What are collagen shots? Everything about Labo Mariva ACTIVATE in 2026

Collagen shots are liquid nutritional supplements based on hydrolyzed collagen peptides, small enough to be absorbed through your intestinal wall. You drink them as ready-to-drink daily shots, without mixing or dosing. Premium shots like Labo Mariva ACTIVATE deliver 10g of hydrolyzed bovine collagen (Peptan) in combination with cofactors such as silicon, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin D3, and SOD. Daily intake for at least 8 to 12 weeks shows measurable effects on skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue in most people.

What exactly is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for approximately 30 percent of all your proteins and 70 percent of your skin. It is found in your skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Imagine it as the cement that holds your tissues together and gives them firmness.

There are at least 28 types of collagen, but three are clinically most important:

• Type I: approximately 90 percent of the collagen in your body. Found in skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissue.
• Type II: primarily in cartilage. Important for joint health.
• Type III: works with type I in skin, blood vessels, and organs, especially in young skin.

From the age of 25, your body starts to produce less and less collagen, about 1 percent per year. By the age of 50, the skin of an average woman has lost about 30 percent of its original collagen. During menopause, this accelerates even further. This explains wrinkles, thinning skin, brittle nails, and stiffer joints.

What exactly is a collagen shot?

A collagen shot is a small liquid serving (usually 25 ml) that you drink daily. The difference from a powder or pill is fundamental: you get the full effective dose of collagen in one go, without having to mix, measure, or swallow multiple capsules. The liquid form also ensures the best absorbability of collagen peptides.

The peptides in a good shot are hydrolyzed. This means that the long collagen chains are enzymatically broken down into molecules of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 Daltons, small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. Unprocessed collagen is largely broken down and thus loses its signaling effect on your fibroblasts and chondrocytes.

Why a shot and not a powder or pill?

Three reasons why the shot form is often superior:

1. Dosage. The clinically effective dose is 10g per day. This is possible with a powder (one scoop), but not with capsules (that would mean 10 to 20 capsules per day). A shot delivers the full 10g in 25ml.
2. Absorption. Collagen has the best absorbability in liquid form. Premium shots achieve up to 91 percent biological absorption.
3. Convenience. No mixer, no smoothie, no spoon. You open the bottle, drink it, done. On the go, at work, or at home.

Marine versus bovine collagen in shots

Collagen can come from different animal sources. The two most commonly used:

• Marine (fish) collagen: primarily type I, extracted from fish skin and scales. Slightly smaller peptides, but not necessarily superior at high dosages.
• Bovine collagen (Peptan): type I and type III, extracted from bovine hides. Hydrolyzed into peptides with up to 91 percent absorption. Strongly clinically supported by studies with Peptan collagen.

ACTIVATE deliberately uses high-quality Peptan bovine collagen. The combination of type I and III covers both skin (type I) and connective tissue and blood vessels (type III). For a complete comparison, see our article on bovine versus marine collagen.

What do collagen shots do in your body?

Once absorbed, collagen peptides are transported through your bloodstream to areas where connective tissue is being built: skin, cartilage, bones, tendons. Two things happen there:

1. The peptides provide building blocks. Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline (unique to collagen) are used for new connective tissue.
2. Specific peptides are bioactive. Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly peptides signal fibroblasts and chondrocytes to produce more of their own collagen. This signaling effect is what distinguishes clinical studies from ordinary amino acid supplementation.

Studies (Proksch 2014, Choi 2019, Inoue 2016, Hessel 2017) show that daily intake of 2.5 to 10g of collagen peptides for 8 to 12 weeks leads to:

• Reduced wrinkle depth (average 13 percent in 8 weeks in women aged 45-65).
• Improved skin elasticity (average 19 percent in 12 weeks).
• Better skin hydration (average 14 percent in 12 weeks).
• Less joint pain in athletes and people with mild osteoarthritis.
• Stronger nails (42 percent less brittleness in the Hessel study).
• Higher bone density in postmenopausal women (König 2018).

What does a good collagen shot contain?

A complete formula not only delivers collagen but also the cofactors your body needs to convert the peptides into new connective tissue. A good shot contains:

1. 10g hydrolyzed collagen (Peptan or similar certified).
2. Silicon, preferably in a standardized form such as Bloosil.
3. Vitamin C, because without vitamin C, your body cannot produce collagen at all.
4. Hyaluronic acid for extra skin hydration.
5. Vitamin D3 for cell renewal.
6. SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) as an antioxidant against skin aging.

A shot that only provides collagen (without cofactors) leaves some of the potential benefits unrealized.

From what age do collagen shots become useful?

Scientifically, your collagen production begins to decline around age 25, but visible effects usually only appear from age 30 to 35. Supplementation can be useful from that age as a preventive measure, and is more strongly recommended from 40+ when breakdown accelerates.

For women in menopause, supplementation is particularly relevant because declining estrogen further accelerates collagen breakdown. See our article on collagen in menopause.

How to take collagen shots?

Simple: 1 shot of 25ml per day, ready to drink. Undiluted, best at room temperature. No mixer, no recipe, no fuss.

ACTIVATE usage instructions:

• First 12 weeks: 1 shot daily, regardless of age. The first results are visible after 8 to 12 weeks.
• Maintenance under 50 years: 1 shot every 2 days.
• Maintenance from 50 years: 1 shot daily for optimal effect.

More about timing and intake can be found in how to take collagen shots.

Side effects and safety

In healthy adults, collagen shots are generally very well tolerated. Any mild side effects (feeling full, taste that takes getting used to) are usually temporary.

Important points to consider:

• Not for young children.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consult your doctor first.
• If you have kidney problems, consult your doctor, as any protein supplement requires extra work from the kidneys.
• Protect from heat and light.

Full safety analysis in side effects of collagen shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between collagen shots and collagen powder?

A shot is a liquid, ready-to-drink dose. A powder needs to be mixed with water or a drink. Both can work, but shots have two advantages: better absorbability and high convenience. See shots versus powder versus pills.

Do collagen shots really work or is it marketing?

For skin elasticity, wrinkles, and joints, there is solid clinical evidence from multiple RCTs and meta-analyses. For cellulite or weight loss, the evidence is weaker. Read our honest overview: do collagen shots work.

Can you take collagen shots every day?

Yes, and that is exactly the advice during the first 12 weeks. After that, you can switch to a maintenance schedule (every 2 days under 50, daily from 50).

How long before you see results?

Many users notice the first effects on skin hydration and nails between weeks 4 and 8. Wrinkles and elasticity usually improve between weeks 8 and 12. Joints and connective tissue need 3 to 6 months. Full timeline in how quickly do collagen shots work.

Is a collagen shot safe in combination with medication?

There are no known significant interactions with most medications. With blood thinners, clotting medication, or kidney failure medication, always consult your doctor or pharmacist first.

Are collagen shots suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No. Both bovine and marine collagen are of animal origin. For vegetarians, only plant-based collagen boosters are an option, with less strong clinical evidence.

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Written by the Labo Mariva team. Our formula was developed by a doctor and nutritionist, and is produced in a certified European laboratory. Sources in this article are, where possible, peer-reviewed (PubMed, EFSA, clinical RCTs). If you have questions about a specific claim, please feel free to email us.

Disclaimer: this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. For specific health complaints, pregnancy, or medication use, we recommend consulting a doctor or pharmacist first.