Collagen has gone from niche wellness buzzword to a must-have item on the shopping lists for a lot of people - one heck of a glow up. Looking for an easy, convenient solution, more people are reaching for supplements to help support their skin, joints, gut, and overall wellness.
As the topic of collagen keeps growing in popularity, so does curiosity about the different types, how exactly they work, and which option might suit certain specific goals.
We’ve put this guide together to take a closer look at one of the big players, bovine collagen. We’ll explain what it is, what the benefits are, see how it stacks up against its fishy cousin, marine collagen, and give you some practical ideas for adding more bovine collagen into your diet.
Let’s do it.
The rise in popularity of collagen supplements
It’s no secret that collagen has become one of the most talked about supplements in nutrition and beauty circles. People are rightly interested in collagen because it’s the most abundant protein in the body, one which helps to give strength and elasticity to skin, bones and connective tissues, amongst other things.
As natural collagen production declines with age1, especially after your mid-twenties, a lot of people choose to supplement it to support their wellness routines. Studies and clinical trials have shown collagen supplementation can help with skin hydration, elasticity and joint comfort2, which explains why so many now reach for it on a daily basis.
What is bovine collagen?
So, what is bovine collagen exactly? Bovine collagen comes from the connective tissues, bones, and hides of cows, which are rich in this valuable protein. When these parts are processed, they produce collagen peptides which are much easier for the body to digest and absorb.
Unlike some other sources (we’ll talk about one of those later), bovine collagen typically contains a combination of Type I and Type III collagen. Type I is the most common form in the human body and is a building block for skin, bones, and tendons, whilst Type III supports the structure of skin, muscles, and blood vessels3.
Once broken down, these peptides act as building blocks that your body can use wherever it needs them. Bovine collagen is popular because it offers a broad range of uses beyond just beauty. It supports structural tissues throughout the body and can play a role in joint, bone, and muscle health as well - it’s pretty impressive stuff.
Benefits of bovine collagen
Enough of what it is, the real question is why would you use it? Bovine collagen supplements are typically used to support long-term wellness from the inside out.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific benefits of bovine collagen.
1. Skin health and appearance
One of the biggest reasons people take bovine collagen is for its skin benefits. As collagen levels decrease with age, the structure that keeps skin firm and elastic can weaken which often leads to fine lines and dryness.
Research suggests that taking collagen supplements can help improve the hydration and elasticity of your skin over time, by providing amino acids which are needed for new collagen formation4.
2. Joint comfort and mobility
Collagen is a key component of joint cartilage. As we get older or put stress on our joints through exercise, cartilage can wear down and that means stiffness or discomfort. Some studies indicate that regular bovine collagen supplementation may support cartilage health5, leading to better mobility and easier movement.
3. Bone strength
Bones aren’t rigid structures that live in isolation. Our bones have a collagen framework which helps give them their resilience. Some early research shows that supplementing with collagen may support bone density3, which is a big plus for people looking to maintain their strength as they age.
4. Gut and tissue support
Some people find that collagen supports digestive comfort, which may be tied to the amino acids like glycine that are suggested to help maintain the lining of the gut wall.
It’s suggested that some collagen supplements can also act similarly to prebiotics6 – essentially doing your gut health a big favour.
Marine collagen vs bovine collagen
Bovine collagen isn’t the only type you’ll see on the shelves - there’s another option many people opt for.
Let’s see how marine collagen stacks up against bovine collagen.
Source and types of collagen
As you might’ve guessed, marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales, and it is primarily consists of Type I collagen, which is great for skin, hair, and nails7. Bovine collagen comes from cow hides and bones and provides a broader profile of collagen, both Type I and Type III3.
Absorption and bioavailability
Marine collagen peptides are often processed into a smaller form than bovine collagen peptides, which can mean slightly faster absorption into the bloodstream. This is part of why marine collagen is usually associated with quicker effects on skin appearance.
Bovine collagen is still very well absorbed but the peptide size tends to be a little larger.
Marine collagen vs bovine collagen benefits breakdown
So, there’s pros and cons for each type - which one is right for you will depend on what you’re looking to get out of this extra collagen.
- Marine Collagen: Because it’s mostly Type I and smaller peptide size offers faster absorption, marine collagen can be particularly appealing for skin hydration and elasticity goals – but it’s not the best fit if you’re looking for more holistic support in the body.
- Bovine Collagen: With both Type I and III, bovine collagen can offer similar benefits to marine collagen but with the addition of extra support for joints, muscles and the gut.
Have a think about what matters most to you and pick accordingly. Don’t forget to consider your dietary preferences and any allergies (fish allergies make marine collagen a pretty risky pick).
How to get more bovine collagen in your diet
If you decide bovine collagen fits your wellness goals, there are several ways to boost your intake. Allow us to share.
1. Bovine collagen supplements
Collagen powders and capsules are quite possibly the easiest way to increase your intake. You can get hydrolysed bovine collagen blends which dissolve in liquids and mix easily into coffee, smoothies, soups, or even baking recipes. Just chuck a spoonful or two into your morning brew and you’re set.
This is our favourite method, too, which is why we created The Glow Blend. It contains high quality hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides and is formulated to support your skin and overall wellbeing, with extra nutrients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, biotin and folate.
2. Bone broth
If you want a more traditional way to up your collagen intake, it doesn’t get more traditional than bone broth.
Traditional bone broth is made by simmering beef bones for several hours to releases collagen and minerals into the broth. Making soups or stews with this, or even just sipping it as it comes, can be a tasty way to add more collagen to your diet.
3. Collagen-boosting foods
Eating other protein rich foods that provide the amino acids your body uses to build collagen is a way to support the natural production of it. Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits or peppers can help the body synthesise collagen8, so pairing quality natural protein with vitamin C can be effective too.
Whichever option you pick, remember consistency is key. Collagen isn’t an overnight fix, and most studies suggest noticeable effects are seen after a few weeks to months of regular use9.
A simple switch up for a big glow up
Whether it’s for your skin, joints, gut or just overall wellness, choosing to add a bovine collagen supplement can be a simple and effective way to make a noticeable difference.
If you’re interested in giving it a try for yourself and would like the most convenient way to do it, Innermost’s The Glow Blend makes it easy to make high quality bovine collagen a part of every day.
As with any supplement you use, make sure to pay attention to quality, sourcing, and your individual health needs to help you make the most of your new secret weapon.
References
- Bar, O.; Valiukevičienė, S. Skin Aging and Type I Collagen: A Systematic Review of Interventions with Potential Collagen-Related Effects. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 129. Click here.
- Wisner, W. What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Liquid Collagen. Health.com. 5 Dec 2025. Click here.
- Bantilan, C. What Is Bovine Collagen and Does It Have Benefits?. Healthline. 7 Nov 2019. Click here.
- Wu M, Cronin K, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Click here.
- Luana Dias Campos, Valfredo de Almeida Santos Junior, Júlia Demuner Pimentel, Gabriel Lusi Fernandes Carregã, Cinthia Baú Betim Cazarin, Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literature, Heliyon, Volume 9, Issue 4, 2023, e14961, ISSN 2405-8440. Click here.
- Baojing Ren, Kaiyan Yue, Yuhao Zhang, Yu Fu, Collagen-derived peptides as prebiotics to improve gut health, Current Opinion in Food Science, Volume 55, 2024, 101123, ISSN 2214-7993. Click here.
- Geahchan S, Baharlouei P, Rahman A. Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration. Mar Drugs. 2022 Jan 10;20(1):61. doi: 10.3390/md20010061. PMID: 35049916; PMCID: PMC8780088. Click here.
- DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177/2325967118804544. PMID: 30386805; PMCID: PMC6204628. Click here.
- Should You Add Collagen Supplements to Your Skin Care Routine?. Cleveland Clinic. Dec 2023. Click here.
