Sometimes, being a beauty editor is a bit like being a doctor. Mention your job, and people start firing questions at you: should they take collagen? Which collagen is best? And are the health benefits of collagen really as good as they sound? This is similar, I imagine, to how a doctor might find themselves being shown any number of lumps, bumps and rashes while making polite small talk at a dinner party.<\/p>\n
Occasionally people ask other things\u2026 perhaps about red light masks, or retinol, but for the most part these days, the questions are all about collagen. And for good reason. Collagen can help with everything from improving skin firmness to strengthening weak nails and supporting good gut health.<\/p>\n
What is collagen?<\/p>\n
\u201cCollagen is the most abundant protein in the human body,\u201d Hannah Alderson<\/a>, BANT-registered nutritionist, hormone specialist and author of Everything I Know About Hormones: Six Steps to Optimal Health & Happiness<\/a>, says. \u201cBut it\u2019s not a \u2018complete\u2019 protein.\u201d This means it doesn\u2019t contain all nine essential amino acids that constitute a protein cell. But still, it\u2019s not without its benefits.<\/p>\n How collagen works<\/p>\n \u201cCollagen acts like scaffolding\u00a0\u2013\u00a0giving structure, strength and elasticity to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues,\u201d Alderson continues. \u201cThink of it as the glue that holds everything together, from your complexion to your joints.\u201d Nerds will appreciate that the word collagen actually comes from the Greek word for glue.<\/p>\n Are there different types of collagen?<\/p>\n Yes, there are different types of collagen both in the body and in the collagen supplements we consume. In the body, over 28 types of collagen have been identified, though there are five that we tend to concentrate on. These types of collagen appear in skin, nails, hair, bones, muscles, joints and organs.<\/p>\n Then, when it comes to collagen supplements, there are two main types of collagen: bovine collagen and marine collagen.<\/p>\n Bovine collagen<\/p>\n \u201cBovine collagen is derived from cows and typically contains Type I and Type III collagen,\u201d Alderson tells British Vogue. \u201cThese types of collagen support skin, muscles, bones and connective tissue.\u201d Bovine collagen is found in a cow\u2019s connective tissue, bones and hide, and as with humans, it acts like a structure-supporting glue.<\/p>\n Marine collagen<\/p>\n \u201cMarine collagen, on the other hand, is sourced from fish and is primarily Type I, making it particularly effective for skin health,\u201d Alderson explains. Marine collagen can tend to be more bioavailable, meaning it\u2019s more straightforward for the body to absorb, which can mean that it absorbs faster and more efficiently.<\/p>\n What are the benefits of collagen?<\/p>\n Whichever type you take, marine or bovine collagen, the list of benefits is long.<\/p>\n 1. Skin hydration<\/p>\n \u201cCollagen can help with skin hydration, elasticity and the appearance of fine lines,\u201d says Alderson. An important thing to note, though, is that collagen can only do so much to mitigate certain lifestyle factors. Things like how much alcohol you drink, whether you smoke, if you wear sun protection and how hydrated you are can make a marked difference, too.<\/p>\n 2. Improved bone density<\/p>\n Bones with high density are more resilient to cracks, breakages and fractures \u2013 all important things as you age. A 2018 study<\/a> of post-menopausal women found that certain collagen peptides significantly increase bone mineral density. Other studies<\/a> have shown that collagen can help increase bone density in people with diagnosed osteoporosis or osteopenia, both bone disorders caused by a loss of density.<\/p>\n 3. Stronger nails<\/p>\n