"Hydrolysed collagen", "collagen peptides", "amino acids" — collagen labels use these terms almost interchangeably, which is confusing. This guide explains what hydrolysed collagen actually is, what amino acids it provides, and whether collagen counts as a vitamin — all as composition facts.
For transparency: collagen is a protein, not a vitamin or mineral, and it carries no authorised health claims in the UK. Where our collagen products can make a claim, it's through the added vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones and cartilage. The collagen itself we describe by composition.
What is hydrolysed collagen?
Hydrolysed collagen (also called collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate) is collagen that has been broken down through a process called hydrolysis into much smaller fragments. Whole collagen is a large, tough protein; hydrolysis cuts it into short chains of amino acids called peptides. The practical upshot is a form that dissolves easily (including in cold liquids, for powders) and is more readily digested and absorbed than intact collagen. "Hydrolysed collagen", "collagen peptides" and "collagen hydrolysate" all refer to essentially the same thing.
What amino acids are in collagen?
Collagen has a distinctive amino acid profile — it's particularly rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which are relatively uncommon in other dietary proteins. These three are the signature amino acids that characterise collagen. Our Bovine Collagen Powder provides hydrolysed peptides delivering these amino acids. We describe this by composition — what the protein is made of — rather than attaching outcomes to it.
Is collagen a vitamin?
No — and this is a common misconception worth clearing up. Collagen is a protein, the most abundant structural protein in the body, found in skin, bones, tendons and connective tissue. Vitamins and minerals are different categories of nutrient entirely. This distinction matters for honest marketing: because collagen is a protein (a food), it doesn't carry the "contributes to…" authorised claims that vitamins and minerals can. That's precisely why our formulas pair collagen with vitamin C — the vitamin that genuinely contributes to normal collagen formation — which we explain in collagen and vitamin C.
What is pescatarian (marine) collagen?
Collagen is animal-derived, so it's never vegan — but the source varies. Marine collagen is derived from fish, which makes it suitable for pescatarians (and for people who avoid bovine/porcine sources for dietary or religious reasons). Our Marine Collagen is the pescatarian-friendly option; the bovine versions are sourced from cattle. We compare the two sources fully in marine vs bovine collagen.
The takeaway
Hydrolysed collagen is collagen broken into small, easily absorbed peptides; it's rich in the signature amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline; it's a protein, not a vitamin (which is why vitamin C is the claim anchor in our formulas); and marine collagen is the pescatarian-friendly source. For how to take it, see collagen with hyaluronic acid and how to take it; for the bigger picture, our collagen buyer's guide.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a medical condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement. Signed, Dr. Miron, Founder of Pure Vitamins UK.
