Beauty Writer Adele Miner took Irish wellness brand Key For Her collagen supplements daily for two months and saw impressive results.
If there’s one supplement on the market (of which there are many) that we should be taking, it’s collagen. On the outside, collagen supplements slow down the natural decline in collagen production, supporting skin elasticity, hydration and density to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can improve the strength of hair and nails. More than that however, it can also aid in strengthening joint cartilage, improving bone density and supporting muscle repair.
Chatting with Professor Caitriona Ryan, she shares why collagen peptides are a good place to start with beauty supplements and how they work.
“Collagen peptides are a popular first step because they’re foundational to skin structure and elasticity. We know that cellular aging, through oxidative stress, mitochondrial decline, and telomere shortening, can impact the way all of our tissues and organs age. That’s why I recommend a supplement that combines structural support like collagen with cellular longevity ingredients.”
Prof Ryan also reminds us that while supplements can never be a direct fix for any issues we’re facing, they can play an active role within a balanced diet and lifestyle. “Think of taking collagen supplements as a whole-body, inside-out approach to skin health and aging. Ultimately, supplements are not quick fixes, but can be a helpful part of a proactive strategy to support healthier, more resilient skin, and healthier aging overall.”
The product
Choosing the right collagen supplement for you can be the biggest hurdle. With so many to choose from on shelves, narrowing down the best can be tricky. For myself, I have tried a tonne of different collagen supplements over the years. I have seen little to no results with some, and huge results with others. Irish wellness company, Key For Her is one I find myself going back to when I want guaranteed results.
With a range of different health supplements on offer under the brand, I tried their Key Collagen. The supplement aims to target three main areas:
- Supports natural hair vitality and fuller-looking hair
- Promotes healthy nails, radiant skin and maintains skin’s natural bounce
- Contributes to healthy bones & joints and helps maintain smooth skin texture
Taking a look at the ingredient list, inside each sachet you’ll find 2500mg of premium concentrated VERISOL® Hydrolysed Collagen peptides, enhanced with Hyaluronic acid, Resveratrol, Biotin, Zinc, Vitamin C, and Copper.
My thoughts
What I enjoy most about the supplement is how easily you can slot it into your routine. With other collagen supplement forms like powder, it can be easy to forget to take it each day if you’re on the move and don’t want to carry around a bulky tub with you. The Key Collagen supplements come in small sachets in liquid form, meaning you can pop one in your handbag for later if you’re heading out, or slide some into your liquids bag if you’re going on holiday.
The liquid itself is easy to take with a light pineapple flavour which leaves no aftertaste. However, what impressed me most about the collagen is the results I saw. By month two I visibly saw my hair become thicker, with some small new growth around my hairline. My nails, which I rarely take care of, suddenly became stronger and as a result, easier to maintain. My skin also looks plump and hydrated. Though I have a good skincare routine that I can also attribute this to, I feel peace of mind taking my supplement knowing that I’m supporting my skin from the inside out.
Pros: This is an Irish brand, founded by Irish women. As for the product itself, in my experience it does exactly what it says on the tin, improving your skin, hair and nails with visible results in the first 3 months.
Cons: This supplement contains bovine collagen peptides. While this isn’t bad for you, marine collagen is often considered the superior option in collagen supplements for skin, hair and nail health due to its better bioavailability, making it 1.5 times more absorbable than bovine collagen.
Price: €60 per 30 day box, or you can sign up for their subscription service whereby you pay €48 per box.
Overall verdict: Key collagen is a failsafe place to start if you’re curious about supplementing with collagen.
Check out our other reviews of Irish made products here.
