The supplement industry is full of promises. We all know that, we fell for all of the marketing at some point too. I wrote a Linkedin post about it recently, collagen that claims to erase wrinkles, capsules that promise effortless energy, powders that claim to “optimise” health. When we started digging into the quality of our supplement stack back in 2020 we were shocked with what we found.

Collagen was, and still is, a minefield. Did you know that clinical  research on the ingredients used in NÆRE ® shows that meaningful results depend heavily on using the same forms and dosages that have been tested in human trials. For collagen, most placebo-controlled studies using hydrolysed marine collagen peptides such as Peptan ® demonstrate measurable improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and wrinkle depth when taken at 2.5g to 10g per day, typically over 8 – 12 weeks. These trials also show that collagen synthesis heavily relies on the presence of vitamin C, which acts as a required cofactor for the enzymes that stabilise collagen fibres; clinical formulations generally include around 50 – 100 mg of vitamin C, a level sufficient to support collagen production.

Beyond collagen itself, supporting ingredients can enhance results. For example, human trials using AstaReal ® natural astaxanthin have shown an improvement in skin elasticity, moisture and reduced oxidative stress, helping protect collagen structures from degradation. Selenium also plays a protective role in cellular antioxidant systems, with highly bioavailable forms such as Selenium Select ® commonly used - aligning to support antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase. And there’s the bioavailability and nutrient absorption that can be enhanced through BioPerine ®, a clinically studied black pepper extract typically used at around 5 mg, which has been shown to increase nutrient bioavailability by improving intestinal absorption and metabolic utilisation.

Together, the research suggests that effective formulations rely not only on collagen itself but on clinically validated doses and synergistic nutrients that support collagen synthesis, protect it from oxidative damage over time and improve nutrient absorption.

For many people the experience vs the claimed results is very different. And it’s often because, simply put, the quality and dosage of their supplement isn’t quite right. 

A recent Times article describes journalist Antonia Hoyle's experience spending hundreds of pounds on collagen supplements without seeing the dramatic wrinkle reduction she had hoped for. 

Her story is not unusual. The supplement industry has grown enormously in recent years, but transparency and scientific rigour have not always grown with it. With very little - to no regulation of claims and ‘clinical trials’ we are often duped. This is how we felt when we started developing Nectar 01 - what was duping us that we were taking and how could we create something superior?

What do you need to look for in a supplement that will wield results?

Most supplements fail for three reasons.

1. Weak dosages: Ingredients in quantities that are far below those used in clinical trials with results. Collagen supplements need at least 2,500mg to see results. They can still list the ingredient on the label but the dose is too small to meaningfully affect the body, if you’re unsure just know that the majority ingredient should always be listed first on the ingredients list, if the first ingredient listed is water, glycerin etc. then look elsewhere…

2. Poor ingredient forms: Not all ingredients are created equal. For example, collagen peptides differ widely in molecular weight and bioavailability depending on the manufacturing process. Antioxidants vary in purity and stability. Minerals differ drastically in absorption depending on their chemical form. Yet many products use the cheapest available version. If there’s no transparency in the origin of the ingredient then they’re making the margin and sacrificing the quality, transparency and ultimately the sustainability is in question too. 

3. No consideration of synergy: Human biology doesn’t operate in isolation. Many nutrients work best when combined with others that enhance absorption, transport or biological activity. Yet most supplements treat ingredients like a checklist rather than a system. If your collagen doesn’t have enough Vitamin C to enhance it then you won’t get the results. Combining BioPerine® (piperine) with selenium significantly enhances the absorption and bioavailability of the mineral in the body. Studies show that adding BioPerine® to selenium can increase serum selenium levels by approximately 30% after two weeks, compared to taking selenium alone, ensuring more of the nutrient is utilised for immune, thyroid and antioxidant support.

4. Filler ingredients: How much of a product is actually active nutrition versus formulation additives. Many collagen gels and liquid sachets rely on ingredients such as water, glycerol, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, sunflower lecithin, acidity regulators like citric acid or glucono-delta-lactone to create the thick, shelf-stable gel consistency to make it ‘easy to take on the go’. These ingredients help with texture and stability, but if the majority of your product is taken up by these ingredients that means digestive effort and metabolic processing are spent on compounds that do not contribute to results and consistency (ie. taking your supplement daily) is imperative to see a difference - but when ingesting emulsifiers daily - studies have shown that emulsifiers can change bacterial populations, weaken the intestinal mucus barrier, and promote low-grade inflammation, the exact process we're trying to tackle.

The Science Behind NÆRE

Nectar 01 was built differently. Every ingredient in our formula was carefully selected, our name NÆRE means 'to nourish, to sustain' - and we use this mantra to inform everything that we choose and create, asking the question of everything: does it nourish us? That means that we look at clinical evidence, effective dosage and synergy with other ingredients.

Instead of using generic raw materials, we chose 4 patented ingredients that have been tested in human clinical trials and show the quality, standard and sustainability that we pride ourselves on.

Marine Collagen Peptides (Peptan®): Peptan ® marine collagen is one of the most extensively researched collagen peptide sources.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that hydrolysed collagen peptides can:

• Improve skin elasticity

• Support dermal collagen density

• Improve skin hydration

In controlled human studies, daily supplementation has shown measurable improvements in skin elasticity after several weeks of use. However, it’s important to understand what collagen can and cannot do.

Collagen supplementation supports the body’s collagen production and skin structure. It may improve elasticity and hydration. But it is not a miracle wrinkle eraser, a point echoed in the recent meta-analysis referenced in the Times article. 

That nuance matters. Good science rarely produces instant, dramatic transformations. Instead, it produces measurable improvements over time. Consistency is the real winner.

“The quality of your life at 70 is largely determined by the habits you build at 30.”

Astaxanthin (AstaReal®): Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful naturally occurring antioxidants. The form used in Nectar 01, AstaReal ® - natural astaxanthin has a substantial body of peer-reviewed human research. The ingredient has been studied in more than 80 human clinical trials investigating areas such as oxidative stress, skin health, eye health and fatigue. For example, randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials have shown that astaxanthin supplementation can improve outcomes such as visual performance, fatigue markers, and oxidative stress levels.

Astaxanthin also works synergistically with collagen by helping reduce oxidative damage to skin structures.

Selenium (Selenium Select®): Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays a key role in:

• Antioxidant defence

• Thyroid function

• Immune regulation

• Cellular repair

Selenium Select® is a highly bioavailable form designed for optimal absorption. Selenium is particularly important in protecting cells from oxidative stress - a key factor in ageing and skin degradation.

BioPerine®: One of the most overlooked aspects of supplements is absorption. BioPerine ® is a clinically studied black pepper extract that enhances nutrient bioavailability.

Clinical research has shown it can increase the absorption of certain nutrients by improving:

• intestinal transport

• nutrient metabolism

• thermogenic activity

In simple terms, it helps the body actually use the nutrients you consume.

Why Supplement Ingredient Synergy Matters

Supplements should not be designed like ingredient lists. They should be designed like biological systems. When we were designing Nectar 01 we researched hard over 6 years - how our ingredients worked together to support the bodily processes we wanted to optimise: Structural cell support, cellular protection, nutrient absorption, immune defence and energy metabolism. 

Together, they form a system designed to support the body’s natural processes, not override them, this is a formula you can enjoy and take consistently to feel the results within a week (yes the energy you feel will be noticeable, we can promise you that) but also in a decade.

Transparency Is Non-Negotiable

One of the biggest issues highlighted by the Times article is the lack of clarity surrounding supplements and their claims. Many brands rely heavily on marketing but provide little transparency about ingredient sourcing, clinical evidence or dosage levels. At NÆRE ®, we take the opposite approach. We believe you deserve to know exactly what is in your supplement, where those ingredients come from, how much you are taking, what the science actually says. Not the exaggerated version. We pride ourselves on having created the best quality supplement built on 6 years of research and formulation edits. We’re not here to defend our pricing, we’re also not reducing our price to keep in line with the market’s deals and discounts - because our quality means we can’t. If your current supplement is discounted all of the time, it’s time to ask yourself why. 

A Higher Standard Of Collagen

NÆRE® exists because we believe the wellbeing industry should hold itself to a higher standard.  We have carefully chosen ingredients, used at the levels research suggests are effective. Because when it comes to health, people deserve more than marketing. They deserve evidence.