My skin’s glowing like I’m pregnant again

Around six months postpartum, I lost my glow. Completely.

My hair has started falling out in clumps, my skin broke out like I was sixteen again and my nails were so thin and brittle, I gave up on manicures for nearly a year. After I began venting to everyone I knew about missing that early pregnancy glow, one health-conscious friend asked if I’d ever tried colostrum.

Colostrum? I knew the word well, just not in that context. Mothers release this golden-colored milk before giving birth, packed with nutrients and vitamins that help strengthen their baby’s immune system. I write about a myriad of wellness trends for a living, but at this point, colostrum supplements were still relatively new to the space.

Then, suddenly, colostrum was taking over my social media feeds. TikTokers were calling it liquid gold, Sofia Grainge was blending it into her Erewhon smoothie, and influencers everywhere were raving about its benefits — better gut health, a stronger immune system, healthier hair, brighter skin and longer nails. It sounded like a free ticket back to that desirable pregnancy glow, minus the actual pregnancy.

Brands quickly jumped on the trend, rolling out their versions of bovine colostrum, sourced from cows, and Bloom quickly rose to the top of my “must-try” list, at least according to social media and some rave reviewers who insisted the strawberries and cream flavor tasted just like a milkshake.

I’m not one to say no, so when the chance came to try it for myself, I figured, why not? Just two weeks after starting my twice-a-day scoop, there were a few noticeable differences. My skin started glowing, my hair was growing and even my nail tech commented that my nails are finally out of recovery.

Maybe this still sounds too good to be true, but Bloom’s 3-in-1 formula offers much more than colostrum, and I’m pretty sure that’s part of the reason I saw real results.

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the thick, nutrient-rich milk produced by mammals in the first few days after giving birth. Packed with antibodies, white blood cells, growth factors and antioxidants, the golden liquid plays a crucial role in supporting a newborn’s developing immune system and strengthening their gut barrier.

As a supplement, colostrum is typically sourced from cows. Bloom sources its colostrum from family-owned dairy farms in the US — and no, they’re not taking it away from newborn calves. The excess colostrum is collected only after the calves get what they need. No cows are harmed in the process.

Does Colostrum actually work?

Despite the fact that colostrum has been consumed for centuries, scientific data outlining its benefits is still somewhat limited. Most research has focused on how colostrum affects athletes by boosting IGF1, a growth factor your body produces after workouts or during puberty.

The first study investigated the role of bovine colostrum in exercise performance and showed marked improvements in explosive muscle power. Athletes engaged in regular training who took bovine colostrum have also reported fewer symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, demonstrating the supplement’s potential to support the immune system during intense training.

Further research has delved deeper into the immune effects of colostrum. In infants, enhanced regulatory T cells have been related to the administration of colostrum. Beneficial immune effects have also been demonstrated in animals like pigs, but studies on human subjects are still lacking.

What makes Bloom different?

The market is already flooded with colostrum products, and the claims vary widely — from boosting immunity to enhancing athletic performance. I’ve heard many variations. Over the past two months, I’ve researched and tested several expert-approved colostrum supplements, including popular brands like ARMRA, PureGold, Cowboy and Bloom.

Bloom’s 3-in-1 formula is the top colostrum supplement in the U.S, according to SPINS data through January 2025. The quality speaks for itself. Third-party testing and sustainable sourcing are distinguishing features, but what truly sets this formula apart is what’s inside. Bloom has incorporated collagen peptides and probiotics into its colostrum powder, aiming to amplify the potential benefits.

According to the brand, these ingredients are designed to work synergistically. Colostrum contains growth factors that support tissue repair and may stimulate collagen production. When paired with added collagen peptides and probiotics, the combination may help improve gut health and immune function — while also delivering visible benefits like stronger hair, healthier skin and tougher nails.

Colostrum is a newer product in the wellness category, but Bloom’s Colostrum & Collagen 3-in-1 formula has quickly emerged as one of the most recognizable (and trusted) formulas in the space. The blend features bioactive colostrum, grass-fed collagen peptides and premium probiotics to promote skin, hair, and nail health, balance the gut microbiome and support immunity. Reviewers appreciate the tasty flavor variety, love how easily it blends into drinks and some have reported positive results in the first few days of use.

Collagen: 2.5-3.7g | Colostrum: 1g | Probiotics: 6.7mg (2 bllion CFU) | Sugar: <1g | Protein: 3g

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Bloom Colostrum & Collagen Peptides review

Curious about the rage around colostrum, I tested Bloom Colostrum & Collagen Peptides over a two-week period, paying close attention to how it made me feel, as well as any observable physical changes and internal benefits. Here’s everything I discovered during my trial.

For a supplement, Bloom’s colostrum is almost too easy to take. I hate swallowing pills and can’t stand drinks that taste like stevia-sweetened green juice, so Bloom’s powder and flavor variety was a pleasant surprise. The fact that it comes with a serving scoop and is available in a jar as well as pre-portioned packets for people who don’t have time to sit and sip? Even better.

The powder dissolves well with just a bit of stirring (or in seconds, with a handheld whisk). The label advises mixing with cold or room-temperature water to preserve the bioactive factors and such. Despite liking my morning coffee piping hot, I actually preferred the Bloom powder mixed with cold water and some crushed ice.

I started with the Orange Cream and Strawberries and Cream flavor — they sounded decadent, and I can affirm, they’re refreshingly light and just fruity enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. It’s almost hard to believe there’s less than a gram of sugar in each serving. I also mixed the unflavored option into a couple of smoothies and an iced coffee, and could barely detect it. If anything, it adds a slightly creamier texture.

Initially, I was very surprised when I read reviews suggesting that the effects come fast. Within the first week, or even the first few days, customers were claiming their eyelashes were the “longest they’ve ever been,” many said their skin was looking very glowy, others mentioned their hair felt softer and some simply suggested that Bloom gave them an “extra spark.”

Yes, it all seems like wellness fluff until you try it yourself. After starting Bloom, I realized the visible benefits are pretty astounding. Within the first week, I noticed my skin looking a little brighter, the dark circles under my eyes were significantly reduced and I was losing much less hair while brushing. Disclaimer to temper expectations: I wouldn’t go as far as to say that my skin had completely cleared up, but there were fewer breakouts.

By around day 10, even my nail technician commented on how strong and healthy my nails looked. “Wow, they’re really growing again,” she exclaimed, after taking off my polish. Maybe it sounds a little vain, but when people start to notice that you’re looking healthier, you really start to feel better too — and that was the case with Bloom.

I may have needed some more time to notice the real internal benefits. My digestion remained regular during the testing period, and I didn’t notice any dramatic changes to my gut health (although some reviewers mention it’s helped with weight loss and bloating). If anything, I used my Bloom drink to replace other sugary snacks I shouldn’t be getting into in the first place, so I’ll consider that a small win.

As for immunity, I do live in New York City with a toddler, and take the subway daily, so if there’s anyone who could use an extra immune boost, it’s probably me. However, it’s hard to say for sure that this supplement is the reason I remained generally energetic and cold-free for the two-week testing period.

At the end of the day, Bloom’s colostrum provides that kind of everyday wellness (feeling good, looking good and enjoying the process) that I think most people would desire from a $30 scoop-a-day supplement.

The final verdict

Bloom didn’t give me an unrecognizable glow-up, but I may have gotten a bit of my first-trimester glow back. My skin, hair and nails were thriving, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed a difference. It might not be a miracle cure for gut health or a magic bullet for immunity, but for me, it was very easy to incorporate into my routine and effective enough that I can confidently recommend it to my friends and family who are looking to get back that “spark.”

How we tested

Over the course of three months, I tested four different brands of colostrum for roughly two weeks each. While testing Bloom’s Colostrum & Collagen Peptides supplement, I took one scoop of colostrum in a glass of water twice a day on an empty stomach. In addition to consulting experts on ingredients and dosage, I considered a number of factors for this review — the flavor, tolerability, quality, as well as external and internal benefits I experienced over the two-week period.

• Flavor and texture: A powderized supplement should easily dissolve in liquid and taste good enough to drink. Bloom’s supplement didn’t require an electric whisk, but it dissolved much better when using one. I tried all three flavors — Strawberries and Cream, Orange Cream and the unflavored variation to find that they were smooth and balanced. The sweeter flavors are fruit-forward, but not overpowering, so they mix well into different juices or smoothies.
• Tolerability and side-effects: While I did not experience any negative side-effects while using Bloom’s Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, this supplement does contain dairy, so I do not recommend drinking it if you have a dairy allergy or you are lactose-intolerant. As with any supplement, it’s essential to consult your doctor before use. Be sure to disclose any medications or supplements you’re currently taking to help avoid potential interactions or side effects.
• Quality and ingredients: Bloom’s colostrum is third-party tested for quality and purity, and sustainably sourced from dairy farms in the US I checked the ingredients to compare the dosage to other popular brands. With a single gram of colostrum in each serving, it’s safe to double up if desirable. Unlike some competitors, Bloom’s supplement also incorporates up to 3.7 grams of collagen and 2 billion CFU probiotics (Types I & III) for added benefits.
• External and internal benefits: Over the two-week testing period, I tracked any visible improvements to my hair, skin and nails, and made note of my appetite, improved digestion and overall gut health. While it’s more difficult to test the immune effects in a shorter period, I did feel generally healthy, energetic and I did not catch any colds while taking Bloom’s Colostrum & Collagen Peptides.

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This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.

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