Home Ingredients Collamex® (Type II Collagen & Chondroitin)
Hair, Skin & NailsJoint Health

Collamex® (Type II Collagen & Chondroitin)

Evidence Level
Preliminary
3 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Collamex® is a bovine cartilage ingredient from Waitaki Biosciences, made from New Zealand and Australian grass-fed cattle and processed enzymatically into a powder that is roughly 40 percent type II collagen peptides and 20 percent low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulphate. Because it is a cartilage-derived type II collagen source rather than a standard type I skin peptide, its most relevant use is joint and connective tissue support. No published clinical trial has tested Collamex® itself; the evidence below is for collagen peptides as a class.

Studied Dose No Collamex-specific dose has been established in trials. Collagen peptides as a class were studied at 1 g/day for skin (12 weeks) and 10 g/day for joint pain (6 months).
Active Compound Enzymatically hydrolyzed bovine cartilage, supplying type II collagen peptides (about 40 percent) plus low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulphate (about 20 percent); bovine source, not suitable for vegetarians.

Benefits

Skin (unproven for this ingredient)

Some collagen peptides improve skin hydration and elasticity in trials, but that research used type I peptides, whereas Collamex is mainly type II cartilage collagen, so the skin benefit for this ingredient is unproven and borrowed from a different collagen type.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 3

Joint and connective tissue

As a type II collagen and chondroitin source from cartilage, Collamex targets the same tissue that collagen peptide trials link to reduced joint pain and better function, though those trials used other collagen products, not Collamex itself.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 2

Limited-evidence note

Collagen peptides as a class have supportive research, but dedicated published clinical data for this specific ingredient are limited.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Mechanism of action

1

Amino acid supply

Collagen peptides deliver glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, the building blocks the body uses to make its own collagen.

2

Peptide signaling

Specific collagen peptides may signal skin and cartilage cells to ramp up collagen production.

Clinical trials

1
Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide and Skin (generic collagen-peptide RCT, not Collamex)
PubMed

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of a generic low-molecular-weight collagen peptide, not Collamex specifically.

Oral collagen peptide 1,000 mg/day for 12 weeks significantly improved skin hydration, wrinkling and elasticity versus placebo. Generic collagen-peptide class evidence, not a Collamex trial.

2
Collagen Peptides and Joint Function/Pain (generic collagen-peptide RCT, not Collamex)
PubMed

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of generic collagen peptides in active adults, not Collamex specifically.

Collagen peptides 10 g/day for 6 months significantly improved activities of daily living and pain in active adults. Generic collagen-peptide class evidence, not a Collamex trial.

3
Type I/III Collagen and Joint Pain (generic collagen-peptide RCT, not Collamex)
PubMed

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of generic type I/III collagen peptides in a patient population, not Collamex specifically.

Collagen peptide supplementation for 8 weeks significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life versus placebo. Generic collagen-peptide class evidence, not a Collamex trial.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — collagen peptides are well tolerated.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Derived from animal sources; not suitable for vegetarians.

Important Drug interactions

No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient.
Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication.
Use caution if pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition.

More Hair, Skin & Nails Ingredients

Hair, Skin & Nails
Niacin
Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble vitamin central to energy metabolism, DN…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Bovine Collagen
Bovine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen sourced from cow hide, bone, and cartilage. It is o…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Marine Collagen
Marine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen made from fish skin and scales, mainly type I colla…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid antioxidant. It is naturally produced by the microa…

Explore Other Ingredients

Bone Health
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein of skin, bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. S…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, primarily found in connect…
Immune Support
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that humans cannot make, so it must…

Frequently asked questions about Collamex® (Type II Collagen & Chondroitin)

What is Collamex?

Collamex® is a bovine cartilage ingredient from Waitaki Biosciences, made from New Zealand and Australian grass-fed cattle and processed enzymatically into a powder that is roughly 40 percent type II collagen peptides and 20 percent low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulphate.

What is Collamex used for?

Collamex is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails and Joint Health. Some collagen peptides improve skin hydration and elasticity in trials, but that research used type I peptides, whereas Collamex is mainly type II cartilage collagen, so the skin benefit for this ingredient is unproven and borrowed from a d…

What is the recommended dosage of Collamex?

No Collamex-specific dose has been established in trials. Collagen peptides as a class were studied at 1 g/day for skin (12 weeks) and 10 g/day for joint pain (6 months). Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Collamex safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Collamex include: Generally well-tolerated — collagen peptides are well tolerated. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Collamex is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Collamex interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient. Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Collamex?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Collamex as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 3 study summaries and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Nutrients. 2018;10(7):826. doi:10.3390/nu10070826.PubMedUsed to support: Kim 2018 Nutrients RCT, n=64, 1000 mg/day low-MW collagen peptide for 12 weeks; hydration improved at 6 and 12 weeks, wrinkling and elasticity at 12 weeks vs placebo.
  2. Kviatkovsky SA, Hickner RC, Cabre HE, Small SD, Ormsbee MJ Collagen peptides supplementation improves function, pain, and physical and mental outcomes in active adults Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2023;20(1):2243252. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2243252.PubMedUsed to support: Kviatkovsky 2023 JISSN RCT in middle-aged active adults, 10 g/day collagen peptides for 6 months; ADLs improved (p=0.031) and pain (p=0.037), pain only in high-frequency exercisers; not Collamex.
  3. Genç AS, Yılmaz AK, Anıl B, Korkmaz Salkılıç E, Akdemir E, Güzel B, Mor A, Yarar HA, Güzel N, Kehribar L The effect of supplementation with type I and type III collagen peptide and type II hydrolyzed collagen on pain, quality of life and physical function in patients with meniscopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025;26(1):17. doi:10.1186/s12891-024-08244-w.PubMedUsed to support: Genç 2025 BMC Musculoskelet Disord RCT, n=32 meniscopathy patients, 8 weeks of a type I/II/III collagen product (Naturagen 4 Joint); pain, QoL and kinesiophobia improved, no significant change in balance, proprioception or strength; not Collamex.