Collagen is everywhere — in skincare, in supplements, and across health conversations. Walk into any pharmacy or scroll through social media and you’ll see creams promising smoother skin alongside powders designed to be mixed into your morning coffee. It’s no surprise that many people end up wondering: which one actually works better — collagen you drink, or collagen you apply?

The truth is, collagen is used in both ways, but they don’t work in the same manner or for the same purpose. While creams and serums focus on the surface of the skin, collagen powders are taken internally and support the body in a completely different way.

In this article, we’ll unpack the difference between collagen powders and collagen creams, and help you understand how each fits into a broader approach to supporting your body and skin as it changes with age.

What collagen does in the body

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and forms the internal framework that gives tissues their structure and strength. It acts like a scaffold, holding cells together and helping tissues stay resilient under everyday strain.

Inside the body, collagen is continually being broken down and rebuilt. The body uses amino acids from protein-rich foods to produce new collagen fibres, which are woven into skin, muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. This constant renewal process is what helps tissues repair themselves after daily wear and tear.

As we age, the body becomes less efficient at producing and maintaining collagen, which is why the structure and support it provides gradually declines over time.

How does collagen cream work?

Collagen creams are designed to be applied directly to the skin, but it’s important to understand how they actually function. The collagen molecules used in topical products are too large to penetrate deeply into the skin, which means they don’t reach the layers where your body naturally produces collagen.

Instead, collagen in skincare works mainly at the surface level. When applied, it forms a lightweight film on the skin that can:

• Hydrate the skin surface by helping to attract and retain moisture
  
• Improve temporary plumpness, giving skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance
  
• Support the skin barrier, which helps protect against dryness and environmental stress

These effects can make the skin feel softer and look more supple in the short term, but they don’t directly increase your body’s internal collagen production. Collagen creams are therefore best viewed as part of a skincare routine that focuses on surface hydration and comfort.

Types of collagen creams commonly found in the market

Most collagen creams don’t contain collagen that is absorbed into the skin — instead, they combine collagen with other skin-supporting ingredients that improve how the skin looks and feels.

You may commonly see:

• Hydrolysed collagen
  Used for its moisture-binding properties. It helps attract water to the skin’s surface.
  
• Hyaluronic acid
  A powerful hydrator often paired with collagen to enhance skin plumpness and hydration.
  
• Peptides
  Small protein fragments that help support the skin’s natural renewal processes.
  
• Ceramides and lipids
  Support the skin barrier and help prevent moisture loss.
  
• Vitamin C or antioxidants
  Added to help protect the skin from environmental stressors and support overall skin health.

Common myths about collagen creams

Collagen skincare products are widely marketed, and it’s easy to misunderstand what they can and can’t do. Clearing up a few common myths can help set realistic expectations.

Myth 1: “Collagen creams rebuild your skin’s collagen.”

While collagen is an important structural protein inside the body, the collagen found in creams does not reach the deeper layers of the skin where natural collagen is produced. Instead, these products work on the surface to support hydration and skin comfort. They can improve how the skin looks and feels, but they don’t directly rebuild internal collagen.

Myth 2: “The more collagen listed on the label, the better the results.”

The effectiveness of a collagen cream isn’t determined by collagen alone. Formulation matters — including how ingredients work together, how well the product supports moisture retention, and whether it helps strengthen the skin barrier. A balanced blend of hydrating and skin-supporting ingredients is what contributes most to visible results.

How collagen powders work

Collagen powders are designed to support the body from the inside. Most are made from hydrolysed collagen, also known as collagen peptides. This means the collagen has been broken down into smaller chains of amino acids, making it easier for the body to digest and use.

When you consume collagen powder, it doesn’t travel directly to your skin or joints as “collagen.” Instead, it is broken down in the digestive system into individual amino acids and small peptides. These building blocks are then absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body wherever they are needed.

Many collagen powders are formulated to provide specific collagen-related amino acids such as proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are widely recognised as key building blocks that the body uses when forming collagen structures.

Some research also suggests that certain collagen peptides may encourage skin cells known as fibroblasts to increase their activity. Fibroblasts are involved in maintaining the skin’s structure and moisture balance. By supporting the skin’s natural processes — including the production of substances like hyaluronic acid — these peptides may contribute to improved hydration within the outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum).

The body continuously rebuilds connective tissues such as skin, muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. By supplying additional amino acids that are commonly found in collagen, these powders help support this natural renewal process from within.

Which option is better — or do they do different things?

This is the key question most people have: is collagen cream or collagen powder “better”? The most accurate answer is that they usually do different things, because they work in different places and for different purposes.

Rather than thinking of them as competing options, it helps to understand them as two separate approaches:

Collagen creams:

Collagen creams work externally, meaning they act on the outer layers of the skin. Because collagen molecules are too large to penetrate deeply, topical collagen doesn’t reach the layers where your body naturally produces collagen.

What collagen creams can do well is support the skin’s appearance and comfort by:

• Hydrating the skin surface and helping it retain moisture
  
• Creating a temporary plumping effect, which can make skin look smoother while the product is on
  
• Supporting the skin barrier, which is important for reducing dryness and improving overall skin feel

So, if your main goal is softness, hydration, and a smoother-looking surface, collagen creams can be helpful — especially as part of a wider skincare routine.

Collagen powders:

Collagen powders work internally, meaning they support the body through nutrition. Most powders are hydrolysed collagen (collagen peptides), which are broken down and absorbed through digestion.

Once absorbed, the amino acids and peptides can be used by the body as building materials for connective tissues such as:

• Skin structure
  
• Joints and cartilage
  
• Muscles and connective tissue
  
• Tendons and ligaments
  
• Bones (collagen forms part of the framework)

It’s important to be clear here: collagen powders don’t “go straight to your skin” as collagen. They provide the raw materials the body can use during its natural rebuilding processes — which is why powders are often discussed in the context of broader support for movement, recovery, and ageing.

So, if your goal is whole-body support — including joint comfort, mobility, connective tissue, and overall skin support from within — collagen powders are generally the more relevant option. Because they supply the amino acids your body uses to build and maintain tissues throughout the body, their effects are not limited to one area, but can influence multiple systems over time.

Choosing what works for you

Collagen creams and collagen powders aren’t competing solutions. They work in different ways and suit different needs. Many people choose collagen powders because they support the body internally and fit naturally into daily routines, from morning coffee to smoothies or meals.

If you’re looking into collagen powders, it’s also worth considering how the product is made. For example, the Chief Collagen Protein Powder range available at Aussie Pharma Direct is produced from Australian-sourced collagen and is hydrolysed for easy mixing. It’s formulated without gluten or dairy ingredients and can be used as an alternative to traditional whey-based protein powders for people who prefer non-dairy options. The range includes flavoured and unflavoured varieties, making it flexible for both sweet drinks and savoury meals.

You can explore our collagen range to find an option that aligns with your preferences and everyday habits.

Shop collagen protein powder range from Chief Nutrition right here