The Best Collagen Powders for Women, According to Nutritionists

Collagen (a type of protein that naturally occurs in your skin, tendons, cartilage, and connective tissue) is the glue that holds you together. It's also what makes your skin look youthful and your joints feel good. It even helps support your gut health. Since collagen production slows over time, taking a supplement can help give your skin a Botox-free boost. 

Though there are several different varieties of collagen, supplements typically contain one or a combo of type I, II, or III collagen, says Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N., a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charleston, South Carolina. "Type I accounts for the majority of the body's collagen that helps make up the structure of skin, hair, nails, bones, tendons, and organs," she explains. "Type II, while less abundant, is important for joint and cartilage health. Type III is found alongside type I and is important for muscles, organs and arteries." The collagen itself will often be sourced from cattle (called bovine collagen) or fish (known as marine collagen), but both varieties offer a similar nutritional profile, adds Syn. (Related: The Best Collagen Creams, According to Customer Reviews)

So, how do you pick the best option for you? When choosing the best collagen powder for women, opt for a variety with hydrolyzed collagen (aka peptides collagen) that is more bioavailable, meaning it's in a form that's easy for the body to absorb and utilize, says Syn. To ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck — and the purest product — Syn also recommends choosing a collagen powder with no added sugar, artificial ingredients, fillers, or preservatives. Finally, "while there is no established dosage for how much collagen to take, studies suggest that 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen peptides per day is generally considered safe and effective for most healthy individuals," says Syn. Translation: Look for a supplement that offers a dose of collagen within that range. (Still not sure if collagen supplements are worth it? Look to this guide for the full breakdown.)

Once you're ready to add a collagen powder to your supplement routine, skip the trip to the store and instead shop one of these best collagen powders for women. With flavorless, on-the-go, and grass-fed options, you're sure to find one that fits your needs. 

If you want a collagen powder without any additives or preservatives, the Zhou Collagen Peptides Hydrolyzed Powder is your match made in heaven. "I recommend this collagen powder because it is unflavored and made with only one ingredient: collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows," says Syn. Since it's flavorless, you can easily add a scoop of the best collagen powder for women into smoothies, coffee, baked goods, and even savory recipes such as heart-warming soups to score 11 grams of the nutrient.

Made from grass-fed, hormone-free, pasture-raised beef, this best collagen powder for women is unique in that it also contains turmeric root powder, which has anti-inflammatory benefits. One scoop of the Paleo Pro Bone Broth Collagen in Aztec Vanilla or Ancient Cacao delivers 16 grams of protein and zero sugar. In fact it's sweetened with monk fruit, which does not raise blood glucose levels and boasts impressive anti-inflammatory benefits. The powder is great mixed with hot water for a warming afternoon drink. Plus, this blend is non-GMO, low-sodium, and gluten- and dairy-free.

Between work and workouts, it can be tough to find time to whip up a collagen smoothie. But you can easily get a boost with Primal Kitchen's Collagen Fuel in Vanilla Coconut. This drink mix comes in convenient packets that handily slip into a gym bag or purse and easily stir into hot or cold beverages, making it one of the best collagen powders for women who are on the go. (Pro tip: Try mixing it into some plain oatmeal, too.) The mild vanilla flavor is sweetened with monk fruit and contains 10 grams of collagen and 70 calories. You can buy packets in boxes of 12.

If consuming animal protein isn't your thing, check out Amazing Grass Amazing Protein Glow. This best collagen powder comes in three tasty flavors, each of which is sweetened with stevia and monk fruit — including Wild Berry Hibiscus, Tahitian Vanilla, Vanilla Honeysuckle — and can be mixed with milk or water, or blended into smoothies. While it doesn't contain actual collagen (hear us out), it is formulated with biotin, plant-derived B complex vitamins, and vitamin C to support collagen synthesis.

If you want to combine your collagen habit with your caffeine intake, consider a powder formulated to do just that. The Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer in Mocha provides 10 grams of collagen per two-scoop serving and adds a rich, creamy flavor to your morning Joe. This one wins extra points because it only has 1 gram of sugar, but also skips any artificial sweeteners. One thing to keep in mind: Because it's made with organic coconut powder, this best collagen powder for women will add 140 extra calories to your mug. Besides mocha, the creamer also comes in vanilla, coconut, and gingerbread flavors.

If you like whipping up your own collagen creations (like baked goods), you'll want an unflavored powder. Check out the versatile Collagen Hydrolysate from Great Lakes Wellness. Stir the best collagen powder for women into hot or cold liquids, smoothies, soups, or any recipe for a flavorless collagen boost. A two-scoop serving delivers 11 grams of protein in just 45 calories. A 16-ounce canister is $26, making it one of the more cost-effective options too.

Different animal sources provide different types of collagen, and each has its own benefit. For example, bovine hide has collagen types I and III, which support skin elasticity, a healthy gut, and joint function. Collagen derived from chicken provides type II collagen, which supports joints with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. It also provides hyaluronic acid, which boosts skin hydration. By including these two sources of collagen, plus fish collagen (from wild pollock) and eggshell membrane collagen, the Ancient Nutrition Multi-Collagen Protein supplement ensures you're getting all the beauty, gut, and joint benefits that the various types of collagen offer, along with 9 grams of protein. Plus the formula in this best collagen powder for women is low-cal, at just 45 calories per scoop.

Collagen powders already give your gut a health boost, but the addition of probiotics to this collagen powder from Havasu Nutrition takes those perks to the next level. As one of the best collagen powders for women, the formula is flavorless, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contains grass-fed type I and III collagen. Each scoop is filled with probiotics, which help balance your gut's microbiome, support your immune system, help your body digest food, and more, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Mix a spoonful into your morning smoothie, cup of coffee, bowl of soup, or batch of brownies to reap the benefits.

If you're a pescatarian, the Amandean Marine Collagen Powder should be in your arsenal. The peptides in this best collagen powder for women are sourced from wild-caught fish in the North Atlantic, and they're processed at a plant that only works with fish collagen and gelatin, so you don't need to worry about cross-contamination with other meat products. Each scoop boasts 9 grams of protein and 10 grams of collagen, all for just 45 calories. (Related: What Is a Pescatarian Diet and Is It Healthy?)

To boost your chances of glowing from the inside out, consider incorporating a daily dose of Sparkle Skin Boost Plus collagen powder into your skin-care routine. "I recommend this collagen because it is made with Verisol collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen), which have been clinically proven to boost the skin's collagen levels in a double-blind, controlled study amongst more than 100 women," says Syn. Plus, this picks for the best collagen powder for women, which provides 5 grams per scoop, also contains vitamin C — a nutrient that assists in the body's natural production of collagen, she adds.

If stirring powders into your water isn't your thing, Collagen Love from Hum Nutrition might be your jam. Three capsules provide 600 milligrams of collagen peptides, 100 percent of your daily vitamin C needs, plus a beautifying blend of chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, red wine extract, and grape seed extract.

If the Collagen Love supplements are out of stock for your next Amazon order, you can also pick up a bottle at humnutrition.com.