Worried about ageing? Enter collagen, the mortar that holds together skin cells. I’ve long been curious about the hydrolysed form of this supplement that, when taken orally, your body can easily and rapidly absorb. Thanks to the hydrolysing process, the amino acid chains that make up collagen are broken down into their smallest possible form, peptides. Your body absorbs these peptides and uses them to rebuild the weakening or broken down collagen structures in your body.

Since collagen production slows down over time, taking this supplement can help make your skin look youthful and your joints feel good … but not all supplements are created equal. Finally, I’ve found (in my opinion) the best collagen powder for women and men based on quality, price and results: Be Bright.

Between work and workouts, it can be tough to find time to whip up a collagen smoothie, but you can easily get a boost with Be Bright. If you want to combine your collagen habit with your caffeine fix, consider this a powder formulated to do just that! Be Bright’s hydrolysed collagen powder is 100% pure. In other words, your body can absorb the collagen super-quickly because it recognises that it’s identical to the collagen you already have, which is steadily decreasing in supply. The flavourless powder comes in a gorgeous glass jar (that looks lovely on your kitchen counter) and can be easily stirred into hot or cold beverages. Pro tip: Try mixing it into some plain oatmeal, too.

All you need is one heaped tablespoon (a minimum of 10g or 10,000mg) of Be Bright and to ensure that the powder is completely dissolved. At the recommended daily dosage, a 350g jar (R470) and 700g jar (R800) will last you up to 35 and 70 days respectively. That’s fantastic value! I usually take it in my morning coffee for my daily dose of grass-fed type 1 and type 3 collagen and to add a rich, creamy flavour to my cuppa joe. I’ve been taking it every morning for almost two months now and have since started noticing smoother, healthier-looking skin, stronger hair and nails, new hair growth, less achy bones and joints as well as better gut health. Be Bright is 100% #HelloRecommended!

You can buy Be Bright collagen powder online at www.bebright.co.za

Instagram: @bebright.co.za

My go-to collagen smoothie recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries

½ frozen banana

½ ripe avocado

1 tbsp almond butter

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp Be Bright collagen powder

1.5 cups almond milk

1 cup ice (optional)

Method:

Combine all the ingredients in your blender and blend until creamy-smooth. If you’d rather skip the banana, you can replace it with a ½ cup of steamed or frozen cauliflower – this gives a surprisingly creamy texture to smoothies. Enjoy!

Photos by @kissblushandtell and @skyewrightphotography