There is no doubt that collagen is the supplement du jour. It’s in powders, gels, liquids, baking, and even gummies. And that’s for good reason. This naturally occurring protein is one of the body’s major building blocks. Regular supplementation has been credited with strong nails, longer hair, glowing skin and healthier joints.
But as with most things, not all collagen supplements are created equal. What sets one apart from its neighbour in the Chemist Warehouse aisle can be a little complicated.
In my role as a shopping editor, I’ve been around the block when it comes to collagen supplements. I take a collagen creamer in my coffee daily, and I’ve tried a number of the ones available on the market. The latest across my desk? CalmerCeuticals, a liquid collagen newly available in NZ.
I’ve put it to the test over the last couple of weeks… here’s the breakdown.
Shop Verisol Enhanced Liquid Collagen Sachets, $101.95 at Calmerceuticals.
The source
Collagen can be found in various food sources, including bone broth, egg whites and chicken and pork skin. But when it comes to supplementation, it tends to be from three sources: Bovine, marine and gelatin. Bone collagen is derived from cow bones, whereas marine collagen is obtained from fish and other marine sources. Gelatin is a partially hydrolyzed form of collagen, often derived from animal bones and skin – you might know it as the stabiliser in many jellies and lollies. Which you choose is up to you.
CalmerCeuticals uses hydrolysed marine collagen sourced from wild-caught deep-sea fish. This makes it both pescatarian-friendly and far easier for the body to absorb. That’s because marine collagen is broken down into much smaller peptides (units of protein).
To increase bioavailability, each sachet also includes a whole host of other ingredients, which can be found here.
The type
So now we’ve covered the source, let’s get into the type (we told you this was a little complicated).
There are three main collagen types: type 1, type 2, and type 3. They all do different things for the body.
Type 1 collagen is a key structural protein in the skin, hair, nails, tendons, bones, and ligaments. It is present in both marine and bovine collagen and is generally regarded as the most beneficial type for skin health. The body’s production of type I collagen begins to decrease around the age of 25, which is sad news for many of us.
Type 2 collagen is primarily sourced from chicken or bovine cartilage and is found in the skeletal system, while type 3 collagen is typically used for wound healing, and is found in the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and large hollow organs such as the uterus and intestines.
Why is this important? Well, using type 1 collagen tends to be more expensive for manufacturers, but is typically far more beneficial for skin, hair and nails. CalmerCeuticals exclusively uses Type 1 collagen, as does Vida Glow. Other collagen brands, including Dose and Co and The Collagen Co, tend to combine type 1 and 3 collagen.
Compare CalmerCeuticals to other leading brands here.
The amount
To give yourself the best chance at absorption, opt for a collagen product that not only boasts a high amount of collagen per serving but also has a high level of bioavailability. CalmerCeuticals has a whopping 10 grams of collagen per serving with a five-star bioavailability rating. That’s an optimised clinical dose for maximum absorption, about twenty times more effective than some competitors. The liquid collage also has a 95% absorption rate, compared to 30% through tablet form.
The taste
One thing this brand prides itself on is the flavour, which founder Rose Rayner says was developed after tasting “countless competitors with unpleasant tastes”. Is this the best collagen I’ve tasted? I would say no. There are definitely flavourless options and collagen creamers on the market that taste far better in my opinion. The mango and mandarin I think is the superior of the two flavours, but they both have a definite fish flavour to them that is noticeable. One colleague flat-out refused to try theirs after inhaling the scent before sucking it down… a process we wouldn’t recommend. Luckily it was rescued before hitting the bin by someone less concerned about taste, and more interested in the stack of beauty benefits.
The verdict
It’s only been a couple of weeks of consumption, and I’ve noticed a definite glow and increase in hydration in my skin. So far I haven’t noticed a huge improvement in my hair and nail growth, but my gel manicure from two weeks ago is still flawless. A coincidence, or a sign of a stronger nail bed underneath? This collagen is priced at a premium compared to its counterparts – $95AUD for a two-week supply (14 sachets), to be exact. But it’s the one to choose if you’re serious about your collagen consumption and want to see serious results.
Shop Verisol Enhanced Liquid Collagen Sachets, $101.95 at Calmerceuticals.
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