Guides · Know your collagen · 2 min read
Type I, II and III collagen, explained
What the types mean on a label, where each one comes from, and what to look for when you compare powders.
Collagen is the most common protein in the human body. There are more than twenty types, but labels mostly name three. The type tells you which kind of collagen the powder comes from, not what it does.
The three on most labels
- Type I is the most common type in the body. Bovine hide and fish skin are rich in it.
- Type III often sits next to Type I in the same tissues. Bovine hide supplies both, which is why bovine powders say "Type I & III".
- Type II is found mainly in cartilage. It usually comes from chicken and is often sold on its own, in smaller doses.
Hydrolyzed means smaller
"Hydrolyzed collagen" and "collagen peptides" mean the same thing: the long collagen protein has been broken into short pieces. That is why the powder dissolves in coffee instead of setting like gelatin.
What to compare
- Source. Bovine, marine or chicken. Grass-fed is worth looking for in bovine powders.
- Grams per serving. Labels range from 5 to 20 grams. Compare price per gram of collagen, not price per tub.
- The ingredient list. For an unflavored powder it should be one ingredient: collagen peptides.
- Testing. Ask the brand how each batch is tested.
