If you’re like most people, your bathroom cabinets are stocked with a variety of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful (that’s the goal, anyway).
But, here’s a twist – ever thought about tackling skincare from the inside out? That’s the theory behind oral collagen supplements.
Further reading: Best supplements 2024
Oral collagen supplements offer an inside-out approach, providing the body with the building blocks it needs to produce collagen. By incorporating these supplements into your routine, you can support collagen synthesis from within, contributing to overall skin health.
One of the most popular brands of collagen supplements is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. With thousands of 5-star reviews and celebrity endorsements from Jennifer Aniston and Kourtney Kardashian, you may be wondering if this collagen supplement is right for you.
To help you decide, we’ll give you all the details on the key ingredients in this supplement, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their skincare benefits. We’ll also share some Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients used in the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides formula, which include collagen peptides (of course), as well as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up approximately 25% to 35% of the whole body protein content. The collagen protein contains 19 different amino acids, with a particularly high content of hydroxyproline, glycine, and proline.
Collagen is a major component of connective tissues that make up several body parts, including tendons, ligaments, muscles, and skin. It’s responsible for keeping the skin strong and firm, and also plays an important role in wound healing. Plus, it’s also essential for the health of your bones, joints, skin, hair, nails, digestion, and more.
Collagen can be found in the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM), along with other important proteins like elastin. Collagen works together with elastin, which provides bounce and allows skin to return back to normal when moved.
Unfortunately, the body produces less and less collagen with age. In fact, after the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year.
Moreover, environmental free radicals (from things like excessive sunlight exposure, smoking, pollution, etc.) can degrade collagen proteins. The result is skin that becomes thinner and more fragile with age.
That’s where collagen supplements come into the picture.
Replenishing levels of collagen in the skin has the potential to provide numerous benefits, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firming skin, and promoting a more plump complexion.
If you’re wondering if there’s any research to back up these claims, the answer is yes!
A 2019 publication in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reviewed eleven studies with a total of 805 patients.
The conclusion of this systematic review states, “Preliminary results are promising for the short and long-term use of oral collagen supplements for wound healing and skin aging. Oral collagen supplements also increase skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density.”
What’s great about collagen supplementation is that it’s generally safe and adverse effects are very rare!
Vitamin C
The Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides supplement is enriched with 90mg of vitamin C because vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen production by acting as a cofactor in the synthesis of collagen molecules.
A 201 publication in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that vitamin C supplementation has the ability to increase type I collagen synthesis.
It has also been shown that topical skincare products with vitamin C can support collagen synthesis. Plus, topical vitamin C provides many other skin benefits.
It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance.
Our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Hyaluronic Acid
Wrinkles are formed under the influence of various factors, such as aging, ultraviolet (UV) light, and dryness. We’ve already talked about how the loss of collagen contributes to signs of aging, but also degradation of hyaluronic acid by UV damage leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study over a 12-week period, published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, oral hyaluronic acid inhibits skin wrinkles and improves skin condition.
How to Use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
Add 1 to 2 scoops of the collagen supplement to hot or cold liquid and drink daily.
Where to Buy Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is sold on the brand’s website, as well as on many third party websites like Amazon.com, Target.com, iHerb.com, and more. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is also sold at many drugstores and supplement stores, such as GNC, Walgreens, CVS, and more.
How Much is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides costs $29.99 USD for a 9.33 oz container (13 servings) and $49.99 USD for a 20 oz container (28 servings).
What is The Vital Proteins Return Policy?
The Vital Proteins return policy states, “We hope that you love our products, but we understand that sometimes things just don’t work out. We ask that you notify us of any problems within 30 days of the receipt of your order. We reserve the right to change or amend this policy. In some instances, certain returns may be subject to a restocking fee, but please reach out to us first so we can help you resolve any questions or issues you may have.”
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Reviews
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive, with the product receiving an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars after nearly 9,000 customer reviews.
There are many 5-star reviews for Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides from customers who love that they are noticing improvements in their skin, hair, and nails.
For example, one review says, “If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! I’ve used this product for over 2 years and I’ve notice a difference in my nails and my hair. I’m 69 and I look quite young for my age.”
And another 5-star review says, “Taking collagen every morning made a huge change in my skin hair Highly recommend.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, which are mostly from long time customers who noticed that there’s been a change in the formula — and not a good change. The “new and improved” formula evidently doesn’t dissolve well and tastes different than before.
For example, one review says, “I used to LOVE Collagen Peptides Advanced with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. However, the new formula upsets my stomach and taste awful, like plastic and does not dissolve in liquid anymore. Please bring back the old formula. I cannot purchase this product any longer until it is returned to its original formula.”
A similar 1-star review says, “I recently bought this in a big container and I am disappointed because the flavor has changed, it tastes and smells really bad. I will not be purchasing this again.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides could be worth trying If you’re looking for a way to improve the look of your skin from the inside out.
Pros
- Collagen peptides derived from grass fed cows
- In addition to collagen peptides, the formula also includes vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
- Many positive Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides reviews
Cons
- Some Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides reviews mentioned that the new formula Does not taste the same and it doesn’t mix well in drinks
What Are Some Alternatives to Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
One serum we recommend is The Repair Serum. The formula contains a proprietary blend of plant-based peptides and neuropeptides that work together to promote smoother, more radiant-looking skin while soothing and brightening botanicals impart an ageless glow.
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B9 deliver an instant boost of hydration as a blend of synthesized, natural plant growth factors that encourage natural cell turnover and nutrient absorption to nourish and transform dull, uneven-looking skin.
References:
Nutrients. 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866.
Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017; 10: 267–273.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16.
Orthop J Sports Med. 2018 Oct; 6(10):.
