Marine vs Bovine Collagen: Source, Function & Which One’s Right for You
Collagen is a structural protein made up of amino acids that supports skin, joints, bones, and connective tissue. The most common supplement forms are derived from two sources:
- Bovine (cow-derived)
- Marine (fish-derived)
White label, unflavored collagen
Collagen under white label from BF-EssE
Marine collagen: what is it?
- Fish scales and skin, usually from pollock, tilapia, or cod, are used to extract marine collagen. The most prevalent type of collagen in human skin, Type I collagen, is abundant in it.
- Benefits:
- Absorbs up to 1.5 times quicker than bovine and has high bioavailability.
- Excellent for halal or pescatarian customers
- Taste profile that is light and neutral (when properly processed)
- Factors to consider: More costly than bovine
- May cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to fish.
- Must adhere to stringent EU safety and traceability regulations.
Bovine collagen: what is it?
Type I and Type III collagen, which are essential for the skin, joints, and intestinal lining, are found in cowhide and bones, which are used to make bovine collagen.
- Advantages:
Cost-effective and widely availablePacked with Type III, which promotes stomach healing and skin suppleness
Perfect for powders, capsules, and sachets, and heat-stable- Frequently offered by halal-certified or grass-fed providers.
- Considering:
Greater molecular weight compared to marineReduced absorption speed
Hight molecular weight
Pescatarian and vegan audiences might not find it appealing.
Most popular collagen packaging formats
- Jar
- Tube Can
- Sachet Stick
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Marine Collagen | Bovine Collagen |
Source | Fish skin/scales | Cow hide/bones |
Types of collagen | Type I only | Type I & III |
Absorption | Higher | Moderate |
Target audience | Beauty, pescatarian | Beauty + joint support |
Taste/smell | Very neutral (if pure) | Slightly more noticeable |
Price | Higher | More affordable |
Regulatory notes (EU) | Approved, traceable | Approved, widely used |
What’s Best for Your Brand?
Both can be made in capsules, jars, or flavored drinks, and both can be hydrolyzed into peptides for improved absorption.
- Choose marine collagen if your product is:
- Beauty or skin-focused
- Premium positioned
- Aimed at pescatarian or flexitarian consumers
- Choose bovine collagen if:
- You're looking for a highly recognized, reasonably priced base.
- You're mixing with additional active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin C.
- You want sachets or powders with joint and gastrointestinal placement.
Formats We Can Produce
At BF-EssE, we can develop your custom collagen product in:
All are available flavored or unflavored, natural or colored.
Want your supplement pink, red, green, or gold? We use safe, EU-compliant colorants (natural or synthetic) to match your product vision and branding.
All are available flavored or unflavored, natural or colored.
Want your supplement pink, red, green, or gold? We use safe, EU-compliant colorants (natural or synthetic) to match your product vision and branding.
Flavors You Can Choose:
We stock over 12 high-quality flavors — perfect for beauty, wellness, or fitness branding.
Best sellers:
We stock over 12 high-quality flavors — perfect for beauty, wellness, or fitness branding.
Best sellers:
- Hibiscus
- Peach
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Pineapple
- Green Apple
- Blackсurrant
- Green Tea
- ...and more. Custom blends on request.
Labeling & Health Claims: What You Need to Know
If you want to market collagen as “for skin,” “for beauty,” or “for collagen formation”, you’ll need to follow EU regulations for health claims.
Collagen itself doesn’t have approved health claims in the EU.
But there’s a smart way to do it:
Add Vitamin C — and you can use this approved claim:
“Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones, and cartilage.”
See: Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — Health Claims
Or read our food supplement detailed regulatory breakdown: Regulatory Guide: Collagen & Labeling
Collagen itself doesn’t have approved health claims in the EU.
But there’s a smart way to do it:
Add Vitamin C — and you can use this approved claim:
“Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones, and cartilage.”
See: Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — Health Claims
Or read our food supplement detailed regulatory breakdown: Regulatory Guide: Collagen & Labeling
Want to Learn More?
Want to explore formats, flavors, and legal tips for white-label collagen?
Visit our full guide on collagen supplement manufacturing
We break down:
Visit our full guide on collagen supplement manufacturing
We break down:
- Formats (capsules, sachets, jars)
- Hydrolyzed vs native collagen
- Flavor & color options
- Legal health claims with Vitamin C
- Let’s build your next beauty or wellness bestseller
Ready to Launch?
Contact BF‑EssE’s team for tailored support.
We offer private-label collagen with low MOQs and fast production.
Want a full list of our available collagen ingredients, formats, and flavors?
Let’s create your next hero product.
FAQ – Marine vs Bovine Collagen
Marine collagen comes from fish (typically skin or scales), while bovine collagen is sourced from cows (usually hide or bones). Marine is mostly Type I, great for skin. Bovine includes Type I & III, supporting skin, joints, and gut.
Marine collagen is preferred for beauty and skincare due to its high Type I content and superior absorption. However, bovine collagen also supports skin — especially when Type III is included for elasticity.
Yes. Marine collagen peptides are generally smaller in size, making them more bioavailable. That means they may be absorbed faster — especially in liquid or powder form.
High-quality marine collagen is nearly tasteless and odorless, though low-grade fish collagen can have a slight odor. Bovine collagen has a neutral taste and is easier to flavor for most users.
Yes. Many advanced formulas blend both to deliver Type I, II, and III collagen. This can be effective for combined benefits: skin, joints, and connective tissues.
It depends on the source. Marine collagen often uses upcycled fish by-products from food production, while bovine collagen can come from grass-fed or pasture-raised cattle. Both can be sustainable with proper sourcing.
Not with actual collagen — collagen is animal-derived. But you can offer vegan collagen boosters, which include vitamin C, zinc, and plant extracts that support the body’s own collagen production.
We manufacture both marine and bovine collagen in:
- Capsules
- Flavored or unflavored sachets
- Powder jars (50–500g)
- Multi-ingredient blends (e.g., with hyaluronic acid or biotin)