BEST COLLAGEN POWDERS (AND A PLANT-BASED BOOSTER) FOR HEALTHY JOINTS AND SKIN
While it sounds like just another wellness trend you could take or leave, collagen is in fact the most abundant protein in your body , and is essential for everyone. As the main component of connective tissues, collagen provides the literal framework for our bodies, including our skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Think of it like the glue that holds our body together, responsible for keeping our skin hydrated and bouncy, helping us heal from cuts and wounds, strengthening muscle and bone or keeping our joints springy. When we don’t have enough collagen, we can experience skin sagging, weak bones, wrinkles, joint pain and arthritis and wounds that take forever to heal.
We naturally produce ample amounts of this structural protein if we’re consuming enough amino acids from certain foods (like bone broth, skin-on chicken, sardines, organ meats, and aloe vera juice), but production becomes impaired with things like smoking, poor or imbalanced diet and alcohol consumption. Moreover, it declines naturally with age, which is why so many choose to supplement with powdered collagen.
What is collagen powder?
Collagen powder is derived from animal or fish collagen, typically bovine (cow), porcine (pig), or marine (fish) and can be added to smoothies, beverages or mixed into your favourite recipes. While it is not found in plants, vegans can still support their body’s natural collagen production by consuming foods rich in the amino acids essential for collagen synthesis including glycine, lysine and proline, as well as vitamin C. Some companies even market “vegan collagen boosters” that contain these supporting nutrients.
How to select a collagen powder
When choosing a collagen powder, it’s important to look for products that are third-party tested and hydrolyzed (also known as collagen peptides). This means the collagen has been broken down into smaller units for better digestion and absorption. You’ll also want to pay attention to the type of collagen included, as different types support different goals. For example, Type I collagen is ideal for skin, hair and nail health—making it the go-to for anti-aging benefits—while Type II collagen is more beneficial for joint support.
No matter your “why,” we’re here to help you make sense of what collagen supplement might be right for you. Read on for our short list of top-rated products, backed by dietitians, real customers—and me!
Summary of the best collagen powders
Best unflavoured: Vital Proteins Original Protein Peptide
Best collagen plus electrolytes: Organika Elecrtolytes + Enhanced Collagen
Best vegan collagen booster: Sunwarrior Joint & Tissue Support Powder
Best multi-collagen powder: Best marine collagen: Landish Marine Collagen
Best collagen powders, explained
Best unflavoured: Vital Proteins Original Protein Peptides
Endorsed by Jennifer Aniston and Amazon’s top choice in the category, Vital Proteins Original Protein Peptides are free from sugar and artificial colours and flavours, and just one scoop contains 10 grams of single-ingredient collagen protein. If you prefer a clean, flavourless powder that dissolves easily into hot and cold beverages and foods without changing their taste or texture, you’ll love this powder for your pantry. It also offers the best bang for your buck of all of our picks.
Collagen source: Bovine
Weight: 567 grams
Flavours: Unflavoured
Price: $58
Where to buy: Amazon | Vital Proteins | Natura Market
Best collagen plus electrolytes: Organika Elecrtolytes + Enhanced Collagen
Containing a mix of magnesium, potassium, sodium, vitamin C and 5 grams of grass-fed collagen, Organika’s Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen offers three fizzy flavours (I love wild berry, but they also have strawberry peach and lemon berry), and despite their delicious taste, no sugar or artificial colours or flavours. Instead, they lean on ingredients like stevia and red beet powder to create their effervescent powders which contain 5 grams of protein per serving. Best suited for that mid-day slump and post-workout — or recovering after a day in the sun or a night of cocktails — we love that this brand is Canadian and manufactured in a GMP-certified facility, meticulously tested for purity, potency and quality.
Collagen source: Bovine
Weight: 360 grams
Flavours: Wild berry, strawberry peach, lemon berry
Price: $33
Where to buy: Amazon | Natura Market | Well.ca
Best vegan collagen booster: Sunwarrior Joint & Tissue Support
For those seeking a plant-based option, seek out Sunwarrior’s collagen-building peptides. The formula is made from o rganic, non-GMO, plant-based proteins like peas, spirulina and brown rice, plus functional ingredients that are fantastic for skin and overall health like sea buckthorn, tremella mushroom, green banana, spinach and hyaluronic acid. This blend supports skin elasticity, cellular hydration and aids in building lean muscle. Just one scoop contains 14 grams of dairy, gluten and soy-free vegan protein, free from artificial additives, chemicals and added sugar. This protein powder comes in a variety of delicious flavours including salted caramel, vanilla, chocolate fudge and natural (unflavoured). Reviewers rave that the flavours truly live up to the hype and are easy to incorporate into sweet recipes like protein shakes and pancakes.
Collagen source: Peas and spirulina
Weight: 500 grams
Flavours: Salted caramel, vanilla, chocolate fudge and unflavoured
Price: $54
Where to buy: Amazon | Well.ca
Best multi-collagen powder:
Clinically-proven to promote healthy skin, hair, joints and digestion, this Multi-Collagen Protein Powder blends multiple types of hydrolyzed collagen (Types I, II, III, IV and X, to be exact) with silicon from bamboo, probiotics and vitamin C to offer a broad spectrum of benefits including assisting in our body’s natural collagen-building process. With over 10 grams of protein per scoop, it’s available unflavoured or in vanilla, chocolate or strawberry lemonade. Regardless of the flavour, we love that the ingredients are non-GMO and derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised, cruelty-and-cage-free sources.
Collagen source: B ovine, chicken, fish and eggshell membrane
Flavours: Vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry lemonade Price: $42
Where to buy: Amazon | Well.ca
Best marine collagen: Landish Marine Collagen
Sustainably sourced in Nova Scotia from premium wild North Atlantic cod and haddock, Landish’s Marine Collagen is perfect for pescatarians and is touted for its ultra-fine, unflavoured powder that fully dissolves without clumps—ideal for stirring into coffee, smoothies or any recipe you like. Due to its lower molecular weight, marine collagen peptides are more bioavailable and effective than bovine collagen, meaning your body absorbs and utilizes it more efficiently. One scoop offers 8 grams of essential and non-essential amino acids (aka protein), vital for muscle-protein synthesis and overall health. We appreciate that it’s mercury-free, third-party tested for the highest purity, and guaranteed to be free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides—something that’s not always true for bovine collagen. As a bonus, Landish also offers Marine Collagen Gummies if that’s more your thing.
Collagen source: Wild North Atlantic cod and haddock skins Weight: 250 grams
Flavours: Unflavoured Price: $50
Where to buy: Amazon | Landish
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2025-04-28T13:24:24Z