Although there are plenty of different types of supplements on the market that become popular or trendy from time to time, collagen continues to remain in demand. It is always prompted by health and wellness experts and is safe to use long-term. Personally, I've found it to offer a variety of benefits in my own life, which is why I recommend it to many of my readers here at Go Wellness Co.
It's fairly easy to find different collagen brands and products in the industry. The real struggle comes with finding a brand that uses quality ingredients and lives up to its claims. I've used plenty of collagen products in the past, but not all have been worth the money or have delivered noticeable benefits, which is why I'm always skeptical about trying new products. I definitely have high expectations and conduct a lot of research in advance.
All that to say, I've heard a lot about Primal Collagen and Vital Proteins. Both products have excellent reputations and are known to be high-quality, which is what made me not only willing but excited to try them both and to hopefully land on one that I could use long-term.
- How I Narrowed it Down to Primal Collagen Vs. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- Overview of Primal Harvest Collagen
- Overview of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- Comparing Ingredients, Amount of Collagen + Protein
- Comparing How They Taste
- Comparing Customer Reviews and Product Rating
- Comparing Overall Value and Pricing
- Main Differences Between Vital Proteins and Primal Collagen
- Which Is Better: Primal Collagen or Vital Proteins Collagen?
- The Bottom Line
How I Narrowed it Down to Primal Collagen Vs. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
There are obviously a lot of brands that create collagen powders, so it can be difficult to finally narrow your search down to two or three products.
I have heard of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for a number of years now. First and foremost, I knew that that was the collagen that Jennifer Anniston endorses. I'm also a frequent shopper at Costco and Vital Proteins is all over their shelves in the supplement section.
As for Primal Harvest Collagen, I've been following their brand for a very long time now because I keep my eye on supplements and Primal Harvest has a complete line of them. I also saw that Primal Collagen is priced very competitively.
They both have Type I and III collagen, which is something I feel is very important to have in a high-quality collagen powder. Both Primal Collagen and Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides also have the claims that they help hair, skin and joint health. I'm real interested in collagen powder for hair growth, being a man who's hair is thinning by the day.
These two collagen powders are very comparable, but also have some differences. I'll begin by overviewing each product, then get into how they compare and contrast. Let's begin!
Overview of Primal Harvest Collagen
Primal Harvest Collagen contains grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen peptides that can improve hair, skin, and joint health. The formula contains grass-fed type I and III pure hydrolyzed collagen and doesn't contain any soy or gluten. The instant mixing formula doesn't have any unpleasant odors or smells, making it easier to prepare and ingest. The product is USA-made in a GMP-certified facility.
The Formula
The Primal Harvest Collagen formula is extremely clean because it has grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen peptides, which means you don't have to worry about ingesting hormones that many cows have in their systems. It's also formulated with GelcoPEP® technology, allowing it to mix well with different types of beverages and ingredients without tasting chalky or leaving behind residue.
Ways You Can Use Primal Collagen
One of the reasons I enjoy using Primal collagen is due to how versatile it is, which makes it easy to prepare in different ways. This makes it easier to integrate into various snacks and meals without growing tired of the product. I can add it to a variety of recipes, whether I'm making a baked good like cookies or quickly adding it to my morning smoothie.
The powder is easy to blend into broth, soup, and dough for breads and treats. When mixing it into beverages, it's easy to mix with a standard shaker bottle and doesn't require using a blender for added convenience. It even mixes in seconds when using a frother.
Primal Collagen is also ideal for adding to scrambled eggs, yogurt, kombucha, oatmeal, pasta, coffee, water, lattes, orange juice, bone broth, and hot chocolate.
The lack of flavor of the collagen works in its favor because it doesn't change the flavor of what it's added to, whether you're making brownies or are adding it to matcha. This also makes it easy to consume each day without getting tired of it, compared to other types of supplements or powders that have specific flavors.
Pros
The Primal Harvest Collagen works extremely well with hair growth. Not only did my hair grow thicker and at a faster rate, but it appeared healthier and shiny. As a male, I'm not too concerned with the appearance of my hair, but I couldn't help but notice that even my eyelashes appeared longer after a month of using the product. I assume that it would have the same effect on women, especially for those who suffer from postpartum hair loss.
With age, I've noticed my skin becoming slightly thinner and more transparent than when I was younger. I found the collagen to be effective in thickening my skin and making it more elastic, which I feel has made my face and arms appear slightly more youthful.
Cons
The powder easily mixes in warm or hot water but fails to mix as easily in cold water, which can cause clumps to form. The power also requires a bit of patience to mix into certain types of foods or beverages. It's also not as appetizing when it's only mixed with water compared to other ingredients that have flavor.
Overview of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Vital Proteins collagen is a main competitor of Primal Collagen and is unique because it has 20 grams of collagen per serving and can improve the quality of the skin, hair, and nails. The collagen comes directly from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and is unflavored, making it easy to mix in all types of foods and beverages.
The product is Whole 30-approved, paleo-friendly, and accommodates all types of diets with the natural ingredients used.
The Formula
The Vital Proteins primal peptide powder contains quality ingredients and is packed with both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Each scoop has 20 grams of collagen and 100% daily value of vitamin C. The vitamin is critical in the formula for naturally promoting the growth of new collagen in the body for a youthful appearance.
80mg of hyaluronic acid is also in each scoop and hydrates the skin to make it more elastic, which is one of the main reasons why I enjoy using collagen.
The main ingredients in the formula include bovine hide collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. The lack of additives and preservatives offers peace of mind and helps me to avoid any potential side effects.
Ways You Can Use Vital Proteins Collagen
There are many different ways I used Vital Proteins Collagen as I began using it to see how easy it was to add to all types of recipes. It promotes a feeling of fullness, which is helpful for reducing your calorie intake and shedding excess weight after a few weeks. This makes it a great snack or meal replacement due to the collagen peptides it contains.
I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to mix Vital Proteins in different types of drinks, including cold beverages. It's easy to stir and doesn't take more than a few seconds to fully dissolve. Even when using two scoops, it fully dissolves without forming any clumps. This also explains why it felt easy to digest and didn't lead to indigestion or bloating after it was consumed.
I enjoyed adding this type of collagen to my coffee, and I appreciate that it doesn't change the taste of it or have a weird aftertaste, which is what I've experienced with other brands.
It also mixes well in foods that I want to be thick, specifically oatmeal.
Pros
I found this collagen product to be tasteless and literally melts in my coffee, which doesn't require much stirring before I pour in a bit of milk. I also found this product to be particularly helpful for my gut health and digestion. I noticed that I was able to consume larger meals without suffering from indigestion or bloating. My stomach even appeared flatter after two weeks, making it easier to enjoy a better physique and a smaller pants size.
The Vital Proteins collagen is also effective in alleviating joint pain throughout the body, which has gradually progressed as I've aged. I noticed it was easier to get out of bed in the morning or stand up after sitting at my desk all day without feeling stiff. I now have more flexibility, which has made it easier to stay physically active and allows me to get around faster during the day.
Cons
The Vital Proteins collagen is prone to settling at the bottom of the liquid if you don't stir or mix it long enough. It also requires increasing your hydration because the protein from the supplement can be hard on the kidneys. Unfortunately, this product doesn't come with a scoop in the container, which makes it slightly less convenient to use and measure each day.
Comparing Ingredients, Amount of Collagen + Protein
The ingredients that are in each product are one of the main factors that determine its overall quality, which is why I take a close look at them in advance. Primal Collagen has a great reputation in the industry because of the clean, quality ingredients used. I like that contains grass-fed type I, II, and III pure hydrolyzed collagen and comes from cows that are pasture-raised, which means I don't have to worry about any hormones or antibiotics in the formula. Another benefit is that the product is made in the USA, specifically in a GMP-certified facility.
This collagen also stands out from other brands because it's formulated with GelcoPEP® technology, which is why it's easy to mix in all types of liquids and doesn't leave any residue behind. It has a complete amino acid profile to boost your athletic performance and promote a healthy lifestyle. The amino acids are also critical for supporting essential proteins to improve the health of the nails and hair over time.
The Vital Proteins collagen peptides is a clean product without any gluten, sugar, or dairy and is Whole 30-approved due to the all-natural ingredients the formula contains. I like that it's paleo-friendly because it means it doesn't contain any ingredients that are inflammatory. It has a short ingredient list and only contains Bovine hide collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. I like the added vitamin C because it's a supplement I occasionally take but can now remove from my diet when I take this collagen brand.
I find the Vital Proteins ingredients add more benefits than the main collagen ingredient. The collagen is also Type I and III, which I like because Type I is the most prevalent and needed in the human body. This is why the formula works so well for improving the skin, hair, and nails.
Comparing How They Taste
Both Primal Collagen and Vital Proteins are unflavored, which makes them easy to use in different types of foods and drinks. I personally didn't find either collagen product to have any flavor or an aftertaste, which I appreciated because they didn't alter the taste of my fruit smoothie or even the banana break I occasionally make. I also didn't notice much of an aftertaste.
Depending on how many scoops are used in various recipes, they can change the texture of whatever I'm making, which I have to be careful of, otherwise, some baked goods can come out tasting slightly dry.
Both collagen products also don't have any odor or smell that is noticeable when you open the packaging.
Comparing Customer Reviews and Product Rating
Both Primal Collagen and Vital Proteins have four and five-star reviews and are both known to be reputable in the health and wellness industry. Vital Proteins tends to have a lot more reviews than Primal Collagen and is known to be the more popular product that is more well-known.
Many consumers favor Primal Kitchen Collagen for how filling it is, which allows it to hold you over until your next meal. Many people say it works well for helping the hair and nails grow faster and stronger over time. It can also alleviate joint pain and is easy to use because it mixes and dissolves easily.
Vital Proteins are also effective in reducing joint pain and also improving the health o the hair and nails. Some people attest to having up to 70% less joint pain, which makes it easier to remain mobile during the day. Personally, this is the same benefit I also noticed after consuming the product for several weeks.
Comparing Overall Value and Pricing
Primal Harvest Collagen is available for an average of $35.10 for a 10-ounce container of the product. I find this price to be higher than expected, and made me slightly hesitant to invest in it when I was initially searching for the best collagen products to use.
The average cost of Vital Proteins is $37.50 for a container with 19.3 ounces. Although this may sound like a high price tag, I feel it's fairly priced considering the quality of the ingredients used and the popularity of the brand in the industry. It's priced much lower than Primal Harvest, which allows me to consider using it long-term.
Main Differences Between Vital Proteins and Primal Collagen
Although both Primal Collagen and Vital Proteins are similar in their design and ingredients, there are still a few differences to take note of when choosing the right product for your needs when you're looking to improve your health.
Vital Proteins has one simple ingredient, is high-quality, and is easy to use when you're in a rush. I like that I don't have to spend extra time mixing it or worrying about my smoothie having clumps when I'm trying to get out of the door in the morning.
Primal Harvest Collagen is packed with nine different amino acids and offers a long list of benefits, making it more accommodating to different types of people who are attempting to address various health issues, including bone and joint health.
Both products instantly mix, but you get more value with the Vital Proteins product due to the larger size of the product.
Which Is Better: Primal Collagen or Vital Proteins Collagen?
As a wellness expert, I've tested a lot of collagen products in the industry and have switched to different brands over time after I've found higher-quality options available. After reviewing and testing both of these products, I tend to favor Primal Collagen due to its simplicity and lower price point. I spend a lot of money on different vitamins and supplements, which is why I'm always looking for products with quality ingredients at a lower price point.
For individuals who want to use collagen to find relief for joint pain, Primal Collagen might be the better option. However, I still think that Vital Proteins works fairly well in reducing inflammation in the body, which is why I'd suggest trying the cheaper option first to see if it works well before investing more money into a product that has similar ingredients at a higher price.
The Bottom Line
Overall, I don't think people can go wrong using Primal Collagen or Vital Proteins. There's a reason they're both highly reviewed and rated in the health industry, which is why I'd recommend either product to my clients when they're looking to start using collagen.
After suffering from gut issues in the past, I found both of these options to work well in improving my digestion and easing the discomfort I occasionally experience, specifically after consuming gluten or dairy.
Vital Proteins is also available in a chocolate flavor, which I'm considering trying when I want a change and a new type of smoothie to make. I have a feeling it can be a good and healthy treat to enjoy at any time of the day.
