I’m over here eating humble pie (again) because I’ve gone from skeptic to evangelical about my love of BioCell Liquid Collagen. I’ve been a collagen user for years, so I didn’t expect much from another one. And like a lot of people, I’ve also heard the argument that collagen just gets broken down into amino acids anyway, so why would it make a difference?
In all honesty I’ve been hearing about “liquid collagen” for years and rolled my eyes every time. 🙄
When people asked me what I thought about it, I only looked into whether our body absorbs collagen in powder or liquid form better (and there’s nothing special about the form, hence why it dissolves in coffee or other liquids easily). But…
💡 Did you know? BioCell Liquid Collagen is supported by multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials showing it improves joint mobility, reduces discomfort from osteoarthritis, and enhances skin hydration and elasticity.
So, clearly there was something I was missing. A few months ago I decided to look into it further and try it for myself. And because now I know better, I am doing better.
If you, like me, are a skeptic, allow me to share more about what makes BioCell Liquid Collagen different. Because just calling it “liquid collagen” is doing the product a disservice!
What is “BioCell Liquid Collagen”
I didn’t understand that liquid collagen is a misnomer, because this product actually has 7 patents with what is called the Collagen Hyaluronic Acid Matrix technology. That specific blend is what makes it different.
It uses a highly absorbable liquid form of a specific type II collagen that mimics the composition of human articular cartilage. It increases collagen peptides in the blood, enhancing skin, joint, and connective tissue health while inhibiting hyaluronidase, the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid (HA).
BioCell uses a much smaller dose of collagen, only 1g. Which the “insta-girlies” aka wellness influencers say “makes it more absorbable because it’s smaller”. But effectiveness at a lower dose isn’t simply due to smaller molecules. Like most collagen supplements, BioCell is hydrolyzed into absorbable peptides. The difference is that BioCell delivers these peptides alongside hyaluronic acid and chondroitin in a matrix that more closely reflects human connective tissue.
The coolest thing?
Rather than acting as a bulk source of protein, these peptides function as bioactive signals that help stimulate your body’s own collagen production, while the added HA and chondroitin support hydration and structural integrity. This is why clinical results can be seen at a lower dose. It’s not about quantity, but how the body uses what it receives.
Key Clinical Findings
- In a peer-reviewed double blind study it has been shown to increase dermal collagen at 6 weeks, delivering 13% improvement in wrinkles and 76% in dryness while also increasing microcirculation (hemoglobin in the skin) [source]
- Joint Health: A 70-day study on 80 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) found that 2g of BioCell Collagen daily significantly reduced OA-associated symptoms. [source & source]
- Skin Aging: Studies indicate that the supplement reduces facial lines and wrinkles, while enhancing blood microcirculation and increasing collagen content in the skin. [source]
- Exercise Recovery: Research on healthy, active individuals showed that 3g of the collagen daily for 6 weeks helped with connective tissue support and functional recovery from exercise. [source & source]
- Safety: The ingredient has a strong safety profile, confirmed through various in vitro, animal, and human studies. [source]
- and what I personally have seen: Hair Health: While public independent trials for hair growth specifically do not exist, evidence suggests the formula helps reduce scalp dryness and supports hair follicle cells in producing keratin. Testimonials from users frequently report improvements in hair thickness, strength, and reduced brittleness.
Some ingredient-level studies report large increases in circulating markers of HA (sometimes cited as high as 6,000% increase in 28 days). While these aren’t peer-reviewed clinical findings, they help explain why the product may help many feel “lubricated” joints, skin, scalp, etc.
Let’s Explore, Together:
I’m hosting a webinar later this week to explain the science and how to optimize taking BioCell. If you’re interested, RSVP here. Whether you join live (prizes!) or not, I’ll send you the replay if you register.
What’s Different
What stood out to me when I looked into the research more:
- It’s not just collagen, it’s a matrix that is designed to more closely mirror what’s naturally found in joints and connective tissue.
- It uses smaller, bioactive collagen peptides (Type II), which are more readily absorbed and utilized by the body.
- The hyaluronic acid support, which plays a role in hydration, joint comfort, and skin appearance is so important.
Collagen (only 1/2 of the Matrix magic)
If you, like me, are wondering how it may support your body’s own collagen production, let’s dig into the science a bit. The mechanism is from the bioactive peptide signaling. When you consume hydrolyzed collagen (including BioCell):
- It’s broken into small peptides (like Pro-Hyp, Hyp-Gly)
- Some of these peptides are absorbed intact into the bloodstream
- These peptides interact with cells like:
- fibroblasts (skin)
- chondrocytes (cartilage)
Then, these peptides can:
- Bind to receptors on fibroblasts (the type of cell in your body that builds and maintains connective tissue)
- Trigger signaling pathways (like TGF-β / MAPK pathways)
- Increase expression of genes involved in:
- collagen synthesis
- extracellular matrix production
Which results in your body being stimulated to produce more of its own collagen. This is especially important as we age, because our collagen production begins to decline at about 1% per year in our 20s. Literally, all downhill from there.
How you age tomorrow starts with collagen support today.
Liquid collagen as the name of BioCell is a misnomer, it’s broader: a matrix of highly absorbable form type II collagen that mimics human articular cartilage.
Bioactive peptides function as signals to stimulate your own collagen production.
BioCell is only 1g collagen. Unlike other collagens it’s NOT a bulk source of protein.
Clinical results at a lower dose not from quantity, but how it activates the body’s own collagen production.
Collagen is the living framework that supports your skin and cushions your joints, woven through every strand of connective tissue (fibroblasts). But with age and lifestyle stressors, production slows and breakdown accelerates. BioCell Liquid Collagen address this at the root with clinically proven results.
Note, this is indirect stimulation. It’s not (contrary to what all the aforementioned insta-girlies tell you) “the collagen you drink becomes collagen your body uses.” It’s more like a signal flare to your body to repair and build on its own. Which, frankly is even cooler.
Hyaluronic Acid (what sets BioCell apart)
The other magical mechanism that sets BioCell apart is the Hyaluronic Acid (HA) itself. For perspective, HA oral supplementation a from one of the top brands is $60. Lots of brands add it in for joint complexes, but it doesn’t help you increase your own production. And, doesn’t have the added collagen benefits or clinical results!
Hyaluronic Acid is what sets BioCell apart.Â
Fibroblasts are the cells that build and maintain connective tissue, including collagen.
Hyaluronic acid binds water to support the matrix around those tissues, creating hydration and cushion.
BioCell also helps inhibit hyaluronidase, the enzyme that breaks down HA.
So you get more support, with less breakdown.
SUMMARY:
It supports the environment your collagen lives in, not just the collagen itself.
BioCell stimulates fibroblasts, the cells in your body responsible for making collagen and keeping your skin and joints supported. Instead of slowing down as we age, BioCell specifically targets and signals them to get back to work.
If fibroblasts were the construction workers in your body. The older you get, the more tired they get.
Protein, including collagen, would be the building materials, HA the hydration system and cushion for the connective tissue around the joints and in our skin.
The elastin we visibly see reduce is the flexibility allowed by both when abundant in our bodies. As you age the workers are still there, but they’re running out of materials and not working as effectively.
Bioactive peptides act like a foreman getting them back to work again.
Not only does it signal your body to make more collagen, it supports hydration from within by increasing and preserving hyaluronic acid.
Next Gen Collagen
And, if all that wasn’t enough, Shaklee acquired the Modere BioCell patents in 2025 and has been working to enhance the formula even more.
The new “TriPlex” Technology of the BioCell Life+ adds even more targeted enhancement to the same beloved, patented, award-winning Collagen/HA formula.
TriPlex
TriPlex Technology™ is the upgrade made to the Liquid BioCell® in the new Life+. It combines the clinically studied bioactive collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. And, additional (get it, +) targeted bioactive ingredients, including calcium fructoborate, pine bark extract, fucoidan, and essential minerals give the formula even more of an upgrade.
Together, these ingredients support collagen across its full lifecycle, supporting the environment that keeps it strong by working across multiple biological pathways involved in collagen health.
- Protects cellular health with antioxidants for inflammation,
- Stimulates collagen production with BioCell, zinc and biotin, and
- Builds with calcium for bone strength and HA for cushioning.
And, because this new product was developed by the Shaklee R&D team it falls under their umbrella of testing so you can be assured the product is both safe and effective.
The result is a product that delivers a full body support you can feel. Backed by an empty bottle guarantee.
NOTE: all of the BioCell formulas are the same base BioCell Matrix technology, so it’s just a matter of what else is added to enhance things like skin, hair & nails (Beauty) or body composition (Trim & Smooth), or TriPlex Technology (Life+), etc.
Join me to learn more!
If you’re an auditory learner or would like to dig a little deeper and get real stories from people using BioCell, get a replay (and all of my tips) from my webinar here:
Here’s an example of a testimonial stories you’ll hear about:
My Personal Experience:
I already do a lot to support the internal aspects of health. Specifically for hair growth I’ve used Collagen-9 with Biotin, ensure I’m nutrient sufficient, and focus on eating at least 100g of protein daily. And my hair health showed it, for years I’ve consistently had healthy hair with visible new growth.
So I was genuinely skeptical and not expecting to see any difference in adding in BioCell Liquid Collagen.
Admittedly I tried one bottle and intermittently consumed it. I added it to smoothies* and did not take the recommended dose. I noticed nothing.
Then, I received training from Shaklee about Liquid BioCell and heard the science. I learned that *it’s supposed to be taken on its own to optimize absorption (not mixed into a smoothie). And most importantly, that you need two bottles per month for proper consistent dosing to actually see results.
When the Immune formula when on BOGO over the holidays, I bought four bottles. I told myself I’d give it an honest try for 60 days, so that I could genuinely let you all know my thoughts.
Results:
I’m a bit humbled to report I was wrong.
- I have transitioned off of the Shaklee Joint Health Complex because of how much better my joints feel.
- My hair, which had been long, had a sudden burst of growth much more than usual. More than that, my hairline began filling in!
- IÂ didn’t get sick all winter. This year the kids are not only in school, but also three of them work retail and bring home all kinds of bugs. The 11 superfoods and zinc in the the formula I took supported my immune function. Note: Life+ now has Zinc as well, so it’s what I switched to.
- My nails aren’t just growing longer, they’re smoother. The ridges and occasional flaking or peeling is gone.
Why? Biocell Liquid Collagen provides the essential nutrients and amino acid structural proteins needed to repair, hydrate, and strengthen from the inside out. For example, as your natural collagen production declines from aging, it can lead to weakening nail beds and brittle nails with ridges. Supplementing replenishes this, promoting smoother, faster growth.
So, clearly I’m a believer now.
FAQ: Yes, I still take Collagen-9 (types I and III) with BioCell (type II) because the types of collagen and what they do for you, or what your body needs are different:
Bottom Line
I didn’t expect results from BioCell Liquid Collagen to feel any different from other collagen products I’ve used over the years. But it did, significantly. Not just in how I and my joints feel, but measurable visible results in my hair, skin and nails.
That doesn’t replace the basics: sleep, nutrition, stress, all still matter! And, this is one of the few things I’ve added that feels like it’s adding to all that work while supporting how I feel and look.
And for someone who started out skeptical, that says a lot!
References
- Ingestion of BioCell Collagen®, a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract: enhanced blood microcirculation and reduced facial aging signs. PMID: 22956862 2015
- Evaluation of the effects of BioCell Collagen, a novel cartilage extract, on connective tissue support and functional recovery from exercise. PMID: 26770145 2015
- Effect of the novel low molecular weight hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, BioCell Collagen, on improving osteoarthritis-related symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PMID: 22486722 2012
- The effects of skin aging associated with the use of BioCell Collagen: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial PMCID: PMC6574245 2019
- BioCell Collagen®. BioCell Technology.
Disclosures
The clinical study and Rosie graphics were created with ChatGPT. I conducted all the research and based this on data I validated myself using the above references.
Links to BioCell are affiliate. While I receive a small percentage of any sales through my link I wouldn’t share if I didn’t authentically use and love the product. You’ll note I never shared about this product despite having access to a link for a long time.
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