Marine collagen vs bovine collagen | Which is more ideal for your concern?

The topic of collagen is popular in the health, wellness, and beauty industry these days, and for good reason. It’s a protein made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks for healthy skin, nails, and hair. Two popular types of collagen supplementation are marine collagen and bovine collagen supplements, and both have their own unique benefits.

If you’re unsure which option may be best for you – don’t worry. Here, we discuss the differences between the two types of collagen, and their key benefits.

What are the benefits of taking collagen supplements?

As you age, your collagen production slows down significantly. As a result, you may experience increased wrinkles and loose skin.

Research has shown that supplementing collagen can help to reduce signs of ageing, for example – improving skin hydration.

Collagen contains the amino acids proline and glycine, which are the building blocks of keratin, the protein which makes up hair, skin, and nails. When you take collagen supplements regularly, your body has more amino acids available to build keratin into strong hair strands that grow quickly and look shinier.

When it comes to nails specifically, collagen has been shown to prevent brittleness in nails, making them less prone to cracking or breaking.

Are you interested in learning more about marine collagen supplements? Read our guides here.

What is marine collagen, and what are the key benefits of taking it as a supplement?

Marine collagen is a type of collagen derived from fish, and it's the most common type of animal- sourced collagen. Here are its benefits:

Reducing signs of ageing in the skin

70% of our skin is made of type 1 collagen, and supplementing with marine collagen peptides, which are a type 1 collagen, may help to replenish our skin. Many studies have demonstrated its potential to reduce signs of ageing, such as improving skin elasticity.

Moisturises skin

Collagen helps retain moisture in the skin, making it appear softer and more hydrated.

Are you looking for a marine collagen supplement for your beauty concern? Shop Beauty Complex here.

Easily absorbed into the bloodstream

Marine collagen is a type 1 collagen protein, which means it's more easily digestible than options such as bovine collagen. Because of its bioavailability and high concentration of amino acids, it is absorbed into your bloodstream much faster than any other form of collagen peptides. Also, since it's in powder form, you can easily take it by mixing it into a cold beverage or adding it to your favourite smoothie recipe!

Who is marine collagen suitable for?

The best age to start taking marine collagen is 30, which is when the body naturally starts to produce less of its own collagen and begins to experience the signs of ageing. However, people of all ages can still benefit from taking marine collagen supplements. Marine collagen supplements are also an ideal choice for pescatarians and can be perfect if you want an animal-based collagen that is suitable for your dietary requirements. Some types of supplements, such as Beauty Complex, are even suitable for diabetics and those with celiac disease.

Marine collagen supplements in a powder form are also easily dissolved into liquids and don’t change the consistency of a drink – which is perfect if you are looking for a fast, on-the-go supplement option.

We recommend taking marine collagen supplements if you aim to target beauty concerns such as dry skin, wrinkles, hair loss, and brittle nails. Marine collagen is commonly taken by people who are interested in anti-ageing benefits, specifically. However, we don’t recommend marine collagen supplements for those with fish or seafood-related allergies.

Understanding bovine collagen

Bovine collagen, also known as beef collagen or grass-fed bovine collagen, is commonly used for muscle recovery after workouts and intense exercise.

Bovine collagen provides essential amino acids like proline and glycine that help strengthen hair follicles and keep nails strong. Taking bovine collagen supplements can also help to create keratin proteins which are key building blocks for hair and skin.

According to new research, taking bovine collagen can also lead to thickening of gum tissue and more complete coverage of exposed roots.

Is bovine collagen ideal for you?

Bovine collagen is derived from cows, making it ideal for people with allergies to fish or marine-based supplements.

If you're primarily interested in improving your skin, hair, and nails, we'd suggest a supplement that's stronger in hydrolysed collagen, such as marine collagen. As 70% of the skin is made up of type 1 collagen and type 1 collagen is so easily absorbed in the bloodstream – this makes it a popular option for targeting the skin, hair and nails.

What are the key differences between marine collagen and bovine collagen?

Source

Marine collagen comes from fish scales and skin, while bovine comes from cows.

Collagen type

Marine collagen is primarily a Type 1, while bovine collagen is a mixture of Type 1 and Type III. Type I is the most abundant of all types of collagen.

The absorption rate

Marine collagen powder is absorbed into your body much faster than bovine collagen – it is estimated that marine collagen is absorbed into the body about 1.5 times faster.

The flavour profile

Bovine collagen is flavourless; however, marine collagen powder supplements such as Beauty Complex have a pleasant orange and pineapple flavour.

Sustainability

Marine collagen comes from fish scales and fish skin that would otherwise be discarded as waste, making it a sustainable choice. Bovine collagen, on the other hand, is made of sustainable cow hide.

Price

Marine collagen can sometimes be more expensive than bovine collagen because there is a higher demand for the former, due to increasing popularity in the skincare and beauty industry.

Revive Active’s Beauty Complex

The benefits of Revive Active Beauty Complex are twofold. First, this unique formula includes marine collagen peptides, which help replenish your skin's collagen. Second, the inclusion of hyaluronic acid increases skin hydration, and phytoceramides help to support the skin’s barrier function. Beauty Complex also features selenium, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin. Ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin C and biotin are also included, and help to support healthy skin, hair and nails.

The collagen used in Beauty Complex products is pure, bioactive protein derived from a far more sustainable source: 100% natural source and 97% protein. The hydrolysed form of collagen makes it easily digestible by the body. You can read our useful Beauty Complex guides to find out more about the product’s benefits.

Shop Beauty Complex today.

Common queries

Can you take marine collagen and bovine collagen at the same time?

Yes, you can take both types of collagen at the same time. However, you should not exceed the recommended dosage for each.

What is hydrolysed marine collagen?

Hydrolysed marine collagen is just collagen broken down into smaller molecules. It has a higher bioavailability than regular collagen, which means your body can absorb more of it.

Why would you consider taking a collagen supplement?

You might take it for your skin to improve the elasticity and hydration of your skin. You might also want to support the function of the skin, hair and nails through increasing collagen production and enjoy the benefits of other ingredients in the supplement.

How does bovine collagen differ from marine collagen?

The main difference between a bovine collagen supplement and a marine collagen supplement is that the former is derived from cows and the latter is derived from fish.

What should I look out for when buying marine or bovine collagen?

Make sure it is hydrolysed, so your body can absorb it quickly and easily. Next, check the ingredients list to ensure that the product doesn't have any unnecessary fillers and binders. Finally, as always, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen, and be mindful of food allergies.

Want to find out more about Beauty Complex? Fill out the form on our website for a free consultation, or read our useful guides here.

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