A woman in her late 40s has revealed that every hairdresser she visits compliments her on the condition of her hair, something she attributes to a £15 supplement she has taken for nearly a decade. The product in question is iHerb's California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Peptides with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, a daily powder that has attracted a devoted following for its reported effects on hair, skin and nails.
The supplement is designed to be mixed into room temperature water or juice, and its unflavoured formula means it can be easily incorporated into a morning routine without altering the taste of your drink. For those with busy schedules, that convenience, combined with the price point, makes it an appealing option compared to expensive salon treatments or topical products that only offer temporary results.
How much does it cost?
iHerb offers the CollagenUP powder in three sizes with varying price bands. The smallest 205g container costs £16.07 as a one-off purchase, but drops to £14.46 for those who sign up to the retailer's subscribe-and-save scheme. The mid-size 462g tub is priced at £34.17 outright, or £30.75 with subscription. For the most economical option, the 997g bulk size costs £71.10, reducing to £63.99 for subscribers.
Given that a single salon treatment or premium hair mask can cost a similar amount to a tub that lasts weeks, the supplement offers a comparatively low-cost way to support hair health from within. It also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, ingredients that are widely used in skincare for their hydrating and antioxidant properties.
What does the science say?
Oral collagen has been the subject of increasing research interest. A 2023 meta-analysis published in MDPI, a peer-reviewed open access journal, examined data from 26 clinical trials and found that collagen supplementation significantly improved skin hydration and elasticity compared with a placebo. While the trial data focused on skin, many users report parallel benefits for hair strength and growth, adding weight to the product's popularity.
The collagen peptides used in CollagenUP are marine-sourced, combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, according to the product listing. As with any supplement, individual results may vary.
What customers are saying
Customer reviews on the iHerb website, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, are overwhelmingly positive. One woman in her late 40s wrote: "An indispensable product. This is my most frequently purchased item from iHerb. I absolutely cannot live without it. I've been using it for almost 10 years now. I'm in my late 40s, but every hairdresser I go to compliments me on how beautiful my hair is." She added that if she stops taking it for a week, her skin becomes wrinkled and rough, though she acknowledged the product may not work for everyone.
Another reviewer mentioned that the powder mixes easily into a morning drink, with "no taste, no clumps, just a pure glow from within." They also noticed their hair feeling stronger. A third customer described the supplement as "game-changing for glowing skin and healthy hair," saying that when she lapsed, she saw significant changes. Her 56-year-old partner, who began using it, saw his skin become noticeably radiant and even experienced hair regrowth in areas where it had previously stopped growing.
However, not all feedback is flawless. A small number of customers have expressed a dislike for the flavour, though others strongly disagree. One user countered: "Excellent collagen! I've been using it for a while now. It dissolves easily, is tasteless and odourless, and is easy to drink. It contains marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C — an excellent combination for skin and joints." That reviewer went on to say that her skin became more hydrated and elastic, and that her nails and hair strengthened noticeably, with results visible within a few weeks.
Other collagen options on the high street
For shoppers who prefer alternatives to iHerb, Holland and Barrett has reduced its Bovine Collagen 3000mg 30 Tablets from £8.19 to £6.14. Meanwhile, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Unflavoured Powder 567g is on sale at £34.99, down from its usual £49.99.
Ultimately, the decision to incorporate a collagen supplement into your daily routine comes down to personal preference and budget. Based on the volume of positive reviews and the supporting research, the iHerb CollagenUP powder appears to be a worthwhile consideration for anyone seeking to improve the appearance of their hair and skin without spending a fortune.
