Collagen Gummies vs Powder: A Side-by-Side Comparison
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Collagen gummies have emerged as a new way for people to consume collagen supplements daily. And it makes sense—it's more convenient and, let's face it, comes in a more delightful form to consume.
But there are some pros and cons to taking it in this form as compared to the old-fashioned way of consuming it: mixing collagen powder with your favorite beverage or in a smoothie.
In this article, we'll compare the pros and cons of collagen gummies versus collagen powder so you can decide which form of collagen is right for you.
Key Highlights
Both collagen gummies and collagen powder are effective ways to consume collagen.
The greatest benefits of taking collagen in powder form are cost, purity of ingredients, and dose.
Collagen gummies can be more convenient and portable, and some people prefer a sweet option over mixing powder into water or a smoothie.
Collagen: What It Is and How It Works
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen supplements can help promote natural collagen synthesis, aid in muscle recovery, promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. It can also support soft tissue for long-term joint health, mobility, and resilience against injury.
There are many types of collagen, but the most common ones are types I, II, and III:
Type I: Helps build bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments
Type II: Helps create cartilage, the flexible tissue between bones and in the ears and nose
Type III: Helps create muscles and blood vessels, and provides tensile strength and integrity for many organs
Most collagen products are sourced from either bovine collagen or marine collagen. Marine collagen comes from fish, while bovine collagen comes from cows. Marine collagen is often extracted from the bones and scales of cold water fish like salmon, but can also come from sea urchins or sponges. Bovine collagen is often extracted from cowhides, bones, tendons, and other parts of the cow.
Whether in powder or gummy form, the way collagen is extracted and its essential functions remain the same. However, the choice between these forms comes down to convenience, personal preference, and lifestyle needs—key factors we'll explore in the following sections.
Collagen Gummies
Pros
Convenience: Consuming collagen in gummy form is quick, easy, and convenient, especially if you’re on the go a lot and/or travel frequently and don’t want to contend with the hassle of packets and powder.
Mess: Mixing collagen powder with water/liquids can get messy; taking collagen gummies instead saves on the mess associated with mixing powders.
Cons
Ingredients: There can be a number of additives/unwanted ingredients in gummies, such as added sugar or gelatin, which are necessary for taste and/or gummy formulation. Many of these ingredients aren’t present/needed in collagen powder.
Price: Gummies are typically more expensive per serving than powders.
Dose: There’s usually fewer grams of collagen per serving in gummies than there is in collagen powder.
Collagen Powder
Pros
Price: Collagen powder is typically more cost effective than collagen gummies.
No unwanted ingredients: Unlike collagen gummies, there’s no need to include any additives in collagen in powder form, making the finished product cleaner and safer.
Dose: Collagen in powder form—especially from brands that are certified by the likes of NSF and Informed Sport—is more likely to contain the ingredients/dose stated on the label. It also typically contains more collagen per serving than the average amount per serving in gummies.
Cons
Convenience: Powder isn’t as easy or convenient to travel with compared to capsules, although Momentous Collagen is available in single-serving travel packs.
Mess: Mixing collagen powder and water/your preferred beverage can be more messy and more hassle than gummies.
Taste: Not all collagen powders taste great when mixed with water/your favorite fluid, although this can vary by brand, flavor, and personal preference.
Collagen Gummies vs Powder: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Collagen Gummies | Collagen Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mess | ✓ | ✗ |
| No Additional Ingredients | ✗ | ✓ |
| Price per Serving | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reliability in Dosage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Taste | ✓ | ✗ |
| Effectiveness | ✓ | ✓ |
Our Top Picks in Each Category
Top Pick for Collagen Powder
Momentous Collagen Peptides help promote natural collagen synthesis and support soft tissue for long-term joint health and resilience against injury. They can also help promote healthy hair and nails, as well as skin hydration and elasticity.
Collagen Peptides powder delivers 10 grams of grass-fed bovine collagen peptides plus 5g of FORTIGEL®, a patented, clinically researched collagen peptide source designed to promote collagen synthesis in tendons and ligaments. Vitamin C is included to help increase collagen formation and aid in the development of stronger collagen.
Our formula is free from fat, sugar, cholesterol, purines, and additives for a clean nutritional profile. It has third-party certifications from both NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport.
Top Pick for Collagen Gummies
Vital Proteins Collagen Gummies are popular for their convenience and taste. Each serving contains 2.5 grams of collagen (as VERISOL Collagen Peptides) from bovine collagen. Although some people might find them chewy, they’re certainly easy to add to a morning supplement routine.
With four gummies equalling one serving, though, it can feel like a lot, even though the quantity of collagen is much lower compared with the Momentous Collagen Peptides (15 grams of collagen per serving). There’s also 5 grams of added sugar per serving.
Emma-Kate Lidbury
Emma-Kate Lidbury is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness world.
