Best marine collagen: a doctor’s opinion (2025)
Marine-derived collagen is attracting growing interest for its qualities and effectiveness. But it’s not always easy to choose. Géraldine Dubois, MD, tested, compared, and ranked 9 marine collagens.
Une équipe éditoriale spécialisée en nutrition. Auteurs du livre Les aliments bénéfiques (Mango Editions) et du podcast Révolutions Alimentaires.
My selection
#1 : Meilleur collagène marin 🥇
> Collagène Marin – Nutri&Co
#2 : Meilleur collagène marin en gélule
> Collagène Marin – Novoma
#3 : Meilleur collagène marin pour les articulations
> Collagène Marin Articulaire – Valebio
#4: Best marine collagen for skin
> Magnificent Skin Collagen – Twenty DC
Discoveries about marine collagen have surged 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 shows strong similarities to that of collagen from mammals. Many research teams are investigating the benefits of collagen, and applications in the health and cosmetics fields are multiplying.
Studies specifically using orally administered marine collagen have shown improvements in elasticity and a reduction in wrinkles2, as well as benefits in skin repair processes3.
Marine collagen options are multiplying on the market, so it’s easy to get lost among the labels, with prices varying by as much as threefold. The goal of this comparison is to help you see more clearly thanks to an objective rating of each supplement.
We evaluate all supplements independently. If you click on one of the links provided, we may receive a commission, without this affecting the price or the ranking.
Methodology
I analyzed 9 of the best-selling marine collagen supplements on the internet.
I scored and compared them according to 5 criteria, then created a ranking. For each product, I wrote a description and highlighted the pros and cons.
→ Accédez à mon tableau comparatif complet ici (Google Sheet)
Best marine collagen: my opinion
#1: Marine Collagen Nutri&Co: the best 🥇
Rating: 4.4/5
Nutrition: ★★★★☆
Safety: ★★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
Brand: ★★★★★
Pack: ★★★★☆
Avantages
- Two types of marine collagen
- Contains vitamin C
- Reliable manufacturing patents
- Subtle but nice peach flavor that lets you take it with just water
- Brand recognition
Inconvénients
- Price a bit higher than average
Nutri&co is a French brand created in 2017 and based in Aix-en-Provence. The company, founded by Édouard Fornas, has carved out a strong position in the nutraceutical market in recent years.
This powder format is made of marine collagen 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 low molecular weight and considered high quality. It also contains 24 mg of vitamin C per serving.
The powder dissolves easily, and the subtle peach flavor of the tested product is pleasant, with no fishy aftertaste.
The price of €24.9 for a one-month regimen puts it in the middle of the selection.
#2: Novoma marine collagen: the best in capsule form
Rating: 4.0/5
Nutrition: ★★★☆☆
Safety: ★★★★★
Pleasure: N/A (capsules)
Brand: ★★★★☆
Packaging: ★★★★☆
Avantages
- Multiple vitamins and hyaluronic acid
- Reasonable cost
- Recycled and recyclable bottle
Inconvénients
- Low collagen dosage (specific to the capsule version)
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, i.e., 1 g of collagen. It is composed of two types of collagen (I and III) with low molecular weight, Naticol®-patented, extracted from wild-caught fish and carrying a sustainable fishing certification.
Intended for beauty benefits, the capsules are enriched with a set of vitamins, zinc, and hyaluronic acid (100 mg for 3 capsules).
A one-month course costs under €20, a reasonable price compared to other brands. A little bonus for the environment: the bottle is made of recycled and recyclable plastic.
For a more concentrated collagen version (but combined with vitamin C only), Novoma offers a marine collagen powder recommended at 10 g per day.
#3: Valebio marine collagen for joints: the best for joints
Rating: 4.0/5
Nutrition: ★★★★☆
Safety: ★★★★☆
Pleasure: ★★★★☆
Brand: ★★★★☆
Packaging: ★★★★☆
Avantages
- Very comprehensive for joint support
- 3 types of collagen
- Laboratory that emphasizes transparency
- Naticol® collagen of recognized quality
Inconvénients
- High cost (even though the presence of other ingredients may justify the price)
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 marketed for joint support and includes other active substances: vitamin C, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), GAG (glycosaminoglycans), horsetail, and nettle. Their combined properties have a regenerative and anti-inflammatory effect on the joints.
It contains 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 are derived 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 flavor is fairly subtle and pleasant, but I still notice a slight fishy aftertaste at the end.
A one-month regimen costs €67.35, which is a significant expense.
Please note that Valebio offers other marine collagen formulas with different indications (anti-aging and absolute).
#4: Twenty DC Beautiful Skin collagen: the best for skin
Rating: 3.8/5
Nutrition : ★★★★☆
Safety : ★★★★☆
Pleasure : ★★★★☆
Brand : ★★★☆☆
Packaging : ★★★★☆
Avantages
- Good collagen dosage
- Use of 2 forms of collagen: marine and eggshell membrane
- Nice packaging
Inconvénients
- Flavored with additives: not recommended
- Lack of information on the precise origin of the marine collagen. The collagen manufacturer is not mentioned
- A bit expensive
Twenty DC is a recent brand (2021) specifically focused on collagen. The tested version targets 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 extensive 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 odor in the container is not very pleasant. However, the taste is truly neutral. The powder takes a little time to fully dissolve.
The one-month regimen costs 52.9€, which is quite expensive.
Complete 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 |
→ Accédez à mon tableau comparatif complet ici (Google Sheet)
Selection criteria
1. Nutritional value
Le type de collagène
Types I, II, and III collagen are the main forms found in the tissues of the human body.
L’ensemble de notre sélection contient au moins du collagène de type I, présent en abondance dans la peau des poissons6.
Some supplements also contain a portion of type II collagen, mostly derived from cartilage and bones, or type III, which also comes from skin.
Poids moléculaire et biodisponibilité
For collagen to be properly used by the body, it must be ingested in a fragmented form. To achieve this, the process that breaks it into small pieces is called hydrolysis. This results in a form known as collagen peptides, characterized by their size in daltons (or molecular weight). In summary, the lower the molecular weight, the better these peptides are absorbed.
Manufacturer’s patent
The hydrolysis method must be sufficiently gentle and free of harmful solvents to preserve all the qualities of collagen peptides. Manufacturers specializing in marine collagen extraction must guarantee the process through a patent. Several quality labels are known, such as Naticol®, Collyss®, Cartidyss®, and Verisol®.
Other active ingredients
The formulation of the selected collagens is combined with other complementary substances. I have noted their presence and their type.
2. Safety
Regarding the safety of the various marine collagens tested, I considered:
Origine du poisson
It seems important to make sure of the origin of the raw material (the fish) from which the collagen is extracted.
Some brands don’t always show it. I contacted the customer service of some of them to obtain clarification, because the information was sometimes unclear.
La présence d’additifs et d’édulcorants
I analyzed the ingredient label of each product to identify the presence of additives that can compromise a product’s quality. This is, for example, the case with anti-caking agents (magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide), colorants, or certain artificial flavors. This is an important aspect to consider.
3. Enjoyment
Of the 10 marine collagens in the selection, 8 come in powder form and 2 in capsules. Only the powders were tested, as the capsule version does not impart any particular taste.
Solubilité
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 lumps were present or not.
Goût
I evaluated the product’s texture when tasting, its odor, 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 community on Instagram.
In addition, I looked at feedback 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 powdered collagens, considering aspects such as the closure of the box or sachet, 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)
Quel est le meilleur collagène : marin ou bovin ?
L’émergence d’études plus récentes sur le collagène marin tendent à montrer qu’il possède des qualités biologiques très favorables5.
De plus, l’extraction du collagène marin permet d’exploiter et de valoriser les sous-produits de l’industrie de transformation du poisson voués à la perte. Par ailleurs, le collagène marin présente des avantages par rapport au collagène bovin : moins de risque de transmission de maladie et aucune considération religieuse6.
Néanmoins, les équipes de recherche ne sont pas unanimes sur l’efficacité de l’un par rapport à l’autre. Ce d’autant que plusieurs facteurs peuvent affecter la manière dont le collagène est assimilé.
Combien de temps dure une cure de collagène marin ?
On retrouve assez peu d’études utilisant exclusivement du collagène marin sur l’homme. Les effets sont plutôt mis en évidence chez l’animal. Il est donc difficile d’apporter une réponse spécifique concernant ce type de collagène.
La revue de la littérature scientifique regroupe plutôt des études sur la prise de peptides de collagène de plusieurs origines. Dans ce cas, la durée moyenne est de 8 à 24 semaines en fonction du sujet étudié (peau7, articulations4…).
Étant donné la baisse progressive de production de collagène avec l’âge6, il semble pertinent d’envisager des cures régulières à partir de 25-30 ans. Cependant, il n’existe pas de recommandations officielles à l’heure actuelle.
Où trouver du collagène marin dans son alimentation ?
Les organismes marins contiennent des substances bioactives de plus en plus utilisées dans le secteur de la santé et de la cosmétique5.
La peau et les arêtes des poissons8 sont plus riches en collagène que la chair. Les sardines, dont on consomme plusieurs parties, sont une excellente source de collagène.
À noter que les calmars, les méduses, les éponges et autres invertébrés sont également des sources abondantes de collagène. Des études récentes ciblent les uns et les autres pour déterminer les caractéristiques de leur collagène.
Où acheter du collagène marin ?
De nombreuses marques de compléments alimentaires proposent du collagène marin.
La grande majorité des marques sélectionnées sont réputées de qualité. L’idéal est de commander directement sur le site de la marque. Plus elle fournit de détails sur son produit, plus c’est un gage de fiabilité : l’origine de la matière première, les conditions d’extraction (brevet du fabricant), la concentration de collagène par dose.
Certaines marques sont par ailleurs distribuées en pharmacies et parapharmacies. Même si la majorité des sites de pharmacies en ligne sont sérieux et fiables, il existe malheureusement quelques exceptions.
Le collagène marin présente-t-il un danger ou des effets secondaires ?
Les nombreuses études menées impliquant une prise de collagène marin ne mettent pas en évidence de danger évident. Les cures de collagène sont, la plupart du temps, sûres et bien tolérées.
Cependant, de rares effets secondaires digestifs ont déjà été rapportés : ballonnements, nausées ou crampes intestinales. Les personnes allergiques au poisson doivent éviter la prise de collagène marin.
De même, le risque de surdosage est très faible car l’excès de collagène est facilement éliminé. Néanmoins, il est toujours recommandé de respecter les doses indiquées.
Quel est le gout du collagène marin ?
Le défi pour les marques qui produisent ce collagène tient plutôt au fait de minimiser le goût de poisson jugé peu agréable par la plupart des consommateurs. Les avis des consommateurs sont un bon indice à ce sujet.
Les versions aromatisées des poudres de collagène peuvent masquer le goût, mais dans ce cas, bien vérifier la nature des additifs présents.
Bibliographie
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.
