Collagen in the most simple form of the answer is an insoluble, fibrous protein that naturally occurs in our bodies as a structural protein that is in our skin and connective tissue. Collagen is not only in our connective tissues like ligaments and tendons, but also in bones and in cartilage an accounts for approximately 30 percent of our body’s protein content.
What is the Best Collagen Protein Powder: Quick Look at Our Top Picks
- Best Rated: Premium Collagen Peptide Protein Powder
- Best for Budget: Perfotek Hydrolyzed Collagen +Peptides
- Best Multi Collagen Protein Powder: Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder
- Best Collagen Peptide Protein Powder for weight loss: Further Food Collagen Peptides Protein Powder
- Best Collagen Protein Powder for Skin: Collagen Powder Collagen Peptides XL
There are sixteen different types of collagen but the ones that are most commonly found in the body are the first three types. These three types are characterized by being long fibrils, or a long, thin fiber, and by building not only the skin and connective tissues but in the blood vessels as well.
Collagen is a protein that you may have heard a lot about because it is often used as a plastic surgery when making cosmetic reconstructions. Collagen can be extracted from the human body which is usually done for plastic surgery, or from animals which is what is used for making protein powder supplements.
Like many things in the body, the rate of collagen production decreases as our body’s age and slow down. For this reason many people take it upon themselves to add collagen to their diets and choose it specifically for protein powder as it is such an important structural protein.
How to create a protein shake or smoothie
You can add protein to many things, and like yogurt, or to your morning coffee or you can mix it in to your shake and smoothies. Protein shakes and smoothies can be extremely basic or can be made slightly more complex depending on what you are wanting to drink.
The most basic of protein shakes begin with either water or milk and have protein added to it which is then shaken in a bottle or stirred. This is the easiest way to create a protein shake and what most athletes choose as you can make it simply and take it on the go to the gym with you.
For a shake or smoothie that has more flavor and a richer texture and consistency than the on the go option. You need to simply choose a base liquid, a protein powder of your choice and then fruits, veggies, seeds, and added flavoring that you prefer.
You can choose a base like milk, water, juice, yogurt, or ice cream and add your protein to it, if you want you can add ice as well. From their you can choose fruits and whatever leafy green vegetables for added nutrients.
Seeds, and nuts will make your shake more crunchy but will add more nutrients in. You can also add in flavors like vanilla, butter pecan syrup, peanut butter, or spices.
Our considerations for creating this list
You can create your own specifications for which standards you hold your protein powder to, we have compiled this list based on some of our own. We chose to search for and compile our list with only multi-collagen, chemical, hormone free and low fat protein supplements.
- Multi-collagen, or collagen peptides: Because you are specifically purchasing a collagen protein powder supplement it is important you have the maximum amount of collagen per serving. It is important that it goes further to include not just one collagen type but multiple in a single serving or to have collagen peptides.
- Non-GMO: The products on this list are all non-GMO and made without any hormones when raising the beef. This means that they are fed from chemical free food as well.
- Low fat: A low fat protein powder is a normal standard to hold the protein powder supplement to but is something we specifically looked for. Each supplement on this list has minimum fat percentage and content.
- No artificial additives: As well as being a non-GMO product, these are also protein powders without any artificial additives. There will be no sugar, flavoring or coloring or chemicals added to the specific products on this list.
The top 5 collagen protein powders
Premium Collagen Peptide Protein Powder
You can order this premium collagen protein powder either once or in monthly increments at a discounted price. You can oder 16, 16.9, 22.7, 32 or single serving packs in either dark chocolate, vanilla bean or unflavored options.
This is a non-GMO product so you can taste this guilt-free without the added chemicals or hormones. There are branched chain amino acids in every serving of protein powder that you add to your shakes.
Made from bovine hide collagen peptides with 10 grams of protein and BCAA’s in every serving. There are 11 grams of collagen peptides per serving and zero grams of fat, sugars or carbs.
Pros:
- Branched chain amino acids
- Non-GMO
- Fat-free
- 11 grams of collagen peptides
Cons:
- Some report digestive issues
- Some find this to be an awful flavor
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder
The name of this product is multi collagen which means that you will find more than one collagen protein type in each serving, and in this product that means one, two, three, five and ten. The peptides from this collagen protein are made from chicken, fish, eggshells and cows.
This protein supplement contains 50 calories per serving, 9 grams of protein and 0 grams of fats, sugars and carbs. This product is free from most of the common allergens including being free from milk, shellfish, nuts, wheat and soy.
You can order this product in one of three serving sizes in 24 or 40 stick packs or in a large canister. There are three flavor options as well, either vanilla, beauty within or original.
Pros:
- Fat free
- Sugar free
- non-GMO
- Free of most allergens
Cons:
- Some report headaches
- Some report digestion issues
Perfotek Hydrolyzed Collagen +Peptides
This is a non-GMO, hydrolyzed collagen protein with added peptides from grass-fed, pasture raised bovine. There are 11 grams of this hydrolyzed protein per serving in this protein powder supplement.
There are a lot of zeros when it comes to talking about this protein powder because that is the number next to the carb count, sugar content, and cholesterol. This is also a gluten-free product to comply with those whose diet does not allow for gluten products.
There are 10 grams of protein per serving as well as calcium to help with better bone health. You can order this particular protein powder in a 16 ounce, unflavored container.
Pros:
- 11 grams of collagen protein
- Zero fat, carbs and sugars
- Gluten-free
- Grass-fed
Cons:
- No extra flavors
- Does not mix well
Further Food Collagen Peptides Protein Powder
Further Food’s collagen protein powder is filled with collagen peptides and protein and if free from many things you are looking to cut out of your diet anyway. This is a kosher product, non-GMO, dairy-free, paleo and keto diet appropriate.
There are 18 amino acids per serving, and enough of the branched chain amino acids for you to have a complete protein. There are 7 grams of protein per each and every serving of protein powder.
You can order this protein in the natural, unflavored protein powder supplement. It is available in either stick packs, 8 ounces or 24 ounces depending on how much you will need in a given time, though the recommended is a 24 ounce container.
Pros:
- Branched chain amino acids
- Kosher, and non-GMO
- Fat free
- Gluten-free
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some complain it has an awful taste
Collagen Powder Collagen Peptides XL
Though all collagen supplements are designed to be especially good for hair, skin and nails, this one is specifically market to help with these three. It is made with a neutral flavor to allow you to add it to most anything without detecting a distinctive taste.
This is a fat-free, sugar-free and carb-free product to give you just what you need to build muscles. There are 45 calories per each serving as well.
This protein powder contains two types of collagen, both one and three and 11 grams of protein per serving and there are branched chain amino acids in every serving to help build proteins and muscles. You can choose 10 or 32 ounces in a canister.
Pros:
- Branch chain amino acids
- Fat free
- Sugar free
- non-GMO
Cons:
- Some report a long time for the body to respond
- Difficult taste
Final thoughts
Collagen is a common structural protein found in the human body occurring naturally but if you find that you need more, then a protein powder supplement may be your answer. If you are not absolutely sure if collagen protein is right for you, you should talk with a health care provider first.
Protein powder is typically pretty easy to get the hang of, though you may need to give your body some time to adjust. Not all people can handle all protein powders the same and some find that certain proteins cause more digestive problems than are necessary.
You need to be prepared for the fact that protein in and of itself is not a particularly wonderfully tasting substance. You can try to mask the flavor in mixed shakes and smoothies, but you may still find the after taste to be a bit off-putting.
Most complaints about protein powder is the flavor overall rather than an issue with the compound. The next highest complaint is how the added protein powder affects the stomach and digestion.
When you select a collagen protein powder you will see they typically do not have many ingredients on the nutrition facts sheet because they are minimal and natural. Before you dump it into your shakes, make sure you check the ingredient lists.
