Bovine collagen peptides – types, benefits and safety

Introduction collagen

To better understand the role of bovine collagen peptides, it’s useful to first take a closer look at collagen itself — what it is, how it works, and why it’s such a key part of our overall health.

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the skin, accounting for 80–90% of its total structural protein. It’s produced by the skincells fibroblasts and works alongside elastin and hyaluronic acid to maintain the skin’s strength, elasticity, and ability to retain moisture.

Besides skin health, collagen also supports many other parts of the body – including joints, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. It helps maintain strength, flexibility, and structural stability throughout the body. However, in this blog, our focus will primarily be on collagen’s benefits for the skin.

Related: Liquid collagen benefits, dosage and possible side effects

Collagen decline: Causes and effects

As with many things in the body, collagen production doesn’t remain at peak levels forever. In fact, the body’s natural collagen production begins to decline earlier than many people realize — often starting as early as the mid-20s. From that point, we lose about 1–1.5% of collagen each year, which gradually leads to thinner skin, fine lines, and reduced firmness[1].

Collagen levels aren’t just affected by age. Internal factors like genetics and hormonal shifts – such as pregnancy and menopause – and external factors like UV exposure, pollution, and smoking, all play a role. These influences not only speed up collagen breakdown, but also reduce the skin’s ability to repair itself and produce new collagen[2].

Bovine collagen peptides benefits

Now that we understand how collagen works and why it matters for skin health, let’s take a closer look at bovine collagen peptides – a form of collagen supplement made from cows. More specifically, these peptides are produced by hydrolysing collagen extracted from bovine hide. The hydrolysis process breaks the large collagen molecules down into smaller peptides, which are easier for the body to absorb and use.

Among the various sources of collagen, bovine collagen is one of the most commonly used in supplements. It contains primarily type I and III collagen — the same types found in human skin — and has an amino acid profile that closely resembles that of the body’s own collagen. This makes it particularly well-suited to support the skin’s structure and appearance. However, some studies suggest that the clinical effectiveness of collagen peptides may not depend primarily on the animal species from which they are derived. For example, a study using fish-derived collagen peptides showed that a daily oral intake of 5 g led to a significant reduction in eye wrinkles, along with improved skin moisture and elasticity. These findings indicate that marine collagen can also offer meaningful benefits for skin health[3].

Clinical Study: Effects of bovine collagen on skin after 8 weeks

In a 2025 randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 66 women aged 35–55, researchers tested the effects of a daily dose of 2.5 grams of a specific bovine collagen supplement over a period of 8 weeks. Some of the improvements were already observed after 4 weeks:

Results from the study after 8 weeks:

• 25% reduction in eye wrinkle volume, one participant even 51%
• 9% improvement in skin elasticity
• 26% increase in skin hydration

Why we use bovine collagen peptides

Rewind Liquid Collagen is sourced from premium bovine hides and is rich in types I and III – the two most important for skin, hair, nails, and joints. It’s hydrolyzed for optimal absorption and faster results.

We’ve also carefully chosen bovine over marine collagen due to its naturally higher type III content, neutral taste, and well-documented clinical performance. While marine collagen can offer benefits, it often has a distinct fishy flavor that can be difficult to mask without adding unnecessary flavorings — something we avoid to keep our products pure. To further enhance the results, Rewind includes seven synergistic nutrients – including glycine, anthocyanins, and L-ergothioneine – which support collagen structure, skin regeneration, and antioxidant protection.

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Type 1 vs type 3 collagen peptides

There are at least 28 different types of collagen in the human body, but when it comes to skin health, type I and type III are the most important. These two types work together in the skin’s structure – and both are as already mentioned naturally found in bovine collagen peptides, which makes them particularly suitable for beauty-focused supplements.

Bovine collagen peptides safety

Collagen peptides have an excellent safety profile. To date, no clinical evidence of allergies or adverse reactions has been reported. They show no known interactions with other diets or medications, making them safe to use alongside various treatments. Importantly, collagen peptides have been granted GRAS status (“Generally Recognized As Safe”) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [5].

In the referenced study, the tolerability of the collagen peptide treatment was carefully monitored through dermatological examinations and participant interviews conducted before, during, and after the 8-week intervention, confirming its high safety and good tolerability.