Marine collagen explained: where it comes from and what the research says
26 October, 2026Short answer: Collagen is a structural protein found throughout the body. Marine collagen is collagen taken from fish and broken into small pieces (hydrolysed) so it can be used as a supplement. Reviews of clinical trials suggest hydrolysed collagen may improve skin hydration and elasticity over a few weeks, although the trials are small and varied. Our capsules contain a much smaller amount than most trials used.
What collagen is
Collagen is a protein that forms part of normal connective tissue, including skin. When you swallow collagen it is digested like other protein. Hydrolysed collagen has already been broken into smaller pieces, which is why it is the form used in most supplements and studies.
Where our marine collagen comes from
NZ Pure Health Marine Collagen is made from hydrolysed collagen taken from fish by products from New Zealand waters, including Hoki and Elephant fish. It uses selected by products from New Zealand fisheries, and it contains more than 85% protein.
What is in a capsule
Each capsule contains 350mg of marine collagen powder and 50mg of vitamin C, plus the capsule materials. Vitamin C is included because it supports normal collagen formation in the body. The product contains fish.
What the research says
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in Nutrients (Pu and colleagues) pooled 26 randomised trials with 1,721 people. Compared with placebo, hydrolysed collagen was linked to better skin hydration and elasticity. Trials ran from 2 to 12 weeks, and effects were slightly larger when people took it for more than 8 weeks. Results were seen with fish, cattle and pig sources.
A second review in Cureus (Dewi and colleagues, 2023) pooled 14 trials with 967 people, most of them women, and reached a similar conclusion for hydration and elasticity. It did not find clear effects on skin firmness or radiance.
Both reviews are cautious. Many trials were small, they measured skin in different ways, some had a risk of bias, and several products combined collagen with other ingredients, so the effect of collagen alone is unclear. Both call for larger, better designed trials.
Two limits matter for our product. First, trial doses ranged widely, up to about 12 grams a day, while one or two of our capsules provide 350 to 700mg of collagen. We cannot say that our dose gives the same results. Second, these reviews looked at skin. They did not look at joints, hair or nails, so we do not rely on them for those.
Who should talk to a healthcare professional first
- Anyone with a fish or seafood allergy should not take marine collagen.
- Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Anyone taking prescription medicine or managing a health condition.
How to take it
Take one or two capsules daily as a dietary supplement, or as professionally advised. The studies lasted weeks to months, so judge it over at least two months, not days.
Common questions
Is marine collagen better than other collagen?
The 2023 review found benefits from fish, cattle and pig sources, and did not find that the source made a significant difference to elasticity. Choose based on your diet and any allergies.
Does vitamin C matter?
Vitamin C supports normal collagen formation, which is why we include 50mg in each capsule.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
No. It is made from fish.
How long until I notice anything?
The trials ran from 2 to 12 weeks. Individual results vary, and some people notice nothing.
Sources
- Pu S-Y, Huang Y-L, Pu C-M, Kang Y-N, Hoang KD, Chen K-H, Chen C. Effects of oral collagen for skin anti-aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 2023;15(9):2080. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10180699
- Dewi DAR, Arimuko A, Norawati L, and colleagues. Exploring the impact of hydrolyzed collagen oral supplementation on skin rejuvenation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cureus, 2023;15(12):e50231. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10773595
Written by Liz Lawton. Last updated 26 October 2026. This article is general information and is not medical advice.
