Collagen Skin Booster, explained
Collagen Skin Booster is a strawberry and lemon powder you stir into water once a day. Each glass gives 2.5g of collagen peptides plus half the daily reference intake of five vitamins and four minerals.
What Collagen Skin Booster is
It is a food supplement, sold in a 171g tub with a scoop and 30 servings. One 5.7g scoop goes into 250ml of water.
The collagen is VERISOL P, a branded collagen hydrolysate made by the company Gelita. Herbalife's own product sheet says it comes from pigs.
The vitamins and minerals are vitamins A, C and E, niacin and biotin, plus zinc, copper, selenium and iodine. Each one is at 50% of its daily reference intake per glass.
It carries the Herbalife SKIN name like the face creams, but it is a food supplement you drink.
What's in it, ingredient by ingredient
Collagen hydrolysate (VERISOL P)
2.5g per glassCollagen is the main structural protein in the human body. It is found in skin, bone, tendons and cartilage.
Natural collagen is built from long chains of around 1,000 amino acids that twist together into a triple helix. That shape makes it strong but too large to dissolve easily.
Hydrolysed collagen is collagen cut into short pieces called peptides, usually with enzymes. It is related to gelatine and is especially rich in the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.
VERISOL P is made from pig collagen of types I and III. Gelatine, the setting agent in jelly, is a close relative made from the same kind of animal collagen.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: It is the main ingredient and the largest single part of each scoop. Herbalife chose VERISOL P from Gelita for this product.
Collagen comes from animals, so this drink is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone avoiding pork.
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
40mg per glass, 50% of the reference intakeVitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that your body cannot store, so you need some from your diet every day. Oranges, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli and potatoes are good sources.
The NHS says adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg a day, so one glass matches that amount. The label shows 50% because the food-labelling reference intake is higher, at 80mg.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife includes it for its role in collagen formation in skin.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
Vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate)
6mg per glass, 50% of the reference intakeVitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in plant oils such as rapeseed, sunflower and olive oil, and in nuts, seeds and wheatgerm.
The NHS says men need 4mg a day and women need 3mg. One glass gives 6mg, comfortably inside the NHS guide that up to 540mg a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife lists vitamin E as one of the product's key nutrients.
Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Zinc (zinc citrate)
5mg per glass, 50% of the reference intakeZinc is a mineral found in meat, shellfish, cheese, bread and wheatgerm. The NHS says men need about 9.5mg a day and women about 7mg.
One glass gives 5mg. The NHS advises not taking more than 25mg a day from supplements unless a doctor advises it.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife includes zinc as one of the nutrients for normal skin, hair and nails.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Selenium (sodium selenite)
28µg per glass, 50% of the reference intakeSelenium is a trace mineral found in Brazil nuts, fish, meat and eggs. The NHS says men need 75µg a day and women 60µg.
A microgram is a thousandth of a milligram, so 28µg is a tiny amount by weight. The NHS says up to 350µg a day is unlikely to cause harm.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife includes selenium for hair and nails, alongside zinc.
Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Biotin (D-biotin)
25µg per glass, 50% of the reference intakeBiotin is one of the B vitamins, sometimes called vitamin B7. It is found in a wide range of foods but only at very low levels, and bacteria in your bowel can make some too.
The NHS gives no daily amount for biotin, but says up to 0.9mg a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. One glass gives 0.025mg.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife includes biotin for normal skin and hair.
Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
Vitamin A (from beta-carotene)
400µg RE per glass, 50% of the reference intakeBeta-carotene is a pigment found in yellow, red and green leafy vegetables and in yellow fruit such as mango, papaya and apricots. Your body converts it into retinol, which is vitamin A.
The NHS says men need 700µg a day and women 600µg. RE on the label stands for retinol equivalents, the unit that puts beta-carotene and retinol on the same scale.
Why it's in Collagen Skin Booster: Herbalife includes vitamin A as one of the nutrients for normal skin.
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
The NHS advises women past the menopause and older men to keep vitamin A from food and supplements at or below 1.5mg a day. It also advises against vitamin A supplements in pregnancy unless your GP says otherwise.
Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate made from starch, and citric acid (E330) is listed as an acidity regulator. Steviol glycosides (E960) sweeten it, and natural flavouring gives the strawberry and lemon taste.
Reading the label
Per 250ml glass, made with one 5.7g scoop of powder
- Vitamin A: 400µg RE (50% RI). Just over half of the 700µg the NHS says men need, and two thirds of the 600µg for women.
- Vitamin E: 6.0mg α-TE (50% RI). More than the 4mg men and 3mg women need each day, according to the NHS.
- Vitamin C: 40mg (50% RI). The full 40mg a day the NHS says adults aged 19 to 64 need.
- Niacin: 8.0mg NE (50% RI). About half of the 16.5mg men need and 60% of the 13.2mg women need. It comes as nicotinamide, one of the two forms of niacin found in food.
- Biotin: 25µg (50% RI). Biotin has no NHS daily amount, and 25µg is far below the 0.9mg NHS safe level for supplements.
- Zinc: 5.0mg (50% RI). About half of the 9.5mg men need and 70% of the 7mg women need.
- Copper: 0.50mg (50% RI). About 40% of the 1.2mg the NHS says adults need. Nuts, shellfish and offal are the main food sources.
- Selenium: 28µg (50% RI). Around 37% of the 75µg men need and 47% of the 60µg women need.
- Iodine: 75.0µg (50% RI). Just over half of the 140µg adults need. Milk, dairy, eggs and sea fish are the usual sources.
- Collagen hydrolysate: 2.5g. The collagen peptides make up 2.5g of every 5.7g scoop, so a little under half the powder.
RI means reference intake, a single figure used on all UK food labels. NHS daily needs are split by age and sex, so they can differ from the RI. A product at 50% RI may cover more or less than half of your own need.
µg means micrograms, a thousandth of a milligram. NE and α-TE are units that let different forms of niacin and vitamin E be compared fairly.
If you take other supplements, add up the vitamin A, zinc and selenium across all of them and compare with the NHS limits.
How to use it
Mix one scoop
Gently shake the tub, then add one 5.7g scoop of powder to 250ml of water and stir until it dissolves.
Drink it with a meal
Herbalife's label says one glass a day, taken with a meal.
Many people make it part of breakfast or lunch so they remember it every day. A 171g tub gives 30 servings, so it lasts a month.
Herbalife says you can add Fibre Concentrate to the same glass. Keep the lid closed and store the tub somewhere cool and dry.
Food supplements are meant to add to a varied, balanced diet, not replace it.
Good to know
Who it suits
- Collagen Skin Booster is gluten-free.
- It is sweetened with steviol glycosides, a sweetener from a natural source, and uses natural flavouring.
Check first
- The collagen is made from pig collagen, so it is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone who avoids pork for religious or personal reasons.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting any food supplement.
- Keep the tub out of reach of young children.
Questions people ask
Where does the collagen come from?
Herbalife's product information sheet says the VERISOL P collagen is sourced from pigs. It is made from collagen types I and III.
Is it vegan or vegetarian?
No. Herbalife's product sheet says this collagen comes from pigs, so it is an animal ingredient. The product is not labelled as vegetarian or vegan.
What does hydrolysed collagen mean?
It means the long collagen protein has been cut into short pieces called peptides, by physical, chemical or enzyme processes. Peptides dissolve far more easily than whole collagen, which is why the powder stirs into water.
How much vitamin C is in a glass?
Each glass gives 40mg of vitamin C. That is 50% of the label reference intake, and it matches the 40mg a day the NHS says adults aged 19 to 64 need.
Can I take it with other supplements?
Check the totals first. The NHS says to keep zinc from supplements at 25mg or less and selenium at 350µg or less. It also advises older men and women past the menopause to keep vitamin A at or below 1.5mg a day.
Can I add it to something other than water?
Herbalife's instructions are for 250ml of water. It also says Fibre Concentrate can be added to the same glass.
Where these facts come from
- fs_076K: Herbalife product information and label
- label_076K: Herbalife product information and label
- hl_csb_faq: Herbalife product information and label
- hl_csb_label_sheet: Herbalife product information and label
- hl_verisol_article: herbalife.com/en-gb/wellness-resources/behind-the-science/verisolp
- pmc_collagen_hydrolysate: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8197487/
- fibre_concentrate: Herbalife product information and label
- nhs_vitamin_c: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-c/:
- nhs_vitamin_e: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-e/:
- nhs_vitamin_a: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/:
- nhs_vitamin_b: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/:
- nhs_others: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/:
- nhs_iodine: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iodine/:
- eu_432_claims: Herbalife product information and label
- gov_enumbers: gov.uk/government/publications/approved-additives-and-e-numbers/approv
- gelatine_note: Herbalife product information and label
More product guides
Build the habits around it: Lifestyle, not diet →
Not sure where to start?
Message us before you buy. We'll ask what you're aiming for and help you pick.
- A real person replies, not a bot
- We'll help you choose what suits you
- Questions after you order are welcome too
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. Store out of reach of young children. VERISOL® and Bioactive Collagen Peptides® are trademarks of Gelita AG. Enjoy as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy, active lifestyle. Herbalife images and video are the property of Herbalife. Speak to your GP before changing your diet if you have a medical condition, take medication or are pregnant.
