Reviewed by Dr Ilma Imtiaz

Quick Answer: Yes, marine and bovine collagen peptides can generally be taken together. They come from different animal sources but are both broken down during digestion into amino acids and small peptides that the body can absorb and use. If you're taking PPN Skin Collagen with Verisol® and PPN Marine Collagen with Verisol-F®, one serving of each provides a total of 5,000 mg (5 g) of collagen peptides per day. For most people interested in using both, the reason is simple: dietary preference, flexibility or convenience rather than a need to “stack” collagen for better results.

What's the Difference Between Marine and Bovine Collagen?

The most obvious difference is the source. Marine collagen comes from fish, while bovine collagen comes from cattle. Both can be hydrolyzed, meaning the larger collagen proteins have been broken down into smaller collagen peptides. But the animal source doesn't tell you everything about a collagen supplement. Different collagen products can vary in their peptide composition, processing, dose and, importantly, the clinical research behind the specific ingredient.

PPN offers two options:

• Skin Collagen with Verisol® – bovine-derived bioactive collagen peptides

• Marine Collagen with Verisol-F® – fish-derived bioactive collagen peptides

Both provide 2,500 mg per serving, giving you the option to choose the source that best fits your preferences, or use both if that works for your routine.

Do Marine and Bovine Collagen Compete With Each Other?

There is no established evidence that they do. After collagen peptides are consumed, they undergo normal digestion. Research shows that collagen-derived amino acids and small peptides, including hydroxyproline-containing peptides, can be absorbed and detected in the circulation [1-2]. There is no evidence that taking collagen peptides from fish alongside collagen peptides from cattle causes them to “cancel each other out.” However, that doesn't mean the combination has a special advantage, either.

Clinical studies generally investigate individual collagen peptide formulations at specific doses. Verisol® and Verisol-F® haven't been specifically studied together to determine whether combining them produces an additive or synergistic skin benefit. So the practical answer is: you can generally use them together, although whether you choose one or both may simply come down to your individual preferences and routine.

What Happens If You Take 2,500 mg of Each?

One serving of each PPN collagen product would provide a total of 5,000 mg, or 5 g, of collagen peptides per day. For context, clinical studies of oral collagen supplements have investigated a range of doses, commonly around 2.5 to 10 g per day, depending on the collagen ingredient and outcome being studied [1-7]. This places a total intake of 5 g within the range investigated in the broader collagen literature.

Who Might Have a Reason to Take Both Marine and Bovine Collagen?

There isn't a clinical requirement to combine marine and bovine collagen, but there are some perfectly reasonable personal and practical reasons someone might choose to use both.

1. Dietary flexibility. Some people may prefer fish-derived supplements on certain days while being comfortable with bovine-derived supplements on others.

2. Trying different collagen sources. If you've already been using one type of collagen and want to try another, you may have both products in your routine for a period of time.

3. Convenience. You might simply have both products available and choose between them depending on where you are, what you have on hand or what fits your routine that day.

4. Personal preference. Some people simply like having the option of both marine- and bovine-derived collagen rather than committing to one source exclusively.

You can also alternate between the two rather than taking both on the same day if that’s your preference.

What About Grass-Fed Bovine Collagen and Marine Collagen?

If you've searched, “Can you take grass-fed collagen peptides and marine collagen together?”, the answer is still generally yes, but there is an important distinction worth understanding.

“Grass-fed” describes how the cattle were raised. It doesn't describe the collagen peptide itself. A grass-fed bovine collagen supplement could contain a generic collagen hydrolysate or a specific bioactive collagen peptide ingredient with its own clinical research. That's why we wouldn't use “grass-fed” alone to decide whether one collagen is more effective or whether it complements marine collagen. Instead, look at the specific collagen ingredient, dose and evidence behind the product.

Take-Home Message

You don't necessarily have to choose between marine and bovine collagen. They come from different animal sources, but there is no established evidence that taking them together causes them to interfere with one another. One serving each of PPN Skin Collagen with Verisol® and PPN Marine Collagen with Verisol-F® would provide a total of 5 g of collagen peptides per day. For most people, the choice comes down to dietary preference, convenience and what fits most comfortably into their routine.

FAQs

Can you take marine and bovine collagen at the same time?

Yes, they can generally be taken together. There is no established evidence that marine and bovine collagen peptides interfere with one another. If you're using more than one collagen product, follow the directions for each and consider your total daily intake.

Do marine and bovine collagen cancel each other out?

There is no evidence that they do. Both are digested into amino acids and smaller peptides, and there is no established mechanism suggesting that taking one prevents the other from being absorbed or used.

Is marine collagen better than bovine collagen?

Not necessarily. Marine and bovine collagen come from different animal sources, but source alone doesn't determine effectiveness. The specific collagen peptide, dose, clinical evidence, quality and your dietary preferences are all worth considering.

Can you alternate marine and bovine collagen?

Yes. You can choose to alternate between them if that better suits your routine or preferences. There isn't evidence that alternating provides greater benefits than consistently using one appropriately dosed collagen product.

References

1. Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-119. https://doi.org/10.1159/000355523 

2. Oesser S, Schunck M, Proksch E. Positive effect of fish-derived bioactive collagen peptides on skin health. Nutrafoods. 2020;1:18-23. https://doi.org/10.17470/NF-020-0018 

3. Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520-526. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12393

4. Oesser S. The oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness. Nutrafoods. 2020;1:134-138. https://doi.org/10.17470/NF-020-0019

5. Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55. https://doi.org/10.1159/000351376

6. Proksch E, Zdzieblik D, Oesser S. The oral intake of specific bovine-derived bioactive collagen peptides has a stimulatory effect on dermal matrix synthesis and improves various clinical skin parameters. Cosmetics. 2025;12(2):79. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12020079

7. Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S, Proksch E. Dietary supplementation with specific collagen peptides has a body mass index-dependent beneficial effect on cellulite morphology. J Med Food. 2015;18(12):1340-1348. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2015.0022

These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.