Please note: This post may be sponsored by brands. However, this is my honest comparison based on my personal experience using these products. Thank you for visiting!
Does Collagen Really Deliver a Glow-Up? I Put My Daily Powder to the Test Against Pretty Thing’s Gut-Focused Formula
By: Natalie Scott
Latest update: July 20, 2025
As someone who's tried everything from powders to pills to gummies in the quest for glowing skin and better digestion, I always figured collagen powders were my best bet.
I used Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for almost two years. It was part of my morning routine: scoop, stir, drink. It gave my skin a little bounce, sure.
But bloating, fatigue, and breakouts? Still happening.
Then, a wellness friend introduced me to something completely different:
Pretty Thing Gut & Glow Bites, strawberry-flavored colostrum bites with 7 added beauty vitamins.
At first, I didn’t get it. No collagen? No powder? Just... bites? But the promise caught my attention:
Heal your gut first then glow everywhere.
Sitting at my kitchen counter, collagen scoop in hand, I started wondering:
Is collagen powder really doing enough for my skin and energy?
Could these new Pretty Thing bites actually work better by starting with gut health first?
I had to find out. So, I decided to do a 90-day comparison, focusing on three key areas:
Ingredients
Effectiveness
Overall results
What I discovered changed my daily ritual and my skin, for good.
Scientific Studies and Efficacy: A Closer Look at Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Collagen Peptides
Vital Proteins contains bovine collagen peptides, which are marketed for their bioavailability and support for skin, hair, nails, and joints.
However, the formulation includes no additional nutrients to support absorption or gut health factors that directly impact how well the body can utilize collagen.
While collagen is widely studied for structural support, its efficacy depends heavily on the digestive system's ability to break it down and use it. This product lacks ingredients that address gut function, inflammation, or nutrient delivery.
Suggested Use
Users are instructed to take 10–20g daily, but there's no scientific evidence in the product literature demonstrating superior performance at these dosages without complementary nutrients.
Pretty Thing Gut & Glow Bites
Grass-Fed Colostrum
Colostrum is rich in nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors that have been shown to support gut lining repair, immune strength, and nutrient absorption. These factors directly impact skin clarity, energy, and overall vitality.
Studies have linked colostrum to improved digestive function and reduced inflammation, making it a foundational ingredient for beauty from within.
Biotin
Biotin helps convert nutrients into energy and supports the growth of stronger hair, skin, and nails. It’s widely recognized in dermatological literature for its role in improving keratin infrastructure.
Folate
Folate promotes red blood cell production and aids DNA synthesis, critical for faster skin cell regeneration and a more even, youthful complexion.
Vitamins A, C, E & Zinc
These nutrients work synergistically to support collagen production, protect against cellular damage, and accelerate skin healing. They are frequently studied for their role in reducing signs of aging and improving skin barrier function.
The scientific evidence clearly favors Pretty Thing’s formulation. Each of Pretty Thing’s key ingredients has been the subject of multiple independent studies, published in respected scientific journals.
These studies consistently demonstrate their effectiveness in improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and enhancing nutrient absorption, all of which are directly linked to clearer skin, better digestion, and overall vitality.
In contrast, the scientific backing for collagen peptides alone, such as those in Vital Proteins, is limited when it comes to addressing root causes like gut imbalance or poor absorption, which can diminish results over time.
This stark difference in the breadth and quality of scientific evidence suggests that Pretty Thing’s gut-focused approach may offer more comprehensive and lasting benefits.
The combination of well-studied, clinically backed ingredients in Pretty Thing’s formula presents a strong case for its potential to deliver visible transformation within our 90-day test window.
Of course, the real proof lies in lived experience, which is exactly why this side-by-side comparison is so important. But based on current scientific research, Pretty Thing appears to have a clear edge when it comes to the efficacy of its ingredients.
The 12-Week Journey with Pretty Thing Gut & Glow Bites – Week 1 to Week 12
I’ve tested powders, pills, and gummies before. But none of them delivered the full-body shift I experienced with Pretty Thing’s Gut & Glow Bites. Here’s how it unfolded, week by week.
Week 4: The Gut-Skin Connection Becomes Clear
By week four, the changes weren’t just internal anymore, my skin was noticeably brighter and clearer. The usual dullness and uneven texture had started to fade, and I woke up looking less puffy, especially around my eyes and jawline.
But what stood out most was the comfort in my gut.
No bloating after meals, no mid-day sluggishness, no random discomfort.
Even on days I ate heavier foods, I felt lighter and more at ease.
There was a real sense of balance, not just in digestion, but in my mood and energy too.
Pretty Thing was quietly doing something major.
Week 8: Skin Radiance and Real Confidence
By week eight, I was glowing literally.
My skin looked plump and hydrated like I had just stepped out of a facial.
Breakouts had calmed down, and my complexion was noticeably more even-toned.
People started asking what skincare I was using. I smiled because the answer was actually coming from my gut.
My hair felt fuller. My nails were stronger. I wasn’t riding the energy rollercoaster anymore.
No afternoon slumps, no foggy mornings.
This wasn’t just about vanity anymore, it was about how good I felt waking up every day.
Week 12: The Glow-Up Is Real
By week twelve, the transformation was undeniable.
My skin? Clear, dewy, and calm, even during hormonal weeks.
My hair had a healthy sheen, and those stress-related breakouts I used to get? Barely there.
The difference in my gut health was what surprised me most.
Food didn’t feel like a trigger anymore. My digestion was smooth and predictable, no guessing games.
But what I really noticed was consistency.
My mood was steady. My energy lasted all day. And my confidence? The highest it’s been in years.
This wasn’t just a good supplement. Pretty Thing had become the non-negotiable part of my daily routine.
After 2 Years of Collagen Powders, Pretty Thing Delivered More in 60 Days
For nearly two years, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides were a non-negotiable part of my morning routine. Scoop, stir, chug, I swore by it. And while it gave my skin a bit of bounce, my digestion, mood, and energy? Still a rollercoaster.
I didn’t realize how much I had normalized bloating, breakouts, and brain fog… until I tried Pretty Thing.
After 90 days with these strawberry-flavored colostrum bites, the difference was massive.
My gut felt balanced. My skin glowed, not oily, not dry, just lit from within.
No more afternoon energy crashes. My bloating was gone. My mood? Steady.
I looked in the mirror and thought, wait, this is what feeling good actually looks like?
The most surprising part? I got these results without a single scoop of collagen. Pretty Thing’s formula with colostrum and 7 beauty vitamins worked deeper. It didn’t just patch symptoms; it addressed the root.
Without hesitation.
Pretty Thing proved that real beauty results aren’t about hype or scoops of powder, they’re about what your body can actually absorb and use.
If two small bites can outperform a giant tub of collagen, it’s time to rethink what we’re really paying for.
If you'd like to test both products yourself, I’m attaching the links to shop for each one
Pretty Thing Offer & Availability:
Offer: Get 20% Off Your First Order
Where to Buy: Available online via their official website.
Not in Stores Yet? They ship across the U.S. with fast delivery..
Check out Pretty Thing Gut Reset Bites
Vital Proteins Offer & Availability:
Offer: Get 20% Off Your First Order
Where to Buy: Available online via their official website.
Check out Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
CHECK AVAILABILITY