Curious about the world of collagen? Discover everything you need to know within our comprehensive guide on collagen types, supplements and their potential benefits. From the role of each type to the benefits of the different collagen supplements available, we'll provide insights to help you navigate all the options and learn how collagen can enhance your overall health and appearance.
What is collagen?
Collagen, a naturally occurring protein in our bodies, is a crucial player in maintaining healthy skin, joints, and overall wellbeing. This protein provides the necessary strength and elasticity our skin, tendons, bones and connective tissues require. Think of it like nature's own support system—essential for plump, hydrated and glowing skin, as well as the health of our bones, muscles, gut, nails and hair.
As early as your 20s, your own natural collagen production starts to decline. This is where collagen supplements come into play—but first, let’s dive into the different types of collagen.
Type 1 collagen
So, what are the different types of collagen? First up, there is type 1 collagen, which is the most prevalent in our bodies and acts as the structural foundation for skin, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. Think of it as the skin's natural scaffolding, ensuring skin remains resilient, plump and youthful, working hand in hand with elastin to maintain its bounce and vitality.
Type 2 collagen
Type 2 collagen, though less abundant than Type 1, is crucial for overall health. It's mainly found in cartilage, like that in your ribs, nose, larynx and trachea. It's also present in the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, ensuring painless and smooth movement between them.
Type 3 collagen
Type 3 collagen, a partner to Type 1, is present in skin, ligaments, blood vessels and joints. It shares the role of enhancing skin health and elasticity with Type 1 collagen. Together, they work to keep your skin looking bouncy and supple while supporting various other vital functions in your body.
What are the benefits of collagen?
Collagen is a true multi-tasker when it comes to health benefits. It can contribute to skin health, assisting with moisture, elasticity and hydration. For joints and bones, collagen can provide the necessary support to keep you moving comfortably. It also supports gut health, aiding in digestion. And on top of all of that, collagen helps promote nail strength and can aid in hair loss prevention. For more information, head to our article, further discussing the benefits of collagen.
Choosing the right collagen supplement for you
Selecting your ideal type of collagen supplement, whether it's marine, bovine, or vegan, involves considering a range of factors, including individual dietary preferences, specific wellness goals and delivery systems.
Marine Collagen
What is marine collagen? Put simply, it’s a type of collagen sourced from fish and marine creatures. It is known for its ability to bolster skin elasticity and hydration, particularly as we age. In addition, it also promotes healthy collagen density, ensuring the preservation of collagen within the skin.
For those seeking marine collagen benefits, consider our Clean & Conscious 2023 award-winning and editor’s choice DEEP MARINE COLLAGEN™ Inner Beauty Support (Unflavoured) powder. This sustainably sourced supplement derives its clean and hydrolysed marine collagen from wild-caught North Atlantic cod, adhering to stringent Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards. It dives deeper by incorporating Bioavailability Factors™ for gut health and advanced absorption, including our exclusive probiotic strain GUT5Y™, which promotes digestive wellbeing. Marine collagen is ideal for supporting healthy skin and collagen density, for a bouncy and hydrated complexion.
Bovine Collagen
We now know what marine collagen is all about, but what is bovine collagen?
Bovine collagen, derived from cows, is a natural protein that supports the health and structure of various human body components, including skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and organs. It's a versatile collagen type suitable for people looking to maintain the integrity of these vital bodily elements, promoting overall wellbeing and physical resilience.
Vegan Collagen
Okay, so what is vegan collagen? Well, it’s a plant-based alternative to traditional collagen supplements. It's ideal for people seeking to support collagen formation without animal-derived ingredients. Our COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost elixir contains cofactors to assist the body in creating its own collagen— a vegan option formulated using bio-fermented ingredients. Enriched with vitamin C for skin health, and zinc for hair and nails, it also harnesses probiotics through our exclusive Flora Culture™ fermentation process, promoting gut health with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GUT5Y™. This berry-flavoured vegan alternative is ideal for those looking to embrace plant-powered wellness.
Incorporating collagen supplements into your routine
Discover simple and effective ways to seamlessly incorporate collagen, whether in the form of powders or elixirs, to enhance your everyday wellbeing and promote skin elasticity.
Collagen Powders
Collagen powders can be easily mixed into your favourite beverages. Simply scoop the recommended amount into your chosen drink, stir or blend, and enjoy the benefits without altering your daily routine.
Elixirs
Collagen elixirs are one of the most enjoyable ways to see the benefits of collagen. Just mix them with water or your preferred drink for a tasty alternative to traditional supplements.
