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The Supplement Everyone Is Taking (And Whether You Actually Need It)

  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read

Walk into any wellness store or scroll wellness TikTok for five minutes and you’ll hear someone talking about collagen.


It’s marketed for glowing skin, better hair, stronger nails, gut health, joints, recovery, and even metabolism support. But does everyone actually need it?


As a PharmD who works in functional medicine, I think collagen can be incredibly helpful — but only when you understand what it actually does, who benefits most from it, and how to choose a quality product.


Because unfortunately, not all collagen supplements are created equal.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s a major structural component of your:

  • Skin

  • Hair

  • Nails

  • Joints

  • Tendons

  • Bones

  • Gut lining

Your body naturally produces collagen, but production declines with age, stress, inflammation, poor nutrition, and environmental toxin exposure.


This is why many people start noticing:

  • More joint pain

  • Slower recovery

  • Thinning hair

  • Weaker nails

  • Skin changes

  • Gut issues


…even if they’re “healthy.”

What Does Collagen Actually Help With?

Collagen is not magic, but research does support benefits for:

  1. Skin Health

Collagen may help improve skin elasticity, hydration, and overall appearance over time.

  1. Hair + Nails

Some people notice stronger nails and healthier-looking hair with consistent use.

  1. Joint Support

Athletes, active individuals, or people with joint discomfort may benefit from collagen’s amino acid profile.

  1. Gut Support

Certain amino acids in collagen — especially glycine and proline — may support the integrity of the gut lining.

  1. Recovery + Protein Intake

Collagen can also be an easy way to increase overall protein intake, especially for people who struggle to hit their protein goals.

Who Is Collagen Best For?

I tend to recommend collagen most often for:

  • Women under chronic stress

  • Active individuals

  • People focused on skin/hair/nail health

  • Clients working on gut healing

  • Adults wanting better recovery support

  • Individuals with low protein intake


It can also be helpful during periods of higher physiological demand like intense training, postpartum recovery, or chronic inflammation.


When I Wouldn’t Prioritize Collagen

Collagen is supportive — but it’s not a replacement for foundational nutrition.


If someone is:

  • Severely under-eating

  • Barely consuming protein

  • Chronically stressed

  • Sleeping poorly

  • Ignoring blood sugar regulation


…then collagen alone is not going to “fix” the issue.


I’d rather see someone consistently eating enough total protein first.


Also important: collagen is not a complete protein because it lacks certain essential amino acids. I still prioritize high-quality complete protein sources alongside it.


How To Take Collagen

The easiest way to use collagen is consistently.


Most people do well with:

  • 1–2 scoops daily

  • Added into coffee, smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or protein shakes


*I personally add this in my coffee every morning


Timing matters far less than consistency.


Why I Personally ONLY Use Perfect Supplements Collagen


One of the biggest issues in the supplement industry is contamination and poor sourcing.


A lot of people focus on macros and ingredients while ignoring something equally important: toxin exposure.


That’s why I personally use Perfect Supplements collagen.


What stood out to me is that they test for glyphosate and prioritize high-quality sourcing and third-party testing, which is something I pay attention to when recommending supplements to clients.


I also like that their collagen mixes easily, and comes from grass-fed bovine sources.


*Code "krissy" gets you 10% off AND add any 3 products to cart and you get an ADDITIONAL 20% off!

So… Do You Actually Need Collagen?

Not necessarily.


Collagen is a supportive tool — not a requirement for health.


But if you:

  • Want extra protein support

  • Care about skin/hair/nails

  • Are working on gut health

  • Need recovery support

  • Want a simple wellness staple


…a high-quality collagen can absolutely be worth adding in.


The key is choosing one that’s actually sourced well and tested appropriately.


If you want to try the one I personally use, you can use my code "krissy" for a discount on Perfect Supplements collagen.


And as always: supplements should support the foundation — not replace it.



My Personal Experience With Collagen

I actually started using collagen less for “beauty” reasons and more because I wanted an easy way to support overall protein intake, recovery, gut health, and connective tissue support — especially during busy seasons when stress is higher.


Over time, I noticed the biggest difference in recovery, nail strength, and overall consistency with hitting my protein goals.


But one thing I became more selective about was quality.


A lot of supplements on the market contain fillers, poor sourcing, or aren’t properly tested for contaminants. Since I work in functional medicine, I care a lot about reducing unnecessary toxin exposure where possible — which is one of the reasons I switched to Perfect Supplements collagen specifically.


I like that they prioritize testing for things like glyphosate and keep the ingredient list simple.

 
 
 

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