Collagen And Protein Everything you need to know

Good skin doesn’t start with what you put on it. It starts with what you put in it.

We talk a lot about collagen – and for good reason. It’s the protein your body naturally produces to support skin structure, strength, and elasticity. The catch? From your mid-twenties , production starts to slow down.

That’s where our collagen supplements come in.

But collagen isn’t just about skin. It’s a form of protein too, so where does it sit alongside things like whey protein? And does it count towards your daily intake?

Let’s get into it.

Is collagen a protein?

Short answer: yes.

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found throughout the body – in skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

In fact, it makes up around a third of the total protein in your body. Sometimes called ‘the glue that holds us together’, it plays a huge role in structural support, tissue repair, and skin elasticity.

"Collagen isn’t just another protein. It contains a rare amino acid called hydroxyproline – something scientists use almost like a fingerprint to identify collagen in the body.” – Dr Dave Reilly , Senior Scientist at Absolute Collagen

What does collagen protein do?

Collagen works differently to the protein you’d typically associate with fitness.

Instead of focusing purely on muscle building, taking ‘collagen protein’ supports the structures that hold your body together, especially your skin. That means you can enjoy benefits, such as an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles and a boost to skin elasticity.

And because it’s hydrolysed , it’s broken down into smaller peptides, making it easier for your body to absorb and use.

“When collagen is digested, it forms small collagen peptides that enter the bloodstream. Research shows these peptides can reach the skin, where they interact with skin cells called fibroblasts - the cells responsible for producing collagen. In simple terms: the building blocks of collagen can signal your skin to produce more of its own. This mechanism has been demonstrated in peer-reviewed scientific research and helps explain why collagen supplementation can support tissues that rely on collagen, including skin and bone - a benefit you can't get from ingesting other animal or vegetable protein sources.” – Dr Dave Reilly, Senior Scientist at Absolute Collagen

It’s not about doing more. It’s about supporting what your biology’s already doing – just a little less of over time. For more information, head over to our clinical trials page.

Does collagen protein help build muscle?

Collagen contains amino acids (the building blocks of protein), which play a role in supporting your body’s overall structure, including muscle tissue.

But it’s not a direct replacement for traditional protein sources like whey.

Instead, think of it as complementary. Where whey focuses on muscle mass, collagen supports the connective tissue around it. This helps your body stay strong, supported, and resilient.

How much protein is in our collagen supplements?

Both our collagen powder and liquid collagen contain 8,000mg of protein per serving*.

That’s not as high as a scoop of whey protein (which can range from 20–30g). However, the real benefit lies in how efficiently collagen is absorbed and utilised by the body, thanks to those hydrolysed peptides.

Plus, collagen is enriched with specific amino acids – like glycine and proline – that aren’t as common in a standard diet or in many regular protein powders. These amino acids are particularly beneficial for supporting healthy connective tissues, joints, and muscle recovery, especially for those involved in high-impact sports or weight training.

*Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Each sachet of Absolute Collagen is high in and a source of protein. Enjoy a daily dose of Absolute Collagen as part of a balanced, healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Does Absolute Collagen count towards daily protein intake?

Yes, collagen is a protein, so it contributes to your overall daily intake. But it plays a slightly different role.

Rather than replacing your main protein sources, it works alongside them. This supports your body in a more targeted way, particularly when it comes to structure and support.

What’s the difference between collagen and whey protein?

Both collagen and whey are proteins, but they’re built differently and serve different purposes:

Collagen protein

• Sourced from marine or animal connective tissue
• Rich in specific amino acids found in the body’s structure
• Supports skin, joints, and connective tissue

Whey protein

• Derived from milk
• Contains all essential amino acids
• Commonly used for muscle growth and recovery

Can you take collagen and whey protein together?

Absolutely, you can take both. In fact, combining collagen and whey protein is a smart way to give your body a wider range of amino acids.

That said, timing is everything. We recommend spacing out your Absolute Collagen from any high-protein meal or shake (think 20g of protein or more). This isn’t because they interact badly – not at all – but because your body will need to work harder to absorb more protein at one time.

By giving your Absolute Collagen an hour or so on its own, you allow your body to absorb and utilise the collagen peptides more efficiently.

For example, many Absoluters enjoy their collagen first thing in the morning – sometimes  with breakfast , sometimes mixed into their coffee . A poached egg on toast alongside your collagen sachet is perfectly fine (an egg contains around 6g of protein), but if you’re planning to down a whey shake, it’s best to wait a little while for your collagen to digest first.

Can you mix protein and collagen powder?

Yes, you can – just keep in mind the same advice around timing. Mixing collagen powder into your day is easy, especially since ours has a neutral taste and dissolves beautifully (once mixed) in hot or cold drinks. You could take your whey protein after your workout and stir your collagen into your mid-morning coffee or lunchtime  smoothie.

For inspiration, check out our  collagen recipes blog , where we’ve shared tasty ideas like overnight oats, mango smoothies and even no-bake protein bites.

So, collagen and whey protein don’t need to compete – they can complement each other really well. Just give them a little space to work their magic. To start your Absolute Collagen journey today, browse our  collagen supplements  or head over to our  Collagen Lab  for more expert insights.