How Much Collagen Per Day? Is 3g of Collagen Enough? | NEE-V
If you’ve ever compared collagen supplements, you may have noticed a surprisingly big difference in serving sizes.
Some collagen powders recommend 10 grams or more per day, while NEE-V recommends approximately 3 grams per day.
So, how much collagen should you take per day? Is 3g of collagen enough? Is 10g better than 3g? And why do collagen dosages vary so much between brands?
The answer is more nuanced than simply looking for the biggest number on the label.
When choosing a collagen supplement, the amount of collagen matters, but so does the specific collagen peptide being used, what it has been designed for, the dose at which it has been clinically studied and what you are taking collagen for.
In other words, when it comes to collagen, the biggest scoop doesn’t necessarily win.
How much collagen should you take per day?
There is no single collagen dosage that is right for every person, product or purpose.
Clinical studies investigating oral collagen peptides have used a range of daily doses. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials examining collagen supplementation and skin ageing included studies using doses ranging from 2.5g to 10g per day.
This is why comparing two collagen supplements purely by the number of grams per serving can be misleading.
A better question is:
What collagen peptides am I taking, what am I taking them for, and what dose of that particular ingredient has actually been studied?
Is 3g of collagen enough?
Yes, 3g can be an appropriate daily collagen dose depending on the specific collagen peptide and the intended outcome.
This is particularly relevant when discussing bioactive collagen peptides, which are specific peptide compositions developed and researched for particular physiological outcomes.
NEE-V's beauty collagen formulations use VERISOL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides, developed by GELITA specifically for skin.
VERISOL® has been investigated in human clinical research at a daily dose of 2.5g.
In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving women aged 35 to 55, daily supplementation with 2.5g of VERISOL® was associated with significantly higher skin elasticity compared with placebo after four and eight weeks.
That's an important distinction.
A smaller quantity of a specific bioactive collagen peptide shouldn't automatically be considered inferior to a larger quantity of another collagen peptide.
The dose needs to be considered alongside the ingredient and the research behind it.
Why does NEE-V recommend approximately 3g of collagen per day?
NEE-V was formulated around a specific, clinically researched bioactive collagen peptide, rather than choosing a large serving simply to put a bigger number on the label.
VERISOL® has clinical research examining skin outcomes at 2.5g per day.
NEE-V's recommended daily serving is approximately 3g and combines its targeted collagen formulation with selected supporting ingredients including Vitamin C and Biotin.
So our serving size wasn't chosen because we wanted to put less collagen in the jar.
It was developed around the amount of a specific bioactive collagen peptide with research behind its use for skin.
That distinction is at the heart of NEE-V's approach to formulation: more isn't automatically better. What matters is what you're taking and why.
What is the clinically studied VERISOL® dosage?
VERISOL® has been clinically studied at a daily dose of 2.5g in research examining skin outcomes.
VERISOL® isn't simply another name for hydrolysed collagen.
It is GELITA's specific composition of Bioactive Collagen Peptides®, developed for beauty-from-within applications.
Research using 2.5g of VERISOL® per day has investigated outcomes including skin elasticity and wrinkles.
This is why it's important to distinguish between research on a specific branded collagen peptide and general research on collagen.
A study involving one collagen ingredient doesn't necessarily establish that every collagen powder will produce exactly the same outcome at exactly the same dose.
Is 10g of collagen better than 3g?
Not necessarily. A 10g serving of collagen is not automatically better than a 3g serving simply because the number is larger.
Research into oral collagen supplementation has used a variety of doses, including 2.5g, 3g, 5g and 10g.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials examining hydrolysed collagen supplementation and skin ageing found considerable variation in the doses used across studies.
That doesn't mean 10g is too much, unnecessary or somehow an inferior formulation.
It means grams alone aren't enough to determine which collagen supplement is appropriate for a particular purpose.
It's a little like comparing skincare purely by the size of the bottle.
Quantity tells you something. It doesn't tell you everything.
Why do some collagen supplements contain 10g or more?
Different collagen supplements are designed for different purposes.
Some products provide a relatively large amount of collagen peptides and can contribute more substantially to overall protein intake.
Others use specific bioactive collagen peptides that have been researched at smaller daily doses for targeted outcomes.
For example, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in Australia provides 10g of bovine collagen peptides per serving. Its unflavoured product contains bovine collagen peptides as its ingredient and is positioned broadly around collagen supplementation, including skin, muscles, bones and joints.
That is a different formulation approach from NEE-V.
Importantly, this doesn't mean the 10g Vital Proteins serving contains fillers. Its standard unflavoured product lists bovine collagen peptides as its ingredient.
It simply demonstrates why serving size alone isn't a particularly useful way of comparing collagen products.
NEE-V vs Vital Proteins: why are the collagen serving sizes different?
One of the questions consumers may have when comparing NEE-V with a collagen such as Vital Proteins is:
Why does NEE-V recommend around 3g when Vital Proteins provides 10g?
The products take different approaches.
The Australian Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides product provides 10g of bovine collagen peptides per serving.
NEE-V's beauty collagen formulations use VERISOL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides, a specific collagen peptide composition developed for skin, with clinical research examining a 2.5g daily dose.
Neither of those numbers, considered by itself, tells you that one product is “better”.
Instead, consumers should consider the specific collagen ingredient, intended purpose, research behind it, recommended dosage and complete formulation.
| NEE-V | Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (Australia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily serving | Approx. 3g | 10g |
| Collagen | VERISOL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides | Bovine collagen peptides |
| Formulation approach | Targeted beauty-from-within formulation | Broader collagen/protein supplementation |
| VERISOL® | Used in NEE-V's formulation | This specific 10g Australian product is not currently identified as VERISOL®. |
| What to remember | Specific bioactive peptides with skin research at 2.5g/day | A larger serving designed around a different collagen formulation |
Interestingly, Vital Proteins also uses VERISOL® in some of its other formulations, where serving amounts differ from its standard 10g Collagen Peptides powder. This further illustrates why collagen supplements shouldn't be compared on grams alone.
Does more collagen mean better results?
Not necessarily. Current research doesn't support a simple rule that increasing the number of grams automatically produces proportionately better skin results.
Collagen research involves different peptide compositions, study populations, doses, durations and outcomes, which makes direct dose-for-dose comparisons difficult.
This is particularly important with bioactive collagen peptides.
Rather than asking:
“Which collagen has the biggest serving?”
consider asking:
“Has this specific collagen ingredient been studied for the result I'm looking for, and what dose was used?”
That's a much more meaningful comparison.
How much collagen should I take for skin?
Clinical studies examining collagen supplementation for skin have used a range of doses, so there is no universal number that applies to every collagen product.
Research included in systematic reviews has investigated collagen doses ranging from approximately 2.5g through to 10g per day, depending on the collagen ingredient and study.
For VERISOL® specifically, human clinical research examining skin outcomes has used 2.5g per day.
So if your primary reason for taking collagen is skin, don't simply look for the largest number of grams.
Look at what collagen peptide is actually in the product and whether research exists for that ingredient at the recommended serving.
How much collagen should a woman take per day?
There isn't a universal collagen dose specifically for women.
The appropriate amount depends on the type of collagen supplement, the individual's diet and nutritional needs, and the reason for taking it.
For women taking collagen specifically for skin and healthy ageing, it is worth looking beyond total grams and considering whether the product contains collagen peptides that have been studied for those particular outcomes.
This becomes especially relevant as we age because the body's natural collagen production changes over time.
Is collagen dosage different for women over 40?
There isn't an established universal collagen dosage specifically for women over 40.
However, this is a life stage when many women become increasingly interested in collagen because of changes in skin elasticity, firmness, hydration, hair and healthy ageing.
Rather than automatically choosing a larger dose, consider the quality and specificity of the collagen peptides and the evidence supporting the formulation.
For a skin-focused product, that means looking for clinical research relating specifically to skin outcomes rather than assuming that more grams must mean more benefit.
Collagen and Menopause, your Q's answered
Is it better to take collagen every day?
Consistency is an important part of the collagen research.
Clinical trials investigating oral collagen supplementation generally involve participants taking collagen daily over a defined period, rather than taking it occasionally.
For example, the VERISOL® skin elasticity study involved daily supplementation and assessed results after four and eight weeks.
Collagen supplementation should therefore be thought of as a daily routine rather than an occasional quick fix.
Can you take too much collagen?
There isn't one universally established maximum collagen dose that applies to everyone.
However, taking more than the manufacturer's recommended serving doesn't automatically mean you will achieve better results.
Individual nutritional requirements and health circumstances differ, so anyone with a medical condition, dietary concern, allergy or questions about supplementation should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
For most consumers, the more useful approach is to follow the recommended serving of a well-formulated product rather than increasing the dose simply because “more” sounds better.
What should I look for when choosing a collagen supplement?
Instead of comparing products by scoop size alone, ask a few more useful questions.
1. What collagen peptides are actually being used?
Look beyond the word “collagen”. Find out whether the manufacturer identifies the source and the specific collagen ingredient.
2. Has the specific ingredient been clinically studied?
Be careful when brands refer generally to “collagen studies”. Ideally, the evidence should relate as closely as possible to the collagen peptide used in the formulation.
3. What dose was used in the research?
A clinically studied ingredient is more meaningful when the product provides it at an amount consistent with relevant research.
4. What is the product designed to do?
A general collagen protein supplement and a targeted beauty-from-within formulation aren't necessarily designed for exactly the same purpose.
5. What else is in the formula?
Look at the complete ingredient list rather than judging the product by the size of the tub or scoop.
So, what is the best collagen dosage for skin?
There isn't one dosage that can accurately be described as the universal “best” collagen dose for everyone.
For skin-focused collagen supplementation, clinical research has investigated a range of doses.
For VERISOL® specifically, 2.5g per day has been investigated in clinical research examining skin outcomes.
That is why at NEE-V we don't believe choosing collagen should be a competition over who can offer the biggest scoop.
We believe the better questions are:
What collagen am I taking?
What am I taking it for?
Has that specific ingredient been clinically studied?
And am I taking an amount consistent with that research?
Because when it comes to collagen, more doesn't automatically mean better. What matters is what is actually behind the dose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3g of collagen enough?
Yes, depending on the collagen ingredient and intended purpose. Certain bioactive collagen peptides have been studied at relatively small daily doses. VERISOL®, used in NEE-V's beauty collagen formulations, has been clinically investigated at 2.5g per day for skin outcomes.
Is 10g of collagen better than 3g?
Not necessarily. A larger collagen serving doesn't automatically mean better results. Consider the specific collagen peptide, its intended purpose, the clinical research and the dose used in that research.
How much collagen should I take per day?
There is no universal collagen dose suitable for every product and purpose. Clinical skin studies have investigated a range of collagen doses, including approximately 2.5g to 10g per day.
How much collagen should I take for skin?
The appropriate dose depends partly on the collagen ingredient. For VERISOL®, clinical research examining skin outcomes has used 2.5g per day.
What is the recommended VERISOL® dosage?
VERISOL® has been clinically investigated at 2.5g per day in studies examining skin outcomes.
why NEE-V chooses Verisol collagen
Why do some collagen powders contain 10g or more?
Different collagen supplements have different formulations and intended uses. Some provide larger amounts of collagen protein, while specific bioactive collagen peptides may have been clinically studied at smaller doses for targeted outcomes.
Does more collagen mean better results?
Not necessarily. The number of grams shouldn't be considered in isolation. The specific collagen peptide, clinical evidence, intended benefit, formulation and consistency of use all matter.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or have questions about supplementation, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional.