Collagen · Ireland · Food Supplements
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body, found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons and other connective tissue. As a supplement it comes in two families that are studied for different goals and taken at completely different doses. Getting that distinction right is the single most useful thing before you buy.
New to collagen? Read the evidence first
Our Ireland guide covers what the research actually shows, how types I, II and III differ, the EFSA claim position, dosage, and safety, with named studies and PMIDs.
Read: Do Collagen Supplements Work? →
Choose by goal, not by hype
The types of collagen are not interchangeable. A joint study on type II tells you nothing about a skin product, and a skin study on type I peptides tells you nothing about joints. Start with the goal, then match the type and dose.
Skin · hair · nails context
Type I & III peptides, or marine
Hydrolysed collagen peptides, bovine or marine, are the forms studied in a skin, hair, nail and bone context. Trials typically use gram-level doses of roughly 2.5 to 10 g per day, so the grams of collagen per serving matter more than the pack size.
How much to take →
Joint · cartilage context
Undenatured type II (UC-II)
Undenatured type II collagen keeps its native protein structure and is studied in a joint context at about 40 mg per day, a different dose and a different proposed mechanism to the peptide powders. It is not a weaker version of type I, it is a different product.
Type I vs II explained →
You will find both families in the range below, in powders and capsules, from bovine, marine and chicken-derived sources.
What to look for on the label
Buyer's checklist
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Grams per serving (peptides): for a skin context, look for a gram-level dose rather than a token amount. Capsules often deliver less than a powder.
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Dose (type II): for a joint context, the studied UC-II dose is about 40 mg per day.
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Source and allergen: bovine means beef, marine means fish, and UC-II is chicken-derived. Check for your allergens.
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Hydrolysed vs undenatured: hydrolysed for gram-level peptide use; undenatured (UC-II) for the low-dose joint approach.
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Added vitamin C: vitamin C is the only nutrient here that can carry an authorised collagen-formation claim, so a formula that includes it has an on-label benefit route.
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Dispatched from Ireland: avoids customs charges and import delays.
The honest evidence position
We would rather you buy with clear expectations. The best-studied outcome is skin, and pooled analyses, including a January 2026 umbrella review, report modest favourable signals for hydration and elasticity. The same review rated most of its underlying evidence low quality, and a 2025 analysis found the effect largely disappeared in independent, high-quality trials.
So the fair read is: any benefit is likely to be modest and uncertain, and results cannot be transferred automatically to a specific product. That is why we frame collagen honestly rather than overselling it. The full picture, with named studies, is in the evidence guide.
Regulatory Position — Ireland
Collagen is a food supplement regulated by the FSAI, not a medicine. There is no EU-authorised health claim for collagen itself; the collagen-hydrolysate joint claim was rejected by EFSA. The only authorised on-label route is vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation, and only for products that contain it. Irish VAT on supplements is 13.5%.
Not a Medicine
All products in this collection are food supplements. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition, and should be used as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before use.
Common questions
What types of collagen does this collection include?
Two families: hydrolysed type I and III peptides (bovine or marine powders and capsules) studied in a skin, hair and nail context at gram-level doses, and undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) studied in a joint context at about 40 mg per day. The two are not interchangeable, so choose by goal first.
Which collagen should I choose for skin versus joints?
For skin, hair and nails, look at hydrolysed type I and III peptides or marine collagen, and check the grams per serving. For joints, look at undenatured type II (UC-II) at about 40 mg per day. Our evidence guide explains the difference and the studied doses.
What is the difference between marine and bovine collagen?
Both are animal-derived peptides that supply the same amino acids. Marine is from fish, predominantly type I, and carries a fish allergen. Bovine is from cattle, usually a blend of types I and III. There is no demonstrated difference in effect, so it comes down to source preference, allergen and cost.
Is there a vegan collagen in this range?
No. All true collagen is animal-derived, so there is no plant-based collagen. Products marketed elsewhere as vegan collagen contain collagen-builder nutrients such as vitamin C and amino acids, not collagen itself.
Are collagen supplements legal and regulated in Ireland?
Yes. Collagen is sold legally in Ireland as a food supplement, regulated by the FSAI. It is not a medicine, and no EU health claim is authorised for collagen itself. Irish VAT on supplements is 13.5%.
How fast is delivery and are there customs charges?
The range ships from our Dublin warehouse with tracked Irish delivery, free over €75. Because it dispatches from within Ireland there are no customs or import charges, including after the 1 July 2026 changes.
Ireland's specialist supplement store, dispatching from Dublin since 2019. Operated by TenX Tech Ltd. For the full evidence review, see our collagen guide for Ireland. Browse the range below.
