Meiji amino collagen: miracle or farce?
There is one product that always gets my Singaporean friends and family really interested — Meiji Amino Collagen (5,000mg). – Click here to go to Beauty Box!
Watch my videos on how to make delicious low-fat collagen drinks.
A gal pal who lives in New York came to visit me and she commented that my skin was looking good, in fact much better than she remembered two years ago. It was flattering indeed because we hadn’t seen each other in ages. Do you know she bought 10 packets of the stuff? I hope her skin is glowing, too.
My elder sister was taking this collagen supplement as an experiment — she didn’t know I was guzzling it too. When she found out how much is costs in Tokyo, she asked me to buy as many packets as possible.
An ex-student of mine mentioned this skin wunderkind to me. She witnessed a Japanese gal pal’s transformation a year after she left for Taipei and returned for a visit in Japan — apparently her middle-aged friend’s skin changed dramatically from a papery, dry state to becoming more supple and smooth. All the friends in their group jumped into the habit immediately. My student took it for four months and I thought she looked much better. Let me clarify that her fine lines were still there but the texture of her skin looked more plump and youthful.
I couldn’t resist and now a year later, even my 65-year-old mum is into it. She is stealing spoonfuls of the collagen powder from my sister’s stash. I was tasked to buy her two packets (at least) on my next visit to Singapore. My friends have urged me to sell this on Yahoo auctions in Singapore. It sounds tempting but I don’t think I would make enough on a single trip to be worth the trouble.
The other star product from Japan is Fancl’s Tense Up EX collagen drink. It’s definitely more expensive and the dosage is actually half of what’s recommended for Meiji. Though 50 per cent cheaper in Japan than in Singapore, it is still the more pricey alternative. It tastes good with its sweet orange flavour but the bottles are heavy to transport. There are powder and pills in this range but they are not as potent.
Another question that people always have is, what does Meiji taste like? It is fairly mild in flavour. Some people think it’s fishy and my mum is convinced that it tastes like gelatin. You can drink it with milk tea, juice, or like my mother, make it into lemon jelly (that’s weird, who has the time, right?). Apparently you could put it in soup but I wouldn’t encourage that. Don’t try to drink it by itself in water either — it is horrible!
A friend suggested that this stuff doesn’t work at all because you cannot absorb collagen through your digestive system and the only way your skin can benefit from collagen is if you inject in directly into your skin. Hmmm, well, I don’t know about that. I still think the real-life testimonials I’ve had and myself included are pretty reliable. My testimonial reads, “I was mistaken for a 24-year-old twice at a party!” (Chuckles…)
I have to warn newbies though — purely from my own experience — that too much collagen could make your face look puffed up. I was very diligent in taking the stuff in the first three months. After a two-week holiday somewhere, the supermarket Chinese cashier I am friendly with exclaimed in Mandarin, “Your face became fat (ni de lian hao xiang fei le)!” Fortuitously, my Japanese student cautioned on taking too much (her facialist said it may cause breakouts) collagen and advised me to halve my intake or just take a little less than the 5,000mg per spoonful a day.
My mother said that I look fairer (I use Olay UV blocker daily now) and my skin looks smoother (I used to struggle with acne but those teenage years are long gone). I don’t know if it’s the Tokyo weather but I would think a humid, tropical clime would be better for you.
Do I have a real conclusion? I wouldn’t put my life on the line to declare this supplement works for sure. I think that if you take it at least for six months to a year and beyond, you can see slow changes to your skin — more radiance and suppleness. I don’t think it erases bad habits like not using a sunscreen or not getting enough sleep, so you still need to stick to a good skincare regime and lifestyle.
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December 20th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Hi Yuming! I just bought my first can of Meiji yesterday (i live in Tokyo too)–and because I scrutinize my face every day in the mirror–I have to say, I believe this stuff works–even the minute change from yesterday.
I am obsessed with sleeping, getting enough protein, studying about collagen and hyaluronic acid (I watched this old ABC special on Yuzuri Hara outside of Tokyo where people’s skin look flawless forever because of their diet rich in Hya..Lur. Acid).
AND, I’m looking for advice on eye bags! But maybe this Meiji thing will work out…I also have fabulous tips on natural Japanese food face masks and skin care (cheap, supermarket stuff)…. Anyway, I like your blog! I am going to have a revolution with all the women around me with Meiji too I bet!!
December 20th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
That’s the spirit, Genevieve! Japan has so many awesome beauty products to explore.
Re eye bags: try Kose Q10 Eye Zone mask – you can find it in any matsumotokiyoshi.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi Yuming,
May I know whether this product is safe for pregnant woman?
January 29th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Hi Amelia,
I think you should check with your doctor about this product. The ingredients list looks like this:
1 serving (7g = 0.25oz)
Energy 27kcal
Sodium 15mg
Protein 5.3g
Vitamin C 50mg
Fat 0.08g
Arginine (amino acid) 450mg
Carbohydrates 1.3g
Fish peptide collagen 5,000mg
Glucosamine 60mg
February 4th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I am wondering if the Meiji Collagen might contain melamine?
February 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am
No it doesn’t contain melamine. As you can tell from the list of ingredients, this product is mostly made of fish collagen which has nothing to do with melamine. And this product is made in Japan, not China. You would take comfort to know that this is a best-seller amongst all the collagen products in Japan, too.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi! I heard that creams with active copper in them are really good for promoting skin surface collagen/plumpness. I was wondering if you knew of a brand that had this line of products in Japan.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:26 am
That’s really interesting. I don’t know of any product that has active copper but will keep an eye out.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:57 am
amino collagen is really good for the skin!
April 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Hi
Was browsing through the web checking on Meiji’ Amino Collagen and chanced upon our site.
I’m a user too albeit a newbie – i’m now into my 2nd can. I have heard odd comments about the taste if it is drink purely on its own (like diluted in plain water) and i must say the taste is okay, it is not unbearable and well, it’s not exactly fishy but not exactly “un-fishy” either if you know what i mean
i too believe no matter how good a supplement it, it remains just that, supplement. one still needs to do one’s homework in ensuring / maintaining one’s health adn beauty including a good skin care regime plus appropriate exercise and healthy food intake and of course, adequate sleep.
is the amino collagen cheaper in tokyo or cheaper in singapore? I’m from malaysia and i buy it in malaysia, costs around Rm160 per can. don’t ask me how much that is in SG$, i’m lost when it comes to conversion rate.
Take care
April 14th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Oh by the way, sometimes when i’m not too lazy, i do add some lime juice to my collagen drink for the vit c part – where vit c will help absorption of collagen by our body.
and this is true to a certain extent. you may want to try it. i was advised to drink the collagen in the morning when absorption rate of our body is better.
have you heard of this?
April 17th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I used to have a problem skin (dryness, acne, etc) but after I take amino collagen four years ago, my skin becomes better and like your experience, people always mistaken me as 20’s.
April 30th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I heard its better to take near bed time with empty stomach. Skin repairs at night, so the next morning you will feel different instantly!
April 30th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Well I don’t know about “instantly” but it is advised by Meiji that women should take the product before bed.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:04 am
I am 30 yrs and would like to know if I can start to used the product now.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Yes you certainly can
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Hi Yuming,
I must say, tis product ROCKS!
I have been on tis product coming 1.5yrs now.. and most people i met, tot i m still in my early 20s.. when i am ald in my late 30s. And when they saw my son (who is now, 10 yrs old) they were all shocked, can’t believe tat he is my son.. brushing him off as my younger brother.. (and tis is my real-life testimonial).
Too good to be true, rite? But it’s TRUE for me!!
Bravo! Meiji Amino Collagen! I Love u always!
May 15th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
this product should consume before bed? how abt if consume in morning? what the dif and what the effect?
May 18th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Well, that’s recommended by Meiji. The rationale is that your skin does the most repair while you are sleeping. But I have taken this in the morning and afternoon before and got pretty good results. I think this piece of advice is just to help you maximise the potential of amino collagen.
May 25th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Do I take one teaspoon? Or one tablespoon? I have been taking one tablespoon a day, but I don’t want to take too much.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:00 am
I think if you are in America, two tsp or 1 tbs should be enough daily.
May 31st, 2009 at 9:20 am
Hi!
I’ve just started yesterday drinking meiji collagen in a bottle, the one which is ready to drink…Do you think the bottle would give same results as the powder? or i’d rather choose the powder?
and also, im taking shiseido glutathione everyday, is n’t bad or too much for me taking these two supplements?
BTW, this blog really Rocks! ur such a big help to all chikkaz wu wanna be forever guapa!
tnx! tnx! tnx!
June 13th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
well.. i will try to take in the morning.. will evaluate the different.. i’m now taking before bed,just took for a month time… shold i take extra vitamin C & E together with meiji collagen? As i only consume the collagen with drink only? I heard from people, we should take vitamin C & E together with collagen then only can get the high effect.. is that true??
June 16th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hi ching,
It seems vitamin C is necessary in the formation of collagen but I’m not sure about vitamin E.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hi there,
I’m facing adult acne problem especially during period time. Do you think Meiji Amino collagen will help or makes it more terrible? Because I heard that collagen is quite HOT for body & lips will chapped, need to drink plenty of water. Thks
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Ally, I don’t think Meiji Amino Collagen improves acne problems, nor does it cause pimples.
Also, I don’t think it makes your lips chapped nor does it dehydrate you.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
When l read through the internet about this product (Meiji Amino Collagen) it’s sound very convincing in regards to beauty. l’m very thrill with this product but then l’m leaving in Kota Kinabalu,Sabah Malaysia.So from where can l get this product?
Hope you can provide me the drug store address.
Thanks
aisha m.c
July 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hi,
Thanks for your note.
Please proceed to our Amazon-powered store, http://store.beauty-box-online.com
Pls note that we don’t send to PO Box addresses and our prices are in USD.
Warm regards,
Yu Ming
Beauty Box
August 7th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Hello Yuming,
I’m very tempted to try out Meiji Amino Collagen and I’m wondering whether there’s any ‘right’ age to start consuming this product. Your advise would be a great help
Btw, I’m 26 and I’m currently on a couple of supplements: salmon omega & multi-vitamins.
August 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Actually there is no real “right” age recommended by Meiji, but personally, I would start in my 20s (which I did!) because you want your skin to remain as youthful as possible for as long as possible. Once you have deep wrinkles and lines, you cannot reverse it, and I think this product helps to maintain radiance and suppleness, while delaying the aging process. In short, the logic I go by is that if you start earlier, your skin degenerates at slower rate.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I have been taking the Meiji Amino Collagen for under 2 months now, I feel that I have spots and acne breakouts alot more. I use the spoon that is supplied in the tin, I consume one flat spoon a day, do you think it is still too much? Should I consume less than 5000mg a day?
Thanks.
LOVE your website by the way!
August 12th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Yeah, why don’t you halve your intake and see what happens?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi, i know the collagen is mainly for beauty and everyone has mentioned that they look more youthful, however, some mentioned that the skin won’t be as dry n i was wondering whether this applies to the face only. anyone noticed that their arms and/or legs aren’t as dry either? i have very dry skin on my legs and so far nothing has helped.
by the way, how long can the powder keep? (threw out the refill pack before checking for a date)
thanks in advance
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
The powder keeps for about a year.
I’m not sure if this product can moisturize skin internally. But do give it a try and let us know!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
hi! i have been taking amino collagen for almost a week, i only take half a spoon, but i also take another vitamin supplement pill- one-a-day for women. I think my face look a bit puffier and on my forehead its breaking out. should i take just 1/4 a spoon?? or is this normal for beginners? thank you!!!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:48 am
Perhaps it’s the combination of all the supplements you are taking. Why don’t you try 1/4 spoonful of collagen and see how that goes in a few days? If you are still experiencing breakouts, perhaps you should stop.
Nature does work in mysterious ways: some people are physically more sensitive than others.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
hai, i used to take cellabs sheep placenta in the morning.. is it ok if i take meiji amino also…i got acne skin problem…..but no so bad, just not easy to erase the scars…..after i read all the testimonial i interested to buy this product.
October 15th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I don’t think it would have an adverse effect if you combined the two but do stop if you notice anything suspicious or if you feel uncomfortable.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:10 am
thanks yuming. Btw What is the best liquid i can mix with?? is it ok with goat milk powder???? thanks again ya.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hi. pls forgive my curiosity, just wanna find out is there any side effect of consuming collagen? thanks =)
October 21st, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Hi Dieya, you can drink this supplement with anything, including goat’s milk powder.
Audrey: Most people don’t get side effects but some have complained that they get pimples. Usually if you see any adverse effects, you should just cut down on your daily dosage.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hi Yuming,
After reading your review on Meiji, I’m very tempted to try this product. I’m 24 years old and i’m just wondering if it’s ok for me to start now? are there any side effects with this product? do they add hormones and other stuffs in the product (could you provide me a list of the ingredients please?) Thank you.
Jill
October 26th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hi Jill, 24 is fine to start, as our skin starts to deteriorate from age 21. The list of ingredients are available in the comments section so just scroll up. This collagen product doesn’t have hormones.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hey.. Meiji Collagen with just plain water is not that horrible! I take it like that every day! And yes – you’re right, I think my face became more plump after taking Meiji. I think I’ll try to follow your advice on halving the dosage.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Hi, I tag my fiend to help me buy the Collagen from Japan.. but she bought only the top up pack… so now i have 4 packs of the topup pak.. WITHOUT any SPOON…
Can i know roughly how much should i take a day? Is 1 tablespoon of the baking measuing spoon enough?
Please help~~!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:48 am
It’s actually two tablespoons. You can watch my video which explains it further:
http://www.youtube.com/user/beautyboxonline#p/u/6/euHKbm0n6h4
December 16th, 2009 at 6:54 am
im 21 yrs old. would it be ok for me to startr drinkning this. i have oily skin also, would that be fine? maybe it might make my skin oilier.
December 16th, 2009 at 8:42 am
No it won’t make your face oilier.
January 8th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Hi Yuming and fellow collagen addicts,
Thanks to your website! My husband and I have both on a can of the Meiji collagen. We were recently in tokyo and came across 2 types of Meiji collagen powder products – the regular one and the Premium one that comes in the golden can/pack. Thinking premium means better, we bought that pack. Only today back to Singapore where we found the same product here did we realize premium is recommended for people aged 40-50, with English product description on the can. (My husband and i are in our late 20s!)
Just wondering if anybody has tried the product and if there is any benefit or harm in taking the premium range for younger persons!
January 12th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Hi yuming,
this article is very helpful and informative. im from the philippines and i was wondering how could i buy this online? im still new to online buy and sell stuffs. thank you and more power!
January 27th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Aristelle – no there should be no problem ingesting collagen meant for mature skin. I wouldnt mind consuming the Premium one too altho Im only 30 y.o!
But they’re selling it very expensively on ebay..like RM180 for the refill pack..whereas the regular Meiji sells for RM130.
I used to take Meiji Amino Collagen for about a year before I switched to Sheep Placenta supplements. Meiji’s a really good collagen supplement. It made my skin super soft, smooth, make-up literally glided on my face.
A tip: for those who are keen on consuming hyaluronic acid products, just consume GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Glucosamine is usually prescribed for arthritic patients & it works by coaxing the body into producing more HA to oil joints. Hence, it would work very well for internal skin/cell hydration as well. I have been taking glucosamine for 2 years now and I can really vouch for it
January 28th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Hi Ladies,
I find this blog really useful. I have been reading up on the benefits of taking this Meiji AC and am wondering if anyone could share on which is better to get quick results for better skin condition, taking sheep placenta or Amino Collagen like Meiji? Thanks and hope to get some feedback here especially those from personal experience is best and appreciated!
The pharmacists all say different things, so made me all muddled up
Yuming, if I were to purchase online, will the product be sent via postal service or courier? Thx
January 29th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
wow this blog rocks! love it!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Just today i have seen this product on one kusuria.But i can not read japanese. So i didn’t buy this.Want to know about this product and i have found ur blog.Now i am tempted to have it after reading all reviews.Thanks for ur opinion on this.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Hi,
Can i take collagen supplement alongside glutathione supplement? Please advise. Thanks!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Yes that should be fine.
February 14th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Hi, just found this blog online!! ^^ I’ve been taking meiji collagen too!! Usually take it wif lukewarm water before bedtime. It does smell a lil fishy but the taste is alright. Kinda like diluted milk powder drink. ^^ This product really works wonder
at least it works for me. I have lesser breakout and my skin is radiant everyday even with a pink glow on my cheek w/o makeup ^^ My skin is also visibly fairer. Even my lip and toes which used to have a dull tone (maybe due to poor blood circulation) have now improved. My mum is taking the meiji collagen drink lemon flavor and she noted that the itchiness on her skin is gone the next day after she took it. I have tried FANCL Tenseup and placenta supplement, but I feel that meiji collagen gives the best result.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:02 am
hi yuming! i was googling around to find the article about meiji amino collagen when i found ur blog. And after reading all the testimonials i’m interested of buying it, but i found it very expensive in Indonesia. I was wondering if i buy it here, can u ship it to Jakarta, Indonesia?