As we age, collagen breakdown in our skin and scalp leads to increased wrinkles, sagging, brittle nails and hair, and loss of that youthful appearance.
Stress, like oxidative damage from free radicals, significantly contributes to aging. Antioxidants found in plants can help combat these effects. Other plant compounds, called adaptogens, support our body’s natural ability to manage stress.
Adaptogens have been used in herbal medicine for centuries and have recently surged back into the supplement market. Are they the secret to revitalizing dull skin and hair? Do they unlock the fountain of youth? Keep scrolling to discover more.
About Moon Juice Collagen Protect
Moon Juice launched in 2011 with a mission to deliver plant-based products that help people manage daily life stressors. They offer a variety of supplements, adaptogenic drinks, and snacks, plus topical skincare products. We have previously reviewed many supplements from Moon Juice’s line, including SuperYou, Ting, Spirit Dust, Beauty Dust, Power Dust, and more.
Today, we’ll examine Collagen Protect.
Collagen Protect is an all-natural, vegan skincare supplement you can drink. With just one heaping tablespoon (Tbsp) added to any beverage—coffee, tea, or smoothie—users can protect skin and boost hydration.
Moon Juice Collagen Protect Benefits
This skincare supplement nourishes natural collagen with antioxidant ingredients that act on the skin and scalp to protect against aging.
The benefits of collagen have been linked to anti-aging by enhancing skin elasticity, supporting natural collagen production, and increasing skin hydration to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
It’s important to note that Collagen Protect is not regulated by the FDA and that these health claims have not been evaluated, nor are they meant to prevent or treat any conditions (as is the case with most supplements).
Moon Juice Collagen Protect Ingredients
This all-natural, vegan supplement is made from sustainably sourced ingredients. It contains no additives, making it concentrated in active compounds.
Notably, this product doesn’t actually contain collagen, despite being highlighted in the title.
While it claims unaltered ingredients, they have been minimally processed during extraction from their plant sources.
Rice Bran Solubles (Tocotrienols)
Tocotrienols are a plant-based form of vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin works alongside Vitamin C to build collagen. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against oxidative damage from free radicals, which contributes to skin and hair aging.
Research shows that an oral dose of 100 mg per day can support scalp health and hair growth in adults. Although Collagen Protect doesn’t specify the dose, it lists tocotrienol first on the ingredient list, making it the primary component.
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Silver Ear Mushroom)
Silver ear mushroom has been used for centuries as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that fights oxidative stress damage.
Collagen Protect includes powdered fruit body (cap and stalk) from this mushroom, which is more concentrated in nutrients and bioactive plant chemicals.
The label doesn’t include mushroom dose or weight. However, further investigation in the FAQ section reveals a dose of 2450 mg per Tbsp serving.
Sodium Hyaluronate – Salt of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) helps retain moisture in the skin and plays a role in skin repair and regeneration. Topical and oral salt forms of HA help hydrate and activate collagen production for anti-wrinkle, anti-aging effects and fuller, rejuvenated skin.
Collagen Protect provides 120 mg HA with a molecular weight of 10,000-20,000 Daltons. The absorption and bioactivity of HA improves with higher molecular weights.
Vitamins and Minerals
Collagen Protect contains 120% of daily vitamin D needs for adults. Although the type of vitamin D (D2 vs D3) and source aren’t specified, it’s likely provided by the mushrooms, which are the only plant source of vitamin D in the human diet.
This supplement also contains small amounts of sodium and potassium, which help promote absorption into the body.
Does Moon Juice Collagen Protect Work?
Collagen Protect is likely to support healthier skin and scalp. It delivers bioactive ingredients that may enhance natural collagen growth, although hair regrowth after loss is unlikely.
Vitamin E (tocotrienol) works with vitamin C to build and support strong collagen proteins. Collagen Protect would likely be more effective if it contained both vitamins.
Vitamin E also supports scalp health and hair growth in adults at a dose of 100 mg per day. However, without dosing information, effectiveness remains unclear.
Bioactive starches from silver ear mushrooms are powerful compounds that help fight skin aging at a dose of 100-200 mcg per day. Collagen Protect reports 2450 mg of ground mushroom per serving but doesn’t specify the adaptogenic starch content.
Hyaluronic acid helps moisturize skin and enhance natural collagen to reduce wrinkle appearance. While this product delivers an adequate HA dose, it’s less bioavailable than medical-grade skin products.
Helps prevent vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to dysregulation of hair growth by hair follicles.
Adaptogens, like those in Collagen Protect, work most effectively when taken consistently over extended periods as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
How Does Moon Juice Compare?
Collagen Protect presents a unique, drinkable skincare solution with versatile applications in hot and cold beverages.
For a drinkable beauty supplement, Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Glow presents a strong alternative. This powder includes marine-based collagen protein, hyaluronic acid, biotin, vitamin C, and low-dose probiotics. It offers an affordable option at roughly $80 per 30-day supply.
- Provides half the HA dose of Collagen Protect. However, collagen, biotin, and a skin-friendly probiotic may deliver added skin benefits not offered by Collagen Protect.
- Strawberry lemon flavor may limit applications in hot drinks like tea and coffee.
- Not plant-based, excluding it from vegan and vegetarian diets.
For a vegan, collagen-boosting supplement, HUM Nutrition’s Glow Sweet Glow gummies present the most affordable option at roughly $27 for a 30-day supply.
- Plant-based product certified by the Clean Label Project to verify standards for quality, safety, and truth in labeling.
- Vitamin C and E are paired together to support collagen building. Dose of each vitamin exceeds daily needs for adults.
- Vitamin E is found in a different bioactive form, compared to Collagen Protect. Hyaluronic acid is found in the same dose and form.
- Gummies are poorly absorbed compared to other supplement forms.
The added vitamin D found in Collagen Protect provides additional hair support not available in these competitors.
Who is it Best For?
Collagen Protect is marketed as a beauty and wellness adaptogen and skincare coffee creamer.
It’s best for adults interested in natural remedies for aging, dull skin, or brittle hair. This drinkable powder is also ideal for those not interested in taking pills or looking to add a boost to their morning coffee or tea.
Although it’s advertised as a coffee creamer, it doesn’t include any milk, milk alternatives, sugar, or flavoring, making it less appealing for those seeking a flavored drink experience.
Claims vs. Reality
Collagen Protect is likely to support healthier, more nourished skin, although beneficial effects on hair and nails are less probable. Results will also vary by the degree of aging.
It delivers bioactive ingredients that support enhanced elasticity and hydration of the skin and scalp. It doesn’t provide collagen but may support natural collagen production. While hair growth may benefit certain people, this isn’t guaranteed for all users.
Although it’s advertised as a high-potency product, Collagen Protect doesn’t provide dosing information for its primary active ingredients, making strength confirmation difficult.
Moon Juice Collagen Protect Safety & Side Effects
Supplements are not regulated by the FDA or required to meet safety or quality standards. This means ingredients and dosage aren’t guaranteed, and claims aren’t necessarily supported by science.
While most ingredients in Collagen Protect are safe, it should be taken with caution. Vitamin E (tocotrienol) has a good safety profile. However, without knowing specific dosing, safety confirmation is difficult.
Side effects of tocotrienols include drug interactions seen with daily intakes above 300 mg, while increased bleeding risk has been noted with intakes greater than 1000 mg daily. For those with stroke history, intakes over 250 mg daily can be harmful.
Bioactive starches from silver ear mushroom are recognized as safe and aren’t associated with serious side effects. Hyaluronic acid is generally safe, although prescription forms should be managed with a doctor. Vitamin D is safe even in high amounts.
Where to Buy Moon Juice Collagen Protect
Moon Juice products are widely available both online and in-person across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Limited products are also available through major retailers including Amazon, Sephora, and Free People, plus smaller retailers across 47 of the 50 States.
The full product line is available through Moon Juice’s website, by phone, or at their two LA locations. Direct purchases include free shipping and discounted monthly subscriptions. They also offer interest-free payment plans, charged every two weeks.
Collagen Protect is recommended at a dose of two Tbsp daily to maintain maximum benefits, which becomes quite costly over time.
It’s available in 4.5 oz (8 doses) and 8.5 oz (16 doses) jars, for $32 or $58 respectively. This comes out to roughly $128 or $116 per 30-day supply, depending on size.
Moon Juice Collagen Protect Customer Reviews
Collagen Protect has 770 reviews from satisfied customers, with an average score of 4.7.
This supplement provides a unique skincare product with emphasis on transparency and ethical ingredient sourcing, which is an excellent way to gain consumer trust in the unregulated supplement market.
When weighing potential benefits against cost, safety, and effectiveness, we determined an overall value of 3 out of 5. Here’s why.
Pros
- This drinkable and flavorless skincare product offers a unique alternative to traditional supplements with various applications in hot and cold drinks. It presents a good option for those not interested in taking pills.
- All-natural, vegan, plant-based powder that contains no additives, making it concentrated in active compounds. It’s suitable for all diets and appeals to consumer preferences and market trends.
- Bioactive ingredients are likely to support healthier, more nourished skin and scalp. Contains no additives, making it concentrated in active compounds.
- Contains 120% of daily vitamin D needs for adults, which isn’t found in most collagen-boosting products. It also prevents deficiency, a common issue globally.
- Emphasizes transparency by providing information on sourcing, production methods, ingredient processing, plus a glossary of adaptogens and supplement decoding guide. Website includes FAQ section to address questions.
- Promotes sustainable practices with recyclable glass containers and ethical ingredient sourcing through organic farming and partnerships with farmer collectives.
- Moon Juice products are widely available both online and in-person across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Direct purchases include free shipping, discounted monthly subscriptions, and interest-free payment plans.
- Easy to connect with through online chat options, contact page, social media links, and email list. They also offer a birthday gift to promote consumer loyalty.
Cons
- Anti-aging effects on skin vary by degree of aging. Hair growth benefits aren’t guaranteed for all users.
- Claims unaltered ingredients, although minimal processing is needed to extract ingredients from plant sources.
- Could optimize collagen effects if it contained both vitamins E and C. Added collagen and biotin would likely enhance effects on skin, hair, and nails.
- Not regulated by the FDA or required to meet safety or quality standards. Dose and ingredients aren’t guaranteed. Claims aren’t necessarily supported by science.
- Supplement strength is unclear as the label doesn’t provide dosing information for primary active ingredients.
- Reports 2450 mg of ground mushroom per serving but doesn’t specify adaptogenic starch content.
- Delivers adequate HA dose although it’s less bioavailable than medical and cosmetic grade skin products.
- Should be taken with caution. Without knowing vitamin E (tocotrienol) dosing, safety confirmation is difficult.
- Advertised as a coffee creamer, but doesn’t include milk, milk alternatives, sugar, or flavoring, making it less appealing for those seeking a flavored drink experience.
- Recommends two Tbsp daily to maintain maximum benefits, which is costly. This comes out to roughly $128 or $116 per 30-day supply, depending on jar size.
