If you are wondering how to take collagen powder, the short answer is simple: follow the serving on your label, stir it into a drink you already have every day, and take it at a time you will remember. One serving of Collagen Powder+ is two scoops (20 g), stirred into 8 ounces of water or a hot or cold recipe. There is no proven best time of day to take collagen, so pick a time you will remember. Below, we walk through what a serving looks like, what mixes well, how collagen fits your daily protein, and the few cautions worth knowing before you start.
Key takeaways
- A Collagen Powder+ serving is two scoops (20 g) in 8 ounces of water or a hot or cold recipe.
- The Collagen Powder+ label says: if you are pregnant, nursing, allergic, have a medical condition or taking any medications, consult a doctor before using this or any other dietary supplement.
- No time of day has been shown to work best, so choose one you will remember.
- Collagen counts toward your daily protein, but it is not a complete protein on its own.
- Daily consistency beats timing: the skin studies ran for weeks to months.
How do you take collagen powder, step by step?
Collagen powder is one of the easiest supplements to fit into a routine, because it goes into something you already drink or eat. Here is the whole process, start to finish:
- Measure the serving. Use the scoop that comes in the container. The Collagen Powder+ label directions are two scoops (20 g).
- Pick your liquid. The label says 8 ounces of water or your favorite hot or cold recipe. Coffee, tea, a smoothie, or oatmeal all work.
- Add the powder to the liquid, not the other way around. Sprinkling powder onto the surface and then stirring helps it dissolve without clumps.
- Stir for 15 to 20 seconds. An unflavored collagen peptide powder dissolves quickly in both warm and cold drinks. A small whisk or a shaker bottle helps with cold water.
- Drink it and close the lid. Store the container in a cool, dry place, as the label directs.
That is it. There is no loading phase, no special cycle, and no need to take it on an empty stomach.
What can you mix collagen powder into?
Because Collagen Powder+ is unflavored and has no sweetener, it takes on the taste of whatever you put it in. That gives you a lot of choice. Some of the most common options:
| Where it goes | How it works | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning coffee or tea | Dissolves fast in a warm drink | Stir it in before you add milk |
| A glass of water | The label's own suggestion | A shaker bottle keeps it smooth |
| Smoothie | Blends in with fruit and greens | Add it last and pulse briefly |
| Oatmeal or yogurt | Stirs into soft foods easily | Mix it in after cooking |
| Soup or broth | Works in savory recipes too | Stir into a single bowl, not the whole pot |
If you drink coffee every morning, that is often the easiest anchor. The habit you already have does the remembering for you.
Is there a best time to take collagen powder?
You will see a lot of advice online about taking collagen in the morning, at night, before a workout, or on an empty stomach. The honest answer is that research has not shown one time of day works better than another. Collagen peptides are digested like other dietary protein, broken down into amino acids and small peptides, whenever you take them.
What the research does show is that the studies on skin elasticity asked people to take collagen daily over a period of time. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in the International Journal of Dermatology pooled 19 studies of hydrolyzed collagen and skin, and the study periods ran for several weeks up to a few months. Consistency matters more than timing, because the skin studies lasted weeks to months, not days.
So the best time is the time you will actually stick with. For many people that is breakfast. For others it is an afternoon drink or an evening cup of tea.
Does collagen count toward your daily protein?
Yes, with one important footnote. Each two-scoop serving of Collagen Powder+ lists 18 g of protein and 80 calories. Those grams count toward your daily protein intake, the same way protein from food does.
The footnote: collagen counts toward your daily protein, but it is not a complete protein on its own. Collagen is naturally low in some essential amino acids and contains essentially no tryptophan. A 2019 study in Nutrients looked at this directly and found that collagen peptides can make up part of the protein in a normal diet while the diet as a whole still meets essential amino acid needs, as long as other protein sources supply the rest.
In practice, that means collagen works best as an addition to meals built around eggs, fish, poultry, dairy, beans, lentils, or tofu, not as a replacement for them. For a general reference point, Harvard's Nutrition Source notes that the National Academy of Medicine recommends adults get a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, and that many people in the U.S. eat more than enough protein. If protein and muscle are your main goals, our guide to maintaining muscle with protein, training and creatine goes deeper.
Should you take collagen with vitamin C?
You may have heard that collagen should be paired with vitamin C. Here is what is true: according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin C is required for the body to make its own collagen. That is a fact about your body's own production, not a rule about when to drink a collagen supplement.
You do not need to take a vitamin C pill with each scoop. A diet that includes fruit and vegetables, such as citrus, berries, peppers, or broccoli, covers vitamin C for most people. If you like, stirring your collagen into a smoothie with berries or citrus is an easy way to have both in one glass.
Meet Collagen Powder+
Collagen Powder+ is unflavored bovine collagen from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. It supports improved elasticity of skin and supports joint health and mobility.* Here is exactly what the label lists per two-scoop (20 g) serving:
- Collagen Peptides (From Bovine): 20 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Hyaluronic Acid (from Sodium Hyaluronate): 90 mg
- Biotin: 30 mcg (100% DV)
- Calories: 80
- Sodium: 75 mg (3% DV)
The only other ingredient is dicalcium phosphate. The 560 g (20 oz) container holds 28 servings, a 28-day supply at one serving a day. It is gluten-free, non-GMO, sugar-free, and lactose-free.
What matters most to us is what you cannot see in the tub. Every batch of Collagen Powder+ is third-party tested by an outside lab for purity and potency. It is manufactured in the USA with globally sourced materials, in an NSF-certified, GMP-certified, FDA-registered facility. Every amount is printed on the label, with no hidden blend. You can read how our supplements are tested on our Our Standards page. And if it is not right for you, it is covered by our 60-day guarantee.
Who should check with a doctor first?
Collagen powder is a food-based supplement, but it is still a supplement. The Collagen Powder+ label says: if you are pregnant, nursing, allergic, have a medical condition or taking any medications, consult a doctor before using this or any other dietary supplement. A few other points worth knowing:
- It is made from beef. Collagen Powder+ is bovine collagen, so it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, or for anyone who avoids beef.
- It contains biotin. High biotin intake can interfere with some lab tests. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements reports that the FDA advises health care providers to ask their patients about any supplements they may be taking that contain biotin. Tell your doctor about any biotin you take before blood work. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements also says biotin "can interact with certain medications." Its example is anticonvulsants (seizure medicines): in one study, taking anticonvulsants for a year or more was linked to lower blood biotin levels. It says people taking these medicines "on a regular basis should discuss their biotin status with their health care providers."
- Check the seal. Do not use if the product has been opened or tampered with, or if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Keep it out of reach of children.
A simple daily collagen routine
Putting it all together, here is a routine that takes under a minute a day:
- Keep the container next to your coffee maker, kettle, or blender, where you will see it.
- Each morning, add two scoops to your drink and stir.
- Build the rest of the day's meals around complete protein sources and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
- Stay with it. Give it several weeks before you judge how it fits your routine.
If you are still deciding between a powder and a capsule, our side-by-side guide on collagen powder vs capsules covers the practical differences.
Frequently asked questions about how to take collagen powder
How much collagen powder should I take per serving?
Follow the serving on your own label. For Collagen Powder+, one serving is two scoops (20 g), which lists 20 g of collagen peptides and 18 g of protein. The container holds 28 servings, a 28-day supply at one serving a day.
Can I put collagen powder in hot coffee?
Yes. The Collagen Powder+ label directions say to take it with 8 ounces of water or your favorite hot or cold recipe. Unflavored collagen peptides dissolve quickly in coffee and tea and do not change the taste.
Is it better to take collagen in the morning or at night?
Research has not shown that one time of day works better than another. The studies on skin asked people to take collagen daily over weeks to months, so a steady habit matters more than the clock. Choose the time you are most likely to remember.
Can collagen powder replace my protein shake?
Collagen adds to your daily protein, but it is not a complete protein, because it is low in some essential amino acids. It works best alongside complete protein sources such as eggs, fish, poultry, dairy, beans, or tofu, rather than as your only protein.
Is Collagen Powder+ suitable for vegetarians?
No. Collagen Powder+ is made from bovine collagen from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle, so it is not vegan or vegetarian. If you are pregnant, nursing, allergic, have a medical condition or take medications, check with your doctor before use.
Related reading from our Wellness Hub
- Collagen Powder vs Capsules: Which Fits Your Routine?
- Do Collagen Supplements Actually Work? What the Research Says
- How to Maintain Muscle Mass: Protein, Strength Training and Creatine
Sources
- de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Dermatology, 2021. 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. PubMed
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, The Nutrition Source. Collagen. nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, The Nutrition Source. Protein. nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu
Individual results vary.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
