Best Time to Take Collagen: When & How to Maximize Absorption
Curious if there’s a best time to take collagen? Truth be told, you can reap the benefits of collagen by taking it at any time of day. However, if you have specific beauty or health goals, you can strategize your timing to maximize your results. If your goal is anti-aging and beauty, try adding it to your morning beauty routine to improve your hair, skin, and nails. Or if you’re looking for recovery and inflammation support, take it in the evening to support gut and joint health while enjoying a restful night’s sleep.
Why Collagen Timing & Quality Matter for Results
While taking collagen is beneficial, when you take it—and how good the product is—can influence how your body uses it. For example, taking hydrolyzed collagen peptides on an empty stomach may enhance absorption, using it around workouts helps with muscle and joint recovery, and taking it in the evening supports repair during sleep. Pairing it with vitamin C and choosing a third-party-tested product ensures you’re not just taking collagen, but using one that delivers results.
In this article, you will learn:
The Best Time of Day to Take Collagen for Beauty
You already prioritize beauty each morning with your cleansing, moisturizing, and makeup regimen, so why not make a dose of the anti-aging protein collagen the final step in your daily routine?
Taking a scoop of collagen each morning can improve your skin elasticity and strengthen nails and hair – working from the inside out! The amino acid, glucosamine, and collagen protein in collagen play a key role in the regeneration of cells, which decline as we age. Specifically, the presence of the collagen compound prolyl-hydroxyproline can trigger skin cells to produce more hyaluronic acid, which can help your skin to retain moisture and defend your skin from toxins.
Getting your morning dose of collagen couldn’t be easier. Just add one scoop of collagen to your morning coffee or tea and stir! If you're using a high-quality brand (wink wink) it will be flavorless and will dissolve easily in hot liquids, so all you’ll taste is the flavor of your favorite morning beverage – while reaping all the anti-aging and beauty benefits.
Collagen also makes a great addition to your morning baked goods! For a boost of anti-aging protein, add a scoop to your morning oatmeal or try our Keto Chai Tea Latte recipe!
The Best Time of Day to Take Collagen for Health
After a long day at the office or a tough workout at the gym, taking collagen in the evening can help you unwind and relax, while giving your body some much-needed TLC.
Glycine makes up about one-third of the protein in collagen and helps form creatine, which builds muscle and eases joint pain, giving you the recovery you need at the end of the day.
The presence of glycine can also promote healthy sleep patterns, making collagen an excellent choice before bed. You can rest easy (quite literally!) knowing collagen can help you get to sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
The abundant sources of gelatin and amino acids in collagen also provide soothing relief to your intestinal wall, helping to ease digestion after dinner, while improving overall gut health.
To benefit from taking collagen in the evening, simply pour a scoop of collagen into your evening hot tea or beverage of choice for a soothing treat. Another idea? Get a dose of Collagen for dessert with our delectable No Bake Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough recipe!
Conclusion
Ultimately, collagen can be taken at any time of the day. Introducing this powerful anti-aging supplement into your daily routine can provide a wide range of beauty and health benefits.
Whether you decide to pump up your morning beauty routine, wind down with it at the end of the day, or anywhere in between, you can rest easy knowing you are giving your body the amino acids it needs for optimal health and beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the best time of day to take collagen? There’s no one “perfect” time — consistency matters more than specific timing. That said, some evidence suggests that morning on an empty stomach or right before bed offers benefits.
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How much collagen should I take for skin, joints, and recovery?
Clinical studies typically use 2.5–15 g/day of hydrolyzed collagen peptides depending on the goal (skin vs joints vs muscle). -
Can I take collagen before bed or after meals?
Yes — if you have a sensitive stomach, after a meal may be better; before bed may support repair and recovery during sleep.
When do you take collagen? Let us know in the comments below!
Up next: Collagen Peptides: How Much Should I Take Per Day?
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