Bovine vs Marine Collagen – Which is Better for Skin, Hair & Nails?
What’s on your supplement shelf? If you’re anything like just over half of British adults who take regular supplements, your shelf likely contains 2025’s top seller: collagen. Promising to restore the plump, firm, glowing skin of youth, collagen supplements are being touted by everyone from actress Jennifer Aniston to London-based dermatologist Ophelia Veraitch.
From powders and pills to marine and bovine sources, the collagen supplement market has evolved into a diverse category with distinct sourcing, processing and bioavailability profiles. While marketing claims often blur the lines between different collagen types, current scientific literature reveals meaningful differences between marine and bovine sources that directly impact their efficacy for skin, hair and nail health.
Collagen Types I, II and III – What’s the Difference?
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body, acting as a key building block for skin, bones, muscles, tendons and connective tissue. Think of it as the scaffolding that holds everything together – providing visible strength, elasticity and structure.
There are at least 28 known types of collagen, but the most common are:
- Type I: Found in skin, bones and tendons.
- Type II: Found in cartilage.
- Type III: Found in skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
The fundamental difference between marine and bovine collagen lies in their collagen type composition. Marine collagen is predominantly Type I collagen, comprising up to 90% of its structure, making it helpful for skin, hair and nail applications.
Bovine collagen presents a more diverse profile, containing both Type I and Type III collagen – offering a more comprehensive approach to collagen supplementation. This broader spectrum offers advantages for joint and bone health applications, while simultaneously offering beauty-focused benefits.
Sustainability and Processing Considerations
Marine collagen production utilizes fish skin and scales that would otherwise be discarded, making it a sustainable option from a waste utilisation perspective.
Bovine collagen, while derived from a renewable source, requires dedicated animal husbandry resources and presents a larger environmental footprint. However, bovine sources often provide more consistent quality control due to established agricultural practices and processing facilities.
The UK collagen market was valued at £421.5 million in 2024 and is expected to reach £916.63 million by 2032, reflecting growing consumer confidence in bovine-derived collagen products.
Your Natural Collagen Support Toolkit
While consuming collagen can improve the appearance and quality of skin, hair and nails, consuming other collagen-supporting nutrients can enhance your results.
Hyaluronic Acid
Long revered for its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid, whether consumed or applied topically, remains a gold standard for skin hydration.
Biotin
While high‑dose biotin is often associated with hair and nail support, emerging evidence highlights its role in skin health, particularly by supporting keratin infrastructure.
Coconut Water
Rich in electrolytes, amino acids and micronutrients such as potassium and magnesium, coconut water promotes cellular hydration from within – and hydrated skin provides a more resilient framework for collagen maintenance.
Tremella Mushroom (Snow Fungus)
This botanical marvel offers a polysaccharide profile that rivals hyaluronic acid in water retention and antioxidant capacity. Multiple studies document its efficacy in anti‑aging, photoprotection, barrier support and collagen regeneration.
Our clinically proven, award-winning Morning & Night supplement supports your own collagen production from within. Morning & Nightcontains Lysine, N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL and Cysteine HCL, three amino acids known to block glycation and form the building blocks of collagen and elastin in skin. In our independent clinical trial, 92% noticed improved skin, hair & nails with the support of Morning & Night.
The Verdict
While marine collagen can offer benefits to skin, hair and nails, high-quality bovine collagen remains the universally appealing option, especially for individuals seeking a more accessible price point, broader collagen support beyond beauty applications, or those with fish allergies. The processing quality and molecular weight distribution often matter more than the source material itself, and bovine collagen offers more consistent quality than marine collagen, due to the farmed rather than wild-caught nature of bovine collagen sources.
Support Collagen from Within
Morning & Night is the UK’s original and bestselling dual-dose longevity supplement, designed to help you look and feel your best as you age. Supporting your body’s own collagen with 28 biologist-selected Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids and Omega 3s, Morning & Night delivers proven results to skin – in our independent clinical trial, 92% noticed better skin with the support of our flagship Supplement
Author: Rachel Chalmers
Real Results to Skin, Hair & Nails
My skin and hair look better than most women my age
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Everything You Need To Know About Lumity
Why choose Lumity?
Choosing Lumity means choosing results, simplicity, and long-term support. Our clinically backed Morning & Night formula delivers essential nutrients in sync with your body’s natural rhythm — helping you feel your best through every stage of life, including menopause. When you subscribe, you’ll save 20% instantly, receive a FREE luxury Starter Kit with refillable glass bottles (worth £25), and enjoy free UK delivery on all orders. Our zero-hassle subscription keeps you consistent — and consistency is key. Commit to 12 weeks and experience real, lasting benefits: improved energy, sleep, skin, immunity, and overall wellness.
Lumity supports you at a cellular level, every day, without the guesswork
Does the Morning & Night Supplement support hair growth/loss?
Morning & Night contains three key amino acids related to healthy hair growth and condition; Cysteine, Arginine and Lysine; as well as Selenium, Biotin and Zinc, which also support strong and healthy hair. In our Clinical Trial, 92% of participants noticed improved hair quality after 12 weeks of consistent use.
How long will I need to take Lumity Morning & Night before experiencing benefits?
Everyone's chemical composition is entirely unique, so while some people may notice benefits in the first few weeks of use, others may need to wait longer before seeing results. Our supplement is designed to work at a cellular level, and as with any other supplement, it takes around 12 weeks of consistent use to experience the full range of benefits. You can learn more about the science behind Morning & Night here.
Why softgel capsules?
Softgel capsules offer optimum protection and bioavailability of the active ingredients in Morning and Night and stop the nutrients degrading. Softgels are comfortable to swallow and melt in the stomach within 3 to 4 minutes, freeing the active ingredients and delivering fast absorption of the formula.
Why is there a Morning & Night routine?
Morning & Night is designed to work in harmony with the body's circadian rhythm, which means the Morning and Night softgels work on different processes in the body and in conjunction with each other to deliver the best results. You need to take both halves of the formula for it to work optimally and for you to experience the full range of benefits.