Marine vs bovine collagen: which is right for your supplement brand?

Collagen is one of the most talked-about ingredients in the supplement world. It is versatile, effective, and continues to grow across categories from skincare to sports recovery.

For brands developing new products, one question often shapes the direction of a formulation: should you choose marine or bovine collagen?

At Vanguard Nutraceuticals, we supply both, although most of our customers now prefer marine collagen, particularly our wild-caught MSC Certified collagen from Seagarden. It is sustainable, naturally rich in Type I collagen, and fits perfectly with the values of modern, ingredient-conscious brands.

Why marine collagen is gaining ground

Marine collagen is made from the skin and scales of fish, usually cod, pollock, or haddock, and is naturally high in Type I collagen. This is the same type found in human skin, bones, and connective tissue. Because of this, marine collagen is especially well suited to beauty and skincare applications, where Type I collagen supports skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness.

Seagarden’s marine collagen is produced on the west coast of Norway using fish caught in the North Atlantic. It is processed under strict quality and sustainability standards to ensure purity and traceability.

For brands focused on transparency and quality, this origin story matters.

It represents:

• Traceable sourcing from certified wild fisheries

• Sustainability, supported by MSC and FOS certifications

• Clean-label appeal, suitable for pescatarian consumers

• High bioavailability, with low molecular weight peptides that are easily absorbed

These attributes make marine collagen ideal for beauty, wellness, and recovery formulations where quality and brand story are essential.

Clinical evidence for marine collagen

There is a growing body of research showing that marine collagen peptides can support skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction.

A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that daily supplementation with fish-derived collagen peptides led to improved skin elasticity and reduced wrinkles after 12 weeks of use (study link).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 clinical trials involving over 1,700 participants confirmed that hydrolysed collagen supplementation significantly improved skin hydration and elasticity, with several of the studies using marine-sourced peptides (study link).

Another placebo-controlled study in 100 women showed measurable improvements in hydration by week four and elasticity and wrinkle reduction by week twelve, following a daily dose of 1.65 g marine collagen peptide (study link).

Beyond clinical outcomes, scientific reviews highlight the mechanistic advantages of marine collagen, noting that its smaller peptide size supports faster absorption and more effective stimulation of fibroblast activity, which plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin structure.

Together, these findings show why marine collagen is increasingly seen as the preferred option for beauty-from-within formulations.

The perception advantage

While bovine collagen remains widely used, consumer attitudes have shifted. Many people now associate marine collagen with purity, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

Bovine collagen still delivers results and remains a practical choice for general wellness or protein-based products, but marine collagen has become the preferred option for premium brands.

Seagarden’s marine collagen is also produced from by-products of responsibly managed fisheries, making it a circular and low-impact ingredient that aligns with growing expectations for sustainable sourcing.

Taste, texture, and formulation

Marine collagen has a fine texture and dissolves easily in liquids. It has a light, neutral taste when produced to high standards, making it perfect for sachets, powders, and ready-to-drink products.

It blends smoothly with other functional ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or antioxidants without affecting taste or solubility.Bovine collagen is slightly denser and tends to be used in high-volume blends or formulations where cost sensitivity is a higher priority.

Premium positioning backed by science

Marine collagen combines scientific credibility with strong sustainability credentials. Studies consistently show that low molecular weight collagen peptides from fish can help improve skin elasticity, hydration, and repair. These results support the category’s reputation as a reliable, science-backed ingredient for beauty and wellness formulations.

As the collagen market continues to expand, consumers are becoming more selective. They want products that deliver real results while being responsibly sourced. Marine collagen allows brands to meet these expectations on both fronts.

In recent years, the cost difference between marine and bovine collagen has narrowed, giving brands the opportunity to move towards a more premium and sustainable option without major impact on pricing.

Why brands choose Seagarden through Vanguard

Seagarden is one of Norway’s leading producers of marine collagen, with decades of experience in marine ingredient production. The company combines advanced food technology with a strong focus on sustainability.

Each batch of Seagarden collagen is fully traceable from fishery to finished ingredient, providing reliability and consistency that brands can trust.

As Seagarden’s UK distribution partner, Vanguard Nutraceuticals supplies their range of marine collagen directly to supplement and wellness brands. We provide a dependable supply chain, full technical documentation, and formulation support to help bring new products to market.

You can read more about Seagarden’s marine collagen here.

A future led by marine collagen

The supplement industry is moving towards sustainability, transparency, and scientifically backed ingredients. Marine collagen sits at the centre of that movement.

It allows brands to offer products that perform well while telling a story of quality, responsibility, and innovation.

At Vanguard Nutraceuticals, we believe our wild-caught marine collagen represents the future of collagen supplementation: a premium ingredient that combines proven efficacy with sustainable sourcing and consumer trust.