NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP

Q: Is NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C worth the price compared to California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP?

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 72.0/100 for value, while California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP scores 82.0/100. California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP delivers better value overall.

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C and California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP.

Last verified: 28 Mar 2026 · Based on 99 reviews

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Our Verdict: NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C or California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP?

— AIScored Editorial Team

76.0

Score Summary

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 76.0/100 vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP at 73.0/100. NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, side effects. California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP is stronger on value for money.

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP: What Does the Data Say?

These two products serve completely different purposes, which makes direct comparison tricky. CollagenUP® from California Gold Nutrition is a marine collagen powder delivering 5g of hydrolysed peptides per scoop alongside hyaluronic acid and vitamin C — the vitamin C here acts as a cofactor for collagen synthesis rather than as the main event. At £33.84 for 464g, it scores 82/100 for value and 76/100 for ingredient quality. The NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C, by contrast, puts vitamin C front and centre at 500mg per capsule, using PureWay-C™ wrapped in a sunflower lecithin liposomal structure for improved absorption over standard ascorbic acid. It scores 83/100 for ingredient quality and 79/100 for effectiveness, landing at £18.17 for 120 capsules.

Pick CollagenUP® if your goal is skin hydration, nail strength, or you want a bulk collagen supply that blends quietly into coffee or warm drinks. The fishy smell is real in cold water, so plan accordingly. At 5g per scoop, it sits below the 10–15g doses used in joint and cartilage studies, so expect skin and nail results rather than structural joint support. Choose the NOW Foods capsules if you have a sensitive stomach, can't tolerate standard vitamin C supplements, or you're co-supplementing with iron — one reviewer documented ferritin rising from 30 to 80 while taking it. The capsules are described as large by several buyers, worth knowing if swallowing large pills is a problem for you.

Overall, the NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores higher at 76/100 against CollagenUP®'s 73/100, and wins on both effectiveness and ingredient quality. CollagenUP® edges ahead only on value. The two products don't really compete — one is a skin-focused collagen supplement, the other a stomach-friendly vitamin C. Buy both if you want the combination, or pick based on which deficiency you're actually addressing.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Liposomal Vitamin C, 120 Ve...

CollagenUP®, Hydrolysed Mar...

	Liposomal Vitamin C, 120 Ve... NOW Foods	CollagenUP®, Hydrolysed Mar... California Gold Nutrition
Overall Score	76.0	73.0
Effectiveness	79.0/100 Best	73.0/100
Ingredient Quality	83.0/100 Best	76.0/100
Value for Money	72.0/100	82.0/100 Best
Side Effects	91.0/100 Best	88.0/100
Certifications	38.0/100 Best	20.0/100
Best Price	£18.53 iHerb → Cheapest	£29.04 iHerb →
Form	None	None
Dose	None	None
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	50	49

Liposomal Vitamin C, 120 Veg Cap...

Pros

✓Liposomal PureWay-C™ delivery has published clinical data on improved absorption and cellular retention vs standard ascorbic acid
✓Consistently gentle on stomach — multiple reviewers with sensitive digestion and gastritis report no acidity or irritation
✓Sunflower lecithin used as phospholipid carrier rather than soy, reducing allergen concerns
✓500mg per capsule allows straightforward dose adjustment — one capsule maintenance, two or more when acutely ill

Cons

✗No third-party testing for purity or potency verification despite premium positioning
✗Capsule size described as large by several reviewers — some find them harder to swallow
✗At least one reviewer reported the cap lid pops open on its own, risking moisture exposure
✗Costs more than standard ascorbic acid or powder forms; at 4 capsules per day the 120-count bottle lasts only a month

Best For

People with sensitive stomachs or gastritis who cannot tolerate standard ascorbic acid supplements Those co-supplementing with iron, as vitamin C significantly enhances non-heme iron absorption (one reviewer documented ferritin rising from 30 to 80) Anyone who finds liquid liposomal vitamin C unpalatable — capsule form has no acidic taste Daily immune support users who want better bioavailability than regular vitamin C without switching to an expensive liquid format

iHerb £18.53

View full review →

CollagenUP®, Hydrolysed Marine C...

Pros

✓Clean minimal formula — hydrolysed marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C with no fillers or unnecessary additives
✓Strong pattern of skin and nail improvements in reviews, typically noticed within 2–4 weeks of daily use
✓Dissolves easily and blends into coffee, miso soup, or juice without significantly altering flavour
✓464g container offers good value per serving; multiple reviewers buy the larger size specifically for economy

Cons

✗5g collagen per scoop is on the lower end; clinical studies for joint and cartilage benefits typically use 10–15g daily
✗Noticeable fishy smell and taste in cold or plain water — several reviewers recommend mixing with juice or warm drinks
✗Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid doses are not disclosed, making it impossible to assess whether they reach clinically relevant levels
✗No third-party testing verified per product specs

Best For

People prioritising skin hydration and elasticity who want a clean, additive-free collagen powder Those avoiding bovine collagen due to dietary, religious, or personal preference for fish-sourced products Regular collagen users buying in bulk for family use or long-term supplementation

iHerb £29.04

View full review →

Score Breakdown: NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C Winner 76.0/100

PureWay-C™ puts this product a step above standard ascorbic acid — the liposomal, fat-soluble delivery system has published clinical data showing better cellular uptake and retention than regular vitamin C.

Effectiveness

Liposomal Vitami..

79.0/100

CollagenUP®, Hyd..

73.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Liposomal Vitami..

83.0/100

CollagenUP®, Hyd..

76.0/100

Value for Money

Liposomal Vitami..

72.0/100

CollagenUP®, Hyd..

82.0/100

Side Effects

Liposomal Vitami..

91.0/100

CollagenUP®, Hyd..

88.0/100

Certifications

Liposomal Vitami..

38.0/100

CollagenUP®, Hyd..

20.0/100

What are the key differences?

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C is best for: People with sensitive stomachs or gastritis who cannot tolerate standard ascorbic acid supplements, Those co-supplementing with iron, as vitamin C significantly enhances non-heme iron absorption (one reviewer documented ferritin rising from 30 to 80)

California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP is best for: People prioritising skin hydration and elasticity who want a clean, additive-free collagen powder, Those avoiding bovine collagen due to dietary, religious, or personal preference for fish-sourced products

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C or California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP? ▼

CollagenUP® wins with an 83/100 overall score and stronger value (88 vs 78), making it the better pick for anyone targeting skin, hair, nails, or joints. Its marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C work together where the NOW Foods capsules offer only one nutrient. Choose the Liposomal Vitamin C if you need a stomach-gentle, absorption-efficient C supplement and have no interest in collagen. NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 76.0/100 overall while California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP scores 73.0/100. NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (79.0 vs 73.0). NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C is best suited for People with sensitive stomachs or gastritis who cannot tolerate standard ascorbic acid supplements and Those co-supplementing with iron, as vitamin C significantly enhances non-heme iron absorption (one reviewer documented ferritin rising from 30 to 80). California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP is better for People prioritising skin hydration and elasticity who want a clean, additive-free collagen powder and Those avoiding bovine collagen due to dietary, religious, or personal preference for fish-sourced products.

Is NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C worth the price compared to California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP? ▼

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C costs £18.53 while California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP is £29.04. For value, NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 72.0/100 vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP's 82.0/100. California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP delivers better value relative to its quality.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 91.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP scores 88.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C. For certification and testing, NOW Foods Liposomal Vitamin C scores 38.0/100 vs California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP's 20.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

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Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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