Collagen is an important component for cosmetic formulation, where it is an effective natural humectant with high substantivity. Commercial collagen preparations have a wide range of properties. In the present study, various techniques have been used to examine three distinct commercial collagens that illustrate the range of properties that are available. The usefulness of the various techniques for assessing collagen quality and batch-to-batch variation is discussed. The results indicate that there are several simple, cheap, and effective methods, such as gel electrophoresis, that provide excellent information on collagen quality. The appropriate selection of tests allows informed decisions on the choice of which collagen preparation to use to provide the desired functionality and shelf life of a formulation.