Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Review: Dose, Price and Alternatives
Love Life Supplements
Reviewed by Sarah Law, Dip CNM, Naturopathic Nutritionist
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides review, in short: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a simple, single-ingredient bovine collagen powder. Its own supplement facts panel gives 20 g of collagen peptides (from bovine hide) per 4-tablespoon serving, 18 g of protein, 70 calories, 0 g of sugar and 110 mg of sodium, with nothing added, and the canister front reads "Grass Fed + Pasture Raised". On vitalproteins.com the 9.33 oz (265 g) canister costs $27.00 for about 14 servings, which is $1.93 a serving or about $0.96 per 10 g of collagen ($22.95 with Auto Delivery). On Amazon UK the 264 g tub, sold through the Vital Proteins store, was £23.58 for 13 servings on the day we checked. It suits anyone who wants a plain, well-known collagen at a fair price. It is not the cheapest per gram (Sports Research and Nutravita cost less), it contains no vitamin C unless you buy the Advanced version, and like every collagen it is an incomplete protein. If you want vitamin C, added glycine and UC-II type II collagen in the same scoop, our Ultimate Collagen Peptides gives 15 g of BODYBALANCE collagen peptides plus 200 mg of vitamin C per serving, from £1.47 a serving for a new subscriber on our UK store. The tables below compare Vital Proteins with four alternatives, label by label and per 10 g of collagen.
Our figures come from our printed label and an independent lab report. Ultimate Collagen Peptides (Love Life Supplements) gives, per 18.2 g heaped scoop, 15 g of BODYBALANCE hydrolysed bovine collagen, 40 mg of UC-II undenatured chicken collagen, added L-glycine and 200 mg of vitamin C (250% of the UK NRV), with 13.5 g of protein, 54 kcal and 0 g of sugar. A 547 g tub holds 30 servings and the front of the tub reads "Types I, II & III". It is manufactured in the UK under a BRC licence. Eurofins tested batch 06500062 (report AR-733-2026-00087334-03) and measured vitamin C at the 200 mg per serving stated on the label, with lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic all below the laboratory's reporting limits. A tub is £48.95, or £44.06 for the first Subscribe & Save order, on our UK store; it is not sold on our US store. Customers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 196 ratings on our store, and it carries our 60-day money-back guarantee.
Ultimate Collagen Peptides: 15 g BODYBALANCE collagen peptides, 40 mg UC-II and 200 mg vitamin C per heaped scoop, 30 servings, unflavoured, sold on our UK store.
View product- It is one ingredient. The unflavoured powder is bovine collagen peptides and nothing else: 20 g of collagen and 18 g of protein per 4 tablespoons.
- The price is middle of the pack. About $0.96 per 10 g of collagen in the 9.33 oz canister and $0.80 in the 19.3 oz canister, against $0.73 for Sports Research and £0.38 for Nutravita.
- No vitamin C in the original. Vitamin C (90 mg) and hyaluronic acid (120 mg) are only in Collagen Peptides Advanced, which costs about $1.25 per 10 g of collagen.
- It is not a complete protein. Vital Proteins prints this on its own label, and its protein shows 0% of the US Daily Value because collagen lacks tryptophan.
- The serving is a measure, not a scoop. The canisters are now scoopless: you measure 4 level tablespoons (3 for Advanced).
- One recall on record. In April 2023 Vital Proteins recalled 59,701 canisters of the 24 oz plastic canister for possible pieces of a broken lid (FDA Class II, now terminated).
Is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides good? Our verdict
Yes, for what it is. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a clean, plain bovine collagen with a generous 20 g serving, no sweeteners or flavourings in the unflavoured tub, and a label that is unusually upfront about collagen not being a complete protein. Its weak points are price per gram compared with simpler brands, the lack of vitamin C in the original powder, and the fact that the brand's own UK website could not be priced directly, so most UK buyers will meet it on Amazon or in shops.
Our verdict by buyer:
- Buy Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides if you want a well-known, single-ingredient bovine collagen at 20 g a day and are happy to measure tablespoons. The 19.3 oz canister is the better value in the US ($45.00 for about 28 servings).
- Buy Sports Research Collagen Peptides (US) if price per gram matters most and you want a third-party certification mark on the tub: 11 g per scoop, about 41 servings for $32.95, with Informed Choice and NSF gluten-free marks.
- Buy Nutravita Premium Gold Standard (UK) if you want the lowest cost per gram of plain collagen: 10 g per scoop, 50 servings for £18.99.
- Buy a formula with vitamin C (Vital Proteins Advanced, Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein or our Ultimate Collagen Peptides) if you would rather not take vitamin C separately. Vitamin C is the one nutrient here with an authorised claim: it contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth.
For a wider field of UK options, see our comparative review of collagen peptide supplements.
What is in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides? The label, read line by line
The unflavoured powder contains one ingredient: collagen peptides from bovine hide, which Vital Proteins describes on its product page as "upcycled bovine hide". The supplement facts panel for the 9.33 oz canister lists, per 4 tablespoons (20 g): 70 calories, 0 g total sugars, 18 g protein (0% Daily Value), 110 mg sodium (5% DV) and 20 g collagen peptides. The site says it is made without dairy or gluten, and the panel notes that it is made in a facility that also processes milk and fish (the 19.3 oz canister and stick packs add tree nuts). The front of the canister says "Grass Fed + Pasture Raised" and "Skin, Hair, Nail + Joint Support", which is a US structure-function statement; in the UK and EU, collagen has no authorised health claim.
Vital Proteins sells several versions under the Collagen Peptides name, and the serving changes between them. This table lists the ones searchers ask about most, read from each product's own facts panel.
| Version (where sold) | Serving and servings | Collagen per serving | What else is in it | Price read 9 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen Peptides Unflavored 9.33 oz / 265 g (vitalproteins.com) | 4 tbsp (20 g), about 14 | 20 g bovine | Nothing; 18 g protein, 110 mg sodium | $27.00 ($22.95 Auto Delivery) |
| Collagen Peptides Unflavored 19.3 oz (vitalproteins.com) | 4 tbsp (20 g), about 28 | 20 g bovine | Nothing | $45.00 |
| Collagen Peptides stick packs, 20 count (vitalproteins.com) | 1 packet (10 g), 20 | 10 g bovine | Nothing; 9 g protein | $39.00 |
| Collagen Peptides Advanced 9.33 oz (vitalproteins.com) | 3 tbsp (about 21 g), about 12 | 20 g bovine | Vitamin C 90 mg (100% DV), hyaluronic acid 120 mg | $29.99 |
| Marine Collagen Unflavored 7.8 oz (vitalproteins.com) | 3 tbsp (12 g), about 18 | 12 g from cod | Nothing; contains fish | $39.00 |
| Collagen Peptides Unflavoured 264 g (Amazon UK, Vital Proteins store) | 20 g, 13 servings | 20 g bovine | Listed as type I and III collagen | £23.58 |
Sources: vitalproteins.com product pages and supplement facts images for each version; Amazon UK listing B0CL424LN2 (title states 13 servings, bullet states 20 g per serving), price is the Amazon UK buy box on 9 November 2026. Amazon prices change often.
Vital Proteins vs alternatives: collagen per serving and price per 10 g
Per 10 g of collagen, Vital Proteins sits in the middle: cheaper than Ancient Nutrition and its own Advanced formula, dearer than Sports Research and Nutravita. Collagen tubs use very different scoop sizes (10 g to 20 g), so price per serving on its own is misleading. This table divides each tub's price by the grams of collagen it actually contains, using each brand's own figures.
| Product | Collagen per serving | Price per serving | Price per 10 g collagen | Extras per serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 9.33 oz (US) | 20 g | $1.93 ($1.64 Auto Delivery) | $0.96 ($0.82) | None |
| Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 19.3 oz (US) | 20 g | $1.61 | $0.80 | None |
| Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Advanced 9.33 oz (US) | 20 g | $2.50 | $1.25 | Vitamin C 90 mg, hyaluronic acid 120 mg |
| Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 264 g (Amazon UK) | 20 g | £1.81 | £0.91 | None |
| Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein, 45 servings (US) | 10 g Multi Collagen Complex | $1.11 | $1.11 (per 10 g of the complex) | Vitamin C 90 mg; complex includes bone broth protein and a probiotic |
| Sports Research Collagen Peptides 16 oz (US) | 11 g | $0.80 ($0.68 Subscribe & Save) | $0.73 ($0.62) | None |
| Nutravita Premium Gold Standard Bovine Collagen, 50 servings (UK) | 10 g | £0.38 | £0.38 | None |
| Love Life Supplements Ultimate Collagen Peptides, 30 servings (UK store) | 15 g BODYBALANCE + 40 mg UC-II | £1.63 (£1.47 first Subscribe & Save) | £1.09 (£0.98) | Vitamin C 200 mg, added L-glycine |
Price per 10 g = tub price divided by (servings x collagen grams per serving), times 10. Servings are each brand's stated count ("about 14" taken as 14). Ancient Nutrition's 10 g is a blend of bovine hide collagen, eggshell membrane collagen, chicken bone broth protein concentrate, a probiotic and fish collagen, so it is not 10 g of collagen peptides alone. Prices are shown in each store's own currency and are not converted; pounds and dollars are not comparable line for line.
Our own row is not the cheapest per gram of collagen. What the extra cost buys is the formula: 200 mg of vitamin C, 40 mg of UC-II undenatured type II collagen and added glycine in the same scoop, and a branded collagen peptide (BODYBALANCE) with its own published research. If you only want plain bovine collagen, a single-ingredient powder such as Vital Proteins, Sports Research or Nutravita costs less per gram. Our guide to collagen powder vs capsules vs gummies runs the same maths across formats.
How much protein is in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, and is it a complete protein?
A 20 g serving of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides gives 18 g of protein, but it is not a complete protein. Vital Proteins prints this on the panel itself ("Collagen peptides are an incomplete protein because they do not provide all the essential amino acids your body needs") and lists the protein at 0% of the US Daily Value, because the Daily Value for protein on a US label is adjusted for protein quality.
The reason is tryptophan. Collagen protein lacks this indispensable amino acid, so under the PDCAAS method of scoring protein quality it is classed as an incomplete protein source.5 The same paper calculated that collagen peptides could replace up to 36% of the protein in a typical Western diet while still meeting indispensable amino acid needs, which is well above the 2.5 to 15 g a day used in most collagen studies.5 The practical point is simple: count collagen as an addition to your protein from food, not a replacement for it.
Collagen's amino acid profile is dominated by glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Our own label shows 6.32 g of glycine, 1.89 g of proline and 1.79 g of hydroxyproline per serving, partly because L-glycine is added on top of the collagen. Sports Research prints 2,400 mg of glycine per 11 g scoop, and Ancient Nutrition 2,250 mg per 10.1 g scoop. Vital Proteins does not print an amino acid profile on the unflavoured panel we read.
"Collagen is a useful extra, not a replacement for your protein. I ask clients to count it on top of complete protein foods such as eggs, fish, dairy, meat, or beans with grains, because collagen on its own is missing tryptophan. A scoop in your morning coffee is easy to keep up; skipping breakfast protein because of it is not a good swap."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
Does Vital Proteins collagen work? What the research says
The studies below used other collagen products, not Vital Proteins, so they describe hydrolysed collagen in general. That research is real but specific: particular peptides, particular doses and particular groups of people, and it cannot be read as a promise about any one tub.
- Skin. In a double-blind trial, 69 women aged 35 to 55 took 2.5 g or 5 g of a specific collagen hydrolysate, or placebo, once a day for 8 weeks; skin elasticity improved in both collagen groups compared with placebo, while changes in skin moisture did not reach statistical significance.1 A 2021 meta-analysis of 19 randomised trials (1,125 participants, 95% women) reported favourable results for hydration, elasticity and wrinkles compared with placebo.2
- Training. In 53 older men with sarcopenia following a 12-week resistance training programme, those taking 15 g a day of collagen peptides gained more fat-free mass (4.2 kg vs 2.9 kg) and leg strength than those taking placebo.3 The peptide in that study was BODYBALANCE, the same branded ingredient in our tub, at the same 15 g.
- Collagen synthesis. In eight healthy men, 15 g of vitamin C-enriched gelatin taken an hour before short bouts of rope skipping doubled a blood marker of new type I collagen compared with placebo.4
Two cautions. First, none of these studies used Vital Proteins, and none used ours as a finished product, so they describe ingredients, not brands. Second, in the UK and EU no health claim is authorised for collagen itself; the only authorised wording in this space belongs to vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth. If a collagen label promises skin, hair or joint results, that is US-style structure-function wording, not an approved UK claim.
Vitamin C with collagen: UK NRV and US RDA compared
Vitamin C is the reason many people choose a collagen formula over a plain one. The original Vital Proteins powder has none, Advanced and Ancient Nutrition each add 90 mg (100% of the US Daily Value), and ours adds 200 mg. Here is how those amounts sit against each market's reference intakes.
| Reference | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Labelling reference for vitamin C | NRV 80 mg a day | Daily Value 90 mg a day |
| Recommended intake for adults | NHS: 40 mg a day for adults aged 19 to 64 | NIH ODS RDA: 90 mg (men), 75 mg (women); smokers add 35 mg |
| Upper limit | NHS: more than 1,000 mg a day can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea and flatulence | NIH ODS Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 2,000 mg a day for adults |
| Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Advanced | 90 mg = 113% NRV | 90 mg = 100% DV |
| Ultimate Collagen Peptides | 200 mg = 250% NRV | 200 mg = 222% DV |
Sources: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 Annex XIII as retained in GB law (NRV); NHS vitamin C guidance; NIH Office of Dietary Supplements vitamin C fact sheet (RDA and UL); FDA Daily Value. Percentages for the US column are our arithmetic from the 90 mg Daily Value.
Fruit and vegetables cover most people's vitamin C needs, so a collagen formula without it is perfectly reasonable if your diet is good. The point of putting it in the same scoop is convenience.
Is Vital Proteins collagen safe? Side effects, allergens and the 2023 recall
For most healthy adults, collagen peptides are a food protein, and in the 8-week skin trial cited above no side effects were noted.1 Our separate article on the downsides of taking collagen peptides covers these in more depth.
Points specific to Vital Proteins:
- Allergens. The bovine powder is made in a facility that also processes milk and fish (and tree nuts for the 19.3 oz canister and stick packs). The Marine Collagen version is made from cod and contains fish.
- The 2023 recall. On 21 April 2023 Vital Proteins began a voluntary recall of Collagen Peptides in the 24 oz plastic canister (UPC 8 57273 00866 6), 59,701 canisters in total, because pieces of a broken blue lid might be in one or more canisters. The FDA classified it as Class II and the recall is now listed as terminated.6 The recall covered that plastic canister only.
- Its own warning. The panel advises checking with a healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant, lactating, on medication or have any health condition, and says not to use it if the safety seal is broken.
On testing: the Vital Proteins product page and supplement facts image we read showed no third-party testing mark such as NSF or Informed Choice for the unflavoured collagen; the panel carries a gluten-free mark and a Certified B Corporation mark, which is a company-level social and environmental certification, not a product purity test. Sports Research shows Informed Choice, IGEN Non-GMO Tested and NSF Certified Gluten-Free marks on its tub. For our own products, all raw materials are third-party tested and every product has a Certificate of Analysis; the reports are on our testing procedures page.
How much Vital Proteins collagen should you take a day, and does it come with a scoop?
Vital Proteins' label serving is 4 level tablespoons (20 g) a day, taken all at once or spread through the day, mixed into any food or drink. The Advanced version is 3 level tablespoons (about 21 g) with 8 fl oz of liquid. The canisters no longer include a scoop: the Amazon UK listing says Vital Proteins "is going scoopless" and that servings are "now measured in tablespoons".
Most published collagen studies use between 2.5 g and 15 g a day,5 so 20 g sits at the generous end. Half the label serving, 2 tablespoons (10 g), is still within that research range and makes a tub last twice as long. Our own serving is one heaped scoop (18.2 g, scoop included) giving 15 g of collagen.
Collagen peptides dissolve in hot drinks, so coffee and tea are the easiest homes for them. In cold drinks they can clump: Sports Research's label suggests mixing into a room-temperature liquid first and then adding ice. Our guide to cooking with collagen has more ideas.
"Keep it simple. One measured serving a day, stirred into something you already have, such as your morning coffee, porridge or a smoothie, is far easier to stick with than a big scoop now and then. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or take regular medication, check with your GP before you start."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
Buying Vital Proteins in the UK and the US
In the US, Vital Proteins sells direct at vitalproteins.com in US dollars, with Auto Delivery at 15% off (the 9.33 oz canister drops from $27.00 to $22.95), and through major retailers. The brand's UK website did not load for our automated price check on 9 November 2026, so the UK price in this review is the Amazon UK listing sold through the Vital Proteins store: £23.58 for a 264 g tub (13 servings), rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5,494 ratings that day. UK prices at Amazon and high street chemists move often, so check before you buy.
Our Ultimate Collagen Peptides is sold on our UK store, lovelifesupplements.co.uk, priced in pounds. It is not currently sold on our US store.
Which collagen should you choose?
you want a plain, single-ingredient bovine collagen at 20 g a serving from a well-known brand, and you get your vitamin C from food or another supplement.
price per gram of plain collagen is your priority: $0.73 per 10 g for Sports Research in the US, £0.38 per 10 g for Nutravita in the UK.
you want 90 mg of vitamin C in a US-sold formula, and (for Ancient Nutrition) a multi-source blend rather than bovine collagen alone.
you want 15 g of BODYBALANCE collagen, 40 mg of UC-II, added glycine and 200 mg of vitamin C in one scoop, bought in pounds from our UK store.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: frequently asked questions
Is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides good for you?
For most healthy adults it is a simple, well-tolerated protein supplement: one ingredient, bovine collagen peptides, with 18 g of protein, 0 g of sugar and 110 mg of sodium per 20 g serving. It is not a complete protein, so it should add to your protein from food rather than replace it. Research on hydrolysed collagen is promising for skin and alongside resistance training, but no collagen health claim is authorised in the UK or EU.
How much protein is in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
18 g of protein per 4-tablespoon (20 g) serving of the unflavoured powder, and 9 g in a 10 g stick pack. The label shows 0% of the US Daily Value for that protein because collagen lacks tryptophan, an indispensable amino acid.
What are the ingredients in Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides?
The unflavoured powder has one ingredient: collagen peptides from bovine hide. The Advanced version adds vitamin C (from calcium ascorbate) and hyaluronic acid (from sodium hyaluronate), and the Marine version is collagen from cod.
What is the difference between Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and Collagen Peptides Advanced?
Both give 20 g of bovine collagen per serving. Advanced adds 90 mg of vitamin C and 120 mg of hyaluronic acid, uses a 3-tablespoon serving, and costs $29.99 for about 12 servings against $27.00 for about 14 servings of the original 9.33 oz canister.
Does Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides come with a scoop?
No. Vital Proteins has moved to scoopless canisters and measures the serving in tablespoons: 4 level tablespoons for the original powder and 3 for Advanced.
Has Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides been recalled?
Yes, once that we could confirm in the FDA's records. In April 2023 Vital Proteins recalled 59,701 canisters of Collagen Peptides in the 24 oz plastic canister because pieces of a broken blue lid might be inside. The FDA classed it as a Class II recall, and it is now terminated.
About the Reviewer: Sarah Law, Dip CNM
Sarah Law is a Certified Naturopathic Nutritionist and Functional Practitioner specialising in hormonal health, gut health, and evidence-based nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM, London) and is a Certified Functional Health Coach. Sarah combines naturopathic principles with modern functional nutrition science to help her clients make informed health decisions.
About the Author: Ben Law
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He is a qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor and Primal Blueprint Certified Expert, and has spent 14 years building transparent, research-led formulations manufactured to GMP and BRC standards. He wrote this review from each brand's own product pages, supplement facts panels and tub artwork, FDA recall records, the published collagen research, NHS and NIH guidance, and our own label and lab data.
Vital Proteins, Ancient Nutrition, Multi Collagen Protein, Sports Research, Nutravita, BODYBALANCE and UC-II are trademarks of their respective owners. Vital Proteins, Ancient Nutrition, Sports Research and Nutravita are not affiliated with Love Life Supplements. Learn more about Ben.
References
- Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55. PubMed
- de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(12):1449-1461. PubMed
- Zdzieblik D, Oesser S, Baumstark MW, Gollhofer A, König D. Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2015;114(8):1237-1245. PubMed
- Shaw G, Lee-Barthel A, Ross ML, Wang B, Baar K. Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(1):136-143. PubMed
- Paul C, Leser S, Oesser S. Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1079. PubMed
- US Food and Drug Administration. Enforcement report, recall F-0969-2023 (Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, 24 oz plastic canister). fda.gov
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NHS. Vitamins and minerals: vitamin C. nhs.uk
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII (reference intakes), as retained in GB law. legislation.gov.uk
- US Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. fda.gov
- Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Unflavored, product page and supplement facts (9.33 oz, 19.3 oz, stick packs), read 9 November 2026. vitalproteins.com
- Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Advanced with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, product page and supplement facts, read 9 November 2026. vitalproteins.com
- Vital Proteins Marine Collagen, product page and supplement facts, read 9 November 2026. vitalproteins.com
- Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder, Unflavoured, 264 g, Amazon UK listing, read 9 November 2026. amazon.co.uk
- Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein, product page and supplement facts, read 9 November 2026. ancientnutrition.com
- Sports Research Collagen Peptides, product page and tub artwork, read 9 November 2026. sportsresearch.com
- Nutravita Premium Gold Standard Bovine Collagen Powder, product page, read 9 November 2026. nutravita.com
Build your personalised stack
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right supplements for your goals, then unlock 10% off your stack.
60-second quiz. No obligation.Build your personalised stack
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right supplements for your goals, then unlock 10% off your stack.
60-second quiz. No obligation.