8 frustrating collagen myths busted by experts
Summary
At Ancient + Brave, our expert team of nutritionists and scientists have been working with collagen for long enough to have heard every claim going. Some make us smile. Some...not so much. And right now, with collagen misinformation at an all-time high, we think it's time to clear a few things up.
In this article
- Why is there so much misinformation around collagen?
- 8 collagen myths busted
- Closing thoughts
Why is there so much misinformation around collagen?
The science behind collagen is compelling and growing, so it's understandable to feel confused when the conversation around supplementation seems to pull in so many directions. Part of that confusion comes from the sheer volume of products on the market, each with its own formulations, claims and combinations of ingredients.
Some of it also comes down to formulation complexity. You'll often see vitamin C added alongside collagen, and while the two are linked in the body's collagen synthesis pathways, the relationship is more nuanced than it might appear in clever marketing. It's a good example of how a kernel of science can become a formulation convention, repeated widely enough that it starts to feel like settled wisdom.
8 collagen myths busted
At Ancient + Brave, we understand that oversimplifying the science of collagen and overstating the benefits makes it hard to know who to trust. That's why we only create collagen products rooted in research, invest in rigorous clinical trials and share the results with you.
Myth 1: You can get all the collagen you need from eating protein
We're big advocates of getting enough good-quality protein across the day from whole food sources. Collagen works best as part of a genuinely nourishing diet, not as a replacement for one. However, it's important to understand that collagen is unusually rich in specific amino acids — glycine, proline and hydroxyproline — that the body uses to build its own.
Hydrolysed collagen peptides, such as those used in True and Wild collagen, are small enough to be absorbed intact into the bloodstream. Once here, the proposed mechanism is that they act as signalling molecules, essentially carrying a message to your fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, to produce more collagen.
"A double mechanism, the right signals and the right raw materials. That's what sets quality collagen apart from just eating more protein."
— Jo Woodhurst, Director of Nutrition and Education at Ancient + Brave
Myth 2: You need vitamin C to absorb collagen supplements
You don't. And this collagen misunderstanding has been amplified by marketing claims that have muddied the water considerably. Collagen peptides are absorbed independently. Vitamin C's role in collagen synthesis happens inside your tissues, where it activates the enzymes that stabilise collagen once it's formed.
A 2025 study published in the _Journal of Investigative Dermatology_ found that dietary vitamin C intake (from 2 kiwis a day) directly influences collagen production and skin renewal. Rather than an add-in to a supplement, Vitamin C needs to be consistently present in the body, which is why a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables matters, not necessarily taken alongside your supplement at the same moment.
Myth 3: You need all the different 'types' of collagen in one supplement
Not true. When collagen is hydrolysed (broken down into the peptides and amino acids your body can absorb), the 'type' no longer matters. The body works with the peptides and amino acids it's given. A collagen containing Types I through V is likely oversimplifying the science by describing the raw material before it gets processed into the collagen powder, not necessarily what ends up in your body.
The one genuine exception is undenatured Type II collagen, which works via a completely different mechanism specific to joint health — which is why Ancient + Brave offer Noble Collagen, their targeted Type II joint care supplement.
Myth 4: You need to take both bovine and marine collagen together
Marine and bovine collagen are easily confused, with some believing that marine is best for skin and bovine is the best choice for joints. The truth is, they both deliver benefits for skin, hair and whole-body health and therefore do not need to be taken together. Once hydrolysed, the body can't tell the difference between collagen from a fish or a cow.
The most important thing is that whichever you take, you take a high-quality dose (within the daily recommended limits) and take it consistently. The choice between marine and bovine is a genuine and personal one, shaped by dietary preferences, ethical values and what you prefer to add to your drinks. Both are excellent. Neither is essential over the other.
Myth 5: Collagen doesn't survive heat, so what's the point?
Hydrolysed collagen is specifically designed to withstand the journey through digestion, and can certainly survive your cup of morning coffee. Research published in the _Biophysical Journal_ found that collagen did not begin to degrade until around 300 degrees C — boiling water sits at 100 degrees C — so you can confidently add collagen to hot tea, hot coffee, or even hot cacao.
Myth 6: Collagen is just broken down into amino acids anyway, so there's no point in taking it
This actually is the point. True Collagen and Wild Collagen are already hydrolysed, meaning the collagen has been broken down into peptides and amino acids that the body can absorb efficiently. Research suggests some of those peptides are absorbed intact into the bloodstream and signal the body to support its own collagen production.
Key stat: A 2024 randomised controlled trial published in _Frontiers in Nutrition_ confirmed that significant amounts of collagen peptides do reach the bloodstream intact after ingestion. Ancient + Brave's hydrolysed collagen peptides sit within the 2000–5000 Da range, shown to best support absorption and collagen synthesis.
Myth 7: There's no science on collagen supplements, and what science exists is industry-funded, so it doesn't count
The research on collagen has expanded considerably over the past decade. The most robust evidence is in joint health, bone density, sarcopenia, sports recovery, cardiovascular markers, and even fall prevention in older adults — areas where multiple independent and industry-funded randomised controlled trials point in the same direction.
"Yes, many collagen studies are funded by the companies that produce them — including ours. But this isn't unique to collagen. Industry-funded research is common practice across the entire field of nutrition, from probiotics to omega-3s to vitamin D. What matters isn't who funds a study, but how the study is conducted. And in that regard, collagen science has come a long way."
— Dr Jenna Macciochi, Director of Science and Innovation
Myth 8: You can't target where collagen goes, so if it's not going to your skin, what's the point?
The body, in its intelligence, will always direct resources to where they're needed most — whether that be joints, gut lining, or connective tissue. We can nourish that process, not instruct it. That said, research — including Ancient + Brave's own collagen clinical trial — demonstrates that collagen does support multiple markers of skin health. These benefits compound over time, which is why consistency matters far more than any single dose.
Closing thoughts
You don't need to stack multiple types, combine sources, or use a formula full of filler ingredients. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. Consistency and quality are the key.
Collagen supplementation is about providing the right building blocks and signals to support your body's natural processes. Choose an evidence-backed supplement, pair it with a balanced diet, and give it time. Collagen isn't designed to be a quick fix — this is the long game.