Wonder about the benefits of collagen? In this post, I share why I take collagen every day, what collagen I use, and how I take it.
I would love some of your thoughts on collagen. I searched your blog and found lots of posts about different deals to purchase it in powder form or under eye pads, masks, etc. but I was curious how you personally use it.
I’m pretty sure that it was on your weekly habit tracker, so I was just curious how you personally take it and what brand you recommend, and why you value it. I couldn’t find where you talked about why this is important to make your habit tracker list. -Courtney
Why I Take Collagen Every Day
Great question, Courtney! I started taking collagen every day at the strong encouragement of the pelvic floor therapist I went to after Kierstyn was born. She said that she believes every woman should take it, but it’s especially good when recovering from childbirth and as you are getting older (I turn 40 this year!)
According to her, it’s not only great for your skin, nails, and hair, but also for your ligaments. (There are a lot of articles on the importance of collagen and how your body’s production of it declines as you age. Here’s one article here.)
In all honesty, I’ve not seen a huge difference by taking it, but my pelvic floor therapist made such a difference in my recovery from pregnancy and childbirth that I’ll do whatever she tells me to do. Plus, I sometimes struggle to get in enough protein every day, so taking collagen is one extra form of protein!
What Brand of Collagen I Take
My pelvic floor therapist recommended that I get a tub of Vital Proteins collagen from Costco as she said that’s a good brand and a good price. However, Jesse did some research and decided that he felt like the Trailhead brand and the Ancient Nutrition brand were better quality, so that’s what he’s been getting for me. (He buys it at a local nutrition shop that he goes to regularly.)
I’m not sure on the price of Vital Proteins from Costco (anyone know?). It’s more expensive on Amazon ($43 for 28 servings) than what we pay for the Trailhead and Ancient Nutrition brands at the nutrition shop (about $35 for 40 servings). Collagen powder is not inexpensive, but it’s less than $1 a day and I figure that’s a good investment in my health!
(If anyone has suggestions on where to get good deals on quality collagen, definitely let us know! I’m new to this and still learning!)
How I Take My Collagen
I have found that the easiest way to take collagen is to put a scoop in my tea every day. I just stick the tea bag and the scoop of collagen in the bottom of the mug/tumbler and pour the hot water over it and stir. It completely dissolves and is totally tasteless — so long as you mix it in enough liquid.
(I also add some sugar or honey and lots of half and half, so maybe that helps mask the taste? One time, I added collagen to just a little bit of decaf coffee I had left in a cup and it made the coffee taste off since I mixed a full scoop into just a 1/3 cup or so of liquid. So I’d recommend adding it to a full mug!)
Many people also add collagen to their coffee or smoothies and it should be tasteless that way, too!
There you have it! It takes very little effort and it makes me feel like I’m doing something good for my health every day!
Have you taken collagen before? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences and any recommendations you have as far as brands!
P.S. Have a question you’d love for me to answer in a future post? Drop me an email through our contact form here with the subject “Question”.
I was taking the Vital Proteins Collagen for the past six months or so, and I feel like it is good. I recently switched to Ancient Nutrition as well and have been taking for about a week now. I’m not sure if I have noticed a difference good or bad. 🤷♀️ However, I would notice a difference in my skin if I forgot when I was taking vital proteins.
It looks like I will need to take two scoops to get the same collagen in one scoop of Vital Proteins. They also don’t have hyaluronic acid. But they do have probiotics, which is nice.
So do you take both Ancient Nutrition and Trailhead on a daily basis? If so, how many scoops?
I wonder if I would notice more of a difference if I take one more scoop and/or added another product maybe.
Thank you! 🙋♀️
I just take one serving of collagen powder/day. So either one scoop of Trailhead or on scoop of Ancient Nutrition.
I take collagen everyday and I put it into my oatmeal each morning. I take the Great Lakes brand. I have been taking it at least 9 months, I’m not sure. Anyway, I have noticed a difference. One particular thing I’ve noticed is that the lines between my eyebrows have gotten way less deep. My hair is also FINALLY getting better. (That is the reason I started taking it) My hair had been shedding really bad. It took months and months for me to notice any difference.
That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing!
I take Ancient Nutrition collagen in my coffee. I have purchased it from TBN (TV special) and lately, from Target – there is often a Target Circle offer of 25% (or more) discount, so I take advantage and stock up to the limit.
Thank you so much for sharing!!
I’ve been taking Custom Collagen for several years. They have a new customer 15% discount. You can get a 5 pound package for only $70. That price is hard to beat. If the 15% discount is allowed on top of that, it is a great price!
They also have a buy 2, get 2 free promotion going on!
How many types of collagen are in the brands you use? I use one that has 5 different types in one.
What is the brand you use?
I would recommend eating real, whole foods, i.e. meat and vegetables.
Bone broth is a valid option.
Whole foods are a great option! -Jordan, MSM Team
Yes! As you probably know, I’m a big fan of that, too, and always think you should start with lots of whole foods before adding any supplements.
Jesse LOVES Bone Broth, I can’t stand it, so collagen is a great option for me!
The Ancient Nutrition collagen has a few sources of protein in it, one of which is eggs and I just didn’t feel good on it… even though I usually eat eggs no problem. Be vigilant to check the protein source and don’t be afraid to try something else if it doesn’t work for you. Ancient Nutrition also offers vanilla bone broth protein (which is made from chicken and is also loaded with collagen), and I like it with almond milk as a quick shake.
Thanks for sharing! Those are some great tips! -Jordan, MSM Team
I have been using Further Food’s Collagen Peptides for several years now and I highly recommend it! I get the 3-month supply container, so 90 servings for $49.99 and you can save 15% more by subscribing for autoships. I cannot eat eggs so there are several other brands that I cannot take. My skin, hair and nails are so much nicer plus the pain in my knees and hips is now gone!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We love getting honest reviews from our readers! -Jordan, MSM Team
Great Lakes Collagen 8 pound bag from their website is about $148. There are 300 servings in the bag so it ends up being $0.50 a serving. Very high quality protein. I buy the bag and refill the smaller canister of the same product. The price you quoted is just over $1.50 a serving.
I have read your blog since I was newly married in 2004. We have eight kids homeschool and our older three match up in age to yours. I am one year younger than you and was also homeschooled. Thank you Krystal for all the great posts for 17 years!❤️
Oh wow! Thank you for being such a long time follower!
I take Trim Healthy Mama’s Integral Collagen and it’s $19.99 before chipping. 16oz bag and it lasts me a while! I use it either in my baking or for m morning coffee.
I trust all their food products and they’ve done their research to make sure they have to important Type 1 & 3 collagen types.
Thank you for sharing! I’ve heard great things about their collagen!
I take Ancient Nutrition collagen. I use it in my morning coffee and buy thru TBN. Price is good, free shipping & it benefits Christian broadcasting. I hoped it might help with hair loss but after taking it for 6 mo I am a bit disappointed to note no difference in hair loss..
Thanks for that tip about TBN!
Trim Health Mama’s Integral Collagen is a good one. I’ve never really tried others but those that have say they always come back to the THM one.
Thank you for sharing!
i use collagen powder in my cooked oatmeal that i have most mornings for breakfast. in my case, i started using it about 5 years or so ago, to help with the pain in my knees. it has definitely helped! i think it also helped my hair grow faster (and i love long hair!). i have tried the ancient nutrition brand, the vital proteins from costco, and the trim healthy mama brand. i sometimes use it in recipes, but rarely drinks (or at least not coffee or tea)
That’s so fantastic that it has been so helpful!
I think collagen is a good idea and can help but it is also a refined product and usually better to find something in a whole, more natural form.
What you want is today known as “bone broth.” Our ancestors regularly made soups and stews from bones and tougher cuts of meat, but just called it broth.
Those tough parts have the collagen.
Kobe Bryant(RIP) and the Lakers regularly use bone broth.
One day my butcher told me Kobe Bryant was using bone broth for his leg pains, and also that “the trainers” were using it and that’s how I got started…
To learn more look up
Kobe Bryant bone broth
Dr. Cate Shanahan (books and you tube videos)
books on amazon
recipes on the internet
bone broth for cancer treatments
bone broth for wound care
You can drink bone broth straight, but it can also elevate your soups, stews and sauces as a very good broth. Not like the watery stuff in a can. You want to see that gelatin effect when it is chilled. Jello made from scratch is good, too!
If you want to make your own bone broth, you can start start by saving meat scraps and bones in the freezer.
This can also be very helpful for joint pains. A neighbor got started on collagen/bone broth for his hip pains and said he was able to avoid hip surgery. He is in his 60s.
People start losing collagen around age.
Yes! Jesse loves Bone Broth and is a big fan. I can’t stand it — it is disgusting to me!! — so this is a great alternative. Thanks for sharing this info for those who can stomach bone broth!
I just recently tried an unflavored Vital Proteins collagen powder and mixed 1 scoop (serving size is 2 scoops) in a large mug of hot tea and I could barely handle drinking it. It changed the texture and gave it more of a gelatin texture, although it wasn’t that thick. Not sure how to describe it but I could definitely tell a difference and had a hard time drinking it. I don’t like coffee, so hot tea is my only option. Do all of the powders change the texture? I thought about doing capsules, but reading above that it’s not as effective, I’d like to stick to the powder. I don’t want to waste more money on another powder if they all change the texture.
I didn’t think the Vital Proteins powder dissolved as well. Did you try pouring boiling water over it and stirring really well? That’s what I had to do to get that brand to dissolve — and it had to be a big 16-oz mug of tea, too. I would also recommend adding half and half and sweetener, too.
I was having trouble with my knees. I started dissolving a scoop of collagen in my tea daily and my knees are so improved! I use the Trim Healthy Mama brand. I doubt it’s the cheapest but it’s very high quality.
YAY!! I’m so glad it’s helped you so much!
The Vital Proteins is seemingly more expensive, but their serving size is two scoops for 28 servings. If you only use one scoop a day, that would give you 56 servings. I also get mine on Subscribe and Save on Amazon and it comes out to $36 for 56 servings. I’m noticing improvements in my knees, so I will keep drinking. 😊
I’m pretty sure that if you only use one scoop you’re getting half the amount, though, right? I need to compare the details on it… but that is amazing that it is working so well!!
I use Perfect Supplements brand – I buy 4 bottles at a time as that is the cheapest price that will also give you free shipping. that works out to be just about $100. (from their website)
I have heard that brands that use more than one source are supposed to be more complete (like the Dr.Axe brand) but I don’t like seafood and mentally knowing there is fish bone collagen in my drink is too much for me 🙂
Being a picky eater, I definitely can taste the collagen both in flavor and texture and also color. (I have also tried vital proteins and it is the same to me). so, I just pick a certain tea and only drink it with that tea. It’s not a bad flavor, it just reminds me of drinking liquid Jell-O. but it is not a flavor I want in most of my drinks :)!
I take it in faith that it is helping my joints/gut/muscle rebuilding, etc. since I don’t feel I get enough of this nutrient in my diet.
I can’t taste it at all… but maybe that’s because I add half & half and sweetener, too?? 😉
I also use Perfect Supplements. They are from grass fed beef, which I’m sure others are as well, but definitely a plus. They run a sale a couple times a year, and my favorite clean food blogger (Tiffany at Don’t Waste the Crumbs) sends out a coupon code for an additional discount to her mailing list, so I end up getting mine at 40% off. My last purchase was three bottles of 60 servings each for $75 shipped. So that’s $0.42 a serving?
Thank you for sharing — that sounds like a great deal!
yup, you’re probably right! I bet it makes your drink extra creamy & yummy! you should do a comparison for yourself – one w/and one w/out to see if you can tell a difference ( not that it matters, though :))
The perfect supplements is 60 servings a bottle. for my family, I add it to smoothies, oatmeal, applesauce, soup, etc. I have even considered adding it to baked goods!
I was also coming here to recommend Perfect Supplements Brand, they are extremely careful with how they formulate their products, and are very stringent with quality. I also plan to buy in bulk when they offer their best sales to get the best price.
I decided to try collagen powder after reading about it here. Even though it was advertised as unflavored, it tasted awful! I tried it in different drinks and just couldn’t handle it. Thankfully, Sam’s took it back (even though I didn’t have the receipt!). I may do more research and try again. It’s just an expensive trial and error! 😏
Have you tried Arbonne’s collagen? I’d be happy to send a sample. I don’t see a way to post the ingredients image here so I will post it on the Facebook post comments.
I haven’t… mostly because I don’t usually do any type of supplements or products that require me to sign up for a business to order it.. because I have my hands full with running MSM and am not looking to start another business! 😉
I totally get that! You can get it without signing up to do the business. Let me know if you’d like to try a sample.
I have taken collagen off and on for the last few years. I am mostly taking it for the healthy skin benefit. I will say that I was sneaking it into my husband’s coffee for a while as well and I did notice that the wrinkles in his forehead seemed to reduce. Otherwise for me, personally, I don’t notice too much of a difference.
I had to laugh about you sneaking it into his coffee! 😉
Thanks for sharing. your skin looks flawless btw! I will look into adding this to my regimen. I have tried ancient nutrition brand bone broth and it did not agree well with me. So i’m a bit turned off by the brand. I’ll try vital proteins as I’ve seen it many times. I haven’t heard of the other brand.
Thanks so much for your encouragement! I’m not a big fan of bone broth, but I have surprised myself by liking collagen! (Or at least not being able to taste it!)
Please make sure you check ingredients before using collagen, as I learned after trying it that it had an ingredient that I am allergic to : (
Oh! That’s a good tip — thank you!
I have been talking collagen for a few years now. I originally started taking it because I had surgery and a ton of hair loss. Plus I need the protein! I buy the stuff on Amazon for around $30 and has all 5 peptides in it. I put it in my coffee or tea in the morning. There are flavored ones if it tastes too chalky to some.
What brand do you take and how many servings is it for $30? I’d love to know!
This one is actually $22! Sometimes they have it on sale! I’ve used this brand before. Most important to me is that it has the 5 types of peptides and the protein.
https://www.amazon.com/Collagen-Hydrolyzed-Friendly-Unflavored-Horbaach/dp/B07Y3ZSZWZ/ref=sr_1_48?crid=207KB00ETXZU1&dchild=1&keywords=collagen+powder&qid=1612485110&sprefix=Coll%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-48
Actually right now $18.99!
Thank you!!
I read your article on collagen. I take ancient nutrition and I purchase directly from their website somethings they have specials. Anyway I would like your opinion on taking the powder vs the capsules (what I use)
Is one better than the other and if so why it why not?
I’ve not tried the capsules, but I’ve heard from some of my followers on Instagram that they saw more of a difference by taking powder versus capsules.
I’ve heard the same thing with the capsules
The Vital Protein collagen is much cheaper at Costco than at any other store and it is often on sale, making the biggest size jar a little over $20, a great deal.
That’s so good to know! I was guessing the price had to be a lot better than Amazon! So it’s $20 for 28 servings, correct?
I buy Vital Proteins at Costco as well. It’s $30 for the 24 oz tub at my Nashville store but goes on sale for $8 off fairly often so we stock up then. That’s 34 2-scoop servings per container but I only use 1 scoop/day.