Look and feel great with a collagen supplement for hair, skin and nails

I have been trying out a range of collagen supplements and meaning to write this post for ages and then something happens and it gets put back down the to do list!  I've been having a particularly challenging time recently with some personal stuff that I have needed to give lots of time to.  But despite the madness I still love writing my blog posts and I don't want to give them up.  My blog post today contains gifted items from FutureYou Cambridge/Prime Fifty and LQ Collagen. Read on to find out what I thought and more about collagen and if we should add it to our beauty routine!

​Firstly, let's start with Prime Fifty, this brand were incorporated into the FutureYou Cambridge brand a few months ago and is now available to purchase from the FutureYou website.  I have worked with FutureYou in the past, in particular I use their Magnesium+ supplement on a daily basis.  I love the company and the offer excellent customer service and advice.  They sent me their Collagen+ for hair, skin and nails.  I was also recently sent a sample pack from LQ Collagen, I chose their Joint Care collagen.

Finding out about the benefits of collagen! Outfit details below!

I started by researching, do we need a collagen supplement and do they work?

Collagen is the main protein in the human body, it is found in skin, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues.  As we age however both collagen and elastin levels in the skin decrease, which results in less supple and plump skin and wrinkles begin to appear.

We do know that the vast majority of over 50's fail to reach the recommended level of nutrients needed for healthy skin, hair and nails.  Plus collagen is poorly absorbed due to its large molecule size.  

A special bio-available grade of 'hydrolysed' collagen is used to improve absorption and utilisation in the body.  These 'peptides' have been researched over many years with a large number of studies demonstrating significant skin appearance benefits such as wrinkle reduction and enhanced skin plumpness.

So there does appear to be good evidence suggesting the benefit of taking extra collagen and the scientific research is promising although like so many supplements, more research is ongoing. 

But why liquid and not a skin cream?

Well putting collagen onto the skin may feel nice and provide moisture but there is no benefit it using it that way, in fact it has been scientifically proven that collagen cannot penetrate the skin and be absorbed from the outside.  Last year, before lockdown, I had a Profhilo treatment at Bodyvie in Richmond and Dr Weber explained then about the need to boost collagen from within and not put it onto the skin!

So a collagen liquid can help to support natural collagen as it is better absorbed by the bloodstream and hydrolysed collagen is the easiest to digest.  In liquid form it can reduce wrinkles by providing one of the skins basic ingredients to help it stay line free and plumper.

Prime Fifty is available to purchase from FutureYou Cambridge, details below

But what can we put onto the skin to help with fine lines and wrinkles?

The best supplements for topical application are Retinoids, Vitamin C, Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid.  But please seek professional advice or do more research especially if you have sensitive skin.

I have been trying out some serums recently - I love the Cha Vøhtz Age Defy+ range from Green People (read my blog post here), the Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum was really gentle on my skin, it contains Vitamin C with a blend of anti-ageing Bakachi oil and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid.   And I have just started the Dermaworks Retinol Serum with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid.  Retinol is best applied at night when it does all its work and it should not be exposed to sunlight.  If you are new to Retinol then you may like to start gradually by applying every 2-3 nights instead of every night, as some skin can be quite sensitive to it and become flaky but if you pop over to the Dermaworks website all this is explained.

LQ Collagen can be purchased from their website, details below

Back to the collagen liquid, how do you take them and do they taste okay?!

Out of the two I was sent, I preferred the taste of the Prime Fifty, you just squeeze the contents of one sachet per day directly into your mouth.  It is a thicker consistency with a fairly bland, inoffensive taste.  The LQ Collagen comes in a small tube and is cherry flavoured, it is a more watery consistency and I struggled a bit with the taste but then I am not a cherry fan!

This is Bonnie, taking her turn to join in with the photos!

Prime Fifty Beauty from Inner Health with Collagen

The Prime Fifty collagen formulation has been created specially to nourish and protect your skin, hair and nails from within.  The formula contains high strength collagen peptides as well as the most essential vitamins, minerals, natural extracts and other scientifically researched ingredients.  More details here - Prime Fifty.

LQ Collagen Joint Care

An all-in-one joint care liquid supplement with each 25ml shot containing quality ingredients to work from the inside out to support joints and bones.  Each bottle contains hydrolysed marine collagen, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, ginger, vitamin c and copper.  More details here - LQ Collagen.

Please check the individual ingredients for each supplement as they may not be suitable for vegan/vegetarian or those with an allergy to fish.

And Katy looking innocent! Outfit details below

My conclusion .... well I have a generous supply of the Prime Fifty supplement to use up so I will be continuing with this one!  I also have the Prime Fifty Super Greens to try (more on that another time)!  My skin is looking and feeling really good, My nails are without doubt much improved and my hair appears thicker and healthier.  I am very fortunate as a lifestyle blogger to be sent some amazing products to try out.  However, everyone is different and your choices are down to your personal requirements and needs.  I certainly think that good supplements and skincare can have a beneficial role in our beauty routine as we get older and I guess every little helps so my advice would be, try it and see!  

I hope that was helpful, I have not gone into the detailed scientific stuff as to be honest it is way too complicated and I am not sure my readers need all that info,  My blog post will hopefully give you an insight into the options available and inspire you to give something different a try.  But if you do have sensitive skin or special dietary requirements please do further research yourself.

Outfit details: thought I'd include my photo bombing westies, Katy and Bonnie!  My animal print pleated skirt is last year from Warehouse and I have worn it a lot (similar styles here), it was a good purchase, my cream crew neck is from Marks & Spencer, I have it in cream, red and black, they do similar every year (see here), ideal weight for the early spring weather.  Necklace is Boho Betty from The Wendy House.

Love from
Michelle xx

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Disclaimer: both products in this review were gifted to me for the purpose of a review on my blog and instagram, my opinions are entirely my own.
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