FYI: This Is Why Your Collagen Supplement Isn't Working

One quick nuance to collagen supplements you should be aware of.

JimMin

May 3, 2023 - 21:03

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FYI: This Is Why Your Collagen Supplement Isn't Working

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

By Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

Image by Alessio Bogani / Stocksy

May 3, 2023

When you invest in supplements like collagen, it’s easy to start looking for results right away. However, many collagen supplements take a few weeks (perhaps more, depending on the benefit you're hoping for) to show visible results—so remember, patience is key.

Still, it’s only fair to ensure your supplement is actually putting in the work. In short: If your formula has a clinically-backed dose and a hydrolyzed form, you should be set. Supplements that don't fit the bill, however, we tend to refer to as "fairy dust." What does this mean? Allow us to explain below.

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What “fairy dusting” means in supplements

You may have heard the term “fairy dusting” in the world of skin care before. This simply means including ingredients at such a small amount that they don’t really have much of an impact, yet advertising them as the hero ingredient.

Take, for example, a peptide serum that’s 99.99% glycerin and only 0.01% peptides. (That's an exaggeration, but you get the point). This same concept can apply to the world of collagen supplements as well. Meaning, a brand might market their collagen as potent, yet the actual dose does next to nothing.

What to look for

So when you’re shopping for collagen supplements, you want to make sure you’re getting enough of the good stuff, especially hydrolyzed collagen peptides (aka, “no fairy dusting” of the main ingredient).

The recommended dosage varies depending on what benefit you’re looking for, so keep the following information in mind:

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In addition, your collagen supplement should contain vitamin C—especially if you don’t take vitamin C supplements separately. Fun fact: Your body cannot effectively produce collagen without 8 this antioxidant.

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The takeaway

To avoid “fairy dusting” in collagen supplements, make sure your pick has a large enough dose for the benefit you’re after, and always look for a blend that contains vitamin C. (Plus, make sure to actually take it daily, as the research-backed benefits come from daily use.) Want to learn more about why collagen supplementation can be beneficial? Here’s a full list of perks.