Collagen supplements are increasing in popularity. We find out what’s new and showcase some of the best on the market

Nutrition

The global collagen market is expected to be worth $6.7 billion (approx. £5.1bn) by 2026. In our exclusive Insider survey from the March issue of Professional Beauty, collagen came out top in the list of supplements our salon-based readers retail most to clients.

With ongoing scientific studies informing brands’ research and development processes, collagen supplements are continually evolving to meet the anti-ageing concerns of clients. As the category grows, brands are finding new ways to make collagen products easier for clients to consume. “The growing demand for collagen products is fuelling innovation that is helping consumers to apply and ingest collagen in an ever-wider variety of formats”, says James Greenwell, founder of collagen products brand Proto-col.

Coverage of collagen supplements in the beauty media is also boosting sales, as more client groups become keen to explore what collagen could do for them. Greenwell adds: “Collagen used to be associated with older women but product launches are increasingly engaging with younger audiences of both men and women… it is also being recognised as playing a role in active lives where joint mobility is as important as skin health.”

While the most common and evidence-based forms of collagen are derived from animal sources, such as bovine and marine types, Greenwell predicts that the growing vegan movement means we’re likely to see more brands launching products that use plant-based collagen, while new formats like soft chews and cordials are also hitting the market. Here’s our round up of some of the most innovative collagen supplements to introduce to clients.

Murad

Developed from Dr Howard Murad’s theory of cellular water science, Youth Builder Dietary Supplement is formulated to meet the needs of older skin, billed as able to reduce the appearance of fine lines by 34%. Vitamin C contributes to the normal formation of collagen, while zinc, selenium and copper help protect skin from oxidative stress.

Trade: £27.08 for 120 tablets 0844 472 7050 murad.co.uk

Proto-col

The collagen products brand will soon launch its Clinical Collagen Cordial, a concentrated liquid with a blood orange flavour that is fortified with vitamins C, B6 and E, along with biotin and zinc. Its bioactive collagen peptides are derived from a “highly controlled production process of collagen”, optimised to stimulate cell types involved with collagen biosynthesis. The Cordial delivers 5,000mg per 15ml serving, and can be offered to clients in salon as part of a treatment or for sampling.

Trade: £41.97 for 500ml 0333 000 7788 proto-col.com

Thalgo

French marine skincare brand Thalgo’s Collagène 5000 supplement is formulated to tackle premature ageing by addressing inflammation in the skin. It contains peptides concentrated in hydroxyproline to encourage synthesis of collagen and elastin fibres, helping to restore the dermal structure. Other ingredients are free-radical neutralisers vitamin C and selenium. One dose should be consumed daily, either pure or diluted in water.

Trade: £21.50 for 10 doses 020 7512 0872 thalgo.co.uk

Advanced Nutrition Programme

The Skin Collagen Plus duo includes ANP’s Skin Collagen Support and Skin Vit C supplements. Skin Collagen Support combines plant-based antioxidants such as hesperidin, rutin and grapeseed extract with vitamins A, C and D to contribute towards building healthy collagen. When taken in conjunction with Skin Vit C – which also contains bioflavonoids – the brand says skin will appear firmer and plumper, with smoother fine lines and wrinkles.

Trade: £19 for 120 capsules 020 8450 2020 (IIAA) iiaa.eu

Skinade

7,000mg of high-grade hydrolysed marine collagen peptides sourced from freshwater fish – meaning low sodium and avoiding mercury contamination – are in each bottle of Skinade. Also included in the skincare drink are vitamins B and C, and amino acid l-lysine, MSM (an organic sulphur that helps form collagen and keratin) and omegas 3 and 6, sourced from organic flax seed oil.

RRP: £105 for a 30-day supply 0845 130 0205 skinade.com