As the top choice for beauty and skin care, collagen is widely used. However, with so many collagen products on the market, how can we distinguish between them? The quality of some products largely depends on the quality of their collagen. Below, experts teach us how to spot counterfeit or inferior products.
Clear and transparent when dissolved in water
High-purity, easily absorbable collagen dissolves into clear, transparent water with almost no visible particles. If the water appears oily, it indicates fat content in the collagen; if sediment forms, it suggests insufficient purity; if the water is cloudy, it points to subpar production techniques.
Pure color and uniform particles
High-purity, easily absorbed collagen exhibits a pure milky white color with uniformly fine particles. A yellowish tint indicates insufficient purity; a whitish hue suggests potential bleaching agent use; and uneven particles point to substandard production processes.
Features a subtle fishy aroma
Collagen derived from different sources yields vastly different results. Most common collagen is extracted from pig or cow bones and ordinary fish skin, while premium collagen is sourced exclusively from uncontaminated deep-sea fish skin. Consequently, top-tier collagen dissolved in water emits a characteristic, faint fishy scent.The absence of this subtle fishy scent or an overly strong odor suggests potential issues with the collagen source or the presence of masking agents like fruit flavorings.
The above points pertain to oral collagen supplements. Beyond oral consumption, collagen injections for cosmetic purposes are also popular. To ensure the injected product is genuine collagen, opt for injections at reputable cosmetic surgery clinics.