Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Review

Want glowing skin, stronger nails and healthier joints? A daily dose of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides might be worth adding to your routine.

Author:
SaVanna Shoemaker, RD
Updated:
Jan 11, 2024

Vital proteins collagen_lead — Vital Proteins

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It’s rare to find a dietary supplement that has strong research to back up its claims, but—when it comes to skin health and appearance—a growing body of evidence suggests that collagen peptides are an excellent addition to your daily lineup.

Collagen is a protein that’s found in the connective tissues in your body, like skin, joints and even bone. Collagen supplements have long been marketed as beneficial for skin health, and they may offer other benefits, too—like improving nail, hair, joint, muscle and bone health.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are one of the most well-known collagen products available and a go-to for many people looking for a well-rounded supplement to support their health.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are also unflavored, made with one simple ingredient and designed to mix well in hot or cold beverages—making it easy and convenient to get your daily dose of collagen.

Here’s what you need to know about Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and the benefits of collagen before you decide to buy.

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.

What Is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?

First, a lesson in collagen. Collagen is a protein in the body that forms a flexible, supportive matrix. It gives structure to the skin, nails, joints and connective tissues, helping you bend and stretch. It’s also found in muscle and bone.

Collagen Peptides is a powdered supplement from Vital Proteins, a well-known dietary supplement brand. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are made with short chains (or peptides) of collagen proteins, sourced from bovine hide. You may also see them referred to as hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which simply means that the amino acids of the collagen have been broken down into a digestible form.

The idea behind collagen supplementation is that it may help give your body the materials it needs to support healthy collagen synthesis—which could help improve the health of your hair, skin, nails, bones and joints.

There is some research to support this, but more research is needed for conclusive evidence. One study found that 15 grams of vitamin C-enriched collagen (like Vital Proteins Original Collagen Peptides) may help to improve the body’s collagen synthesis when used one hour before exercise.

What is Vital Proteins?

Vital Proteins is a dietary supplement company that specializes in collagen products. In addition to collagen peptides, their lineup includes collagen-based creamers, protein powders, protein bars and gummies—as well as a variety of other supplements. Collagen Peptides is one of their best sellers.

Ingredients

Vital Proteins currently has two different versions of their collagen peptides. Vital Proteins Original Collagen Peptides (which has an image of grass on the label) contain just three ingredients:

Bovine hide collagen peptides
Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (which features an image of a cow on the label) contains just one ingredient: bovine hide collagen peptides.

All of the bovine-based collagen is sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine, and contains 20 grams of collagen peptides per serving.

Additionally, the product is Kosher-certified, Whole30-approved, made without dairy and gluten, and keto- and paleo-friendly. Note that it’s not appropriate for strictly plant-based diets, as the collagen is sourced from cows.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is also available in a stick pack, convenient for travel. Each stick pack contains 10 grams of collagen peptides per serving. Additionally, you can purchase it in capsule form. These capsules contain six grams of collagen per day from bovine hide collagen peptides and a gelatin-based capsule.

There are also some slight differences in ingredients if you opt for flavored collagen powder instead of the original unflavored version. Here are the ingredient lists for Vital Proteins’ flavored Collagen Peptides:

Lemon: Collagen peptides (from bovine), citric acid, natural flavors, sea salt, stevia sweetener
Chocolate: Collagen peptides (from bovine), alkalized cocoa, natural flavors, sea salt, stevia leaf Reb M
Vanilla: Collagen peptides (from bovine), natural flavors, gluten-free whole-grain oats, sea salt, stevia leaf Reb M

The flavored versions, stick packs and the capsule version don’t contain added hyaluronic acid or vitamin C.

Where to Buy

You can buy Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder directly from the Vital Proteins website, but it’s also available at Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com and other large online retailers.

Additionally, Vital Proteins products are carried at many grocery stores, pharmacies, health stores and supplement retailers, both online and in stores, which is where you'll find the single-ingredient collagen powder.

Usage

Collagen peptides can be taken at any time of day. Vital Proteins recommends taking 20 grams—which is equal to a serving size of two scoops or four tablespoons—daily to see results.

It can be mixed into hot or cold liquids, but may dissolve better if stirred into hot beverages and shaken in cold drinks, according to the Vital Proteins website. Many people add it to smoothies, protein shakes or their morning coffee.

What Is Collagen Good For?

According to Vital Proteins, their Collagen Peptides can support healthy hair, skin, nails, bones and joints. Additionally, the added hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C in the Original version may help support overall wellness.

There has also been a great deal of research on the effects of collagen supplementation on the body. Still, there are some areas where more research is needed—like collagen supplementation for hair, nails and bone strength.

It’s also important to remember that, in order to see benefits from collagen supplementation, you’ll likely need to take it consistently for several months.

Here’s a little bit more about the various potential benefits of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.

Hair

Although many people take collagen for their hair, there hasn’t been a lot of research on the effects of collagen supplementation on hair health. In one small study of 44 women, researchers found significant increases in hair thickness after daily collagen supplementation for 16 weeks.

Skin

Many people are interested in collagen supplementation for its potential skin health benefits. In one review of 19 studies on collagen supplementation and skin health, researchers found that taking a collagen supplement for 90 days could help reduce wrinkles, improve hydration and improve skin elasticity.

Nails

There hasn’t been a lot of research on collagen supplements for nails, although healthier nails is one of the common claims made by collagen brands. In this small study of 25 women, participants reported faster nail growth and less nail breakage after taking collagen daily for 24 weeks.

Bones

Collagen supplementation may also be helpful for bone strength, as well, since collagen is a major component of your bones. In one study, researchers found that 12 months of daily collagen supplementation significantly improved bone mineral density in older women with osteoporosis. There was also evidence that collagen supplementation helped their bodies become more efficient at bone turnover, or making healthy new bone cells to replace dying ones.

Joints

In one review of studies, researchers found that collagen supplementation could help decrease joint stiffness, but not pain, in people with osteoarthritis—a condition caused by wear and tear on the joints. However, other studies have found that collagen peptide supplementation could also help reduce joint pain.

Related Post: The Best Supplements for Joint Pain

Muscles

There’s also some evidence that collagen supplementation could improve body composition and strength by increasing muscle mass, particularly paired with resistance exercise, like weight lifting or bodyweight training. It may also help to promote faster recovery after exercise.

Other Benefits

Finally, the added hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C in Vital Proteins Original Collagen Peptides may offer some additional benefits. There’s not a lot of research available on oral hyaluronic acid supplementation, but some evidence suggests that it can help your body create more hyaluronic acid on its own—which may be useful for conditions like dry eye.

Additionally, vitamin C is an essential nutrient that has several roles in health. It’s necessary for collagen synthesis, but it also plays a key role in immune health and supporting healthy cellular function.

Customer Reviews

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is one of the most popular and highly rated collagen supplements on the market.

On Amazon, the product is Amazon’s Choice for the search term “collagen powder,” and it has over 210,000 ratings averaging 4.6/5 stars. On the Vital Proteins website, the Original Collagen Peptides have over 8,000 reviews also averaging 4.6/5 stars.

Reviews are mostly positive, with many reviewers saying they’ve noticed definite improvements in their hair, more youthful looking skin and faster growing nails with consistent long-term use.

However, some reviewers say that even the unflavored version has a detectable taste and smell, and that the collagen clumps easily in both hot and cold beverages rather than mixing smoothly. Additionally, while many reviewers like the lemon flavor, some say that, due to the stevia, vanilla and chocolate are overwhelmingly sweet.

Vital Proteins has also recently stopped including scoops in their products to help slash their plastic use, which has drawn criticism from several reviewers because it makes measuring out a serving much less convenient. However, the labels now include instructions on how to measure your product using a tablespoon.

What We Like and What We Don’t

Pros:

Minimal ingredients
Available in flavored collagen powder, unflavored collagen powder, stick pack and capsule form
Offers research-backed benefits for skin and joints
Mostly positive reviews

Cons:

Some reviewers say it doesn’t mix well
Limited research available to support hair and nail claims

Does Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Really Work?

According to several studies, collagen supplementation may indeed help support skin, hair, nail, bone and joint health.

If you’re concerned about any of these, taking a collagen supplement may be worthwhile. And, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are one of the most well-known and highly-rated options.

Several of the research studies mentioned above showed benefits from taking collagen at a level of 15-25 grams per day, and a standard serving of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides contains 20 grams of collagen peptides.

Another thing to consider is how long it may take to see an effect. Many research studies had a study period of several months, with the shortest being 90 days to see a noticeable improvement from collagen supplementation.

So, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides may work for you, as long as you don’t expect to see huge, miraculous benefits, and you remember that results may only come after several months of consistent use.

Price

On the Vital Proteins website, the price of the Collagen Peptides depends on which form you choose:

14-serving canister: $27 (Original, Lemon, Vanilla or Chocolate)
28-serving canister: $47 (Original or Chocolate)
20-count stick packs: $37
60-serving capsules: $41

Shipping is $5.95, or you can opt for a subscription, which includes free shipping and a 15-percent discount on your order. (More on that below.)

Subscription

If you purchase through the Vital Proteins website, there’s a cost-saving subscription option. With this option, you’ll receive an auto-shipment every one to eight weeks—you can choose the best delivery frequency.

You’ll save 25 percent on your first subscription order and 15 percent on all subsequent subscription orders. Plus, shipping is always free on these orders.

This is a good option if you like Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and plan to make it a regular part of your routine for the foreseeable future.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides FAQs

How long does it take for Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to work?

It’s hard to give a firm answer, but research studies have shown measurable benefits from daily use of collagen supplements in as little as 90 days, or about 12 weeks. It’s important to be consistent with daily collagen use, and don’t expect it to work quickly. It may be months before you’re able to notice any effects.

Can you take Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides every day?

Yes, you can take Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides daily. According to the Vital Proteins website, you can take 10-20 grams (one to two scoops or up to four tablespoons) of their Collagen Peptides each day.

Who should not take Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?

Collagen is derived from animals (and the collagen in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is from cows, specifically), so it’s not appropriate for people following a vegan or strictly plant-based diet.

Additionally, some practicing Hindus may choose to abstain from beef or products derived from cows. In this case, Vital Proteins offers a marine collagen sourced from fish that may be a better fit.

Finally, if you have any concerns about the supplement, you should reach out to your healthcare provider for their advice before adding it to your daily routine.

Final Thoughts

Collagen peptides may help improve the health and appearance of your hair, skin and nails, and they could even help support your joints, bones and muscle recovery.

If you’re interested in adding collagen to your routine, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are a solid choice. Vital Proteins is a well-known and trusted brand, and their Collagen Peptides are highly rated by reviewers.

Still, it’s important to remember that the benefits of collagen are likely to be minor, and it may take months of consistent use to see a noticeable difference.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.