Brittle Nails & Hair Got You Down? Here's Why You Might Need Collagen Powder

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Your hair and nail health will thank you.

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Shape / Jhett Thompson

When it comes to the world of supplements, it's hard to figure out what you should implement into your routine for your own unique needs. Should you consume a pre-workout supplement before your favorite spin class? What about a supplement for anxiety that can help your day feel more zen? No supplement is more talked about than collagen, though.

The popular supplement is known for its ability to boost the health of your skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, or all of the above. “Collagen is the dominant protein found in the skin and connective tissue, and [it] makes up about 30 percent of the protein found in your body,” explains registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, M.S., R.D.N. It’s responsible for providing elasticity and structure to the skin, but as we get older, collagen naturally breaks down. Eventually, this deterioration can lead to changes such as wrinkles, joint pain, stiffer tendons and ligaments, and reduced blood flow, according to Pasquariello. A collagen powder can help bump up your levels.

Because of all these impressive capabilities, the Shape team wanted to find the best collagen powders on the market that actually make a difference in hair, skin, and nail health. We performed an in-depth test of 20+ collagen powders consumed by testers on staff and independently, then enlisted a registered dietitian for approval.

Read on below for the best collagen powders we tried, tested, and approve.

Dissolves fast

Comes in a variety of sizes and flavors

Can be used in hot and cold drinks

We tested the lemon and unflavored options

Comes in pill form as well

Our team tested the unflavored and lemon Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powders and enjoyed them both. If taste and texture are your top priorities, this Jennifer Aniston-loved product is worth the splurge. The powder also boasts 18g of protein per serving, which may be an attractive feature if protein intake is at the top of your mind. It dissolved impeccably in hot drinks, cold drinks, and smoothies alike.

Thanks to its lightly sweet lemon flavor and impressive dissolvability, the Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides is an editor favorite. We discovered that it tasted just like lightly sweetened lemonade, making it a great addition to cold water and hot tea alike (plus, it dissolved well in both temperatures). This is a perk if you’re bored with the usual unflavored collagen powder.

Flavorless, so tastes good in anything

Slightly chalky smell

Suggested serving size: 10.1g | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 9g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Fat: 0g | Servings per container: 45 | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen peptides, fermented eggshell membrane collagen, chicken bone broth protein concentrate, probiotics (Bacillus coagulans), hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides, vitamin C

If you’re looking for a versatile collagen powder, our best unflavored collagen powder pick is the way to go. Despite its robust multi-collagen ingredients list, it’s a truly flavorless product, making it ideal for different types of drinks and recipes. In terms of texture and dissolvability, the Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein was impressively smooth. It broke down almost instantly when we stirred it in both cold and hot liquid, sans clumps or settling at the bottom of the glass. And though there were very small grains visible in the drink, we didn’t notice them at all when sipping our drinks. Likewise, we didn’t experience an aftertaste or feel the need to get rid of lingering flavors, which is always a plus.

Tastes like a vanilla protein shake

Dissolves fairly well in hot and cold drinks

Leaves a lingering aftertaste

For a collagen powder that will satisfy your sweet tooth, consider the Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen with coconut MCT. We detected a vanilla-like taste with a tinge of coconut, so we’d recommend it for protein shakes or smoothies. In cold water, the powder tasted like a protein shake, while hot English breakfast tea seemed to elevate the vanilla notes. When we combined the powder with cold water, it dissolved fairly well and left a few small powder clumps. This might not be a concern if you plan to blend the powder into protein shakes. It dissolved even better when we stirred it into hot tea, leaving behind zero clumps. Our testers also noted a slight oily feeling on their tongues from the coconut MCT, which stuck around for several minutes. You’d have to brush your teeth to make it fully go away, so we’d suggest keeping this in mind if you’re sensitive to different sensations.

Sourced sustainably

Mixes super well with hot water

Takes a while to dissolve into cold drinks

If sustainability is your top priority, the Zhou Collagen Peptides will fit the bill. It’s sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle. When we drank it with cold water, the collagen was completely flavorless, though a slight taste surfaced as we continued to drink it. About 70 percent of the powder dissolved in cold water after 90 seconds of stirring, and there was a stubborn clump that took longer to break down. We could also see the powder’s texture throughout the entire drink, and by the bottom of the cup, a few grains had settled. When we drank the powder in hot tea, it dissolved in about 10 seconds, and even after our testers finished the tea, there was no powder residue left in the cup.

Leaves zero aftertaste

Dissolves super well in hot drinks

Solid option for coffee and tea lovers

Doesn't fully dissolve in cold drinks

This powder is our top pick for hot liquids, as it seamlessly dissolves in drinks like hot tea and coffee. It was a different story in room-temperature water, though. Even after we constantly stirred the mixture, the powder did not dissolve very well. While the label said it was unflavored, the powder had a slight taste in cold water. We thought was a bit chalky and unnatural, but nothing too unpleasant. Meanwhile, we were unable to detect the flavor in coffee. We also noticed no aftertaste after drinking cold and hot drinks containing the powder.

Dissolves in hot and cold liquids

No weird after taste or smell

Keto friendly

Faint dairy odor

Don't get a lot for the price

Collagen water fans will appreciate how well this product dissolves in cold water. Compared to other powders, it left fewer clumps. After pouring out the cold collagen drink, we saw a thin layer of powder on the bottom — but it’s much better than getting a clump in your mouth. Similarly, when we mixed the powder with hot coffee, it dissolved well and left a few tiny grains. In both cold and hot drinks, the collagen simply made the liquid a bit thicker. In cold water, the powder added a subtle flavor and smell. We found no taste or smell when the powder was mixed in hot coffee.

Neutral smell and taste

Alternative to bone collagen

Leaves slight gelatin aftertaste in cold water

If you’re a pescatarian or looking for an alternative to bone collagen, consider the Procaps Marine Collagen Peptides, our top marine collagen pick. When we mixed it with cold water, it was mostly tasteless, albeit for e a faint gelatin-like flavor. And though the powder created clumps (along with a slightly cloudy gray translucent color) after we stirred the drink for 10 seconds, the drink was surprisingly smooth — just like regular water. The powder was flavorless in both black hot coffee and coffee with creamer. In terms of aftertaste and smell, we noticed the subtle gelatin notes in cold water. It wasn’t fishy, despite being made from fish. In hot coffee, there was no aftertaste or odor.

Dissolved quickly

Includes type I and type III collagen

Subscription option available

This fast-absorbing collagen powder has types I and III collagen derived from bovine collagen peptides, plus an impressive 18g of protein. So, if you're looking to add both protein and collagen into your routine (but don't want the additional cost of a protein powder) this is a solid option. Just add two scoops of it into whatever you're consuming — it's solid in oatmeal and yogurts as well as drinks — and you're good to go.

Packs ensure proper serving size

Can be taken alone or with food

Clinically reviewed

Includes vitamin C and 60mg of sodium

If you're looking to improve joint health and mobility, this clinically reviewed collagen powder should be on hand. While the travel-friendly packs are what first caught our attention, its proven ability to enhance joint health in 4-8 weeks of regular use has us coming back for more. Throw a pack in your bag on the way to work and consume it at your desk with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Then, in no time, you'll be able to feel the results change the way you move.

The Shaklee Collagen-9 is an unflavored powder that consists of bovine collagen, pea protein, biotin, and vitamin C. We found that it had a slightly gritty texture in cold water but was less grainy in hot tea. It’s significantly more expensive than other collagen powders, so it might not be a good fit for most people’s budgets.

Shape / Jhett Thompson

Collagen powder may benefit various parts of the body, including the skin, nails, bones, and joints. For those experiencing hair loss due to dietary protein deficiency, collagen-sourced protein can serve as a good hair growth supplement. The research is still ongoing, however, and the results can vary greatly for each person.

According to Pasquariello, there’s very limited (if any) research available that has examined the medical differences between liquid vs. powder collagen — so the jury is still out on this one. Yet, there are other reasons you might choose one over the other. Liquid collagen is usually sold in a flavored format for palatability (that is, does it taste good?), so it may contain ingredients like processed sugar, which is something to consider if you’re watching your sugar intake. In contrast, powder forms typically contain fewer ingredients and can have more potent formulas because the collagen is non-diluted, explains Pasquariello. Adding a scoop of collagen peptides to your favorite mix, for example, is an easy way to make healthy pancakes. Your best bet is to consider your top priorities, including cost vs. dosage, palatability, ease of use, and any added ingredients you’re looking for (or avoiding), she notes.

In general, collagen peptides are well-tolerated by most people. But if you take too much too quickly, it can cause adverse gastrointestinal effects like constipation, diarrhea, and reduced appetite, says Pasquariello. More severe reactions can occur with higher doses, so always add it to your diet slowly and with caution, she adds.

Kirsten Nunez is a contributor at Shape who has covered health, nutrition, and food for more than seven years. She has an M.S. in Nutrition and B.S. in Dietetics. In writing this article, she researched collagen powders herself and interviewed Pasquariello to get all the facts about the benefits of collagen and what to look for in collagen powders. Kirsten also analyzed testing insights from 20 different collagen powders, drilling down into the most important pros and cons of each to share these recommendations.

Summer Cartwright is Shape's senior commerce editor who updated and edited this article in 2024. She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery and wellness products. Previously, she's worked with brands including Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Real Simple, Well + Good, and Best Products.

We determined the best collagen powders under the guidance of Eliza Savage, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., registered dietitian and associate director of Verywell Fit. We also interviewed registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, M.S., R.D.N. for expert insight on collagen powders.

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