Collagen is rapidly becoming one of the most popular supplements out there, and for good reason: it helps your body both inside and out. But not all types of collagen are the same.

If you’ve started looking for collagen supplements, you’ve likely noticed that some products simply include collagen while others state that they use hydrolyzed collagen peptides.

Although both forms are beneficial, hydrolyzed collagen is often believed to be superior. So, what is hydrolyzed collagen, and why should you use it?

What Is Hydrolyzed Collagen?

Collagen is a protein that’s naturally found and produced in your body. It’s what helps your skin retain its structure, firmness, and youthful glow.

Though your body produces collagen on its own, the amount and quality of that collagen fade as you age. When this happens, it’s normal to look for supplements and products to help replace that collagen. This is where hydrolyzed collagen comes into play.

Hydrolyzed collagen is a type of collagen that’s broken down into more bioavailable, or absorbable and thus usable, chunks. Under normal circumstances, collagen is made up of incredibly long chains. These chains are easy to use when they’re produced in your body, but when you’re getting them from an external source, like a supplement or skincare product, they’re hard for your body to work with.

Since hydrolyzed collagen peptides are much shorter, your body is better able to absorb those chains and put them to use quickly. This means you’ll start to see better results faster than you would with non-hydrolyzed collagen supplements.

Hydrolyzed Collagen vs Collagen Peptides

If you’ve started looking for high-quality collagen products and supplements, you’ve likely noticed different terms used to describe the types of collagen manufacturers rely on. The most common of these terms are collagen peptides and hydrolyzed collagen.

So, what’s the difference between hydrolyzed collagen vs collagen peptides?

Believe it or not, hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides are the same thing. They’re both a more bioavailable form of collagen that does the same thing when incorporated into your daily routine. The only difference between them is the name people use to describe them or the way different product manufacturers introduce them on their labels.

Why Should You Use Collagen Peptides?

Ultimately, external sources of plain collagen can be hard for your body to break down and use effectively. This means you’ll end up needing to take or use more collagen to achieve any noticeable results, if you notice them at all.

By using hydrolyzed collagen peptides, you’re giving your body a form of collagen that it can use without wasting time and energy breaking down those long protein chains. This means you’ll see better results faster than you would by taking another form of collagen. And since hydrolyzed collagen penetrates the skin deeper than regular collagen, you’ll see many more benefits than just softer skin.

Benefits of Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydrolyzed collagen is quickly becoming one of the most popular supplements that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine, as it helps your body in many different ways.

Improves Softness

The most common reason people start looking into hydrolyzed collagen peptides is to improve the look and feel of their skin. When applied, collagen gets absorbed directly into your skin, where it helps improve hydration and moisture retention. This results in an increased softness, especially around overly dry areas like your cheeks and around the eyes.

Rebuilds Firmness

Hydrolyzed collagen also helps rebuild your skin’s elasticity, making it firmer and less prone to wrinkles and fine lines. Even better, it does so naturally by supplementing the collagen your body naturally produces.

The more collagen your skin has, the less it will sag over time, and the harder it will be for wrinkles and fine lines to form.

May Improve Joints

Collagen doesn’t just help improve elasticity in your skin. It also helps strengthen the connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments throughout your body. By using hydrolyzed collagen peptides as part of a regular wellness routine, you may be able to improve your joints and bone health.

What Types of Collagen Supplements Are There?

There are many different types of collagen supplements on the market, but they fall into two main categories: collagen for internal use and topical supplements. The type you choose largely depends on the type of results you’re looking for.

Internal Supplements

Taking collagen internally by ingesting a powdered mix or taking collagen capsules allows your body to absorb the hydrolyzed collagen peptides and use them where it deems necessary. For people looking to provide nutrients to their joints, bones, and internal tissues, internal supplements are typically best.

Topical Supplements

Using topical supplements like collagen masks, creams, serums, and lotions is the best way to improve your skin’s overall health and appearance. The collagen gets absorbed directly into the skin tissue, where it fills in the gaps in your body’s natural collagen production.

Even better, most hydrolyzed collagen lotions and creams contain other skin-brightening ingredients. You’ll be able to improve the condition of your skin both inside and out.

How to Choose a Great Supplement

When you’re looking at hydrolyzed collagen supplements, think about why you want to take them in the first place. If you’re looking to improve the look and feel of your skin, you’ll want to choose a topical treatment for best results.

When you start looking at different products, make sure to read up on the other ingredients. Make sure you’re not sensitive to the other additives for each product you consider. Then, look at the benefits offered by the other ingredients to determine which products are best for your needs.

Hydrolyzed Collagen Can Help Your Skincare Routine

By incorporating hydrolyzed collagen into your skincare routine, you’ll improve the way your skin looks and feels every day. The key lies in choosing the right products for your skin type and condition.