Your Cart is Empty
As the cost of living continues to rise, many people are looking for ways to cut back on expenses, whether out of necessity, in order to save, or even as a matter of survival. For some, that means cutting out what many would consider luxuries, like the hair salon or collagen routines. However, collagen is an important protein that helps maintain healthy, youthful skin, hair, and nails. Furthermore, collagen supplements have been shown to have a number of other health benefits, including joint pain relief and increased bone density.
You don't have to exclude collagen from your routine despite the rising cost of living. Instead, you can simply make better choices when it comes to which brand you choose and how you incorporate it into your daily nutrition. So, if you're looking to save money, don't ditch your collagen routine just yet, as collagen may be exactly what you need. We’ll show you just how you can fit quality collagen supplements into your budget.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for about one-third of your entire protein composition. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, resulting in many visible signs of aging, such as premature wrinkles, weak nails, thinning hair, and joint pain. [1]
Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin elasticity and hydration, as well as reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Type 1 collagen makes up a significant part of the skin’s structure, as well as our tendons and ligaments, so a deficit of this important protein has an impact on our body. [2]
In addition to skincare, collagen has a vital role in joint health and overall structure. Regular supplementation with collagen can aid in the management of many joint conditions, including arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. [5]
Collagen is also used for lean muscle buildingand helps to repair tired muscles and help them grow. In addition, connective tissues grow stronger, and pain and inflammation are less prevalent. Whether you suffer from a degenerative condition, or you engage in strenuous exercise that is hard on your joints and bones, collagen can be an excellent sidekick for maintaining your body. [3]
If you are looking for a way to improve your overall health, taking a collagen supplement in addition to a nutrient-packed diet is the way to go. Now, let’s look at how we can optimize your routine from a cost and value perspective.
There are many different types of collagen supplements on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the right one for you.
Oral collagen supplements are thought to be more effective as they work from the inside out, providing the body with the building blocks (amino acids) it needs to create its own collagen. The key difference between the two kinds of collagen routines is in bioavailability. [4]
Both oral and topical collagen offer healthy & skincare benefits, but most experts agree that oral collagen is the better option when it comes to bioavailability and results.However, you can certainly combine the two options in your collagen routine, but since we're talking about making a cost-effective choice, higher bioavailability is the way to go.
But, with so many oral collagen products available, what would be the most effective, yet the most affordable option in the long run? Let’s take a look at the most popular options and what they offer for the price.
Liquid collagen is having a moment in the world of collagen supplements. Many people find it to be the most convenient option. Whereas you need to dissolve other forms of collagen, the liquid form is ready to use.
Many liquid collagen products also include artificial additives and ingredients to enhance the flavor. When it comes to these products, it is hard to find a liquid collagen supplement that excludes added ingredients such as aromas and artificial colors and focuses solely on pure collagen.
And let’s face it, when it comes to pricing, liquid collagen will be the most difficult formula to maintain on a tight or reduced household budget.
Collagen water is basically filtered still water containing 1-2 doses of collagen. Just like liquid collagen, it’s convenient and pre-dissolved.It’s meant to keep you hydrated while promoting your daily collagen intake.
It requires no mixing or blending, and you can even find it in pre-packaged,individual servings. However, what remains unclear is the efficacy of collagen water. The amount of collagen in each drink varies, but it’s typically around 10-20 grams. The problem is that the quality of collagen in these drinks is often poor, and the source of ingredients is not typically well documented. This highlights the importance of label reading,
The elephant in the room when it comes to collagen water is the issue of single-use plastic waste, and a lot of it. Collagen water is most often sold in small, single-use plastic bottles, which lends itself to excess waste and contamination of the environment. If you do decide to try collagen water, we recommend you look for brands that use sustainable packaging.
When it comes to expense, collagen water also veers to the pricey side. Most brands cost $2 to $5 per bottle. If you do the math, you’ll realize that drinking collagen water daily for a month amounts to about $90. Annually, at $3 per bottle, that’s approx. $1095. Mixing your own collagen powder into preferred beverages, meals, or even plain water is much more cost-effective.
So, is collagen water worth the hype? It’s really up to you, but we’d say that if you’re trying to minimize costs and be mindful of your plastic footprint, skip it.
Collagen capsules have been around since the early days of collagen supplements. After all, capsules are one of the most familiar forms of vitamins and supplements. Taking your collagen supplement in the form of capsules is convenient, especially if you don’t enjoy preparing food or beverages.Capsules are easy to take with you on the go and they don’t need to be dissolved in liquid. If you have a hard time swallowing pills, however, capsules may not be the best option for you.
Our biggest concern with this collagen source is its bioavailability.Capsules need to be broken down to be absorbed, which may reduce the amount of collagen that your body can actually use. Powders, on the other hand, are already in a form that can be easily absorbed by the body.
Compared to liquid collagen and collagen water, collagen capsules are certainly a more economical solution, retailing for approximately $35 for 360 capsules. While this is certainly a bargain, what really counts is the amount of pure collagen in each capsule and the degree of bioavailability.
At first glance, collagen powder may appear to lack the ease of use that liquid or collagen water offers. That said, the versatility of collagen powder supplements is unmatched. You can infuse any specialty coffee, high-protein snack, post-workout shake, or even a simple glass of water with a scoop of pure collagen protein powder. If you get an unflavored brand, you won’t even know it’s there.
What’s more, many brands offer single-serving packets of collagen for “on the go”, which mix easily into a cup of coffee or any other drink. Therefore, you can make your own collagen drink without having to pay $2-$5 dollars for a single bottle of collagen water. In addition, your plastic waste will be reduced significantly.
With the rising cost of living, you don’t have to compromise your healthy habits and balanced nutrition. All you need to do is make wiser choices, which doesn’t mean settling for less.
For instance, a stick packet of our premium collagen containing 11g of pure collagen protein will cost you $1.17. When compared to the leading brand of collagen water, your savings just from switching to collagen powder will be $667.95! Switching to a 500g container, on the other hand, could save you up to $891 a year.
As for monthly expenses, a 30-day supply (300g) of Amandean’s premium bovine collagen will save you $70 just by ditching the overpriced collagen water at $3 a bottle.
Buying your collagen in bulk, especially during sales and promotions, is a great way to stick to your high-protein diet. And since collagen powder has a long shelf life, you can safely stock up, just be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place. You can also choose a subscription option and save on each order.
Hydrolyzed collagen powder is a product you can use to enrich every single one of your homemade recipes and ensures that you’re obtaining the necessary protein amount by grabbing all those collagen benefits year-round.
Here’s your anti-inflation cheat sheet on how to endure the rising cost of living while not compromising healthy nutrition.
The first step is to take a look at your spending habits and find ways to cut corners without compromising healthy nutrition. Start by evaluating how much you spend on groceries each week and what items make up the bulk of your bill. You can use this information to create a budget and grocery list that focuses on healthy, affordable items.
Another way to save money on groceries is to plan your meals in advance. This will help you buy only the ingredients you need and avoid wasting food. When you have a plan, you can also take advantage of sales and coupons to save even more money.
Canned and frozen vegetables are often cheaper than fresh vegetables, and while they may not boast the same nutritional value, they still have some benefits. They also last longer, so you’ll reduce food waste significantly.
Cooking at home is typically cheaper than eating out, and it can also be a fun activity with family or friends. If you’re new to cooking, start with simple recipes that only require a few ingredients.
Buying in bulk can help you save money, especially if you buy items that you know you’ll use often. When buying in bulk, be sure to only buy as much as you can realistically use before it goes bad.
We all know that name-brand products are usually more expensive than generic or store brands. But did you know that in many cases the quality of the store brand is just as good as the name brand? In fact, sometimes it’s even better! So next time you’re at the grocery store, consider picking up the store brand instead of the name brand to save yourself some money.
Maintaining your collagen routine in spite of the rising cost of living doesn't have to be a challenge. Buying in bulk can be a rather good solution to this problem as you can often find good deals online. It will also motivate you to stay consistent with your collagen supplementation, which is the only way to see results quickly.
Steer away from expensive, unsustainable options such as bottled collagen water and focus on cheaper, yet still highly effective products such as hydrolyzed collagen peptides that offer a higher rate of bioavailability.
Oral collagen supplements are thought to be more effective as they work from the inside out, providing the body with the building blocks (amino acids) it needs to create its own collagen.
Collagen water is basically filtered still water containing 1-2 doses of collagen.
You can infuse any specialty coffee, high-protein snack, post-workout shake, or even a simple glass of water with a scoop of pure collagen protein powder.
Buying in bulk can help you save money, especially if you buy items that you know you’ll use often.
Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD. “Collagen - What Is It and What Is It Good For?”Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Sept. 2016, www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen.
Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerß, J., & Voss, W. (2019). A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients, 11(10), 2494. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102494
Oertzen-Hagemann, V., Kirmse, M., Eggers, B., Pfeiffer, K., Marcus, K., de Marées, M., & Platen, P. (2019). Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men. Nutrients, 11(5), 1072. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051072
Decker, Kimberly. “Are Collagen Nutricosmetics More Effective than Topical Collagen?”Nutritional Outlook, vol. 17, no. 3, 24 Apr. 2014, www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/are-collagen-nutricosmetics-more-effective-topical-collagen. Accessed 26 Sept. 2022.
Bello, A. E., & Oesser, S. (2006). Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature. Current medical research and opinion, 22(11), 2221–2232. https://doi.org/10.1185/030079906X148373
