What's the most effective way to take collagen? Pills, powders, or lotions? What you have to realize is that collagen does not penetrate the skin if you're using it from the outside in. These lotions and creams are not doing anything. I'm sorry to break the news. It's not getting absorbed. You either need to consume it with food or take it in a powder. The body will direct collagen to what it needs, whether it's tendons, ligaments, arteries, skin, eyes, or even in your muscles. Of course, I'm not biased by my own collagen, but get a collagen that has all of the different types with added vitamin C and biotin so you can get the full benefits of collagen throughout the entire body. Personally, I use one scoop of this in my coffee every single morning.