What Is Collagen?
Everything You Need to Know.

Collagen is everywhere in your body — and slowly disappearing from it. Here's what it is, what it does, why you're losing it, and why a daily supplement is one of the most evidence-backed things you can do about it.

Collagen is a structural protein — the most abundant in the human body, accounting for roughly 30% of total protein content. Think of it as the scaffolding that holds everything together: it gives skin its firmness and elasticity, cushions joints, strengthens bones, supports hair and nail growth, and maintains the integrity of connective tissue throughout the body.

There are at least 28 types of collagen, but types I, II, and III account for the vast majority. Type I is found in skin, tendons, and bones. Type II in cartilage. Type III alongside type I in skin and blood vessels. For most people interested in the beauty and joint health benefits of collagen supplementation, types I and III are the most relevant — and bovine collagen peptides deliver both.

Why You're Losing It

Your body's natural collagen production peaks in your early-to-mid twenties. After that, it declines at approximately 1.5% per year — a gradual but relentless process driven by ageing, UV exposure, pollution, smoking, sugar consumption, and chronic stress.

This isn't a vanity issue. Collagen loss affects structural integrity across the entire body. Joint cartilage thins. Tendons become less resilient. Bone density decreases. The skin changes are the most visible manifestation of a process that's happening everywhere simultaneously.

How Collagen Supplementation Works

For years, the conventional wisdom was that oral collagen supplements couldn't work — that the digestive system would simply break collagen down into generic amino acids indistinguishable from any other protein source. That view has been substantially revised by more recent research.

Research into hydrolysed collagen peptides suggests they may be absorbed through the gut wall and circulate in the bloodstream. Some studies have proposed these peptides may accumulate in skin and cartilage tissue, potentially encouraging the body's own collagen-producing cells to increase output — though this area of research is still developing.

A number of studies have reported improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and joint comfort after consistent supplementation, though individual results vary. Collagen supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet or medical treatment.

What to Look for in a Collagen Supplement

Hydrolysed peptides. Not gelatin, not raw collagen — hydrolysed peptides are broken down for maximum absorption. High purity. No fillers, additives, sugar, or fat. Micronised particle size. Smaller particles absorb faster and more completely. Unflavoured. Adds to anything without changing the taste.

How Long Before You See Results?

Collagen supplementation is a consistent, cumulative habit rather than a quick fix. Most people notice improvements in nail strength and skin hydration within 4 weeks. Visible skin changes — reduced fine lines, improved elasticity — typically appear after 6–8 weeks of daily use. Joint benefits often take 8–12 weeks to become noticeable.

Consistency is the only variable that matters. One scoop, every day, for months. That's the whole protocol.