Types of Collagen and What They Do: Know the Difference

Introduction
How Many Types of Collagen Are There?
What the Main Collagen Types Do
What About Other Collagen Types?
Collagen Types and Collagen Peptides Aren’t the Same Thing
Sources and Forms of Collagen Supplements
Do You Need All Five Types in a Supplement?
Which Collagen Type Should You Take?
Support Your Body’s Own Collagen Production
Safety and Label Checks
Conclusion
FAQ

Introduction

Collagen gives structure to skin, tendons, cartilage, bone, and other tissues. Different types do different jobs: type I helps tissues resist pulling, while type II is a major part of joint cartilage.

That distinction is useful, but it doesn’t mean a supplement delivers the same type of collagen directly to a matching body part. Your digestive system breaks collagen down, and your body uses the resulting components where it needs them.

At BUBS Naturals, we think a supplement decision should start with the facts, not the biggest number on the label. Here’s how the major collagen types work, where they’re found, and what to consider before choosing a powder or pill.

The best choice depends on your goal and the evidence for the specific product, not simply how many collagen types it lists.

How Many Types of Collagen Are There?

Researchers have identified at least 28 types of collagen in the human body. They differ in their structure, location, and function, according to the Cleveland Clinic’s overview of collagen. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

You might see articles that focus on three, four, five, six, or 16 types. Those are selections from the larger family, not necessarily competing answers about how many exist. The first five are common teaching examples, while supplement labels often highlight types I, II, III, V, and X.

Collagen types are also different from sources. Type I is a collagen classification. Bovine means it came from cattle, while marine usually means it came from fish. A source can contain more than one collagen type.

Fibers, fibrils, and networks

Collagen molecules have a characteristic triple-helix structure: three protein chains arranged together. Some types assemble into tiny strands called fibrils, which can group into larger fibers.

Types I, II, III, and V are fibril-forming collagens. Type IV is different: it forms networks in thin support layers beneath cells. So there isn’t one simple count of “collagen fiber types” that describes every collagen in the body. Some collagens form structures other than the long fibers people usually picture.

What the Main Collagen Types Do

This comparison describes collagen in your body. It does not mean that eating a particular type reproduces the same effect in a specific tissue.

Type	Where it’s found	Main structural role
I	Skin, bone, tendons, ligaments, and the cornea	Helps tissues resist pulling forces
II	Cartilage, including joint cartilage; also the eye’s vitreous body	Helps give cartilage its structure
III	Skin, blood vessel walls, muscles, and organs	Forms supportive fibers, often alongside type I
IV	Basement membranes beneath and around cells	Forms a supportive network
V	Skin, bone, cornea, and other tissues	Helps organize collagen fibrils
X	Certain areas of cartilage, including growth plates	Plays a role in cartilage changes associated with bone formation

Types I and III: Support for skin and connective tissue

Type I is the most abundant collagen in the body. It helps give tendons the strength to handle pulling forces and provides structure in bone and skin. Bone also contains minerals, so its strength depends on more than collagen alone. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Type III often appears alongside type I, including in skin and blood vessel walls. It forms fine supporting fibers in several tissues. Its presence in those tissues does not establish that a type III supplement improves circulation or targets a particular organ.

This is why types I and III are often discussed together. They’re important structural proteins, but their roles in the body are not proof of separate, targeted benefits from taking them as a supplement.

Type II: A major collagen in cartilage

Type II is a major collagen in cartilage, including the smooth hyaline cartilage covering the ends of bones in joints. Along with water and other components of cartilage, it contributes to a tissue that helps joints handle movement and load.

Type I and type II therefore have different prominent locations: type I is common in tendons and bone, while type II is central to cartilage. That distinction helps explain their biology, but it doesn’t make type II an automatic fix for joint pain or establish that one supplement is best for every active person.

Types IV, V, and X: Different structures, different jobs

Type IV forms a network in basement membranes, thin layers that support and separate cells and tissues. These networks occur in many places, including structures involved in kidney filtration. A collagen powder listing type IV should not be treated as a way to improve kidney function.

Type V helps regulate the formation of collagen fibrils and is found with type I in tissues such as skin, bone, and the cornea. Type X is associated with cartilage undergoing changes involved in bone development, including at growth plates.

Those are useful biological roles. They do not establish that taking types V or X produces specific eye, hair, bone, or joint benefits.

Bottom line: A collagen type’s job in a tissue tells you about the body, not necessarily what that type will do when swallowed.

What About Other Collagen Types?

The collagen family goes well beyond the numbers found on most labels. For example, type VI forms fine supporting structures around cells, type VII helps anchor layers of skin, and type IX helps organize structures in cartilage.

The eye contains several collagen types in different locations. Type I and type V contribute to the cornea, while type II is found in the vitreous body, the gel-like material inside the eye. Seeing an eye tissue on that list is not evidence that a collagen supplement improves vision.

Cartilage also contains more than one type. Type II is a major component of joint cartilage, while types such as IX help organize its structure. Different cartilage tissues have different compositions, so “cartilage collagen” is not a single ingredient with one universal role.

Collagen Types and Collagen Peptides Aren’t the Same Thing

A collagen type identifies a protein family member. A collagen peptide is a small piece of collagen protein.

Hydrolyzed collagen means collagen has been broken down into smaller pieces called peptides. Bovine, marine, and other animal sources can all be used to make hydrolyzed collagen. You may see it sold as collagen peptides, collagen hydrolysate, or hydrolyzed collagen.

There is no single useful number of “types of collagen peptides” equivalent to the number of collagen types in the body. Peptide products can differ by their source and processing, as well as by the collagen types associated with the starting tissue.

When you consume collagen, your digestive system breaks it down into smaller peptides and amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Your body can use those components in different ways. You cannot direct them exclusively to your skin, tendons, or knees by choosing a particular number on the label, as the Cleveland Clinic explains. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

That does not mean collagen peptides cannot have an effect. It means a study of a specific product and outcome tells you more than an assumption based solely on where a collagen type occurs in the body.

Hydrolyzed versus undenatured type II

Some type II products are sold as undenatured collagen rather than hydrolyzed peptides. Undenatured refers to collagen that retains more of its original structure.

These are different preparations, so don’t assume their serving sizes or study results are interchangeable. If you’re comparing them for joint concerns, look at the exact form used in the research and follow the directions for the product you choose.

Sources and Forms of Collagen Supplements

The source tells you where collagen came from. It can also matter for dietary preferences and allergies.

Bovine collagen comes from cattle tissues. Bovine skin and connective tissue commonly provide collagen associated with types I and III.
Marine collagen usually comes from fish tissues such as skin and is commonly associated with type I.
Poultry collagen can come from different tissues. Chicken cartilage is a source associated with type II, while other tissues can have different collagen compositions.
Multi-source collagen combines ingredients from more than one source. The listed types and amounts depend on the formula.

These are general associations, not a substitute for a product label. Processing and the tissue used can change what a finished product contains.

Powder, pills, and other formats

Collagen powders and pills can both contain peptides. The practical difference is often how much the product provides per serving and how you prefer to take it. Check the label rather than assuming a scoop, capsule, gummy, or ready-to-drink serving contains the same amount.

A powder can fit into a regular meal or drink if the label permits it. Capsules may be convenient away from home, but check how many make up a serving. Gummies and flavored products may include other ingredients you want to consider.

BUBS Naturals Collagen Peptides is a hydrolyzed collagen option sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. As with any collagen product, consider it alongside the rest of your diet rather than as a replacement for varied protein foods. (bubsnaturals.com)

What about bone broth?

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues. It can provide collagen-derived protein, but its composition varies with the ingredients and preparation. You can’t reliably determine its collagen types or amount from the name alone.

Bone itself contains mainly type I collagen. A broth made with bones and other tissues may contain a mixture of collagen-derived material, and cooking changes the protein. Choose broth because you enjoy it as food, not because you expect an exact, standardized serving of several collagen types.

Do You Need All Five Types in a Supplement?

No. Your body contains many collagen types, but that does not mean you need to eat each one as a separate supplement. Your body makes its own collagen using amino acids and other nutrients.

A five-type product often lists types I, II, III, V, and X. That is different from a list of the first five numbered types, I through V, which includes type IV rather than type X. “All five” on a label therefore does not mean all collagen types, or even every one of the first five numbered types.

A multi-collagen complex may be a convenient way to combine sources in one powder. Its practical value depends on what it contains, how much it provides, and whether the finished formula has evidence for your goal. A longer type list alone does not prove broader benefits than a single-source product.

It’s also possible to take two collagen products in the same routine, but more products do not necessarily produce better results. Check the total serving, overlapping ingredients, and source information. If you have a health condition, dietary restrictions, or questions about a combination, ask a healthcare professional.

Which Collagen Type Should You Take?

Start with the result you care about, then look for evidence on the actual preparation. There is no proven universal winner for skin, tendons, or every training goal.

For skin

Type I and type III occur in skin, and bovine peptides associated with those types are often marketed for skin. Some studies suggest collagen peptides may improve skin hydration or elasticity, though results do not establish that every product works equally well. The Cleveland Clinic notes limitations in the supplement research. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

A sensible choice is a peptide product you can tolerate and use as directed, with realistic expectations. Don’t assume that type III alone has been proven better for skin than type I, or that a five-type blend is automatically better than a simpler formula.

A collagen serum is a separate kind of product from an oral supplement. Skin types vary, so check the full ingredient list for potential irritants and try a small patch first if your skin is sensitive. A serum’s collagen label does not establish that it replaces collagen deep in your skin.

For tendons and training

Tendons contain mostly type I collagen, which helps them withstand pulling forces. That makes type I relevant to the biology of a tendon, but it does not establish one collagen supplement as the best choice for tendon health or repair.

For an active routine, keep the basics in place: gradually build training load, allow recovery, and eat enough overall protein. If tendon pain persists, worsens, or limits activity, speak with a healthcare professional rather than relying on a supplement to solve it.

For cartilage and joints

Type II is the major collagen in joint cartilage, so you’ll often see it in products marketed for joints. Consider whether a product contains hydrolyzed or undenatured type II and whether evidence matches that specific preparation.

Joint discomfort can have different causes. A supplement label cannot tell you why your knee hurts after a hike or whether a particular product is right for you.

Key Takeaway: Match the evidence to the product and your goal. Matching a collagen type to a body part is only the starting point.

Support Your Body’s Own Collagen Production

Your body makes collagen from amino acids, with help from nutrients including vitamin C, zinc, and copper. For example, a meal with chicken or beans, vegetables, and whole grains can contribute protein and other nutrients. Citrus fruit, strawberries, and bell peppers are practical sources of vitamin C.

You do not have to eat collagen to make collagen. People who avoid animal products can obtain protein and the necessary nutrients from a varied diet. Some products labeled as vegan collagen support are nutrient blends rather than animal-derived collagen, so read the ingredient list to understand what you’re buying.

Collagen peptides also should not be your only protein source. They lack the essential amino acid tryptophan, so include other protein foods across your day, such as dairy, eggs, fish, meat, soy, beans, or combinations of plant proteins.

For skin, everyday protection matters too. The Cleveland Clinic recommends sun protection because ultraviolet exposure can damage collagen. A supplement does not replace sunscreen or protective clothing when you’re spending a long day outside. (my.clevelandclinic.org)

Safety and Label Checks

Collagen products can cause digestive discomfort for some people. If a product doesn’t agree with you, stop using it and discuss persistent symptoms with a healthcare professional.

Check the source and full ingredient list if you have an allergy or dietary restriction. A multi-source blend may contain ingredients from animals you otherwise avoid, including fish or poultry.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition, or taking medications, ask your healthcare professional whether a supplement fits your situation. Choose products with clear source and serving information, and look for independent testing relevant to your needs.

Conclusion

Collagen types describe different structures in the body. Supplement labels describe ingredients, and the connection between the two is not as direct as it may appear.

Type I is prominent in skin, bone, and tendons; type II is prominent in cartilage.
Types III, IV, V, and X have distinct structural roles.
A multi-type supplement is not automatically more effective than a simpler one.

Key Takeaway: Choose for your goal, the product’s evidence, and your daily routine, not the number of types on the front of the package.

If collagen peptides fit your routine, review the label on BUBS Naturals Collagen Peptides and choose a way to use it alongside varied meals and consistent training.

FAQ

What are the three main types of collagen?

Types I, II, and III are commonly discussed together. Type I is abundant in skin, bone, and tendons; type II is a major part of cartilage; and type III provides support in skin, blood vessels, and other tissues.

Do I need a supplement with all five collagen types?

No. Your body makes its own collagen, and there is no established requirement to take five collagen types as supplements. A multi-type product may be convenient, but its type count alone does not prove it offers better results.

Is type I or type III collagen better for skin?

Both occur in skin, often alongside each other. Some collagen peptide research has found possible benefits for skin hydration and elasticity, but that does not establish a universal winner between the two types.

Can I take two different collagen types together?

Yes, collagen products can contain more than one type, and some combine several sources. Check the serving directions and ingredient lists for overlap or allergens, and ask a healthcare professional if you’re unsure whether the combination suits you.

Types of Collagen and What They Do

Table of Contents

Introduction