), 25mg of Hyaluronic Acid, 50mg of Vitamin C and traces of Green Tea, Celadrin, Rosehip and a small amount (2mg) of orange flavouring just to assist with the enhancement of the flavour when consuming as a drink.
What sets the Flexicoll product apart from other joint health supplements is its main ingredient, namely the Fortigel® Collagen. This Fortigel collagen has been patented as a highly bioavailable Hydrolysed Collagen, meaning that it is absorbed quicker into the body, and has been specifically formulated for joint health as well. The product has even won a few awards as the Best Natural Product for sports management and nutritional management of joint health.
- Powder is easy to mix into water or juice and has a pleasant orange flavour
- High Bioavailability – collagen easily absorbed
- Has been awarded as the Best Natural product for nutritional management of joint health in certain EU countries
- Not suitable whilst pregnant or breastfeeding
- Needs to be taken just before bedtime for maximum effect
SkinPep Collagen Re-Nu liquid shots
Best daily collagen supplements for anti-ageing
SkinPep have a range of daily collagen drink mixes, namely their Collagen Re-Nu Liquid Shots product, that has some glowing (no pun intended here) reviews from various consumers about just how effective the product is and how noticeably tighter and firmer and more glowing the skin was after taking the product. The product comes in a dry powder form, and contains no preservatives or artificial colours, and can be mixed with water or juice or any other drink. Taken daily and regularly, the consumption of collagen peptides has been clinically proven to support the formation of Collagen in the body.
What we really liked about the SkinPep Collagen product is that it is scientifically formulated to support collagen production in the body, and also contains Hyaluronic Acid and a multitude of other vitamins as well, including Vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Biotin, Folic Acid and Flaxseed Lignans. There are no added sugars, rather the natural sweetener Stevia has been added along with some Blackcurrant extract to provide a delicious tasting drink when mixed with water.
Collagen Re-Nu is safe for both vegetarians as no bovine collagen is used. Rather, SkinPep Collagen Re-Nu is made using solely Marine Collagen (its made from the skin of common species of fish such as Trout and Salmon). As such the product is also marketed as being both Hallal and Kosher, with absolutely no porcine or bovine collagen being used.
[info]Collagen Re-Nu® contains Type 1 and Type 3 collagen (marine collagen) and is produced from the fibrous protein extracted from the skin and scales of fish found in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. e.g. rainbow trout, tilapia, paddle fish & salmon. [/info]- SkinPep Re-Nu Collagen ontains 8 out of 9 essential amino acids for enhanced and glowing skin
- Leads to increased skin elasticity and tightness
- Great tasting mix with a fruity blackcurrant taste
- Should be used with other SkinPep serums and creams for enhanced efficacy and results
Collagen - Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a natural way to boost collagen in the face area?
Your age, general diet and skin’s health will dictate how you can boost collagen. Vitamin C, A, folic acid, B12 ( iron nutrient support), together with essential amino acids — specifically proline and lysine — are essential for the formation, regulation and initiation of collagen. Ensure your diet and skincare products have these vitamins in them if you want to build up collagen whilst sleeping. Obviously you can also look to stimulate further collagen production using collagen supplements, but if you’re looking for natural ways to boost collagen, then it is suggested to eat 40% cooked and 60% fresh foods, drink lots of water and exercise daily.
What role do sugars have in inhibiting collagen production?
There have been various research studies that showed that an excessive level of sugar is the leading cause of wrinkles, sagging skin and a loss of skin radiance. Basically, sugar hastens the degradation of elastin and collagen which are both key skin proteins, and the link between premature skin ageing and eating excessive amounts of sugar was identified way back in the 1980s. Basically what occurs is that sugar molecules attach themselves to collagen and elastin in a process called glycation. This causes the protein molecules in your skin to become stiff and makes it difficult for skin cells to repair. They form advanced glycation end products called AGEs and skin tissue then loses its plump elasticity and youthfulness.
Can massaging the skin on the face trigger collagen production?
Definitely, massaging your skin will be helpful because it stimulates blood flow and it is blood flow that is one of the most important ingredients for your skin to build and repair. The other ingredient is of course, nutrition! You could also do facial exercises on a daily basis which will also assist with stmulating blood and lymphatic flow. Because the skin is the largest organ of the body, it is also the last to get blood supply, so you shouldn’t just rely on internal nutrition to support and feed the skin. You could of course attempt manual massage, or attempt something electronic like these hand-held devices that stimulate blood flow to areas of the face that really need it. Make sure any hand-held device has a micro-current, as this is the best way of stimulating facial muscle contractions, blood flow and lymphatic flow to the areas that need it the most.
What exactly is Collagen Induction Therapy?
Collagen induction therapy is a clinical treatment that results in fresher, healthier looking skin. Basically, clinical collagen induction therapy utilises a device with very small needles which roll over the skin inducing a microtrauma to the deep layers of the skin. The skin then reacts with a wound-healing response, and this means that your very own collagen is being produced in abundance.
Is smoking really that bad for my skin?
Aside from sun damage, smoking is one of the leading causes of skin ageing and can cause a woman to look 10 to 20 years older than she really is. Smoking increases the amount of enzymes that break down collagen (the skin component responsible for keeping skin supple and firm) resulting in more collagen being broken down than being produced. This results in loss of skin elasticity and firmness at a much faster rate than a non-smoker. Tobacco also decreases the blood supply to the skin, meaning less supply of essential nutrients needed for the skin to repair itself.
