Collagen types I II III: labeling and raw material origins compared

The first time I flipped a collagen bottle over and tried to parse the fine print, I felt like I’d walked into a chemistry class I hadn’t studied for. Type I, Type II, Type III—each sounded important, yet every brand insisted theirs was “the one.” So I sat down with my coffee and started decoding what those Roman numerals actually mean on labels and where the raw materials really come from. I wanted a calm, practical guide I could trust as a consumer, not a promise of miracles. This is my field note after weeks of reading labels, digging into regulations, and comparing the science with the marketing.

What the collagen “types” actually signal in plain English

When labels mention Type I, Type II, or Type III, they’re pointing to different collagen architectures our bodies use like building materials. Type I is the tensile “rope” that dominates skin, bone, and tendons; Type II is the cushiony, pressure-resistant form that characterizes joint cartilage; Type III is the flexible, reticular support found alongside Type I in skin and in soft tissues. That’s the gist I wish someone had told me sooner. If I keep just one mental sticky note, it’s this: Type I and III tend to be marketed for skin and general support, while Type II is framed for joint cartilage. Of course, real biology is messier than marketing, but this simple map helped me walk into the supplement aisle with a little more confidence. For a thorough primer on collagen’s triple-helix backbone and where types live in the body, a clinician-oriented overview is available at NCBI’s medical library here.

• Type I often shows up as “marine” (fish skin/scales) or “bovine hide” hydrolyzed collagen. It’s the headline in many “beauty-from-within” formulas.
• Type II usually appears as “chicken sternum cartilage” (often labeled UC-II® or undenatured Type II) or as hydrolyzed chicken cartilage peptides. It’s marketed for joint comfort and mobility.
• Type III frequently accompanies Type I (especially from bovine sources) and is sometimes called out for skin elasticity and vascular support.

Labels may say “hydrolyzed collagen,” “collagen peptides,” or “gelatin.” Quick decoder: hydrolyzed collagen/collagen peptides = enzymatically snipped into smaller pieces for mixing and absorption; gelatin = heat-denatured collagen that gels, common in capsules and gummies. The type (I/II/III) can be present whether it’s hydrolyzed or not; hydrolysis is about size, not official “type.”

How raw material origin shapes what ends up in the jar

Early on, I kept asking: if collagen is collagen, does origin matter? Functionally, yes—because origin often tracks with which type predominates and how the ingredient behaves.

• Bovine hide/skin (cow): typically rich in Type I with some Type III. It’s the workhorse source for powdered collagen peptides. Many “unflavored” tubs use bovine hide because supply is stable and cost-effective.
• Marine (fish skin/scales): also predominantly Type I. It dissolves quickly, and brands position it for skin/hair/nails. Some people prefer it for dietary or religious reasons, or to avoid mammalian sources.
• Chicken sternum cartilage: naturally high in Type II. When products mention “undenatured Type II,” they’re usually pointing to a specific extraction that preserves larger structures associated with cartilage signaling. Hydrolyzed chicken cartilage is another form on the market, also Type II-leaning but processed.
• Porcine (pig skin): composition broadly similar to bovine for Type I and III; you’ll see it more commonly in gelatin capsules than in marketed “beauty” peptides (though it’s used).

There’s also the ethical/environmental angle. Marine collagen often comes from byproducts of the seafood industry, which can feel like waste reduction. Bovine and porcine sources are byproducts of meat processing. I personally look for traceability statements and third-party certifications if I want reassurance on sourcing.

Reading labels without getting spun

Here’s how I “walk” a collagen label now. It keeps me grounded and saves me from shiny-claim fatigue. If you’d like to see what regulators actually require on U.S. supplement labels, the FDA’s guide spells out the framework in consumer-accessible language here.

• Supplement Facts vs. marketing copy: the Supplement Facts panel is where the ingredient (e.g., “hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides”) should be named. Claims in big type on the front are “structure/function” claims and must carry the familiar FDA disclaimer.
• Source transparency: many brands voluntarily list the raw material (e.g., “from fish skin,” “from chicken sternum cartilage”). It’s optional in some cases but extremely helpful if you avoid certain animals for dietary, allergy, or religious reasons.
• Form matters: “hydrolyzed collagen” mixes easily; “undenatured Type II” is often in small-dose capsules for joints. If a powder says “Type II,” check whether it’s truly undenatured cartilage or just a catch-all marketing phrase.
• Allergen and origin flags: fish is a major allergen in the U.S., so marine collagen products often carry an allergen statement. Gelatin in capsules is commonly bovine or porcine; look for “vegetable capsule” if you want to avoid animal gelatin.
• Numbers that aren’t magic: milligrams per scoop and peptide trademarks can range widely. More isn’t always better; evidence often clusters around moderate daily amounts rather than megadoses.

Skin-centric hopes vs. what research actually shows

In my reading, the most compelling human data for “beauty-from-within” collagen is on skin hydration and elasticity, especially with Type I–rich hydrolyzed collagen. Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses suggest small-to-moderate improvements over placebo for hydration, elasticity, and fine lines after 8–12 weeks, with effects tending to build gradually. If you want to dip into the academic side, a 2023 open-access meta-analysis synthesizes many of these trials with pragmatic conclusions you can scan without a PhD here.

• Expect “subtle, not surgical” shifts: think gentle improvements you notice in good lighting or makeup application, not an overnight transformation.
• Consistency usually beats dose-chasing: daily use over a couple of months is how the trials are designed. Skipping a week here and there probably matters less than sticking with a steady routine.
• Type fit-by-goal: if you’re primarily focused on skin, a Type I–forward product is the straightforward pick; for joint-centric goals, an undenatured Type II capsule is commonly studied for cartilage support.

One more practical tip I learned the hard way: mixability and taste are quality-of-life features. Some powders vanish in coffee; others are happier in a cold smoothie. If a tub is lingering on my shelf, it’s usually because the mouthfeel wasn’t right. No study can fix that.

Safety signals and what regulators care about

I take a conservative approach to anything I plan to sip daily. A few guardrails have helped me feel calmer about collagen:

• Animal-origin controls: Mammalian materials must comply with safeguards around bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). U.S. rules bar specific “prohibited cattle materials” from human food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics; this is the wonky backbone that supports today’s bovine collagen and gelatin practices.
• Allergy awareness: Marine collagen is derived from fish skin/scales. If you have a fish allergy, this isn’t the time to experiment casually; talk with your clinician. Gelatin itself can trigger reactions in a minority of people.
• Label hygiene: The required statements—identity, net contents, Supplement Facts, ingredients, and manufacturer info—are non-negotiable. I feel better when a brand is disciplined about the basics.
• Third-party testing: NSF/USP/UL certifications aren’t guarantees of efficacy, but they’re helpful on purity and label-claim accuracy. I look for at least one independent seal, especially with flavored/stacked blends.

For a broad consumer-friendly explainer on supplements and safety basics, I like checking MedlinePlus and the NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements. They’re not glamorous, but they’re steady.

Who makes what, and why the supply chains differ

It’s oddly satisfying to map common origin–type pairings. It also exposes why a label looks the way it does:

• Marine Type I peptides are often processed near seafood hubs where fish skins/scales are plentiful byproducts. The result is a very soluble powder with a “light” character in hot drinks.
• Bovine Type I & III peptides come from hide/skin gelatin streams tied to the beef industry. Extraction expertise is mature, so costs are generally lower per serving.
• Chicken Type II requires cartilage-specific processing and is often supplied by a smaller set of specialized ingredient manufacturers. That’s part of why the doses and delivery forms (capsules vs. big scoops) diverge from the Type I world.

If a brand seems mysteriously vague about origin (“collagen peptides” with no animal source), I email customer support. Half the time they answer with precisely what I needed to know; the other half, I move on.

My working playbook for choosing a collagen product

Here’s the checklist I actually use when a new tub finds its way into my cart. It’s not medical advice—just the humble routine of a label reader who hates buyer’s remorse.

• Goal-first: Skin texture and hydration? I look for hydrolyzed Type I (bovine or marine) at a steady daily dose. Sore knees after long hikes? I consider undenatured Type II capsules from chicken sternum cartilage.
• Origin fit: If I need to avoid beef or pork for personal reasons, I choose marine; if I avoid fish, I pick bovine/porcine—and I double-check the capsule shell for gelatin vs. veggie caps.
• Form and flavor: Unflavored powders are easier to fold into routines; flavored blends can hide in smoothies but sometimes add sugars or sweeteners I don’t want.
• Trust markers: Transparent sourcing, a batch/lot number, and a third-party test seal. If there’s a QR code to certificates of analysis, even better.
• Expectations: I set a personal “trial window” of 8–12 weeks and a note in my calendar to reassess skin feel (and maybe a photo in neutral light), then decide whether to keep or cut.

Signals that tell me to slow down and double-check

Collagen is widely used and generally considered safe, but I still keep an eye out for situations that deserve more attention.

• Allergic tendencies: History of fish allergy + marine collagen on the counter = talk with your clinician first. If I notice hives, swelling, or breathing changes, that’s an emergency plan, not a wait-and-see.
• Medication juggling: If I’m on prescription meds or planning a procedure, I let my clinician know about any supplement habit. It avoids unwelcome surprises with additives, timing, or swallowing large capsules.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: I’d rather get a yes/no from a clinician who knows my history than rely on generalized internet advice.
• Autoimmune or joint-specific concerns: For joint problems, I don’t self-diagnose based on a supplement label—especially if swelling, redness, or locking is involved. Formal evaluation matters.
• Quality red flags: Missing Supplement Facts, fuzzy origin language, outsized promises (“erase wrinkles in 7 days”)—I skip and choose a more grounded product.

What I’m keeping and what I’m letting go

I’m keeping the simple triad that finally calmed the noise for me: Type I/III = skin-forward, Type II = joint-forward, origin follows the type (fish/bovine for I/III, chicken for II). I’m also keeping a respect for labels that do the basics well and don’t oversell. What I’m letting go is the urge to chase novelty when a steady routine delivers the quiet, incremental wins I care about—better makeup glide, slightly happier knees on the stairs, fewer half-used tubs in the pantry.

FAQ

1) Is marine collagen “better” for skin than bovine?
Answer: Both are predominantly Type I. Some people prefer marine for dietary or taste reasons, but head-to-head superiority isn’t established. Pick based on origin preference, tolerance, and how it fits your routine.

2) Do I need Type III separately for skin?
Answer: Not usually. Bovine Type I peptide products often include natural Type III. Many “beauty” formulas highlight I + III together because they co-occur in skin.

3) What about undenatured Type II for beauty goals?
Answer: Undenatured Type II is studied mainly for joint comfort and cartilage-related outcomes. For skin-centric goals, hydrolyzed Type I peptides are the common choice in research.

4) How long until I notice anything?
Answer: Trials often run 8–12 weeks. Improvements—when they happen—tend to be modest and gradual. I set a review point on my calendar so I judge fairly.

5) Are there safety concerns with animal-derived collagen?
Answer: Modern sourcing uses controls to minimize risks, including rules around bovine materials. Still, allergies (especially to fish) and individual sensitivities matter. If you’re unsure, check with a clinician and choose brands with transparent sourcing and testing.

Sources & References

• FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide
• NCBI StatPearls Collagen Synthesis
• Systematic Review on Oral Collagen and Skin (2023)
• Federal Register BSE Rule for Human Food, Supplements, Cosmetics
• MedlinePlus on Dietary Supplements

This blog is a personal journal and for general information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always seek the advice of a licensed clinician for questions about your health. If you may be experiencing an emergency, call your local emergency number immediately (e.g., 911 [US], 119).