Collagen: What Types Are There and How to Choose Between Marine and Bovine Collagen?

15. 09. 2026

KINGRAY ACADEMY · COLLAGEN · 02

Types of Collagen: Marine, Bovine and Hydrolyzed

Marine and bovine describe the source. Types I, II and III describe different collagen proteins. Hydrolyzed means broken down into smaller peptides.

These terms can all describe different features of the same product.

Author: Ing. František Kokoš

Navigation and design updated: 14. 10. 2026

01Source, type and processing: three separate facts

Marine and bovine describe the origin of collagen. Types I, II and III identify different collagen proteins. Hydrolyzed describes processing. These terms can appear together on the same product.

Understanding collagen labels
Information	What it means
Source	Fish / marine or cattle / bovine: the origin of the raw material.
Type	I, II or III: different collagen proteins in the original tissues.
Processing	Hydrolyzed collagen / collagen peptides: collagen broken into smaller fragments.
Product format	Liquid, powder or capsules: how the supplement is supplied.

To understand the basic role of collagen in the body, begin with the introductory article What Is Collagen? in the KINGRAY Academy series.

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02Collagen types I, II and III

Collagen types differ in molecular structure and distribution across tissues. This table describes their natural occurrence in the human body. [1]

Collagen types and where they occur
Type	Examples of tissues
Type I	Skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.
Type II	Primarily cartilage.
Type III	Various soft and connective tissues, including blood vessels and internal organs.

Where a type occurs does not determine where a supplement goes. The label cannot establish that consumed collagen reaches skin or cartilage intact. See the section on digestion and absorption.

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03Marine or bovine collagen?

The main distinction is the source material. Fish collagen may come from fish skins, scales or other tissues; bovine collagen comes from cattle-derived tissues. Check the exact origin and declared composition of each product.

On narrow screens, swipe the table horizontally.

Marine versus bovine collagen
Comparison	Marine / fish	Bovine / cattle
Origin	Fish or another specifically identified marine source.	Cattle-derived raw material.
Typical collagen types	Type I predominates in fish skin and scales.	Types I and III are common in bovine skin-derived material.
Processing	Can be hydrolyzed.	Can be hydrolyzed.
Selection considerations	Avoid fish collagen if you have a fish allergy.	Check origin, allergens and other ingredients.
What the name does not prove	Not proof of superior effects or a particular type profile in every formulation.	Not proof of joint benefits or the presence of type II.

“Marine” alone does not establish every collagen type in a formulation. Results or specifications for one ingredient should not automatically be applied to all fish collagens. Bovine sources can also differ.

Interested in clinical research? Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of a specific bovine collagen peptide, relating to skin and joints, are discussed separately in the Academy. Findings cannot automatically be generalized to other ingredients.

Illustration comparing marine and bovine collagen sources — Marine and bovine collagen differ primarily by their raw-material source.

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04What does hydrolyzed collagen mean?

Hydrolyzed collagen has been broken down into smaller peptides. This is why products may also be labeled “collagen peptides.” Hydrolysis does not create a new animal source or an additional collagen type alongside I, II and III. [2]

Both marine and bovine collagen can be hydrolyzed. The word “hydrolyzed” does not reveal the amount per daily serving or other ingredients in the formulation.

Example: “Hydrolyzed bovine collagen powder” describes the source (bovine), processing (hydrolysis) and product format (powder). Always check whether a quantity on the label refers to a daily serving or the entire package.

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05How is collagen digested and absorbed?

Collagen is a protein. After ingestion, digestive processes break proteins into smaller fragments, including amino acids. The small intestine is the main site of nutrient absorption. [3]

What happens to consumed protein?
Location	What happens
Stomach	Gastric juices and enzymes begin breaking down proteins.
Small intestine	Digestion continues and nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal wall.
Circulation	Absorbed nutrients are transported to tissues.
Large intestine	Mainly absorbs water and processes residues; it is not the principal site for absorption of protein digestion products.

Ingested collagen should not be imagined as an intact filler for wrinkles or cartilage. The body processes and uses absorbed nutrients according to its needs. [2] Absorption alone does not establish a visible effect on the skin.

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06Does vegan collagen exist?

Conventional collagen obtained from fish or cattle is animal-derived. Plants do not naturally contain collagen, although plant foods can provide nutrients used to make the body's own collagen. [2]

Products labeled “vegan collagen” or “collagen booster” may contain blends of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other ingredients. The weight of that blend is not automatically the amount of collagen.

Compare a plant-based formulation by its actual ingredients rather than treating it as gram-for-gram equivalent to animal collagen.

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07What should you check on the label?

Source: fish, bovine or another precisely identified origin.
Processing: whether the material consists of hydrolyzed collagen peptides or another form.
Quantity: the amount in the recommended daily serving.
Ingredients and allergens: including substances added to the collagen.

These details help distinguish collagen types and formats. When comparing finished products, also review serving size, total package contents and the evidence for the exact ingredient rather than relying on the product name alone.

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08Frequently asked questions

Is marine collagen automatically better than bovine collagen?

No. Source alone does not determine superiority. The specific material, processing, composition and supporting evidence all matter.

Is hydrolyzed collagen another type alongside types I, II and III?

No. Hydrolysis describes processing into smaller peptides. Numbered types refer to different collagen proteins.

Does every marine collagen contain both types I and III?

No. Type I predominates in common fish-derived skin and scale material. Check the declared profile of the specific product.

Is collagen absorbed in the large intestine?

Nutrients resulting from protein digestion are absorbed primarily in the small intestine.

Is liquid collagen automatically absorbed better than powder?

The product format alone does not demonstrate this. Both formats can contain hydrolyzed peptides.

Is a vegan collagen booster the same as hydrolyzed collagen?

No. Check the actual ingredients. The weight of a vegan blend should not be described as the same quantity of collagen.

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09Sources and further reading

[1] Cleveland Clinic: Collagen — types and functions

[2] Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Collagen

[3] NIH / NIDDK: Your Digestive System & How It Works

EDUCATIONAL ARTICLE. This material is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.