Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen: Which is Better?
Scarlett Gray
BNutrDiet (Hons), APD, SDA
Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia (APD200526). Accredited Sports Dietitian and Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician. First Class Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle.
Marine collagen vs bovine collagen: what is the difference?
Collagen supplements have become one of the fastest growing supplement categories in the UK, and for good reason. The clinical evidence for consistent, sufficient-dose collagen supplementation is well-established across skin, hair, joints and bone health. But walk into any health food store and you will immediately face a choice: marine collagen or bovine collagen?
They are both collagen. They both provide hydrolysed peptides. But they are not the same product, and the differences matter. This guide explains what sets marine and bovine collagen apart, what the research says about each, and how to decide which is right for you.
What is collagen and why does it decline?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up approximately 30% of total protein. It is the primary structural component of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones and connective tissue throughout the body.
From around the age of 25, the body's natural collagen production begins to decline. In women, this decline accelerates during perimenopause and menopause, when falling oestrogen levels reduce collagen synthesis. The visible and physical consequences include reduced skin elasticity, hair thinning, nail brittleness, joint stiffness and slower recovery from exercise.
Supplementing with hydrolysed collagen peptides provides the body with raw materials it can use to support its own collagen synthesis. The source of those peptides matters for how well your body absorbs and uses them.
What is marine collagen?
Marine collagen is derived from the skin and scales of fish. It is predominantly Type I collagen, which is the most abundant type in the human body and the main type found in skin. The hydrolysis process breaks the collagen protein down into small peptides, typically in the 500 to 2,000 Dalton range, which can be absorbed through the intestinal wall and transported through the bloodstream.
Marine collagen is commonly produced as low molecular weight collagen peptides, which are easily absorbed after digestion. Studies have shown that marine collagen-derived peptides can enter the bloodstream and reach connective tissues, including skin and cartilage. There is also more published research on marine collagen than on other sources, and it offers clear advantages around safety, suitability for a wider range of religious and dietary preferences, and sustainability.
What is bovine collagen?
Bovine collagen is derived from the hide and bones of cattle. It contains both Type I and Type III collagen. Type I is the primary structural collagen in skin and connective tissue. Type III is found in skin, blood vessels and internal organs, and is associated with softer, more flexible tissue structures.
Bovine collagen peptides are larger than marine peptides, which only slightly affects absorption — properly hydrolysed bovine collagen is still absorbed and used by the body. The source and production quality of bovine collagen varies considerably between suppliers, and some lower-quality products have been found to contain contaminants from intensive farming, including residues from antibiotics and growth hormones.
The key differences
Marine Collagen
Source: Fish skin and scales
Type: Primarily Type I
Peptide size: Smaller (500–2,000 Daltons)
Bioavailability: Reported up to 1.5x higher than bovine
Best for: Skin, hair, nails, joints, tendons
Suitable for: Pescatarians; wider religious and dietary preferences
Bovine Collagen
Source: Cattle hide and bones
Type: Type I and Type III
Peptide size: Larger
Bioavailability: Slightly lower than marine
Best for: Joints, gut, muscle support
Suitable for: Those avoiding fish
Bioavailability: why it matters
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a supplement that actually enters the bloodstream and reaches the tissues where it is needed. It is one of the most important factors in determining how useful a collagen supplement will be in practice.
Marine collagen is predominantly Type I, which is the same type that makes up most of the collagen in human skin. Bovine collagen also contains Type I, alongside Type III. What matters most for either source is the quality of the hydrolysis process and the overall quality of the supplement — well-hydrolysed peptides at a clinically meaningful dose are what allow the body to make use of what's been taken. Kollo uses Naticol® marine collagen, a patented and clinically studied ingredient produced through enzymatic hydrolysis with full traceability, sourced from sustainably certified fisheries.
Marine collagen also has a strong safety profile, and the recent research base around marine collagen for skin outcomes has grown substantially in the last few years.
Which collagen is better for skin?
For skin elasticity, hydration and fine lines, the research base is leaning towards marine collagen. The skin is largely Type I collagen, which is the dominant type in marine collagen too. Multiple clinical trials specifically using marine collagen at clinically meaningful doses have reported improvements in skin elasticity, moisture and wrinkle measurements within 8 to 12 weeks of consistent daily use.
Which collagen is better for joints?
Both marine and bovine collagen provide amino acids that support cartilage and connective tissue. Cartilage is approximately 70% collagen and tendons approximately 85%, and both benefit from the glycine, proline and hydroxyproline that collagen supplementation provides regardless of source.
For more targeted joint support alongside collagen supplementation, Kollo Flex+ combines AprèsFlex® Boswellia and Univestin® to address joint discomfort directly. You can also read more about the role of collagen specifically for joint health.
What about the dose?
Regardless of which type you choose, the dose is the most important factor. Clinical research on collagen supplementation consistently uses 5,000 to 10,000mg of hydrolysed peptides per day. Products delivering less than this are unlikely to reproduce the results seen in peer-reviewed studies.
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg of Naticol® marine collagen peptides in every daily sachet. Naticol® is a patented, clinically studied ingredient backed by its own independent research, sourced from sustainably certified fisheries and produced using enzymatic hydrolysis with no harsh chemicals. Every batch is Informed Choice certified and tested for over 250 potentially harmful substances.
Learn more in our complete guide to liquid marine collagen.
Which is better for the environment?
Marine collagen supplements have a sustainability advantage. They are derived from fish skin and scales that would otherwise be discarded as processing waste, making it a circular use of a by-product. Bovine collagen requires the land, water and feed resources associated with cattle farming, which has a considerably larger environmental footprint.
For those prioritising sustainability alongside efficacy, marine collagen from responsibly managed fisheries is the stronger choice. Naticol® is sourced from fisheries with sustainability certification, ensuring the supply chain meets rigorous environmental standards.
Choosing what is right for you
For women building a complete supplement routine around the changes that come with age, our guide to the best supplements for women over 40 explains how collagen fits alongside menopause support, creatine and electrolytes in a full daily stack.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer — TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Read her story and why she created Kollo.
