Collagen Peptides vs. Marine Collagen: Key Differences Explained

Not all collagen is created equal — and if you’ve spent any time looking at supplements, you’ve likely seen terms like “hydrolyzed collagen,” “collagen peptides,” and “marine collagen” used interchangeably.

But there are real differences — in types, sources, benefits, and even taste.

We spoke with Dr. Mike Kim, DO, MBA, Head doctor & formulator at BrickHouse Nutrition, to get a breakdown of how collagen peptides stack up against marine collagen, and what people should actually look for when choosing a product.

 

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Source & Collagen Types

Let’s start with where each one comes from:

• Marine collagen is derived exclusively from fish, and it almost always contains only Type I collagen.
  

• Collagen peptides (often found in “multi-collagen” products like BrickHouse’s Radiance) are typically sourced from multiple animals, including grass fed beef, chicken, fish and eggshell — delivering a mix of Types I, II, III, V, and X.

“Marine collagen only has one type — Type I,” Dr. Mike explained. “With collagen peptides, we built a multi-type blend because different types target different benefits.”

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Type I & III: skin, hair, nails
  

• Type II: joints (mostly from chicken)
  

• Type V & X: connective tissue, joint support
  

If you’re looking for skin-deep beauty benefits, marine collagen can be helpful. If you want joint mobility, skin elasticity, and overall structure support, a multi-type peptide blend is more effective.

 

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Taste & Texture

Here’s where marine collagen loses a lot of people.

“Some marine collagen literally tastes like salmon,” Dr. Mike said. “It smells awful and tastes worse.”

Because of the source (fish skin or scales), marine collagen can have a noticeable fishy smell or taste, even when labeled as “unflavored.”

In contrast, high-quality collagen peptides — especially multi-source blends — are typically neutral in taste and much lighter in texture.

“Ours blends into anything. The unflavored version is almost non-existent in taste. It’s way lighter than protein — like a fine powder,” Dr. Mike noted.

BrickHouse Nutrition also has flavored versions of their Radiance product.

 

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Absorption & Bioavailability

Marine collagen is often praised for being more bioavailable, but that’s only part of the story.

Collagen’s bioavailability depends more on how it’s hydrolyzed (broken down into peptides) than where it comes from. In other words, a well-made collagen peptide blend can be just as absorbable as marine collagen.

So unless you’re allergic to certain animal sources and need fish-based collagen, there’s no inherent advantage to marine when it comes to absorption.

 

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Benefits Comparison

Here’s how the benefits of each break down:

 

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Cost & Value

Marine collagen is often more expensive — despite offering only one type of collagen.

“It’s not that it’s bad — it’s just incomplete if you’re looking for total benefits,” Dr. Mike said. “And for the price, I’d rather get five types from multiple sources than just one from fish.”

Collagen peptides, when formulated well, tend to offer more value per scoop, especially if they’re paired with supporting compounds like hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate — both of which BrickHouse includes in their Radiance formula.

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Why BrickHouse Radiance Stands Out

If you're looking for a collagen supplement that actually meets many needs, BrickHouse Radiance is a strong choice.

Here’s why:

• It includes five different types of collagen — I, II, III, V, and X — targeting skin, joints, hair, nails, and connective tissue.
  

• It’s made from a blend of chicken, beef, fish, and eggshell sources, giving a broad amino acid profile.
  

• It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, which help improve joint comfort and skin hydration.
  

• There’s flavored and unflavored versions, both of which are fine-textured, meaning you can stir it into water, coffee, or a smoothie without affecting thickness. Regarding the unflavored version, Dr. Mike had this to say:

“It’s legitimately unflavored — almost non-existent in taste. It blends into anything, and the powder is lighter than protein.”

In short, Radiance is built for real daily use, not just shelf appeal. It’s practical, functional, and complete — something most marine collagen products just aren’t.

 

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Final Take

If your goal is glow-up beauty support only (hair, skin, nails), marine collagen might be a fit — just be ready to pay more and potentially hold your nose.

But if you're looking for a full-body collagen solution — one that supports joints, skin, nails, and more — collagen peptides are the smarter choice.

Look for a multi-source, multi-type collagen that works with everything. It makes daily use easier, more pleasant, and more effective.