Marine vs Bovine Collagen: What's the difference?

written by: Kristen - Beauty Editorpublished on 20 Dec, 2023

Which Collagen Is Best for Beauty?

Collagen is something that by now, you would definitely have heard of! Praised for its skin-loving benefits, collagen supplements are becoming more widely available at health, grocery and beauty stores. Collagen supplements can be unflavoured or flavoured depending on your preference, and added to water, smoothies, soups, baking and even your daily cup of coffee. You see, a good quality collagen supplement will be stable in hot and cold foods or beverages to give you variety and versatility in how you ingest it.

Collagen can have great benefits on the body such as improved skin elasticity, stronger bones, improved gut health and accelerated wound healing to name a few. But did you know the most common reason why people are picking up a collagen supplement is to help support healthy hair growth, strengthen their nails and help fight the signs of premature ageing? A collagen supplement is the new must-have as part of a comprehensive anti aging skin care routine.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a natural protein that forms in the body that in beauty, helps keep skin plump, youthful and lines & wrinkles at bay. However, from about the age of twenty, this collagen production starts to reduce by approximately 1% each year. Do not fear though as this is why collagen ingestibles have become so popular in recent times so we can top up the body’s stores to help maintain results.

What Types Of Collagen Are Used in Beauty Supplements?

There are a variety and sources of collagen available when it comes to choosing a collagen supplement. These include chicken, bovine and marine collagen, in addition to plant-based collagen like mushrooms. Plant based collagen supplements are fantastic clean beauty options for vegans and are readily absorbed by the body. If you’re on the quest to find a great quality vegan collagen supplement be sure to try The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost or the Edible Beauty Native Beauty Collagen to top up with plant based collagen peptides.

But hands down, bovine and marine collagen are the most popular and widely available when it comes to clean beauty supplements containing collagen, and that is because they both deliver similar benefits that your body will love. The main difference is where the collagen comes from. Bovine collagen peptides are sourced from the hide and bones of cattle whilst marine collagen is sourced from the scales and skin of fish. Both forms offer fantastic benefits for your skin, hair and nails so let us share what we love about these two different types of collagen.

Benefits of Marine Collagen

Absorbs quickly into the body (this means you see results slightly faster)
Improves skin elasticity
Strengthens the skin barrier
Enhances skin moisture and hydration
Great for skin healing
Brightens the complexion
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Promotes skin elasticity
Suitable for pescatarians (as it is sourced from fish)
No aftertaste or smell so great for a range of uses
Supports healthy hair and nails
Supports gut health and wellbeing

Benefits of Bovine Collagen

Improves joint and bone health
Balances hormones
Assists in gut healing
Boosts skin elasticity
Helps top up hydration
Enhances skin and tissue repair
Fights against signs of ageing
Easily digested by the body
Helps build muscle
Promotes deeper sleep
Supports healthy hair and nails
Supports gut health and wellbeing

What Are the Other Differences Between Bovine and Marine Collagen?

In addition to the benefits listed above, it is especially important when choosing a collagen supplement to ensure that the collagen is being ethically sourced as both varieties are sourced from animals. That is why we stick to the below brands for peace of mind knowing that the products have been sustainably and ethically manufactured.