The INGENIOUS Collagen Revolution: When Science Finally Meets Supplement Marketing ✨

After years of navigating the murky waters of collagen supplements, I've developed a healthy skepticism toward any brand promising miraculous results. So when INGENIOUS landed in my inbox with claims of being "different," my first instinct was to roll my eyes. But something about their approach made me dig deeper – and what I discovered genuinely shifted my perspective on the entire collagen landscape.

The Industry's Uncomfortable Truth About Clinical Evidence

Here's what most consumers don't realise about the supplement industry: it operates in a regulatory grey area that would make pharmaceutical companies break out in cold sweats.

While medicines undergo rigorous testing protocols, supplements can make bold claims based on borrowed research, anecdotal evidence, and that particularly misleading practice of citing clinical trials conducted on raw ingredients rather than finished formulations.

Think of it this way – it's the equivalent of a restaurant claiming their dish is award-winning because they used ingredients from prize-winning farms. The sourcing matters, absolutely, but the final product tells the real story.

Why INGENIOUS Commands Attention (Beyond the Marketing Hype)

Setting New Clinical Standards

What distinguishes INGENIOUS from the crowded field isn't just their marketing claims – it's their methodological rigor. They've become the first UK collagen brand to commission an independent clinical trial through Cutest, an organization that typically works with pharmaceutical giants. This wasn't a casual consumer survey or a borrowed study; it was a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial involving 116 participants.

The results speak to both efficacy and scientific credibility:

• 98% of participants demonstrated measurable skin improvements

• Hydration levels increased by up to 79.6%

• Fine lines and wrinkles reduced by up to 85%

• Skin elasticity improved by up to 83%

These aren't subjective "feeling better" metrics – these are dermatologically validated measurements using standardized testing protocols.

The Formulation Science Behind the Results

From a bioavailability perspective, INGENIOUS has made some fascinating choices. Their patented capsule technology specifically targets delivery to the small intestine, where approximately 99% of nutrient absorption occurs. This approach sidesteps the stability issues that plague liquid collagen formulations, which often require preservatives and can degrade before reaching optimal absorption sites.

Their ingredient selection demonstrates sophisticated understanding of synergistic effects:

• Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Peptides: Sourced from cold-water fish for superior bioavailability compared to bovine alternatives

• Natural Astaxanthin: A potent antioxidant that supports collagen synthesis

• Hyaluronic Acid Complex: Enhances moisture retention and skin barrier function

The absence of fillers, artificial preservatives, and extraneous compounds suggests a focus on active ingredient efficacy rather than cost-cutting measures.

Why This Approach Matters

Having spent considerable time analysing supplement formulations and clinical methodologies, what strikes me about INGENIOUS isn't just their results – it's their commitment to scientific rigor in an industry that rarely demands it. The decision to work with Cutest, pursue peer review in established dermatological journals, and maintain transparency about their testing protocols suggests founders who understand the difference between marketing claims and clinical evidence.

Their B-Corp certification adds another layer of credibility, indicating they've met verified standards for social and environmental responsibility – something increasingly important in the nutraceutical space.

From a formulation perspective, their marine collagen choice is scientifically sound. Cold-water fish collagen exhibits superior bioavailability compared to bovine sources, with amino acid profiles that more closely match human collagen structures. The addition of astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid creates a synergistic effect that addresses multiple aging pathways simultaneously.

Interview with Pupinder Ghatora, Pharmacist and Co-Founder of INGENIOUS

I asked Pupinder Ghatora to explain the science behind INGENIOUS and what sets their approach apart in the crowded supplement landscape.

On Clinical Trial Investment and Industry Standards

What motivated you to invest in an independent clinical trial when most brands avoid this costly process?

"The UK supplement industry remains largely unregulated compared to pharmaceuticals," Ghatora explains. "This gap allows many brands to market their products with vague claims, anecdotal evidence and testimonials, often without conducting clinical trials. At INGENIOUS, we believe consumers deserve better.

We invested in an independent clinical trial because we are committed to transparency, integrity and scientific credibility. Too often, companies misuse clinical data from raw ingredient suppliers, implying that their finished product has been clinically tested, when in reality it hasn't. Dosage, formulation, delivery method and added ingredients can all influence effectiveness."

Why choose Cutest for your clinical testing?

"Cutest is one of the world's leading dermatological clinical testing facilities. Their CEO, Dr Stewart Long, was once in charge of the governing body that regulates and monitors clinical trials in the UK. We knew our independent trial would be honest, transparent and accurate.

In the food supplement space, there is very little regulation when it comes to claims and testing. Most companies carry out consumer trials that are merely opinion – true independent clinical trials such as ours only use scientific, clinical measures to show how our supplement truly makes a significant difference."

The Science Behind the Results

What specific measurements defined "significant improvement" in your 98% success rate?

The measurements included fine line and wrinkle depth, facial appearance using clinical imaging (VISIA camera), skin hydration, and skin elasticity. "Significant improvement essentially means these results are not due to chance and the result is measurable," Ghatora clarifies. "The equipment used are dermatological clinical measurement tools, such as cutometers and Visia cameras."

Why marine collagen over bovine sources?

"Our research has shown marine collagen peptides are more bioactive than bovine. Secondly, marine collagen peptides are much cleaner – bovine collagen is mostly produced as a waste product of the meat industry. In our case, the fish are produced for their collagen primarily and the food is the secondary product. Again, a no compromise approach to supplementation."

Innovative Delivery Technology

How does your capsule technology differ from liquid collagen?

"Liquid collagen may seem convenient, but it has significant drawbacks," Ghatora explains. "It's inherently unstable, often requiring artificial preservatives, flavourings and emulsifiers. More importantly, liquid collagen typically breaks down in the stomach. Digestive acids and enzymes begin degrading collagen peptides immediately.

INGENIOUS Collagen+ solves this with patented capsule technology that protects peptides from stomach acid, ensuring they remain intact until they reach the small intestine, where 99% of nutrient absorption occurs. This targeted delivery allows for efficient, predictable uptake of collagen where your body can actually use it."

The Three-Ingredient Philosophy

How did you determine these three components were essential?

"Our rationale was clear. We selected the highest quality marine collagen peptides for structural cellular scaffolding, then chose a hyaluronic acid complex – varying lengths of hyaluronic acid molecules that are bioidentical to those found in skin. These molecules hold 5000 times their own weight in water.

The final ingredient is Natural Astaxanthin, a super antioxidant. As collagen stimulates new cell production, there's a chance of oxygen free radicals being produced. Natural Astaxanthin is 6000 times more potent than vitamin C at 'mopping up' these reactive oxygen molecules."

Notably, INGENIOUS doesn't use excipients – "essentially ultra processed chemicals that cheapen manufacturing and can actually do you harm. Even if they are marked as inert, they are anti-nutrients and have no benefit to you."

Industry Transparency Issues

Can you give an example of how brands misuse clinical data?

"One of the most common ways this happens is when a brand points to a clinical study done on a specific ingredient, like a patented form of curcumin, and then uses that data to suggest their entire supplement is clinically proven. But the actual product you're buying might contain a cheaper version, or way less of it, or combines it with other ingredients that could change how it works.

It's kind of like saying your homemade smoothie has the same health benefits as a clinical study on a specific protein shake, just because they both contain whey protein. It's misleading, but unless you really dig into the details, most people wouldn't know the difference."

Red Flags for Consumers

What should consumers watch for when evaluating collagen claims?

"A big one is who conducted the trial – if it was run by the brand itself rather than an independent research body, there's a risk of bias. Sample size matters too. Tiny trials don't give reliable results. Watch out for vague claims like 'participants noticed a difference' – look for results that are statistically significant and clearly measured.

If the study isn't peer-reviewed or published in a reputable journal, that's a red flag. And make sure the study actually tested the product's claimed benefits – if it promises to reduce wrinkles, the research should show measurable skin improvements, not just general feedback."

Future Vision

Why was publishing in a high-tier journal important?

"There are numerous companies saying they have peer reviewed, published research. On further investigation, it's clear they have been published online only on questionable sites that will accept any trial. We wanted to go under the highest scrutiny to show we are the truth in a very misleading marketplace."

How do you balance B-Corp values with commercial pressures?

"For us, our priority order is: people, planet and then profit. As long as we are making a positive impact to people, caring for our planet, the profits will be the 'cherry on the cake' to ensure we can continue our research and make a positive difference to people's wellness and the planet."

This conversation reinforces why INGENIOUS stands apart – their commitment to scientific rigor and transparent communication sets a new standard in an industry that desperately needs it.

The Bottom Line: Science Finally Catching Up to Claims

In a marketplace saturated with questionable claims and influencer endorsements, INGENIOUS represents something genuinely refreshing – evidence-based supplementation. While I maintain healthy skepticism toward any brand's promises, their methodological approach and clinical transparency place them in a different category entirely.

The clinical data, combined with their pharmaceutical-grade testing protocols and commitment to peer review, suggests this isn't just another supplement company riding the collagen wave. It's a scientifically-driven approach to addressing genuine dermatological concerns with measurable outcomes.