The best collagen supplements to get summer-ready

The best collagen supplement for skin this summer

Vibrant, healthy skin is a key part of feeling summer-ready. A good skincare routine is essential — and a well-formulated marine collagen supplement can be a supportive daily habit alongside it. This article covers where Kollo fits into your skincare routine, what else supports summer-ready skin, and what to be honest about along the way.

What makes Kollo a well-formulated choice for skin

Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen peptides per daily sachet — the dose used in the clinical skin research. The collagen is:

• Pure — Naticol® branded marine collagen from fish skin and scales
• High quality — every batch Informed Choice certified
• Bioavailable — marine collagen is up to 1.5x more bioavailable than bovine collagen
• Sustainable — sourced from byproducts of the fish industry

Alongside the collagen, the formula includes vitamin C (which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin), a B vitamin complex (B1, B5, B6, B12), and l-lysine (an essential amino acid). Not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy.

How does marine collagen support skin?

Your skin relies on collagen for its structural framework, resilience, and elasticity. Natural collagen production is abundant in youth but begins to decline by roughly 1% each year from age 25 onwards. This gradual decline contributes to the visible changes associated with skin ageing — fine lines, less firmness, and reduced hydration.

Summer can exacerbate this. UV rays from sunlight break down or damage collagen in the skin over time, which is why sun exposure is the single biggest driver of visible skin ageing. This is also the main reason daily SPF matters so much (see below).

Collagen supplements do not directly replace lost collagen. Collagen supplements provide the amino acids that stimulate the body's own cells to produce new collagen. With consistent daily supplementation, the body has a reliable supply of the raw materials needed for its ongoing collagen synthesis — which can support skin quality over time.

What else marine collagen may support

People take marine collagen supplements to:

• Improve the health and appearance of skin — strongest evidence area, with systematic review evidence supporting improvements in elasticity, hydration, and appearance of fine lines
• Support bone health — emerging evidence, particularly in postmenopausal women alongside vitamin D and calcium
• Alleviate joint pain — emerging evidence for joint comfort and function over 12+ weeks, particularly when paired with movement
• Improve the appearance of hair and nails — emerging evidence for both; nail changes are often one of the earlier things people notice
• Preserve muscle mass or reduce fat mass* — limited/mixed evidence; the specific research in this area involved sarcopenic elderly men alongside resistance training. Results don't translate to general adults wanting muscle or fat loss outcomes
• Support heart health* — limited/mixed evidence; early research on collagen peptides and cardiovascular markers exists but is very much emerging rather than established

*Note: the asterisks flag areas where the evidence is still limited or mixed. These aren't areas where a supplement is going to replace evidence-based lifestyle or medical interventions.

How long before you see results?

Clinical research on hydrolysed collagen peptides consistently shows measurable improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and the appearance of fine lines over 8-12 weeks of consistent daily use at around 10g. Some people notice earlier changes in nail strength or skin feel within the first few weeks. Set at least an 8-week trial in your mind before judging results, and 12 weeks for the fuller clinical timeline.

The single biggest predictor of results is consistency — daily use matches the research protocols; skipping days undermines outcomes.

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Premium Liquid Marine Collagen

10,000mg of clinically studied marine collagen daily — for visibly smoother, firmer, more hydrated skin in as little as 28 days.

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What else you can do for summer-ready skin

Wear SPF — every day

This is the most important skincare habit of them all. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on your face every day — even when it isn't sunny, and even in winter. UV rays are the biggest driver of visible skin ageing and the primary risk factor for skin cancer. Daily SPF is your strongest defence against UV damage — no supplement replaces it. Reapply every two hours if you're outdoors, especially near water or reflective surfaces. If you notice changes in a mole or persistent skin lesions, please see your GP.

Nourish your skin from the inside

Kollo already includes vitamin C, which is used by the body in collagen synthesis. Beyond that, a healthy varied diet supports skin more than any single supplement can. Evidence particularly supports:

• Vitamin C — used in collagen synthesis; found in citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries
• Zinc — contributes to normal skin maintenance; found in meat, shellfish, seeds, nuts, wholegrains
• Adequate hydration — the NHS recommends 6-8 glasses of fluid per day for most adults, more in hot weather
• Adequate protein — from a mix of animal and plant sources; supports the body's overall protein synthesis including collagen

A balanced diet with adequate protein and a mix of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and healthy fats supports skin health more than adding individual supplements.

Be sensible with sun exposure

Though SPF goes a long way, it doesn't provide complete protection from excessive sun exposure. Seek shade during peak UV hours (typically 11am-3pm in UK summer), wear a hat to protect your scalp and face, and wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes. If you want a bronzed look, self-tan is a safer route than UV exposure.

Consider collagen alongside movement

Marine collagen may support joint comfort — some emerging research also suggests taking collagen with vitamin C around 30-60 minutes before targeted exercise may support tendon and ligament outcomes (the connective tissue structures around joints). This is genuinely interesting emerging evidence for active people. It isn't the same as being a muscle-building or workout-recovery supplement — muscle recovery specifically needs complete protein (whey, meat, fish, eggs).

How much collagen should you take?

For the full picture on collagen dosing — how much is supported by research, timing, and how to think about different outcomes — read our dedicated guide: how much collagen per day.

The bottom line

Summer is a season for being outdoors, comfortable in your skin, and enjoying yourself. A supportive daily marine collagen habit can be one piece of your skincare routine, alongside the fundamentals that matter more:

• Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (the biggest lever for skin ageing and cancer prevention)
• Balanced nutrition with adequate protein, vitamin C, and hydration
• Sensible sun habits — shade, hats, sunglasses
• Consistent daily collagen supplementation for 8-12 weeks minimum to judge results
• A simple, consistent skincare routine (cleanser, moisturiser, SPF is the evidence-based basic lineup)

A word on Kollo

Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg of Naticol® marine collagen peptides per daily sachet — the dose used in the clinical skin research. Alongside vitamin C (contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin), a B vitamin complex (B1, B5, B6, B12), and l-lysine (an essential amino acid). Every batch is Informed Choice certified — independently tested for over 250 prohibited and potentially harmful substances. Not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy.

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