Collagen Powder vs Pills: A Side-by-Side Comparison
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Collagen pills have emerged as a new alternative for people to consume this supplement. It's more convenient and easier to take with you if you’re on the go.
But there are some pros and cons to taking it in this form as compared to the old-fashioned way of consuming it by mixing it with water, putting it into a smoothie, or adding it to your favorite beverage.
Let’s compare the pros and cons of collagen powder versus collagen capsules so that you can decide which you’d rather have in your pantry.
Key Highlights
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, with at least 28 different types identified. However, the most common and beneficial types in supplements and nutrition are Types I, II, III, V, and X.
Both collagen powder and collagen pills are effective forms of collagen supplementation, and both can allow you to reap the intended benefits of collagen supplementation.
The greatest benefits of taking collagen in powder form are fast absorption and effective, flexible dosing.
Convenience is the biggest benefit of taking collagen in pill form, making it ideal for those who dislike mixing powders.
Collagen Powder
Collagen powder is a popular supplement derived from animal sources like bovine, marine, or chicken collagen. It provides essential amino acids that support skin, joint, and gut health.
Hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides) is the most common form, making it easily digestible and absorbable. Regular consumption may promote skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, help support healthy hair and nails, improve gut lining integrity, help ease joint pain, and protect bones, cartilage, and connective tissue.
Collagen powder is often used in smoothies or recipes due to its neutral taste. While generally safe, results vary, and sourcing quality collagen products from grass-fed or wild-caught sources is recommended.
Pros:
Highly bioavailable and absorbable
Easily digestible
Easy to achieve desired dosage; ideal for those looking to titrate dosage
No swallowing of capsules required
Although price per serving can vary greatly by brand, collagen powders are typically more cost effective than tablets
Cons
Requires mixing into food or smoothies
While most powders are neutral-tasting, some have a slight taste or odor
Collagen Pills
Collagen pills are a convenient supplement form of collagen, typically containing hydrolyzed collagen peptides for easy absorption. They support skin elasticity, joint health, and gut function by providing essential amino acids like glycine and proline.
Unlike powders, pills offer a pre-measured dose but may require multiple capsules for an effective serving. Common sources include bovine, marine, and chicken collagen, often combined with vitamins like vitamin C to enhance collagen synthesis. While generally safe, results vary based on dosage and individual metabolism. Choosing high-quality, sustainably sourced collagen ensures better benefits.
Pros:
Convenience and versatility; easy to take on the go, no prep needed, and can easily fit into your daily routine
Ideal for those who dislike the mess/hassle of mixing powders
Tasteless and odorless
Cons:
May require swallowing many capsules to match powder dosage (e.g., swallowing six capsules versus one scoop of powder)
Some capsules contain fillers or added ingredients due to encapsulation
Not ideal for those who dislike swallowing pills
Collagen pills are typically more expensive per serving than collagen powder
Collagen Pills vs Powder: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Collagen Pills | Collagen Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability | ✗ | ✅ |
| No Added Sugar/Sweeteners | ✗ | ✅ |
| Taste | ✅ | ✗ |
| Convenience | ✅ | ✗ |
| Mess | ✅ | ✗ |
| Option to Titrate | ✗ | ✅ |
| Price per Serving | ✗ | ✅ |
| Efficacy | ✅ | ✅ |
Our Top Picks in Each Category
Momentous Collagen Peptides help promote natural collagen synthesis and support soft tissue for long-term joint health and resilience against injury.
The powder delivers 10 grams of grass-fed bovine collagen peptides plus 5g of FORTIGEL®, a patented, clinically researched collagen peptide source designed to promote collagen synthesis in tendons and ligaments.
Vitamin C is included to help increase collagen formation and aid in the development of stronger collagen. Our formula is free from fat, sugar, cholesterol, purines, and additives for a clean nutritional profile.
It also holds the prestigious NSF Certified for Sport certification, making it highly popular with athletes and guaranteeing its purity, safety, and efficacy. Price per serving is $1.73 for one-time purchase or $1.29 on subscription (25% discount).
Top Pick for Collagen Pills
Hum Nutrition’s Collagen Love capsules are formulated to support skin elasticity and firmness and are highly rated and reviewed by customers. Each serving of three capsules contains a blend of collagen types I and III, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and antioxidants like grape seed extract and red wine extract.
These ingredients work synergistically to promote skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and enhance overall skin health. The collagen peptides are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen. The supplement is free from gluten, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. For optimal results, it is recommended to take three capsules daily with food. Price per serving is $1.33 for one-time purchase or $1.07 on subscription (20% discount).
As with collagen gummies versus collagen powder, it can often come down to personal preference when it comes to choosing collagen pills or collagen powder.
Emma-Kate Lidbury
Emma-Kate Lidbury is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness world.
