How to Take Collagen: Dosage, Timing and What to Expect

Most questions about collagen are not about whether to take it, but how. How much, when, with what, and how long before there is any point continuing. This page answers those directly.

How much collagen should you take a day?

One scoop daily is the serving on every NewYou collagen powder, and the scoop is included in the pouch. The single-serve sachets are pre-measured, so there is nothing to judge.

Taking more than the stated serving does not make it work faster. Collagen is a structural protein the body uses gradually - the variable that matters is whether you take it consistently, not how much you take on any one day.

When is the best time to take collagen?

Whenever you will actually remember. There is no strong reason to prefer morning over evening, or with food over without.

In practice most people attach it to something they already do daily - the morning coffee, a smoothie, the glass of water by the kettle. That is not a small point. The commonest reason a collagen routine fails is not the product; it is that nothing in the day reliably triggers it.

What can you mix collagen with?

Unflavoured hydrolysed marine collagen dissolves in hot or cold liquid without gelling, so coffee, tea, juice, water and smoothies all work. It does not thicken and it does not change the taste of what it is in.

Flavoured versions - Collagen Glow in blueberry, Collagen Active in orange - are designed to be drunk on their own in plain water. Mixing a flavoured collagen into coffee is where people usually regret their choice of product rather than their routine.

How long before you notice anything?

Skin cells turn over roughly every four weeks, so any honest answer is measured in weeks. Most people give a daily collagen routine eight to twelve weeks before forming a view, and individual experience varies considerably.

This is why the 70 g trial packs are described as flavour tests rather than product trials. Seven servings tells you whether you like drinking it. It does not tell you anything else.

Can you take collagen with whey protein?

Yes. They are different proteins doing different jobs - whey is a complete protein taken around training to support muscle, collagen is a structural protein taken daily for skin, joints, hair and nails. Their amino acid profiles differ, so they complement rather than duplicate each other.

Practically, many people take whey after training and collagen at a fixed point in the morning. Taking both at once is fine too.

Can you take collagen with creatine, a multivitamin or omega-3?

These are food supplements rather than medicines and are commonly taken alongside each other. If you are combining several, take prescribed medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are managing a health condition, speak to your doctor or a qualified nutritionist first.

Does collagen have side effects?

Hydrolysed collagen is generally well tolerated. Some people report mild digestive discomfort when starting any new supplement, which is one reason to begin with a single daily serving rather than more.

The important exclusion is allergy: marine collagen is derived from fish and is unsuitable for anyone with a fish or shellfish allergy. The same applies to our omega-3 fish oil. Multi Collagen Complex additionally contains bovine and eggshell membrane sources.

Is collagen vegetarian or vegan?

No. Collagen is an animal protein - there is no plant source of it. Marine collagen comes from fish; bovine collagen comes from cattle. Products marketed as "vegan collagen" are collagen builders such as vitamin C and amino acids, not collagen.

Our Plant Protein with Marine Collagen is not vegetarian either, despite the plant protein in it, because it contains marine collagen.

Do you need to cycle collagen or take breaks?

There is no established reason to cycle it. Collagen is taken as an ongoing daily habit rather than in blocks, which is why the larger pouches exist - a pack that runs out mid-routine is the most common way the habit breaks.

How should collagen be stored?

Sealed, in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Reseal the pouch after each use and keep the scoop inside. The pouches are designed to stay airtight across a long period of daily use, so a larger size will not degrade before you finish it.

Which NewYou collagen is right for you?

If you want collagen and nothing else, Marine Collagen Essentials is plain hydrolysed marine collagen, unflavoured. If joints are the reason, Collagen Active adds glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. If skin is the reason, Collagen Glow adds glutathione and hyaluronic acid. If you will not mix a powder daily, Multi Collagen Complex is the tablet.

There is a fuller side-by-side on the collagen comparison page, background on the protein itself in what is collagen, and a four-question quiz if you would rather be pointed at one.

This page is general information, not medical advice. NewYou products are dietary supplements intended to support general nutrition. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.