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Bovine vs Marine Collagen – Which is Better for Skin, Hair & Nails?

While marketing claims often blur the lines between different collagen types, current scientific literature reveals meaningful differences between marine and bovine sources. After scouring current research and consulting our resident nutritionist, Lindsey Ormond, we're cutting through the noise – bovine collagen reigns supreme if you're looking for a tried-and-tested all-rounder.

Get your bovine collagen fix here: unlike traditional collagen supplements with just one ingredient, our NEW Targeted Support Beauty Plus supplement contains 13 potent all-natural ingredients alongside premium-grade bovine collagen – each hand-selected by our resident nutritionist for powerful, science-backed results.

What's more? Our clinically proven Morning & Night supplement supports your body's own collagen production with ingredients like Lysine, N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL and Cysteine HCL.

Meet Targeted Support: Beauty Plus

Blending collagen peptides with science-backed actives, our NEW Targeted Support Beauty Plus nourishes hair, skin and nails while protecting from oxidative stress – offering beauty and longevity support from within.

With carefully selected ingredients like Collagen, Snow Mushroom, Hyaluronic Acid and more, Beauty Plus offers immediate hydration to skin while steadily rebuilding collagen behind the scenes. 

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.

Morning & Night

Our clinically proven, award-winning Morning & Night supplement supports your own collagen production from within. Morning & Night contains 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

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