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Collagen has hit it off in a big way in the beauty industry – and for good reason! Discover what collagen can do for our skin. plus our best collagen creams and oils
Our top picks
With biotin and hyaluronic acid
Dr Organic
Dr Organic Pro Collagen Plus Dragons Blood 50ml
3 For 2 Mix & Match
18+
£19.99
With vitamin C and hyaluronic acid
Q+A
Q+A Peptide Facial Serum - 30 ml
Free Biotin when you spend £20
£7.60
RRP £9.50
With kiwi seeds and sweet orange oil
Vitaskin
Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Night Cream
Free Biotin when you spend £20
£10.05
£15.00
If you’ve spent time considering beauty or skincare products, you’ll probably have heard of collagen.
Collagen is a protein that plays various roles in the body, supporting your health and wellbeing.1-5 In particular, it's known for helping to maintain skin elasticity and hydration, which is why it’s so popular in the beauty industry.1,2
Even emerging research suggests that collagen products show potential benefits for ageing skin.6 This is thanks to the belief that collagen products can help to restore your natural collagen levels, which slow as you age and lead to a loss of elasticity (think wrinkles and fine lines).2,6
So, could a collagen cream be the secret to ageing gracefully? Let’s unpick how collagen skincare products could benefit you, plus discover our top picks of the best collagen creams and oils here at H&B.
What is collagen skincare used for?
Collagen skincare generally refers to beauty products that target the face. This is because studies have shown that topical collagen peptides, applied directly to the skin, help enhance collagen production, which is thought to improve firmness and reduce wrinkles.7
Your face is a cosmetically sensitive region, and an area where the signs of ageing are most easily and obviously visible.8 So, it makes sense that anyone interested in slowing the physical signs of ageing would consider using collagen-boosting products on their skin.
There are lots of different types of collagen skincare products available, from creams and oils to serums and gels. Let’s find out more.
What types of collagen are in collagen creams?
There are primarily three different types of collagen used in collagen creams, which each come from a different source. These include:
- marine collagen: obtained entirely from sources found in the sea, mostly shellfish and jellyfish.9 It’s widely available and has a low environmental impact9
- bovine collagen: comes from cows and other bovine species - mostly found in calf skin and bone10
- hydrolysed collagen: also known as collagen peptides, this is a type of collagen that’s been broken down into amino acids that your body can absorb more easily.11 It’s made from agro-food waste, including bones, tendons and skin from animals11
How do collagen oils and creams work?
Collagen creams work by penetrating your natural skin cells and may encourage natural collagen production within your body.12
Collagen itself is a large-molecule protein, so it’s unable to cross the skin barrier. That’s why collagen peptides (smaller pieces of collagen that are broken down from the larger collagen proteins) are usually used in topical products.2
Studies suggest that the use of products with collagen peptides could improve the general condition of the skin and potentially delay the ageing process.12,13 Collagen products may do this by improving hydration, reducing water loss, reducing the depth of wrinkles and boosting skin elasticity and density.12,13
Most collagen products also contain a range of other ingredients that may be beneficial for skin health, including vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.14
Our best collagen creams and oils
With so many collagen skincare products available, it may feel confusing trying to decide which one is most suitable for you. Here’s our summary of our favourite creams and oils that could help support your body’s natural collagen production, so you can make the right choice for you.
Please note: all the products listed below are suitable for vegetarians, vegans, but you can learn more about vegan-specific sources of collagen in our countdown of our best vegan collagen supplements.
Our favourite anti-ageing collagen face cream
This popular anti-ageing moisturiser from Dr Organic can be applied daily to support dry, sensitive and stressed skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and anyone following a vegan lifestyle.
Our favourite peptide facial serum
This delightfully nourishing facial serum is packed with peptides that deeply penetrate your skin, while vitamin C and hyaluronic acid contribute to your skin’s fresh and youthful glow.15
The serum can be applied underneath your daily moisturiser or used as a standalone treatment to truly nourish your skin.
Our favourite collagen-boosting night cream
Do you want to wake up to plump, moisturised and glowing skin? Now you can – thanks to this vitamin C, collagen-boosting night cream from Vitaskin.
Packed with vitamin C goodness and a deliciously zesty fragrance, it also contains omega, kiwi seeds, sea buckthorn and sweet orange oils to further recharge your skin while you sleep.15
Our favourite peptide eye gel
The skin under your eyes is particularly thin and delicate. This means you need to be extra careful when it comes to choosing products to use in this sensitive area.
This Q+A Seaweed Peptide Eye Gel is gentle and easily absorbed into the skin, where it gets to work supporting new collagen production. It also contains seaweed amino acids that may help to firm the skin under your eyes and brighten dark circles, leaving you looking more refreshed.
Our favourite AHA-enriched moisturiser
This collagen-rich cream is a silky moisturiser that could support firmer, more radiant-looking skin with the help of lime caviar AHAs and plumping peptides. Hailing from New Zealand, This zesty little number blends botanical luxury with eco-friendly packaging.
The final say
Collagen is an important protein for skin health. Collagen products are a great option you could explore to help you enjoy smoother, firmer and more youthful skin for longer.
With so many collagen creams and oils available, there’s something out there to suit every need. Which one will you pick?
If you want to learn more about what else collagen can do, check out our article on whether collagen can support healthy joints and bones.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
While we strive for accuracy and balance, please be aware that this article may discuss products available for purchase through Holland & Barrett. Consult a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
Please note that scientific evidence for these products is very limited, and although there are emerging studies, more clinical research needs to be conducted. Please speak to your GP before taking any new products.
- Martínez-Puig D, et al. Collagen supplementation for joint health: The link between composition and scientific knowledge. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1332. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061332
- Bolke L, et al. A collagen supplement improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density: Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2494. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102494
- Wu M, et al. Biochemistry, collagen synthesis. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/
- Collagen - The Nutrition Source | Harvard School of Public Health [Internet]. [cited 2024 Sep 9]. Available from: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/
- The impact of collagen protein ingestion on musculoskeletal connective tissue remodeling: a narrative review | Oxford Academic [Internet]. [cited 2024 Sep 9] Available from: https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/80/6/1497/6380930
- Pu S-Y, et al. Effects of oral collagen for skin anti-aging: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2023;15(9):2080. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092080
- He, Xin, et al. ‘Research Progress on Bioactive Factors against Skin Aging’. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 25, no. 7, Mar. 2024, p. 3797. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073797
- Zargaran D, et al. Facial skin ageing: Key concepts and overview of processes. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(4):414–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12779
- Salvatore L, et al. Marine collagen and its derivatives: Versatile and sustainable bio-resources for healthcare. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2020;113:110963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2020.110963
- Wang, Hsiuying. ‘A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies’. Polymers, vol. 13, no. 22, Nov. 2021, p. 3868. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13223868
- León-López A, et al. Hydrolyzed collagen—Sources and applications. Molecules. 2019;24(22):4031. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24224031
- Jadach B, et al. Use of collagen in cosmetic products. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024;46(3):2043–70. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46030132
- Lee YI, et al. Effect of a topical collagen tripeptide on antiaging and inhibition of glycation of the skin: A pilot study. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(3):1101. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031101
- Papakonstantinou E, et al. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253–58. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.21923
- European Commission. Food and Feed Information Portal Database: Health Claims [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 18]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/health-claims/eu-register
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