Collagen 500 Plus: Q+A with our founder Henrietta and Head of Nutrition & Science, Isabelle

    1. What’s unique about Collagen 500 Plus? 

“Two game-changing ingredients. The first is a breakthrough in producing collagen peptides which radically reduces molecular weight to 500 Daltons. The second, Mesoporosil®, is an advanced form of silica that’s scientifically shown to accelerate collagen synthesis and repair damaged and old collagen*.” 

Isabelle: “The market is awash with collagen that promises to roll back the years but many have Dalton weights in the thousands so the peptides simply aren’t effectively absorbed. It really is a case of smaller peptides, smarter absorption.” 

   2. Dalton weight… explain more, please. 

Isabelle: “Daltons measure the molecular weight of a collagen peptide. Research shows that 500 Dalton weight is optimal for effective absorption - so rapid it starts working within five minutes. Higher than 500 and peptides can’t easily pass through the gut wall, particularly with sub-optimal gut function, and so the benefits will always be limited. Lower than 500 and molecules start to denigrate.” 

     3. And now Mesoporosil®. What makes it unique? 

Henrietta: “Mesoporosil® is an incredibly sophisticated form of Silica which is scientifically shown to stimulate and protect collagen synthesis while repairing and renewing old collagen. The science is compelling.” 

    4. OK, so the two go hand in hand to create something special… 

Isabelle: “Exactly. There’s an analogy we like to use. Imagine the collagen peptides are the bricks providing the structure, Mesoporosil® is the cement that strengthens and reinforces.” 

    5. The dosage is significantly lower than other collagens. Why is that? 

Henrietta: “Higher absorption means lower dosage so it’s a case of less is more. You only need 3 grams (3/4 teaspoon) daily compared to the industry standard of 10 or even 20 grams. It’s similar to our discovery of Food-Grown® nutrients 15 years ago: lower doses, when provided in the right form, are often more effective.”

Isabelle: “Yes, not only are the peptides absorbed quicker, they’re 4x more bioactive and are retained longer in the bloodstream, too. What makes this formula different is its high concentration of collagen peptides: 45% dipeptides and 25% tripeptides, compared with the market average of around 10% and 6%.” 

“Higher absorption means lower dosage so you only need 3 grams (3/4 teaspoon) compared to the industry standard of 10 or even 20 grams.”

    6. Why is Vitamin E added? 

Henrietta: “Inflammation damages collagen so I added Food-Grown® Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, to support the protection of our skin cells against this type of damage .” 

    7. Any other noteworthy ingredients? 

Isabelle: “Yes, Food-Grown® Vitamin C which supports collagen production and Biotin, which plays an important role in keratin production, supporting healthy skin and hair.” 

 

    8. Does Collagen 500 Plus have benefits beyond the skin? 

Henrietta: Silica is used throughout the body and “Mesoporosil® is shown to bolster the strength, durability and elasticity of all connective tissues, which makes it supportive for joint and bone health too.”

 

    9. Does Collagen 500 Plus pair well with other products in the range? 

Isabelle: “Absolutely. Collagen is a powerful foundation, but skin health is influenced by many factors, from nutrition and sleep to stress and hormonal balance. For the best long-term results, we recommend taking a whole-body approach, with Collagen 500 Plus as part of a broader wellness routine.”

    10. How do I figure out what my skin needs?

Isabelle: “If you're unsure what your skin needs right now, a conversation is a great place to start. Our expert nutritional therapists specialise in skin health and can help you connect the dots, understand any potential nutrient gaps, and find the support that's right for you. I always say, ‘every health goal starts with a conversation’.”

    11. Is this product sustainably sourced? 

Henrietta: “We went over and above in sourcing a truly responsible collagen supplement. We use the skin and scales of sustainably farmed Tilapia fish which are a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded. Our Friend of the Sea and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certifications assure responsible sourcing with minimal impact on oceanic biodiversity.”

    12. And how clean is the formulation? 

Isabelle:“The fish are caught and processed within 24 hours so there is no risk of fermentation or degradation, producing an extremely high quality collagen that carries Friend Of The Sea certification.” 

   13. Does it have any taste or smell? 

Henrietta: “The collagen powder is unflavoured with no fishy aftertaste and easily dissolves in cold or hot drinks. I add mine to my morning protein shake (I use our Organic Protein & SuperFood Powder) or overnight oats.” 

    14. And the formulation is proving popular? 

Isabelle: “Over 110k customers can’t be wrong! And we’re delighted it’s already winning awards. We scooped gold at The Industry Beauty Innovator Awards and won a Best Collagen Supplement award from Get The Gloss.”

    15. What benefits have you noticed from taking Collagen 500 Plus? 

Henrietta: “I've been taking it for a few weeks now and my skin feels plumper and more hydrated on my face and my body, my hair and nails feel much stronger but I also feel more ease in my body’s flexibility in general.” 

    16. And finally, the collagen marketplace is a crowded one. What compelled you to join in? 

Henrietta: "I’m often asked why I haven’t formulated a collagen supplement until now. The truth is, I’ve never been satisfied by the science because it’s estimated that 95% of standard collagen is inefficiently absorbed. Collagen 500 Plus changes everything.” 

Want to dive deeper into the science? Explore four blogs, written by our expert nutritional therapists: 

• 500 Dalton Weight Collagen, Smaller Peptides Explained

• Collagen Types Explained: Type I, II & III Benefits 

• Collagen Absorption Explained: Why Vitamin C Matters

• When Does Collagen Decline? Understanding Age-Related Changes

 

REFERENCES: 

• *Mohta, A. et al. (2025). Efficacy and safety of Mesoporosil treatment in enhancing skin firmness, hydration, and elasticity: An 84-day clinical trial. CosmoDerma, 5:33.