Orgain Collagen Peptides Review: Does This Product Live Up To The Hype?
SI Showcase
The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.
Collagen peptides have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. You may have seen wellness influencers talking about them on Instagram, or products lining the shelves of your local health food store. The reason they’re so sought after: collagen peptides are widely hailed for their purported joint health and skin benefits, among others, but are they actually worth taking?
One of the top-selling collagen peptides powders on the market that you might encounter is Orgain Collagen Peptides, a grass-fed and pasture-raised mix that packs in 10 grams of bovine (cow) collagen peptides per serving. To get to the bottom of the alleged benefits, our in-house product testers tried this collagen peptides supplement to see if it delivered on its claims.
In our extensive Orgain Collagen Peptides review, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of this popular collagen supplement, including what to expect while using it regularly. We’ll also enlist the help of registered dietitians to weigh in on the quality of ingredients, who Orgain Collagen Peptides is ultimately best and not best for, and everything you need to know before buying.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.
Orgain Collagen Peptides At a Glance
- 10 grams of bovine (cow) collagen peptides per serving
- Uses grass-fed and pasture-raised beef
- Gluten-, soy- and dairy-free, plus paleo-friendly
- Can be mixed into hot or cold liquids
- No added sugar
Pros
- Meets a variety of specialty diets, including gluten-free and low-sugar
- Clinical studies link grass-fed beef to positive benefits on heart health
- Subscribe-and-save options available for a 10-25% discount
- No additives, preservatives or added sugars
- Delivers eight out of nine essential amino acids per serving
Cons
- Only comes in two flavor options (unflavored and chocolate)
- One canister won’t provide enough servings for 30 days of daily use
Orgain Collagen Peptides Claims
Orgain Collagen Peptides is a non-GMO-tested collagen supplement that promises to support hair, skin, nails and joint health. While this human randomized study links collagen powder to weight loss, particularly collagen derived from skate skin (a type of fish), Orgain only promises strong hair and nails, radiant, youthful skin and healthy bones and joints as a result of its supplement.
As for how Orgain Collagen Peptides can be used, the brand claims the collagen powder can be mixed into both hot and cold liquids, meaning you can add Orgain to smoothies, soups, oatmeal and more. It also promises its unflavored variation is both odorless and tasteless. Orgain is clear that its pasture-raised collagen peptides shouldn’t be used as a meal replacement, since collagen provides an incomplete protein lacking one essential amino acid (tryptophan). If that’s your goal, you may want to lean towards Orgain’s whey or plant-based protein powder instead.
Related Post: The 10 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Healthy, Glowing Skin
Quality of Ingredients
Orgain Collagen Peptides are made with one main ingredient: bovine collagen peptides. If this is your first time diving into collagen products, here’s exactly how collagen peptides work and what registered dietitians have to say about the quality (and quantity) included in this supplement.
SI Showcase
Collagen peptides
Collagen peptides are essentially small pieces of animal collagen, which is a primary building block of skin, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues in your body. Most collagen peptides come from bovine (cow) or porcine (pork) sources, or from marine sources like fish skin or scales. If you’re low on collagen, you may notice joint pain or reduced joint function, wrinkly or reduced skin elasticity or problems with gut health.
Catherine Rall, a registered dietitian nutritionist says, “Collagen peptides help with strengthening the elasticity of the skin and providing hydration, which [may] ultimately reduce wrinkles and skin dryness,” she says. “Additionally, such supplements [may] help strengthen your nails, too.”
As for the dosage (10 grams of collagen peptides per serving), Rall says Orgain’s serving is on the higher end, as the “effective daily serving is somewhere between 2.5 to 15 grams for most people,” she explains.
Collagen peptides have no known side effects, so the full 10 grams is likely safe to take.
Nutrition Facts
Here’s a total breakdown of what you can find in each serving of Orgain Collagen Peptides.
Orgain Collagen Peptides vary slightly in nutrition facts between the unflavored and chocolate version. Both pack in 10 grams of bovine collagen peptides per serving, but you’ll get an extra gram of protein in the unflavored option. Unflavored also comes with zero carbs, while chocolate has a small carb count of seven grams per serving.
As for sugar content, both flavors are sugar-free (in addition to fat-free). However, calories go up slightly for the chocolate option, which has 90 calories compared to the unflavored’s 70 calories. While Orgain has a disclaimer on its website that its collagen peptides shouldn’t be used as a meal replacement, the protein content is comparable to that of some protein shakes, meaning adding a serving of collagen peptides to a smoothie or oatmeal may help satiate some hunger.
Orgain Collagen Peptides Flavors
Orgain’s collagen peptides dietary supplements come in just two flavor choices: unflavored and chocolate. If you plan to mix your collagen peptides into more savory foods like soups or bone broth, you’ll probably want to lean towards the unflavored version, which the brand claims is odorless and tasteless. Those looking for a sweeter add to smoothies, oatmeals, coffees or yogurts may want to try chocolate, which is sweetened with the sugar alcohol erythritol.
Orgain Collagen Peptides Cost
Orgain Collagen Peptides cost $35.99 for both flavors, although unflavored comes in a one-pound canister with 22 servings, while chocolate comes in a slightly larger 1.15-pound canister with 17 servings. You’ll pay more per serving for chocolate ($2.12 versus $1.64), so be prepared to replenish your collagen peptides stock more regularly (and at a higher cost) if you go for chocolate. Still, Orgain offers some cost-saving measures with its subscribe-and-save program, which nets you 25 percent off your first order, followed by 10 percent off future orders.
Depending on how often you plan to take Orgain Collagen Peptides, you can select a shipping frequency that ranges from 30 to 90 days (or one to three months). Still, keep in mind that neither canister will net you enough collagen peptides for daily use if you go for a subscription. While Orgain Collagen Peptides are definitely a more premier buy and not a budget-friendly supplement, their high-quality ingredients contribute to a higher price point, which may be worth it for some buyers if ingredient quality (or supplements friendly to specific diets) are important.
Who Should Use Orgain Collagen Peptides
If you’re looking to reap the potential health benefits of using collagen peptides–like stronger hair, skin and nails, or improved joint mobility and reduced joint pain–you may be a good candidate for Orgain Collagen Peptides. Those with specific dietary needs, including allergies to gluten, soy or dairy, or people following keto, paleo or low-sugar diets, can also use Orgain Collagen Peptides. In general, if you’re looking to increase your protein intake while also getting some of the benefits listed above, Orgain Collagen Peptides is a great choice to consider.
Who Should NOT Use Orgain Collagen Peptides
While collagen peptides come with no true documented side effects, taking Orgain Collagen Peptides still isn’t for everyone. Those with beef allergies won’t be able to take this supplement (since it’s made from bovine, or beef), and as an animal source, it’s not friendly to vegan diets. Despite the low side effect risk, some people are sensitive to supplements, so if you fall into that category, you may want to approach collagen peptide supplementation carefully. Lastly, as a premium buy, Orgain Collagen Peptides isn’t budget-friendly, so be sure to consider the cost.
Our Experience with Orgain Collagen Peptides
SI Showcase
SI Showcase senior editor Rachael Harris gave Orgain Collagen Peptides a try to see if the collagen powder was all it’s cut out to be. As a longtime Orgain user, Harris was familiar with the product line, but says instructions are still clear and simple to follow for first-time users. Harris tried the powder in several formats, including in pancakes and various coffee drinks.
“It smells similar to unflavored whey protein,” she describes of the unflavored variety. In black coffee, Harris noticed a “subtle earthy taste,” but says it wasn’t strong enough to have picked up on if she didn’t know the collagen powder had been added to the coffee. “The taste became a little more noticeable as the coffee cooled off,” she continues. The texture of the coffee remained the same until her last sip, which was a little thicker.
Harris also tried Orgain Collagen Peptides in an iced latte. “It mixed easily in hot espresso and stayed mixed after adding cold milk and ice,” she says. “If I took more than 10 minutes to drink my latte, then there was a little graininess in the very last sip.” As for pancakes, the collagen powder mixed easily into the batter and wasn’t noticeable in the taste of the pancakes.
Harris cautions people to carefully read the ingredients list to check for any known allergies or food sensitivities. As someone who’s sensitive to quinoa, she experienced mild stomach discomfort that may have been from the quinoa added to the superfood blend. Still, Harris explains she “really enjoyed Orgain Collagen Peptides” and wants to try chocolate next.
“I could see myself adding it to my iced latte every morning,” she says. “It’s a great value, mixes well and adds a creamy texture to iced lattes.”
What Customers Are Saying About Orgain Collagen Peptides
To get a feel of what customers are saying about this product, we looked at Orgain Collagen Peptides reviews on the official Orgain website and on Amazon. On the brand website, buyers give this supplement an average 4.7/5-star rating out of more than 500 reviews. Customers praise the powder for blending well and its ease of use, while others appreciate that there’s no added sugar. In general, many buyers report stronger nails and shinier hair, plus reduced knee pain.
A few customers on both the brand website and Amazon say the powder is bitter (particularly the unflavored variation), but most actually enjoy the taste and don’t pick up on any bitterness. It’s a “perfect way to get some extra protein,” one satisfied Amazon customer writes, who notes a neutral taste. “I could tell the difference in my skin less than a week after regular use.”
About Orgain
SI Showcase
Orgain is a clean nutrition and healthy lifestyle brand that sells a variety of dietary supplements. While the brand, which was founded in California in 2009 by medical doctor and cancer survivor Andrew Abraham, is best-known for its wide array of flavored whey and plant protein powders, Orgain also makes collagen powders, protein bars and supplements for various health goals.
As a young cancer survivor, Abraham made it both his personal and professional mission to help customers boost their health with “good, clean nutrition.” When possible, Orgain products are Certified Organic, and products are always free of artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Orgain vs. Vital Proteins
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are another top-selling collagen peptides supplement. Similar to Orgain, these collagen peptides are derived from grass-fed beef and pack in 10 grams per serving. You’ll also get a few more flavor options that include unflavored and chocolate, as well as matcha (slightly caffeinated) and lemon. However, if beef isn’t for you, Vital Proteins also sells marine collagen, as well as a collagen creamer made for teas and coffees. Vital Proteins prices range from $27 to $39, making some flavors cost less or more than Orgain. Depending on your budget and taste, you may prefer Vital Proteins over Orgain Collagen Peptides.
Harris, however, says that Orgain Collagen Peptides offered a better drinking experience over Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. “I’ve used Vital Proteins in my coffee, and I prefer Orgain,” she explains. “Vital Proteins was more difficult to mix and made an oily film on the top of my coffee.”
Orgain Collagen Peptides FAQs
Is it okay to take Orgain Collagen Peptides every day?
Since collagen peptides come with no documented side effects, you can most likely safely use Orgain Collagen Peptides every day. Still, if you’re unsure if collagen peptides are right for you, it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for advice.
Are Orgain Collagen Peptides vegan?
Orgain Collagen Peptides are made from bovine, or beef. As an animal source, Orgain Collagen Peptides aren’t vegan or vegetarian-friendly. In fact, collagen peptides typically come from either animal or marine sources, so this is something to consider if you follow a plant-based diet.
Should I take Orgain Collagen Peptides?
Most customer reviews say Orgain Collagen Peptides are worth taking and provide the numerous benefits they promise to offer, like stronger hair and nails. Our tester really enjoyed taking Orgain's collagen peptides, and plans to continue adding them to her iced coffees. Still, whether or not this product is worth taking will ultimately depend on your health goals, budget and personal experience using it. While it may be great for many people, some people might not enjoy it.
Takeaway: Is Orgain Collagen Peptides Worth It?
Adding a high-quality collagen supplement to your diet like Orgain Collagen Peptides can be a great choice if you’re looking to improve the quality and strength of your hair, skin and nails, or if you have joint pain or reduced joint mobility. With no known side effects and an allergen-friendly nutrition profile, Orgain Collagen Peptides are likely safe to take for many groups of people.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
