FYI: This Is Why Your Collagen Supplement Isn't Working

Still, it's only fair to ensure your supplement is actually putting in the work. In short: If your formula has a clinically backed dose and a hydrolyzed form, you should be set. Unfortunately, many brands engage in what we call, "fairy dusting," which can seriously dampen a supplement's efficacy. Allow us to explain.

Take, for example, a peptide serum that's 99.99% glycerin and only 0.01% peptides. (That's an exaggeration, but you get the point.) This same concept can apply to the world of collagen supplements as well. Meaning, a brand might market their collagen as potent, yet the actual dose does next to nothing.

The recommended dosage varies depending on what benefit you're looking for, so keep the following information in mind: 

Vitamin C is actually able to promote fibroblast production9, tend to damaged collagen DNA, and regulate collagen synthesis10, or the pathway in which collagen is made. So if you're not getting an adequate amount of vitamin C daily, your collagen production may suffer. 

These nuances can be a lot to juggle when you're searching for a collagen supplement. Good news: We did the work for you! Start here with a curated list of the best options on the market, all backed by a nutrition Ph.D. and no fairy-dusted ingredients.

Want to learn more about why collagen supplementation can be beneficial? Here's a full list of perks.