Collagen Peptides: Types, Sources and How to Read the Label

By the nutrima editorial team · Last reviewed October 2026 · How we research and write

Collagen peptides are collagen protein that has been broken into short chains (hydrolyzed) so the powder dissolves in hot or cold liquids. Most collagen supplements come from bovine (cow) hide or from fish skin and scales, and labels often name collagen "types" such as I, II and III, which describe where in the body that kind of collagen is found. When you compare products, read the grams of collagen peptides per serving and the source animal on the Supplement Facts panel. Collagen counts as protein on the label, but it is not a complete protein because it contains little or no tryptophan, one of the nine essential amino acids.

In this guide:

What collagen is

Collagen is a family of structural proteins. It is one of the most abundant proteins in the bodies of mammals and is a main component of connective tissues such as skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. A collagen molecule is made of three long protein chains wound around each other in a rope-like triple helix.

Like every protein, collagen is built from amino acids. Its pattern is unusual: it is especially high in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, and it contains very little of some other amino acids. That amino acid profile is why collagen behaves differently from milk or plant protein on a nutrition label (see below).

The body makes its own collagen from amino acids supplied by the diet. Collagen from food or supplements is digested like other proteins, into amino acids and small peptides, before it is absorbed.

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides vs gelatin

Collagen in animal hide, bone or fish skin is tough and does not dissolve in water. Heating it breaks it down partly into gelatin, which dissolves in hot water and sets into a gel as it cools.

Hydrolyzed collagen, also called collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate, goes a step further. The collagen is processed with enzymes (and sometimes heat or acid) that cut the long protein chains into short pieces called peptides. Shorter chains mean the powder:

  • dissolves in cold as well as hot liquids;
  • does not set into a gel;
  • has little taste or smell when unflavored.

On a label you may see "hydrolyzed collagen", "collagen peptides", "hydrolyzed collagen peptides" or "collagen hydrolysate". These names describe the same kind of ingredient. The label should also say what animal and tissue it came from, for example "from bovine hide".

Bovine, marine and other sources

Source Typical raw material Collagen types typically named Allergen to note Who avoids it
Bovine Cow hide (skin) or bone Types I and III Beef is not a major US food allergen People who do not eat beef, vegetarians, vegans
Marine Fish skin and scales Mainly type I Fish: a major food allergen that must be declared People with a fish allergy, vegetarians, vegans
Chicken Chicken cartilage, often sternum Mainly type II Check the label; may be combined with other ingredients People who do not eat poultry, vegetarians, vegans
Porcine Pig skin Types I and III Pork is not a major US food allergen People who do not eat pork for religious or dietary reasons

All of the collagen powders in our store are bovine. Their labels state "hydrolyzed collagen peptides (from bovine hide)". "Grass-fed" appears in the product names; the label itself identifies the source as bovine hide.

There is no true plant-based collagen, because plants do not make collagen. Products labeled "vegan collagen" or "collagen builder" usually contain amino acids, vitamins or plant extracts rather than collagen itself, so read the ingredient list.

Types I, II and III: what the names mean

Scientists have identified more than two dozen types of collagen, numbered with Roman numerals. The numbers describe differences in the protein chains and where each type is found in the body. Supplement labels usually mention only three:

  • Type I is the most abundant type in the body. It is found in skin, tendons, ligaments and bone. Bovine hide and fish skin are rich in it.
  • Type II is the main collagen in cartilage. Supplements naming type II are usually made from chicken cartilage.
  • Type III is often found alongside type I, for example in skin and blood vessel walls. Bovine hide contains both.

Once collagen is hydrolyzed into short peptides, the triple-helix structure that defines each "type" is largely broken apart. That is why many labels for hydrolyzed bovine collagen simply say "collagen peptides" and name the source rather than the type. A "multi-collagen" product combines several sources; the label should list each one, and a blend without individual amounts will not tell you how much of each is inside.

Powder, creamer, capsules and strips

Collagen is sold in several formats, and the amount per serving varies enormously between them. Our Supplement Facts label guide explains units in more detail.

Format Typical amount per serving Example from our range Notes
Unflavored powder Grams 20 g hydrolyzed collagen peptides per 1-scoop (20 g) serving Single ingredient; mixes into hot or cold drinks
Flavored powder Grams 20 g collagen peptides per 2-scoop (27 g) serving, chocolate Adds cocoa, flavors, thickener and sweetener
Creamer Grams Collagen peptides with MCT oil, acacia and pea protein, vanilla Made to stir into coffee or tea; read the label for grams per serving
Oral strip Milligrams 100 mg collagen peptide and 6 mg vitamin E per strip Dissolves on the tongue; a much smaller amount than a powder serving
Capsule Milligrams Not currently stocked A typical capsule holds less than one gram, so gram amounts need many capsules

The difference between 20 g and 100 mg is 200-fold. Neither is "right"; they are different products. What matters is that you compare like with like, by reading the unit (g or mg) on the Supplement Facts panel rather than the front of the pack.

How to read a collagen label

Here is how the panel on our Grass-Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides reads, line by line:

  • Serving size: 1 scoop (20 g). Servings per container: 14.
  • Calories: 70.
  • Protein: 18 g.
  • Sodium: 26 mg (2% DV).
  • Hydrolyzed collagen peptides (from bovine hide): 20 g, with an asterisk meaning no Daily Value is established.
  • Other ingredients: bovine hide collagen peptides.

Points to notice:

  1. Collagen grams and protein grams differ. 20 g of collagen peptides shows as 18 g of protein. The protein figure is calculated separately from the ingredient weight, so the two numbers do not have to match.
  2. Protein %DV is often blank. If a label gives a %DV for protein, FDA rules require it to be adjusted for protein quality. Because collagen scores low on that measure, collagen labels often show grams of protein without a %DV.
  3. Source and tissue. Look for wording such as "from bovine hide" or "from fish". If the source is fish, the allergen statement must say so.
  4. Other ingredients. Flavored powders add more. Our Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides Powder (Chocolate) lists cocoa powder, acacia powder, natural flavor, sodium chloride, xanthan gum, stevia extract (Reb A) and silica, and its label shows 3 g of carbohydrate and 2 g of dietary fiber per serving.
  5. Proprietary blends. If collagen sits inside a named blend with a single total weight, you will not see how much collagen you get.

Is collagen a complete protein?

No. MedlinePlus lists nine essential amino acids that the body cannot make: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. A "complete" protein supplies all nine in useful amounts. Collagen contains little or no tryptophan and is low in several of the others, so it is considered an incomplete protein.

That does not make collagen a poor ingredient; it means collagen should not be counted as a substitute for protein from a varied diet or from a complete-protein powder such as whey. If you are tracking protein against the adult Recommended Dietary Allowance of 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight, see our protein powder guide for how labels and the RDA work.

Allergens and dietary choices

  • Fish: marine collagen is made from fish, one of the major food allergens under US law. A fish-derived product must declare it. People with a fish allergy should avoid marine collagen.
  • Shellfish: some marine products may involve shellfish; check the "Contains" line.
  • Other ingredients: creamers and flavored powders can include milk, pea protein, coconut-derived MCT oil or other ingredients. Our collagen creamer, for example, lists pea protein powder and medium chain triglycerides.
  • Vegetarian and vegan diets: all collagen comes from animals. It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
  • Religious dietary rules: if you follow halal or kosher rules, check the source animal and any certification shown on the product itself. We do not describe our collagen products as halal or kosher certified.

Who should talk to a doctor first

Talk to your doctor before using a collagen supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, under 18, have kidney or liver disease or another medical condition, have been told to limit protein, or take prescription medication. Bring the label so your doctor can see the serving size, protein content and other ingredients.

Storage

  • Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light, as our collagen labels direct.
  • Close the lid after each use; collagen powder absorbs moisture and can clump.
  • Use a dry scoop and do not return unused powder to the tub.
  • Keep the oral strip tin closed when not in use.
  • Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing, and keep out of reach of children.

Shop collagen

Browse the beauty-from-within collection or all powders. Products in this guide:

Related guides: whey isolate, concentrate and plant protein, creatine, BCAAs, electrolytes and pre-workout ingredients, and the full guides hub.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between collagen peptides and hydrolyzed collagen?

Nothing meaningful. Both names describe collagen that has been broken into short peptides with enzymes so that it dissolves easily.

Does collagen powder dissolve in cold water?

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides dissolve in cold as well as hot liquids. Gelatin, by contrast, needs hot water and sets as it cools.

Is marine collagen better than bovine collagen?

They are different sources, not better or worse versions. Marine collagen is mainly type I and comes from fish, which is a major allergen. Bovine collagen from hide contains types I and III. Choose based on your diet, allergies and the label.

Can collagen replace my protein powder?

Not on its own. Collagen is an incomplete protein because it lacks tryptophan. It still appears as grams of protein on the label, but it does not supply all nine essential amino acids.

How many grams of collagen are in a serving?

It depends on the format. Our unflavored and chocolate powders list 20 g per serving; our oral strips list 100 mg per strip. Always check the unit.

Is there a vegan collagen?

No collagen is vegan, because plants do not make it. Products sold as vegan alternatives contain other ingredients, not collagen.

Can I add collagen to hot coffee?

Yes. Hydrolyzed collagen dissolves in hot drinks, and our creamer is made for coffee or tea. Heat does not change the grams of protein listed per serving of dry powder.

Sources

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.