In partnership with BUBS Naturals. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
We like
+Flavorless
+No chalky texture or mess upon opening
+Easily blends into hot and cold liquids alike–even some foods like yogurt!
+Third part tested for clean ingredients – NSF for Sport Certified and Whole30 Approved
We don't like
-Slightly pricier than some other collagen peptides on the market
-Not carried in-person at grocery store or pharmacy chains
If the shelves are any indication, we’re officially in the throes of collagen craze. Pills, powders, gummies, topical remedies, and liquid supplements can be found everywhere from Walgreens to Erewhon. Once a niche product relegated to the fitness world, collagen has gone mainstream as more people take a holistic approach to wellness, skincare, and beauty–ditching surface level solutions for results that work from the inside out.
The goal of taking collagen daily is to supplement your body’s natural collagen production, which, by your mid-twenties, begins to slow down. Signs of aging or wear-and-tear on the body including dull skin, wrinkles, brittle nails, and achey joints can all result from lack of a collagen. But with so many brands on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
The Anatomy of Quality Collagen
Enter BUBS Naturals, a brand that refers to collagen as “the glue that holds our bodies together.” As a daily collagen user, I couldn’t agree more; consistent collagen use in the past has done wonders for my naturally thin nails, and delicate hair. Their collagen peptides are made from hydrolyzed collagen sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, which basically means you’re getting high-quality, ethically sourced protein that’s easier for your body to absorb. It's also NSF Certified for Sport and Whole30 Approved, making it a clean, trusted option.
Made from a blend of Type I and Type III collagen, BUBS Collagen Peptides work together to support your joints and promote healthy skin, hair, nails, and gut lining. These two types are the most abundant and beneficial forms of collagen in the human body, making this blend a great choice in targeting pretty much whatever your body needs to feel and function its best.
The powder itself had a granular, sand-like quality, with a handy scoop included inside. I gave the tub a few sniffs and honestly couldn't detect any smell whatsoever. It was completely odorless, and when I opened it, there wasn't that usual puff of chalkiness that you sometimes get with other supplements or protein powders. The packaging wasn’t bulky in the slightest, and the sleek 20 oz tub sat perfectly on my counter.
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Where Clean Meets Clinical
I began by mixing BUBS Collagen Peptides into plain, filtered water. Eventually, I started mixing the peptides into my morning coffee, smoothies, and even into milk that I was putting in my cereal. Although unconventional, the powder blended seamlessly into any substance, with no texture or flavor detected. Usually when a powdered supplement says it mixes easily into liquid, you end up with some gritty bits floating around in your drink, but BUBS actually lived up to the claim!
Most clinical studies on collagen show more significant results after 4-12 weeks of daily use. I’m writing this two weeks in, which is relatively early in the process, so effects at this stage tend to be subtle. To contextualize why these changes can take so long, skin cell regeneration generally takes about 28 days, so that smooth, facelift feel isn’t immediate. I did, however, feel like my skin was retaining moisture better, and the serums and moisturizers I apply religiously gave me more of a glow than before. Plus, soreness from my (relatively low-impact) workout routine seemed lessened.
Mission Driven (and It Shows!)
At $47 per 20 oz container, BUBS is a slightly pricier than some other collagen peptides, but should last about a month if you stick to the recommended one scoop daily—though don't hold me to that math! Ultimately, spending roughly $1.50 a day to keep your skin, hair, nails, joints and bones at their best feels like a solid investment.
Another reason BUBS stands out in the collagen market is their commitment to veteran-facing charities. Founded by Sean Lake, who named the brand after his best friend and former Navy Seal who was killed in Benghazi, Glen “BUB” Doherty, their brand ethos is built upon the unrelenting pursuit of wellness, health, and adventure. Plus, they donate 10% of their profits to charity and have already contributed over $220,000 to the Glen Doherty Foundation. It's refreshing to see a company actually follow through on their mission beyond just marketing speak.
With any supplement, judging the full range of benefits can be tricky after just a few weeks. However, because of how convenient it is and how well it works, I've been recommending BUBS Collagen Peptides to anyone in my life who could benefit from daily collagen–from my friend always trying to drag me to pilates, to my coworker who's always complaining about her nails breaking, to my boyfriend when he complains about his achy back after long days on his feet.
I've tried plenty of collagen supplements over the years–and consider myself quite the connoisseur–but most varieties I've encountered are artificially flavored or cluttered with added fiber, random vitamins, and other additives. BUBS stands out because it's simple yet incredibly versatile, flavorless, and dissolves completely into liquids without any chalky, floating chunks. Oh, and it’s loaded with 18g of protein per serving. So, if you’re looking for a collagen that actually delivers noticeable results and blends into your life as easily as your coffee, BUBS is worth a shot.
