The 8 Best Collagen Powders for Glowing Skin

There’s been a growing obsession with skincare over the past decade or so, and I’m definitely among the obsessed. I’ve found myself more and more interested in SPF, serums, and perfecting a morning and nighttime routine now, more than ever. And the change isn’t only on a surface level. I’ve been diligent about drinking a lot of water, have a monthly facial membership at Heyday, started taking supplements for my skin and began implementing foods that make my skin glow (with the help of Sakara Life). Maybe it’s all part of adulthood (which, ironically, is the reason our skin shows signs of aging).

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, causing our skin to lose elasticity. “Collagen is a protein in our body that makes up connective tissue, bones, and muscles and is a major contributor to skin’s elasticity," explains Maryann Walsh. "As we age, collagen production slows down, making our bodies more likely to run into issues like aches and pains, brittle nails and hair, as well as the other dreaded signs of aging, like loss of firmness in skin and wrinkles."

That’s where supplements like collagen powder come into use. “Many people choose to supplement with collagen [powders] in order to prevent and enhance the health of connective tissue, muscles and of course hair, skin and nails," explains Walsh. But is it actually effective? The studies are promising. "In one study, women who supplemented with collagen saw a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity," she says. "In another study, subjects who consumed an oral nutritional supplement consisting of hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, and a vitamin and mineral blend also saw an increase in skin elasticity and hydration.”

She says that the usual recommended starting dose of collagen is 10 to 30 grams per day, and to look for the ingredients hydrolyzed collagen or collagen hydrolysate in the ingredients list; this type of collagen is already broken down, so it is more readily absorbed in the body once it is ingested. “Collagen powders are so versatile and come in so many varieties now," she says. "There are flavorless powders that can be added to virtually anything (coffee, tea, etc.), and then there are fruit-flavored powders that complement smoothies, savory varieties that can be added to soups, even matcha-flavored collagen!" (The latter is her collagen supplement of choice.) The vast array of collagen powder options out there makes adding it to your daily intake much easier than before, and usually without affecting the taste of whatever you're adding it to.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best collagen powder brands to choose from. Since collagen is derived from animals, we've also included a couple of vegan alternatives.