Simple products to help you get more collagen and keep your bones, skin, and gut healthy

COLLAGEN is more than just a beauty product – it also keeps our bones, skin and gut healthy.

But as we age, it becomes harder for the body to produce it.

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I’ve tried different ways to incorporate collagen into my daily routine, and our beauty editor put antioxidant-rich, anti-aging vitamin C formulas to the test.

HEALTH: with Jane Atkinson

Snack: Foodin Collagen Protein Bars are a 206kcal snack that makes a great alternative when you can’t handle supplements.

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Since they contain hydrolyzed bovine collagen from cows, I was concerned they would taste strange, but they were delicious – mostly nuts and a thin layer of chocolate.

Plus, since they cost around five times as much as a regular candy bar, you’re far less likely to feast on them.

They’re available in Almond Sea Salt, Cinnamon Caramel, and Ginger & Lime flavors and contain 12g of protein, of which 6.5g is collagen. (£2.99 per bar, planetorganic.com)

DRINK: Revive Collagen Premium Liquid Marine Collagen Drink is derived from ethically farmed fish skin with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice.

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I was pleasantly surprised by the citrus flavor and added a sachet to half a liter of water in the morning.

After 14 days I noticed clearer skin and shinier hair.

Each 22g sachet contains 8.5g of hydrolyzed collagen. (£33.99 for 14 pouches, hollandandbarrett.com)

DISSOLVE: A vegan-friendly collagen option is MyVitamins Beauty Plant Collagen Powder.

It dissolves easily in water or shakes and I’ve made a habit of adding it to my juicer.

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They are available in lemon and lime or orange, pineapple and grapefruit flavors.

They tasted natural and I found this one the easiest to digest and liked the fact that it had added vitamin C, zinc and copper. 10g collagen per serving. (£27.99 for a 255g can, myvitamins.com)

BEAUTY: with Tara Ledden

BUDGET – The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (£6 for 30ml, boots.com):

The Ordinary has several vitamin C products.

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This is a suspension of very fine L-Ascorbic Acid powder to ensure the most direct exposure to high concentrations of Vitamin C topically.

I found this very strong so I mixed it with a moisturizer to dilute it.

It helped with pigment spots and sun damage on my face and my skin definitely looked clearer.

But it left a yellow residue on my hands.

MID CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid (£24.99 for 30ml, amazon.co.uk):

Described as a gentle yet effective lightweight vitamin C serum with three essential ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and moisturizing ingredient-release technology for all-day hydration.

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This felt smooth on my skin and seemed to give me a healthier looking, glowing complexion.

It made my cheeks tingle a little, probably because it’s ten percent pure vitamin C, so I used it sparingly and mixed it with a moisturizer to ease a burning sensation.

LUXURY – SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic 30ml Active Antioxidant Serum (£114.99 for 30ml, less than £145, facethefuture.co.uk):

Contains a super antioxidant combination of 15% pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), 1% Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) and 0.5% Ferulic Acid.

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At first I could only use a very small amount as it burned and peeled my skin.

But it really worked in reducing age spots, blemishes, and sun damage.

After a few weeks I was getting compliments on my skin.

Pricey but it made a real difference. My favourite.