The best marine collagen, according to a doctor (2025)

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My selection

#1: Best marine collagen 🥇
> Marine Collagen – Nutri&Co

#2: Best marine collagen in capsules
> Marine Collagen – Novoma

#3: Best marine collagen for joints
> Joint Marine Collagen – Valebio

#4: Best marine collagen for skin
> Magnificent Skin Collagen – Twenty DC

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Discoveries about marine collagen have been growing rapidly in recent decades¹. Fish has emerged as an optimal source for collagen extraction, both safe and sustainable.

The composition of marine collagen varies by aquatic species, but it strongly resembles mammalian collagen. Many research teams are investigating the benefits of collagen, and applications in the health and cosmetics fields are proliferating. 

Studies specifically using marine collagen taken orally have shown improvements in elasticity and reductions in wrinkles², as well as benefits in skin repair processes³. 

There are more and more marine collagen products on the market, so it’s easy to get lost in the labels, with prices varying by as much as threefold. The goal of this comparison is to help you see things more clearly thanks to an objective rating of each supplement.

We evaluate all products independently. If you click one of the links provided, we may receive a commission, which does not affect the price or the ranking.

📚 Read also | Guide to the best collagen supplements

Methodology

I analyzed 9 of the best-selling marine collagen supplements online.

I rated and compared them according to 5 criteria, then established a ranking. For each product, I wrote a description and highlighted the pros and cons.

→ Access my complete comparison table here (Google Sheet)

Best marine collagen: my opinion

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1. Collagen Nutri&Co: the best in powder form 🥇

Nutri&co is a French brand founded in 2017 and based in Aix-en-Provence. The company, established by Édouard Fornas, has carved out a strong position in the nutraceutical market in recent years.

This powder format is made from marine collagen sourced from controlled fisheries. Several flavors are offered : peach, cucumber-mint, and cocoa. 

The daily dose recommended by the brand contains 5.5 g of patented collagen of two types : 5 g of type I (HMG®) and 500 mg of type II (Cartidyss®). These collagens are of low molecular weight and regarded as high quality. It also provides 24 mg of vitamin C per serving.

The powder dissolves easily, and the tested product’s subtle peach flavor is pleasant, with no fishy aftertaste. 

 The price of €24.9 for a one-month regimen puts it around the average for the selection.

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2. Novoma Marine Collagen: the best in capsule form

Novoma is a French brand founded in 2012. It offers a wide range of dietary supplements. 

The marine collagen tested comes in capsule form with a recommended dose of 3 capsules per day, which equals 1 g of collagen. It consists of two types of low-molecular-weight collagen (I and III), patented as Naticol®, extracted from wild fish and bearing a sustainable fishing certification.

Intended for beauty benefits, the capsules are enriched with a range of vitamins, zinc, and hyaluronic acid (100 mg for 3 capsules).

A one-month course costs under €20, a reasonable price compared with other brands. A small plus for the environment: the bottle is made of recycled and recyclable plastic.

For a more collagen-concentrated version (but combined with vitamin C only), Novoma offers a marine collagen powder, recommended at a daily dose of 10 g.

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3. Valebio Joint Marine Collagen: the best for joints

Founded in 2015, Valebio is a French nutraceutical brand. The brand emphasizes quality, expertise, and respect for the environment.

The tested marine collagen formula is positioned for joint support and includes other active substances: vitamin C, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), GAGs (glycosaminoglycans), horsetail, and nettle. Their combined properties have a regenerative and anti-inflammatory effect on the joints. 

It includes the three types of collagen most common in the human body: I, II, and III. The manufacturer is Naticol®, which has a good reputation. The marine collagen peptides come from a gentle hydrolysis process.

I notice that the mixture forms lumps and that you need to mix well for them to disappear. The tangy taste is fairly subtle and pleasant, but I still notice a slight fishy aftertaste at the end.

A one-month supply costs €67.35, which is a significant expense.

Note that Valebio offers other marine collagen formulas with different indications (anti-aging and absolute).

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4. Twenty DC Magnificent Skin Collagen: the best for skin

Twenty DC is a recent brand (2021) specifically focused on collagen. The tested version focuses on skin beauty.

This neutral formula consists only of 2 active ingredients: marine collagen and a small amount of collagen extracted from eggshell membrane (Ovoderm®). 

In the absence of clear information on the website and on the product label, I reached out to customer service. I was told that Twenty DC selects manufacturers that produce high-quality marine collagen subjected to thorough testing.

There are also 2 flavored versions (peach tea and tropical), but I find that these formulas contain too many additives and sweeteners.

The brand recommends taking 10 g of collagen per day (98.5% of the dose is marine collagen). The smell in the container is not very pleasant. However, the taste is truly neutral. The powder takes a bit of time to fully dissolve.

A one-month course costs €52.9, which is quite expensive.

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5. Biocyte Collagen Max cocoa: the best cocoa flavor

The French brand Biocyte was founded in 2006 on the French Riviera. The formulas are primarily focused on beauty and anti-aging. 

This is a patented type I collagen, Vérisol®, from a recognized manufacturer. The origin of the raw material is vague: European Union (EU) but also outside the EU (no specifics). 

The indicated daily dose contains 7 g of collagen. The formula also includes vitamin C and hyaluronic acid (110 mg). 

Note the presence of a natural sweetener (steviol glycoside), as well as several additives (maltodextrin, xanthan gum, salt) in this cocoa version. The chocolate flavor is pleasant, with a texture that’s a bit grainy to my taste.

The price for a one-month regimen is relatively high: €55.5.

The brand has also released a Collagen Express line in different formats (stick packs, capsules, gummies).

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6. Vital Proteins Marine Collagen

Vital Proteins is the #1 collagen brand in the United States. Over the past few years, it has expanded into France.

The unflavored version consists exclusively of collagen peptides from fish (skin and scales). Unable to find specific information about the origin of the raw materials or the collagen manufacturer, I contacted customer service, which confirmed they had noted my question. Unfortunately, I never received a response afterward.

After some research, I found on the brand’s blog that they are wild-caught white fish off the coast of Alaska. However, I couldn’t find the name of a certified manufacturer.

The highlighted benefits are broad: skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscles.

As for the product’s taste, it dissolves well in cold water and doesn’t have any noticeable flavor.

A 221 g jar, with a recommended 2 scoops per day, comes to €71.50. It’s the most expensive in the lineup, but it also has the highest collagen content per serving (12 g).

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7. Nutrimea Marine Collagen

Nutrimea is a French brand created in 2013 by Laurent Jacob. It emphasizes naturalness and made-in-France values. It offers an extensive range of dietary supplements.

The product contains marine collagen available in capsule form. These are type I and II collagens, patented as Collyss® (400 mg) and Cartydiss® (500 mg), respectively, with the indicated 3 capsules per day, for a total daily dose of 0.9 g.

The formula is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E for additional antioxidant action. The stated indication for this Nutrimea collagen is comprehensive: health of the skin, bones, and connective tissues.

The capsules are taken with meals (morning, noon, and evening). A one-month course costs €19.9.

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8. Terravita Marine Collagen

The Terravita laboratory, whose headquarters are located in Aix-en-Provence, has been around since 2004. It is a group that owns several sports nutrition brands and others dedicated to health and well-being.

Terravita’s marine collagen is type I, produced using the patented Peptan® hydrolysis process.

The fish is described as coming from responsible fishing in Brittany. This supplement is certified by Friends of the Sea.

In the unflavored version tested, I notice a fishy smell in the jar.  

It instructs diluting 2 heaping teaspoons in water. I think it’s a shame there’s no measuring scoop included to make the measurement more precise. 

The product doesn’t dissolve very well. The taste, once the powder is mixed, is relatively neutral.

The cost of a 1-month regimen is €31, which is reasonable for 10 g of collagen per day.

There is an orange-flavored version.

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9. Juvamine Marine Collagen

Juvamine is a French laboratory that has been around for several decades. Founded in 1987, this brand is fairly well known for its advertising campaigns.

Juvamine’s collagen is marine-sourced and comes in individual sticks each containing 1.5 g of collagen. It is recommended to take 2 per day.

A box contains a 10-day course. Compared to other brands, it contains a low dose of collagen.

The question regarding this product concerns the origin of the collagen. It is stated that the collagen comes from China, for ease of sourcing.

When I contacted customer service to learn more, I was told that the selected marine collagen is a non-patented type I technical ingredient that meets regulatory requirements at the national and European levels. 

But for reasons of industrial confidentiality, they cannot disclose the manufacturer’s name to me. This is the only brand that has given me such a response.

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Full comparison

Rang	Marque	NOTE	Nutrition	Sécurité	Plaisir	Marque	Packaging
#1	Nutri&co	4.4	4	5	4	5	4
#2	Novoma	4.0	3	5	x	4	4
#3	Valebio	4.0	4	4	4	4	4
#4	Twenty DC	3.8	4	4	4	3	4
#5	Biocyte (pharma)	3.6	3	3	4	4	4
#6	Vital Proteins	3.6	4	3	4	3	4
#7	Nutrimea	3.5	3	4	x	3	4
#8	Terravita	3.4	4	4	3	3	3
#9	Juvamine (pharma)	2.2	1	1	4	2	3

→ Access my full comparison table here (Google Sheet)

Selection criteria

1. Nutritional value

The type of collagen

Type I, II, and III collagen are the main forms found in human body tissues.

All of our selection contains at least type I collagen, which is abundant in fish skin⁶.

Some supplements also contain a portion of type II collagen, primarily derived from cartilage and bones, or type III, which also comes from the skin.

Molecular weight and bioavailability

For collagen to be properly used by the body, it must be ingested in a fragmented form. To do this, the process that cuts it into small pieces is called hydrolysis. This results in a form called collagen peptides, characterized by their size in daltons (or molecular weight). In short, the lower the molecular weight, the better these peptides are absorbed.

Manufacturer’s patent

The hydrolysis method must be gentle enough and free of harmful solvents to preserve all the qualities of the collagen peptides. Manufacturers specializing in marine collagen extraction must guarantee the process through a patent. Several quality labels are well known, such as Naticol®, Collyss®, Cartidyss®, and Verisol®.

Other active substances

The formulas of the selected collagens are combined with other complementary substances. I noted their presence and their nature.

2. Safety

Regarding the safety of the different marine collagens tested, I considered:

Origin of the fish

It is important to ensure the source of the raw material (the fish) from which the collagen is extracted. 

Some brands do not always display it. I contacted the customer service of some of them to obtain details, because the information was sometimes unclear.

The presence of additives and sweeteners

I analyzed each product’s ingredient list to identify the presence of additive substances that can detract from a product’s quality. This is the case, for example, with anti-caking agents (magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide), colorings, or certain artificial flavors. This is an important aspect to consider. 

3. Enjoyment

Of the 10 marine collagens in the selection, 8 are in powder form and 2 are in capsules. Only the powders were tested, as the capsule version does not impart any particular taste.

Solubility

To test the powdered collagens, I mixed the brand’s recommended dose into 200 ml of cold water. I observed the quality and speed of dissolution to obtain a homogeneous mixture and noted whether or not there were lumps.

Taste 

I evaluated the product’s texture during tasting, the odor released, and the possible presence of a fishy taste.

4. Brand reputation

To assess the brand’s reputation, I took into account the company’s longevity as well as the size of its Instagram community. 

In addition, I looked at reviews on Amazon (when the products were available on that platform) and on review sites such as Trustpilot or Avis Vérifiés.

5. Packaging

I assessed the practicality of handling the powdered collagens, including aspects such as the closure of the jar or pouch, as well as the presence or absence of a measuring scoop.

I also took into consideration the design of the container and how the information is displayed on the label. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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References

1. Salvatore L, Gallo N, Natali ML, et al. Marine collagen and its derivatives: Versatile and sustainable bio-resources for healthcare. Mater Sci Eng C. 2020;113:110963. 

2. Lee M, Kim E, Ahn H, Son S, Lee H. Oral intake of collagen peptide NS improves hydration, elasticity, desquamation, and wrinkling in human skin: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Food Funct. 2023;14(7):3196-3207.

3. Yang F, Zhao D, Zhang K, et al. Oral delivery of marine shellfish supramolecule peptides for skin wound healing. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022;216:112592.

4. Khatri M, Naughton RJ, Clifford T, Harper LD, Corr L. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids. 2021;53(10):1493-1506.

5. Lim YS, Ok YJ, Hwang SY, Kwak JY, Yoon S. Marine Collagen as A Promising Biomaterial for Biomedical Applications. Mar Drugs. 2019;17(8):467.

6. León-López A, Morales-Peñaloza A, Martínez-Juárez VM, Vargas-Torres A, Zeugolis DI, Aguirre-Álvarez G. Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications. Molecules. 2019;24(22):4031. 

7. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz MLW, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol JDD. 2019;18(1):9-16.

8. Bhagwat PK, Dandge PB. Isolation, characterization and valorizable applications of fish scale collagen in food and agriculture industries. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol. 2016;7:234-240.

9. Coppola D, Oliviero M, Vitale GA, et al. Marine Collagen from Alternative and Sustainable Sources: Extraction, Processing and Applications. Mar Drugs. 2020;18(4):214.