Collagen Types: 28 types exist. Different collagens per body site. Skin I·III·V, bone I, cartilage II, vessels III·IV. From simple ‘collagen supplement’ to type-specific differentiation.

Collagen is not a single protein. 28 different collagens distribute differently across body sites. But commercial collagen labels just say ‘collagen’. Which type, which site - unclear. By 2026 with BASF NeoHelix (collagen III +82%) and similar new materials, type-specific differentiation is starting, and consumers need to know.

What it is

Collagen = 30% of body protein. Structural protein of skin·bone·cartilage·vessels·muscle·teeth. But not all collagen is made the same.

28 types (I~XXVIII): Different genes, structure, assembly, distribution.

Top 5 common:

Type I: Most abundant. Skin (80~90%)·bone·tendon·cornea
Type II: Cartilage only (95%)
Type III: Skin (10~15%)·vessels·organs. Neocollagen
Type IV: Basement membrane (skin·vessel inner)
Type V: Skin·placenta·hair. Forms fibers with Type I

Type I — Most abundant, most famous

Distribution: Skin dermis 80~90%, bone 90%, tendon, ligament, cornea

Role: Tensile strength near steel. Skin elasticity lead.

Aging: Decreases 1~1.5%/year after 25. Drops 30% post-menopause.

Supplement form: Hydrolyzed collagen (peptides). MW 2,000~5,000 Da. Type I dominant (fish·porcine·bovine).

Type III — Neocollagen Core

Distribution:

Skin dermis 10~15%
Vascular walls
Organs (liver·lung·uterus)
Fetal skin 50%

Role: Flexibility·elasticity. With Type I forms fibrous mesh. Increases first in wound healing.

Aging clinical:

Young: Type I 65% + Type III 35%
Old: Type I 90% + Type III 10%
Type III ↓ → ↓ skin elasticity·weak vessels·organ ptosis

L69 BASF NeoHelix data (in-cosmetics Paris 2026.4.9):

Yeast-fermented recombinant collagen III + SkinNexus peptide
12-week clinical: Type III collagen +82%
Pores -19%, fine lines -23%
Type III-specific stimulation new material

Type V — Hidden Supporter

Distribution: Skin·placenta·hair·core collagen (~5% of Type I fibers)

Role: Type I fiber assembly·alignment. Determines fiber thickness.

Clinical: Type V deficiency → Ehlers-Danlos. Daily Type V solo low value.

Type II — Cartilage·Joint

Distribution: Cartilage 95%, eye vitreous part

Role: Compression resistance. Joint shock absorption.

Supplement: UC-II (undenatured Type II) — chicken sternal cartilage. Maintained triple helix. Daily 40mg for immune-mediated joint pain (FORTIGEL etc).

Type IV — Skin Inner Membrane

Distribution: Basement membrane (dermis-epidermis boundary, vessel inner)

Role: Membrane formation. Nutrient·cell movement.

Clinical: Type IV damage → Alport syndrome. Aged skin Type IV ↓ → dermis-epidermis boundary blurred → ptosis.

Collagen Supplement Classification

1. Animal hydrolyzed (most common):

Fish (Tilapia·Cod), porcine, bovine
MW 2,000~5,000 Da
↑ absorption
Type I focus
Daily 5~10g

2. Undenatured (UC-II):

Chicken sternal
Type II
Daily 40mg
Immune-mediated

3. Recombinant (yeast·bacterial fermentation):

L69 BASF NeoHelix (Type III)
Vegan-friendly
Type-specific
Cosmetic form

4. Plant collagen boosters:

Not collagen itself
Synthesis promoter (vitamin C·zinc·copper)
Vegan

Goal-Based Selection

Goal	Recommended Type	Form
Skin elasticity·wrinkles	I + III + V	Hydrolyzed or recombinant III
Joint·cartilage	II	UC-II undenatured
Bone health	I	Hydrolyzed + calcium·D
Hair·nail	I + V	Hydrolyzed + biotin·silica
Wound healing	III	Recombinant III or vitamin C
Vascular health	III + IV	Diet + vitamin C

Absorption·Synthesis Boosters

Vitamin C: Collagen synthesis cofactor. Daily 500~1,000mg
Zinc·copper·silica: Crosslinking
Proline·lysine: Amino acid components
Vitamin B6: Crosslinking
UV protection: UV ↑ MMP (collagen breaker)

Clinical Effects — Type-Specific

Type I hydrolyzed (most data):

12 wk 5~10g → skin hydration +28%, elasticity +12%, wrinkles -13%
8 wk → nails·hair
Meta-analysis 19 RCTs (2023): significant skin effect

Type II UC-II:

6 mo 40mg → joint pain -33% (RCT)
Effect > glucosamine (head-to-head)

Type III recombinant (L69 BASF):

12 wk → Type III +82%
Clinical data accumulating

FAQ

Q. Does collagen matter if I don’t know the type? A. Animal hydrolyzed is mostly Type I → OK for skin·bone. For joint·neocollagen target, choose type-labeled.

Q. Yeast-fermented (recombinant) better than animal? A. Vegan·type-specific·allergy-safe. But animal has more accumulated clinical data.

Q. Skin + joint collagen together possible? A. Yes. Type I (hydrolyzed) AM + Type II (UC-II) PM. Different absorption.

Q. Do vegan boosters work? A. Not collagen replacement but synthesis promotion. Vegan or animal-averse → vitamin C·zinc·copper·silica.

Q. How long for effect? A. Hydrolyzed daily 5~10g, UC-II daily 40mg. Min 8~12 wk. Daily consistency key.

MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase. Collagen breakdown enzyme
TIMP: MMP inhibitor
Peptides: Collagen synthesis signaling
GAG: Glycosaminoglycan. Connective tissue with collagen. Hyaluronic·chondroitin

Conclusion

‘Collagen’ is not a single protein. Among 28 types, 5 matter daily, and they differ by site·goal. Type I = skin·bone basic, hydrolyzed most common. Type II = joint·UC-II undenatured. Type III = neo·recombinant (L69 BASF NeoHelix +82%). L69 timing enables type-specific era. Check the type on the label next time.

Collagen Types I·III·V — Not Just 'Collagen'. Different Collagens for Skin·Bone·Vessels