Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

It all starts from within.

If you're looking to create healthier-looking hair and skin, you've probably come across collagen supplements. These supplements are a popular (and buzzy way) to get some of the major nutrients you need for healthy hair, nails, skin, and joints.

Collagen supplements, which usually come in powder form, can help add the nutrient to your diet, which your body makes naturally but may be deficient in—especially as you get older. If you're interested in taking a collagen supplement, it's only natural to have questions about what, exactly, this is and what it can do for you. Nutritionists break it all down.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It has a fiber-like structure that's used to make connective tissue. That connective tissue is a big component of strengthening your bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, and allowing them to stretch.

"Collagen are types of proteins that make up the structure of everything from hair, skin, and nails to tendons, ligaments, and muscles," says nutritionist Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Collagen is found naturally in animal flesh like meat and fish, and some plant foods have materials for collagen production that can happen in your body, explains Jessica Cording, R.D., C.D.N., a dietitian and health coach, and author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. As you get older, your body naturally makes less collagen.

Collagen supplements "do exactly what they say—they supplement your diet to make sure you're getting all 28 types of collagen," Keatley says. If you're deficient in collagen, supplements "may improve your skin, prevent bone loss, lessen joint pain, increase muscle mass, and protect your heart," Keatley says.

There is some research to support this. "Studies show some benefit to skin elasticity and hair, joint, and nail health," says Cording.

While experts recommend trying to get your collagen from food sources like meat and bone broth, they suggest looking for the following if you need or want to try a collagen supplement:

You can take collagen in a capsule form, but it's most commonly sold as a powder. "When I have a patient who is interested in taking collagen, I tend to recommend the powder because you get more protein in that form," Cording says. "Anecdotally for people that I've worked with, it's more satiating, and I've observed people responding to it better."

These are the best collagen supplements out there.

The Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder is an Amazon bestseller for a reason. This unflavored powder offers up 20 grams of collagen per serving and features collagen from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. The powder contains skin-boosting hyaluronic acid, too, along with vitamin C and can easily be blended into coffee or smoothies.

Ancient Nutrition's vanilla collagen powder is a hit with users, but the brand offers up a slew of other cool flavors, including chocolate, cold brew, strawberry lemonade, and cucumber lime. It features hydrolyzed bovine collagen, which is easier for your body to absorb. This powder is also made with ingredients from sources that are non-GMO, grass-fed, and cruelty-free.

This collagen supplement uses instantized collagen, so you don't have to deal with a weird aftertaste—even with its unflavored version. It's also easy to mix, dissolving quickly. This non-GMO powder delivers 22 grams of collagen.

Thrive Market sells plenty of high-quality foods, supplements, snacks, and beauty products, including some under its own brand to cut back on costs. The company's collagen peptides powder allows you to get hydrolyzed collagen that's non-GMO, grass-fed, and 100 percent pure at a low cost.

Whether you're a pescatarian or just prefer to get your collagen from the sea, Indigo's marine collagen is a good choice. It's sourced from wild fish and features hydrolyzed multi-collagen peptides. Enjoy 10 grams of collagen and zero sugar.

Since they're often made from animal sources, collagen powder can be tricky for vegans. This powder is made from organic pea protein and tocotrienols (a nutrient similar to vitamin E) for a supplement everyone can enjoy. The powder is made without artificial sweeteners and has a delicious vanilla flavor.

This Garden of Life collagen powder has a slew of additional ingredients to help support healthy skin, hair, and nails, including French melon and astaxanthin. It also contains 500 million CFU of probiotics to support good gut health. Made from grass-fed bovine sources, this powder comes in a delicious blueberry acai flavor that tastes great in smoothies.

Live Conscious' Beyond Collagen powder includes biotin—an ingredient that can boost hair growth—along with 20 amino acids. It's non-GMO, dairy-free, shellfish-free, and gluten-free, making it compatible with most diets. And, because it's unflavored, you can blend it into smoothies, soups, coffee, and more.

Not everyone wants to deal with collagen powder. Vital Proteins produces supplements that offer up 3,300 milligrams of collagen per serving. Each capsule features hydrolyzed collagen that is crafted from non-GMO, grass-fed, and pasture-raised sources.

Some collagen supplements can contain additives and sweeteners that aren't good for a keto diet. Bulletproof's powder has no added sugar and 18 grams of protein for a serious nutrition punch. Because it's unflavored, you can add it to just about anything.