How to Read a Collagen Supplement Label

Collagen labels have a lot of real estate for marketing language and comparatively little required disclosure. Here is what to actually look for.

The essentials

• Collagen type (Type I, III, or both) — tells you what the source naturally contains
• Source (marine, bovine, porcine) — matters for allergens and dietary preference
• Dose per serving, in grams — not just "contains collagen"
• Full ingredient list — check for anything beyond the collagen itself

Marketing language worth a second look

• "Clinically proven" — proven for what, specifically, and by whom?
• "Premium" or "pharmaceutical grade" — these are not regulated, defined terms
• "Wild-caught" or "grass-fed" — worth verifying against an actual named source, not just the phrase itself

The one-question test

If you covered the brand name and design, would the label alone tell you exactly what is in the jar and where it came from? If not, that is the gap worth asking about before you buy. Unmade's label passes that test: wild-caught marine collagen, Type I & III, 10 g per serving, over 92% protein, nothing else in the ingredient list.