The Secret to Staying Active and Radiant as You Age

As we grow older, it’s natural to notice changes—our skin feels less firm, our hair loses its shine, and our joints don’t feel as smooth as they once were. A big part of these changes comes from the natural decline of collagen in our bodies—a vital protein that supports the appearance of your skin, healthy hair, strong nails, flexible joints, and overall well-being.

But the good news is, with the right collagen supplement, you can replenish what’s been lost and support the strength, beauty, and confidence you’ve been missing—helping you feel like yourself again.

The Hard Truth About Collagen Loss

Starting in your late 20s, our body naturally begins to produce less collagen—around 1%-2% per year by the time you’re 30. This decline can lead to dull skin, fine lines, brittle and lackluster hair and nails, and stiffer joints. 

On top of that, environmental factors like sun exposure and poor diet can accelerate the process, making these effects even more noticeable over time.

What Are Collagen Peptides?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, found in our skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Often referred to as the body's 'glue,' it provides structure and strength, holding everything together.

Collagen peptides, on the other hand, are a convenient way to supplement our body’s natural collagen supply. Derived from animal sources like bovine, fish, or chicken, collagen is broken down into smaller, easily digestible protein fragments through a process called hydrolysis. These peptides are quickly absorbed by the body, delivering the building blocks needed to support healthy skin, strong nails, and flexible joints.

Useful Tip

Taking collagen daily is key—it should become as routine as brushing your teeth. An easy way to make it part of your day is by mixing it into your favorite beverage, like coffee or tea. A high-quality collagen powder will dissolve seamlessly and be completely undetectable.

Studied Benefits of Collagen Supplements

• Supports skin health and natural firmness*
• Promotes softer, radiant skin*
• Supports joint flexibility and ease of movement*
• Promotes strong, resilient bones*
• Enhances hair volume, strength, and shine*

• Supports healthier, less breakable nails*
• Supports digestive health and overall gut function*
• Supports post-exercise recovery and muscle performance*
• Encourages restful and refreshing sleep*
• Supports mental clarity and focus*



How to Pick the Right Collagen Supplement

• Hydrolyzed Collagen: Look for collagen labeled "hydrolyzed" or "collagen peptides." This means it has been broken down into smaller peptides, making it easier for your body to absorb and use effectively.
• Collagen Types: Make sure the collagen contains Types I and III for overall benefits, including support for skin, hair, nails, bones, and joint health.
• Source of Collagen: Choose collagen sourced from grass-fed bovine, wild-caught marine, or free-range chicken. High-quality sources ensure purity and effectiveness.
• No Additives or Fillers: Opt for collagen with minimal ingredients and no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or fillers. A clean formula ensures you're getting only the benefits of collagen without unnecessary extras.
• Third-Party Testing: Look for supplements that are independently tested by third-party labs. This guarantees the product is free from contaminants and meets strict quality standards.
• Strict Quality Standards: Pick supplements made in FDA-approved, GMP-certified facilities. This ensures safety, consistency, and that the product meets high manufacturing standards.
• Flavor and Mixability: Choose a collagen powder that is flavorless and dissolves easily in hot or cold liquids. This makes it convenient to add to your daily coffee, tea, or smoothie without clumps or bad taste.

What to Avoid in a Collagen Supplement

• Non-Hydrolyzed Collagen: Avoid collagen supplements that don’t specify "hydrolyzed" or "collagen peptides." Non-hydrolyzed collagen is harder to digest and absorb, reducing its effectiveness.
• Collagen from Unknown Sources: Avoid collagen supplements that only list vague terms like 'bovine' or 'marine' without providing sourcing details. Lack of transparency could mean the collagen comes from factory-farmed or poorly managed sources, potentially containing contaminants and lacking efficacy.
• No Third-Party Testing: Don’t choose supplements that lack third-party testing. Without this verification, you can’t be sure the product is free from contaminants or meets quality standards.
• Artificial Additives and Sweeteners: Stay away from products with artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. These unnecessary additives can dilute the quality of the supplement and may cause unwanted side effects.
• Doesn't Mix Well: Avoid collagen that doesn’t dissolve easily in hot or cold liquids. Poor mixability not only makes it harder and less enjoyable to consume regularly but may also indicate lower-quality processing or impurities in the collagen.
• Bad Taste and Smell: Be cautious of collagen supplements with a strong or unpleasant taste or smell. High-quality collagen should be virtually flavorless and odorless, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Top Collagen of 2025: Side-by-Side

Fernes Collagen Peptides

Primal Harvest Primal Collagen

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Sport Research Collagen Peptides

Microingredients Multi Collagen Peptides

ESSENTIAL FEATURES TO LOOK FOR

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Types I & III Collagen

Transparent Source

Traceable Ingredients

No Fillers or Sweeteners

Tasteless & Odorless*

Third-Party Tested

Made in GMP Certified Facility

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Money-Back Guarantee

Subscription Available

Phone Customer Support

365 Days

90 Days

Note: We make every effort to keep product information up to date. For the most current details, please refer to the official product websites.

*Evaluations are based on individual experiences from the Wiser Choices team, along with insights from numerous user reviews.

*Note: Individual results may vary. The benefits listed are based on studies and research and may vary from person to person.

1. Collagen Peptides

by Fernes ^[1]

RATING

A+

PROS

• Contains bioactive Peptan® collagen peptides with science-backed benefits
• Hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen
• Sourced from Brazilian pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine
• Highly bioavailable for better absorption
• No additives or fillers
• Pure, single-ingredient formula
• Made in the USA
• Dissolves easily in hot & cold beverages
• No taste or smell
• 365 day money-back guarantee
• Subscription available

CONS

• Due to high demand can sometimes go out of stock
• Only available online

A CLOSER LOOK

Fernes Collagen Peptides stand out for their high-quality, science-backed formulation featuring Peptan® bioactive collagen peptides. This is one of its major advantages, as Peptan has proven health benefits. Unlike some collagen powders that use generic sources, Fernes is derived from Brazilian pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine, ensuring a clean and traceable source.

This collagen is pure and single-ingredient, with no fillers, sweeteners, or unnecessary additives. It contains Type I & III collagen, making it a great choice for those looking for a high-quality, clean formula. It also dissolves well in both hot and cold beverages, with no detectable taste or smell, making it easy to mix into coffee, tea, or juice.

Fernes uses an enzymatic process to hydrolyze its collagen, making it highly bioavailable and bioactive. This means the body can efficiently absorb and utilize the collagen peptides for skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. Additionally, it is made in the USA and comes with a 365-day money-back guarantee, which is rare in the supplement industry and reflects the brand’s confidence in its product. A subscription option is also available for those looking for savings and convenience.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Fernes is only available online, which may not be ideal for those who prefer buying in stores. Lastly, due to high demand, it can occasionally sell out.

2. Primal Collagen

by Primal Harvest

RATING

A

PROS

• Hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen
• Sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine
• No additives or fillers
• Single-ingredient formula
• Made in the USA
• Dissolves easily in hot & cold beverages
• No taste or smell
• 90 day money-back guarantee
• Subscription available

CONS

• Collagen is not traceable
• Not bioactive
• Hard to reach customer support
• Only available online

A CLOSER LOOK

Primal Harvest Primal Collagen is a single-ingredient collagen supplement made from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine. It contains hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen, which are known to support skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones.

It’s pure collagen and has no fillers, sweeteners, or unnecessary additives and dissolves well in both hot and cold beverages, making it easy to mix into your daily beverages without clumping or affecting taste.

Primal Collagen is made in the USA and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee, which provides flexibility for those trying it for the first time. There’s also a subscription option available for added convenience and savings.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The sourcing is not fully traceable, meaning there’s no clear indication of where the bovine collagen comes from beyond being grass-fed and pasture-raised. Additionally, its processing methods are unknown, so it’s unclear whether it is bioactive or optimized for absorption. Another drawback is that customer support is limited to email only, with no phone number available for direct assistance.

3. Collagen Peptides

by Vital Proteins

RATING

B

PROS

• Hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen
• Sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine
• No additives or fillers
• Single-ingredient formula
• Dissolves easily in hot beverages
• No taste or smell
• Subscription available

CONS

• Has previous recalls
• Collagen is not traceable
• Not bioactive
• Doesn’t mix well in cold beverages
• No money-back guarantee

A CLOSER LOOK

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a well-known collagen supplement sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine. It contains hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen, which helps support skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. With no additives or fillers, it’s a simple option for those who want pure collagen without anything extra.

There's nothing that really makes it stand out compared to other products on the market. One of its key features is that it dissolves well in hot beverages, making it easy to mix into coffee or tea. However, it doesn’t mix as well in cold beverages, which could be a drawback for some. It has no noticeable taste or smell, which is a plus.

Vital Proteins offers a subscription option, making it easy to stay consistent. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The collagen source is not fully traceable, meaning there’s no clear indication of where the bovine collagen comes from beyond being grass-fed and pasture-raised. Additionally, its processing methods are not specified, so it’s unclear whether it is bioactive or optimized for absorption.

It's also worth noting that in April 2023, Vital Proteins issued a voluntary recall of nearly 60,000 24-ounce canisters of their Collagen Peptides due to potential contamination with pieces of a broken blue plastic lid. While no injuries were reported, it’s something to consider. Lastly, Vital Proteins does not offer a money-back guarantee.

4. Collagen Peptides

by Sports Research

RATING

C

PROS

• Hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen
• No additives or fillers
• Single-ingredient formula
• Dissolves easily in hot & cold beverages
• Subscription available

CONS

• Collagen source unknown
• Collagen is not traceable
• Not bioactive
• Has slight smell & taste
• No money-back guarantee
• Hard to reach customer support

A CLOSER LOOK

Sports Research Collagen Peptides is another recognized collagen brand that offers a single-ingredient collagen supplement containing hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen. It has no additives or fillers, making it a straightforward option for those looking for a basic collagen supplement. It dissolves well in hot and cold beverages, making it easy to mix into coffee, tea, or a cold drink. And a subscription option is available for those who want savings on recurring purchases.

However, there are a few things to consider. The collagen source is unknown, meaning there’s no indication of whether the bovine collagen used is pasture-raised, grass-fed, or held to any specific quality standards. This raises questions about purity and overall quality. 

In our own taste and smell test, we detected a slight smell and taste when mixed in plain water, and the same has been reported by other users in their reviews. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is no money-back guarantee. Lastly, customer support is reportedly difficult to reach, and there is no phone number available for direct assistance.

Overall, this product doesn’t offer anything special compared to other options on the market. With limited sourcing transparency and no standout features, there are better choices available for those looking for a high-quality collagen supplement.

5. Multi Collagen Peptides

by Microingredients

RATING

C-

PROS

• Contains Hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen
• Multi collagen sources
• Has added vitamins
• No fillers
• Dissolves easily in hot beverages

CONS

• Collagen sources unknown
• Collagen & ingredients are not traceable
• Not bioactive
• Has slight smell & unpleasant taste
• Clumps up in cold beverages
• No GMP certification
• No money-back guarantee
• Hard to reach customer support
• No subscription options

A CLOSER LOOK

Microingredients Multi Collagen Peptides gained popularity after going viral on TikTok, drawing attention for its multi-collagen blend and added vitamins. It contains hydrolyzed Type I & III collagen, along with additional collagen sources, making it a multi-collagen formula rather than a single-source product.

This collagen supplement is free from fillers and dissolves well in hot beverages, making it easy to mix into coffee or tea. However, in cold water, it completely failed to dissolve, becoming clumpy and messy, which made it difficult to mix properly.

The collagen sources are unknown, meaning there’s no information on whether the bovine and eggshell membrane collagen are grass-fed or pasture-raised, or if the fish collagen is wild-caught. Additionally, none of the ingredients are traceable, making it impossible to verify where they come from.

In our own taste and smell test, we detected a slight smell and unpleasant taste when mixed in plain water, which has also been noted in several user reviews. Another thing to keep in mind is that we couldn’t find any GMP certification associated with this product. GMP ensures that supplements are produced in a clean, controlled environment with strict quality and safety standards. This is concerning because, without GMP certification, there’s no guarantee that the product meets regulatory guidelines.

Additionally, they do not offer a money-back guarantee, and there is no phone number available for customer support. There is also no subscription option.

Our Top Pick

Collagen Peptides

by Fernes ^[1]

• 10g of Peptan® bioactive collagen peptides per serving
• Science-backed benefits
• Highly bioavailable
• 100% pure, single-ingredient formula
• Made in the USA in GMP certified facility

CITATIONS

DISCLAIMER: The scientific research provided is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. Wiser-Reviews.com shares this information as a resource and does not endorse it. This content should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement of any specific products.

[1] Ricard-Blum, Sylvie. “The collagen family.” Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology vol. 3,1 a004978. 1 Jan. 2011, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a004978

[2] Oikarinen, A. “Aging of the skin connective tissue: how to measure the biochemical and mechanical properties of aging dermis.” Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine vol. 10,2 (1994): 47-52.

[3] León-López, Arely et al. “Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,22 4031. 7 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/molecules24224031

[4] Bolke, Liane et al. “A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study.” Nutrients vol. 11,10 2494. 17 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11102494

[5] Silvipriya, K., et al. “Collagen: Animal Sources and Biomedical Application.” Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2015, pp. 123–127., https://doi.org/10.7324/japs.2015.50322.

[6] Zhao, Yu-Hong, and Yu-Jie Chi. “Characterization of Collagen from Eggshell Membrane.” Biotechnology(Faisalabad), vol. 8, no. 2, 2009, pp. 254–258., https://doi.org/10.3923/biotech.2009.254.258.

[7] Borumand, Maryam, and Sara Sibilla. “Daily consumption of the collagen supplement Pure Gold Collagen® reduces visible signs of aging.” Clinical interventions in aging vol. 9 1747-58. 13 Oct. 2014, doi:10.2147/CIA.S65939

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Important Notice: The information provided on this website or by this company is not a substitute for professional medical advice and should not replace a consultation with your physician. Testimonials shared on this site represent individual experiences and do not guarantee the same results for everyone. All content, including text, images, graphics, and other information available here, is for general informational purposes only.

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[1] We have financial partnerships with some of the top picks and affiliates featured on our site.

Bioactive

Dissolves Easily in Cold Liquids*

Dissolves Easily in Hot Liquids*

No Recalls