What is the Best Form of Collagen to Take? | A Full Comparison Guide

Taking a daily collagen supplement can be an incredibly effective way to boost a balanced diet, enhance skin health, and contribute to longevity and bone health. With so many different forms available, it’s important to find the right one for your needs.

In this comprehensive guide, we will summarise everything you should know about taking the best form of collagen, compare its benefits, and list our top picks at Meaghers Pharmacy.

What Are the Benefits of Collagen Powder Supplements?

Making up to 70-80% of the skin’s dry weight, collagen is responsible for elasticity and strength. Collagen proteins, which are very long and fibrous, are broken down into smaller chains called peptides - Powerhouses for the skin.

In the form of protein powder, peptides are small enough to enter the bloodstream to trigger collagen production and hyaluronic acid in the skin, joints, and connective tissue.

Here are some of the key benefits of collagen powder supplements:

• Enhanced Skin Elasticity and Hydration: particularly from marine sources, collagen peptides upregulate the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid by skin cells (fibroblasts) – all of which promote a plump and youthful appearance.
• Support for Joint Health and Mobility: collagen peptides from supplements can help maintain or improve joint cartilage.
• Strengthening Hair and Nails: keratin is the main protein that makes up hair and nails, sharing many of the same amino acids as collagen. Some may find their hair and nails stronger when taking regular collagen supplements.

For more information, read our full guide to the benefits of collagen powder supplements and our top picks.

Our Top Picks for the Best Collagen Powder Supplements

At Meaghers Pharmacy, we stock some of the best collagen supplements in various forms. Expect star ingredients to help reduce signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, and promote skin, bone, and hair health.

Browse our best collagen powder supplements we have stocked at Meaghers Pharmacy:

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder

• 20g easily digestible bovine collagen peptides per serving
• Unflavoured powder
• For fresh and firm looking skin

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Swedish Nutra Collagen Powder

• 10g of pure bovine collagen powder per serving
• Rich in type I and type II collagen, to support skin, hair, joints, and connective tissue

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What Makes a Collagen Drink Better Than Other Forms?

Collagen drinks are one of the most popular ways to consume this ingredient, as they are a tasty and practical way to boost your nutrient intake, not just protein.

Benefits of collagen drinks over other forms of collagen include:

• Added Ingredients: often enriched with additional active ingredients to support collagen’s function, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, biotin, and silica.
• Absorption and Bioavailability: have a higher bioavailability rate compared to collagen tablets or capsules.
• Taste, Convenience and Ease of Use: often come in tasty flavours, such as berry, mango, citrus, peach, and cherry. Convenient sachets are practical and easy to take on the go.

For more information, read our guide to taking the best liquid collagen drinks.

Our Top Picks for the Best Liquid Collagen Drinks

Looking for a fantastic way to boost a balanced diet? Browse some of our top picks for the best collagen drinks:

Zooki Super Strength Collagen Liquid Sachets

• 95% absorption
• 11x stronger than collagen capsules
• 11g of premium marine collagen per sachet

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Swedish Nutra Liquid Collagen

• 10,000 mg of bovine collagen Type 1 and 3 per serving
• Added ingredients like biotin and hyaluronic acid to promote skin, hair, and joint health

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What Are the Benefits of Taking Collagen Tablets?

Collagen tablets often contain hydrolysed collagen (known as peptides) from animal sources, such as cow (bovine), fish (marine), or pig (porcine). Tablets are easy to take and result in a measured dosage for those who are busy and on the move.

Here are some of the potential benefits of taking collagen tablets:

• Supports Skin and Gut Health: may support the gut lining for healthy digestion and help improve skin hydration and elasticity.
• Added Convenience: tablets are easy to travel with and take on the go.
• High Potency: hydrolysed collagen peptides are broken down for better absorption to boost skin and joint health.

Read more about taking collagen tablets to achieve skin and beauty goals here.

Our Top Picks for the Best Collagen Tablets

At Meaghers Pharmacy, we stock the latest and greatest collagen supplements to help improve your health and wellbeing. Here are our top picks for the best tablets to consider:

Advanced Nutrition Skin Collagen Tablets

• Activates skin’s collagen for younger looking skin
• Clever cocktail of vitamin C, zinc, MSM, grapeseed extract and melon concentrate (rich in SOD)

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Novomins Collagen Gummies

• Contains hydrolysed Type I marine collagen (known for high absorption) and hyaluronic acid
• Tasty, chewable alternative to collagen tablets, with natural peach essence

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Are Collagen Supplements Better Than a Protein-Rich Diet?

Protein and collagen both play an essential role in maintaining the body’s muscle, skin, joints, and overall structural health. However, they serve different functions.

Protein makes up around 42% of the body’s dry weight and is vital for muscle repair, hormone production, enzyme function, and connective tissue health.

Unlike most dietary proteins, collagen is an incomplete protein, meaning it does not contain all nine essential amino acids. Instead, its value lies not in total protein intake, but in supplying specific amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) that support collagen synthesis and connective tissue integrity.

Natural collagen production begins to decline from the mid-20s, exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as UV exposure, smoking, high sugar intake, stress, and nutrition-poor diets. To support collagen levels, adequate protein intake, vitamin C, antioxidants, and collagen supplementation may all help maintain skin elasticity, joint function, and recovery over time.

Collagen is naturally found in animal tissues, such as bones, skin, cartilage, and connective tissue. Though these can contribute to overall nutrition, their collagen is absorbed less efficiently than hydrolysed collagen peptides found in supplements.

• Choose protein powder if your goal is muscle building, recovery, or meeting daily protein requirements.
• Choose collagen supplements if your priority is skin health, joint support, connective tissue, or age-related collagen decline.
• Combining collagen and protein can be beneficial, as it addresses collagen’s incomplete amino acid profile while supporting overall protein needs.

For more information, read our complete comparison guide to collagen supplements vs protein here.

Comparing Collagen Forms – Which Should You Choose?

In the table below, find which form of collagen is best for your skin and beauty goals:

Powder:
Benefits High collagen dose per serving Easily absorbed peptides Cost-effective long-term Can be mixed into drinks or food Things to Consider Requires mixing Texture or taste may not suit every palette Best for Skin-first users, joint support, high daily protein intake
Drinks or Liquid Sachets:
Benefits High bioavailability Often enriched with vitamin C, biotin & hyaluronic acid Ready-to-drink and flavoured Things to Consider Often more expensive Less flexibility Best for Convenience seekers, beauty-focused routines, fastest absorption
Tablets (or Gummies):
Benefits Pre-measured dose Convenience Things to Consider Lower collagen dose per serving Best for Busy lifestyles, supplement minimalists

To find the best collagen supplement, shop our high-quality products to help promote healthy skin, nails, hair, and joints – available in different forms and from leading beauty brands.