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Korean collagen supplements never piqued my interest until I noticed how weak and brittle my nails had become. I could no longer open a can of Coke without my fragile tips breaking or hurting with every slight bend. Giving up my beloved gel manis and using various strengthening treatments helped a bit, but I needed something that could strengthen my nails from within. A quick Google search led me to a facet of K-beauty that I had yet to dive into.
So, what makes them different from the collagen supplements we find in Western markets? Eunice Park, MD, a double board-certified facial and reconstructive surgeon and founder of aesthetic spa Airem, explains that they often combine hydrolyzed marine collagen with skin-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ceramides, and herbal extracts. They usually come in fun flavors and easy-to-digest formats (like gummies, ampoules, and coffee mixes).
Research is limited in what they can actually do for our skin, nails, and hair, and many experts urge consulting with your doctor before introducing any supplement into your daily routine to make sure what you’re taking is safe and that it’s the right option for you.
Below, we found the best ones on the market right now, according to experts who recommend them to their clients, and ones I’ve tried myself.
The best Korean supplements, at a glance
- Best Overall: Clöud Café Collagen Packet, $20
- Best for Hair: By Ava Marine Collagen Powder, $38
- Best for Nails: Collagelee Collagen Infused Gummies, $7
- Best for Skin: Vital Beautie Super Collagen, $37
- Best Liquid: CJ Wellcare Innerb Glowshot Collagen Drink, $7
- Best-Tasting: EverDaze Konjac Jelly Series, $25
Best Korean Collagen Supplement Overall: Clöud Café Collagen Infused Vanilla Latte Instant Coffee Packet
- Pros: Doubles as a coffee mix; made with nourishing ingredients; very tasty
- Cons: May be too sweet for some; tastes more like vanilla milk than coffee; can be hard to mix
The Clöud Café Collagen Infused Vanilla Latte Instant Coffee packet makes it so easy for you to get your collagen fix while filling your caffeine needs. Simply take a single packet and pour the collagen powder in your liquid of choice (I like my coffee extra creamy so I use cold milk, but you can use either hot or cold water) to make your coffee, then mix and you’re good to go.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed since drinking this daily is how strong my nails have become; they are no longer brittle and frail, and I can confidently open my many packages without fear of them breaking. But be warned: I found the Vanilla Latte very good, but extremely sweet. If you don’t mind the taste, you’ll love it as much as I did.
Best Korean Collagen Supplement for Hair: By Ava Marine Collagen Powder
- Pros: Flavored and unflavored options; easy to mix with any beverage
- Cons: Some may not like the peach flavor
A top pick for both Dr. Park and Charlotte Cho, licensed esthetician in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailer, this powder is made with nourishing ingredients to help boost your skin and hair health. You’ll find French marine collagen mixed with hyaluronic acid, biotin, and ginseng to strengthen strands and your nails while also improving skin elasticity and smoothing uneven skin texture. “My personal favorite,” says Cho. “[It] has a yummy natural peach flavor and is packed with marine collagen peptides, which are easily absorbed into your body.” Dr. Park adds that “it’s clean, effective, and easy to mix into any drink, making it a seamless part of a modern skin care ritual.”
Best Korean Collagen Supplement for Nails: Collagelee Collagen Infused Gummies
- Pros: Delicious; easy to digest; improves nail health
- Cons: Added sugars
My favorite Korean collagen supplement on the list—these gummies are so good. Like, I-could-eat-10-bags-in-one-day good (I didn’t, don’t worry). It contains marine collagen, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to help boost your immune system, firm skin, and—most important to me—strengthen nails. I ate half a bag every day for almost a month, and my nails haven’t chipped once. This will be a supplement I’ll be incorporating into my routine for the foreseeable future.
Best Korean Collagen Supplement for Skin: Vital Beautie Super Collagen
- Pros: Easy to mix
- Cons: Some might not like the cherry flavor
A pick from Dr. Park, this liquid pretty much does it all to help get you healthy skin. It is made with hydrolyzed peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and vitamin C to help firm sagging skin, provide any needed moisture, and give you a natural-looking glow. “It’s effective, easy to integrate into your routine, and backed by clinical research,” she says. “It also has a great absorption profile and supports both skin hydration and elasticity.” She recommends taking it daily, ideally on an empty stomach in the morning for better absorption. It makes for a great addition to your skin care routine.
Best Liquid Korean Collagen Supplement: CJ Wellcare Innerb Glowshot Collagen Drink
- Pros: Provides hydration; easy to drink; mango-flavored
- Cons: Some might not like the mango flavor
A pick from Cho, this sipper is one of the most popular K-beauty collagen supplements. “Koreans swear by this beauty shot for on-the-go hydration and glow,” she says. This liquid is made with fish collagen, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to help skin improve its moisture retention and boost your natural radiance. Simply drink one bottle daily and you’re good to go.
Best-Tasting Korean Collagen Supplement: EverDaze Konjac Jelly Series
- Pros: Comes in many flavors; zero sugar; easy to drink
- Cons: There is not an unflavored option
Cho says this brand is currently trending in the US for its tasty flavors (it comes in lychee, watermelon, and peach, but we’re partial to the refreshing mango) and easy-to-drink packaging. With packaging like a grown-up Capri Sun, this liquid collagen supplement is made with vitamin C and collagen to give you firm and glowing skin.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of taking collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements in general come with many benefits. Dr. Park says that it is known to support your joint and ligament health, and help you grow stronger hair and nails. She adds that you might experience some skin care benefits, such as boosting your natural radiance; reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging; and addressing other antiaging concerns. Depending on which other ingredients are in the supplement, other benefits include helping your immunity and gut health, and promoting wound healing.
How do Korean collagen supplements differ from collagen supplements you might find in Western markets?
As mentioned above, there are a few key differences between Western collagen supplements and the K-beauty ones that we’ve come to learn and love. Cho says many Korean collagen supplements come in fun and convenient formulations (liquid, powder, gummy, and even coffee mix-ins) to fit a variety of different lifestyles. “Unlike traditional pills or powders, K-beauty takes on a more sensorial approach to ingestibles,” she says.
Dr. Park adds that collagen in K-beauty is treated like a daily beauty ritual. It can be seen as another Korean skin care product that happens to also improve your well-being overall. “The philosophy in Korea is rooted in ‘inner beauty,’ integrating traditional medicine with modern science,” she explains. “Whereas in the US, collagen is still largely viewed as a functional supplement for aging or joint health.”
What are the downsides of Korean collagen supplements?
Dr. Park says that most people will tolerate collagen well. But there are a few downsides to keep in mind. First, if you’re allergic to fish or shellfish, she says to check the source of the collagen, as many Korean supplements use marine collagen. Next, you want to be mindful of the sugar intake as there are some formulations that may have added sugars and sweeteners. As with any supplement, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any questions or concerns should consult with a physician before using.
How do you take a Korean collagen supplement?
“You should take collagen supplements daily for the best results,” says Dr. Park. “Consistency is key.” While there’s no strict rule about what time during the day is best, she recommends taking it in the morning as part of your morning wellness routine.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailer
- Eunice Park, MD, a double board-certified facial and reconstructive surgeon and founder of aesthetic spa Airem