Everything You Need To Know About Japanese Collagen And Why You Should Include It In Your Routine

Collagen is often regarded as one of the best and effective ingredients for achieving beautiful skin. It is often sold in supplement, powder, and beverage form in Japan and is also included in an array of Japanese skincare products.

But what exactly is collagen and why is it so popular in Japan? Is it worth consuming collagen or using collagen products daily? We’ll cover everything you need to know about this super-protein so that you can decide if you want to include it in your everyday beauty or even health routine. 

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a kind of protein that our bodies naturally produce. It plays an important role in keeping our skin, joints, and bones strong. It also promotes hair and nail growth. In short, collagen is not only essential for keeping our health in check, but also for preserving our beauty. 

In terms of our skin, collagen is what naturally supports its elasticity and hydration levels. When the amount of collagen present in the skin decreases, it is common to see negative or unwanted changes in our skin. 

While our bodies naturally produce collagen, these levels naturally begin to lessen in our mid twenties to early thirties. Once collagen production slows, problems relating to skin, joints, and bones may easily arise. Aging effects such as wrinkles, lines, and loss in elasticity of the skin may also become more prominent. In order to combat these problems, collagen supplements and beauty products were developed. 

What are collagen supplements made of?

Humans are not the only creatures who produce collagen. In fact, collagen can widely be found across the animal kingdom. Among all animals, Japanese collagen products specifically tend to use collagen from cows, pigs, fish and crustaceans. The collagen that these animals produce tend to be more inline with what humans produce and are thus deemed to be the most effective for Japanese collagen supplements and products. 

Collagen is present in the skin, bones, joints, cartilage, and connective tissues of animals, but the pure form of collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed. In order for our bodies to absorb collagen from other sources, it must be broken down into tiny pieces.

In order for this to happen, these collagen-rich parts are boiled down until they form a gelatin-like substance. At this stage, this type of collagen is turned into gelatin powder or sheets. However, it is still not suitable for healh and beauty supplemental use.

The collagen used in supplements is known as collagen-peptides. In order for collagen to reach collagen-peptides state, it must go through another process called hydrolyzation, in which the collagen particles are dried and milled into even smaller nano-sized particles. This is the form of collagen which is commonly included in Japanese collagen health and beauty supplements.   

What is Collagen good for?

There are an abundance of reasons to include a collagen supplement in your beauty routine or diet. Many people choose to include collagen-rich products in their skincare routine for their phenomenal anti-aging effects. By increasing the amount of collagen in your skin, the appearance of visible wrinkles will decrease and other signs of aging will be suppressed. Even if you’re not looking for products with anti-aging or anti-wrinkle capabilities, collagen is crucial for improving your skin’s elasticity and hydration levels. This means that if you have dry skin, using collagen-containing products may be beneficial for you.  

Since collagen is a type of protein, it can also aid in strengthening your hair and nails, as well as bones and joints. Whether you're looking for glistening skin results or improvement in your body’s mobility, increased collagen consumption can support all of these reasons. 

Why are Japanese Collagen products so popular?

It’s quite simple really. Japanese collagen products include exclusive ingredients that cannot be found in other types of collagen products. In fact, many Japanese Taste customers have shared that they received impressive results after including collagen in their routines. Some of these results include supple and glossier skin, stronger nails, and even healthier looking hair.

In regards to Japanese collagen skincare products, collagen, as well as other skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and retinol are included to ensure the best results. 

Another reason why Japanese collagen products, specifically supplements, are so popular is because they contain few calories, little-to-no fat, and can be consumed easily. Collagen is known for being quite stinky, it’s only natural since it's sourced directly from animal parts. However, Japanese companies have found different ways to make collagen more palatable, as well as to create an enjoyable experience for consumers. 

Simply put, Japanese collagen products are made with only high quality ingredients, and exclusive Japanese technology, making them extremely effective. With everyday use, they also tend to show results quickly.

What is the best beauty Collagen supplement?

The best beauty Japanese Collagen supplement will depend on your needs. If you are looking specifically for collagen supplements, then you might want to consider adding a collagen powder or beverage in your routine. The best part about these kinds of Japanese collagen products is that the manufacturers have discovered specialized technology to make consuming these supplements more pleasant. Specifically for Japanese collagen powders, they have been designed to be tasteless and odorless to be easily added into foods and beverages. As far as Japanese collagen beverages go, they come in fruity, delicious flavors and are low in calories. Win-win! 

For those looking for a way to consume collagen on the go, there are even Japanese snacks rich in collagen such as jelly, candies and even wafers. Be aware that the amount of collagen will vary depending on the snack. 

If you’re more interested in Japanese skincare products, you can find any skincare product under the sun with added collagen. From face washes, toners, moisturizers, to creams, Japanese skincare makers have found ways to include this super-ingredient in their products so that your skin reap the benefits of collagen.

Which foods are rich in collagen?

It has already been established that collagen is present in species in the animal kingdom. Therefore, we can assume that collagen naturally exists in meat. If you are specifically looking for collagen-packed foods, consider adding the following to your diet: 

• Beef or pork bone broth 
• Skin-on chicken 
• Animal organs such as kidney, brain, liver and heart 
• Tendons and ligaments of fish 
• Chicken feet 

Is Collagen Vegan Friendly?

Unfortunately, collagen is not vegan friendly because it is sourced from animals. There are also no plant-based foods that naturally contain collagen. However, there are vegan ingredients that may aid in boosting your own collagen production. If you are plant-based, consider eating foods that are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and botanical antioxidants. 

How much Collagen should I take a day?

You might not have to consume as much collagen a day as you think. In order to truly reap the benefits of collagen, it is recommended to take somewhere between 2.5 grams to 15 grams of collagen peptides per day. While this is a very wide range, the amount that you should take will depend on your skin, hair, nail, or other goals. If you are only looking to take collagen for its skin benefits, then an amount closer to 2 or 3 grams a day may be more appropriate. 

Please keep in mind that these are just suggestions though, so if you feel unsure about how much collagen you personally should take, please consult a healthcare professional. 

Where can I buy Japanese Collagen products?

If you’re looking for high quality and popular Japanese collagen products, check up our lineup here at Japanese Taste. If you want to learn more about collagen products, we've also got other great articles related to collagen and other beauty-related topics on our blog.