If you prefer to use vegan products or you follow a vegetarian lifestyle, collagen supplements are usually not suitable as most are animal derived. However, if you are seeking a vegan collagen, worry not – there are still options for you!
Here's everything you need to know about vegan collagen alternatives, what they're made from, how they work, and how to get the most from them.
At a glance:
- Collagen in supplements is nearly always animal derived and therefore not suitable for vegans
- Vegan collagen alternatives deliver the amino acids that collagen contains straight into the body, without needing to break it down
- Our vegan Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement contains amino acids plus Vitamin C, essential minerals and antioxidants
- Plant foods such as quinoa, chia seeds, nuts and Vitamin C-rich fruit and vegetables also help boost collagen production and support skin health
- You can also support your skin with a vegan collagen-boosting skin care routine
Can you get a vegetarian or vegan collagen supplement?
Collagen is a protein found in the bodies of animals and makes up the connective tissue, skin, bones and cartilage of mammals, birds and fish. Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources, most commonly bovine (cow hide or bones) or marine (fish skin and scales). There’s no plant source of collagen itself, because plants simply don't contain it.
So when you see the phrase "vegan collagen supplement," what that really means is a plant-based collagen alternative - a supplement that provides your body with what it needs to support its own collagen-related processes, without using any animal-derived collagen.
How do vegan collagen supplements work?
To understand how a vegan collagen alternative works, it helps to understand what actually happens when you take a traditional animal-derived collagen supplement.
Collagen is a complex protein. When you consume it, your digestive system can't use it in that form, it has to break it down into smaller components called amino acids. Those amino acids are then absorbed and used by the body as it sees fit, which may include supporting the production of new collagen.
In other words, the collagen in a traditional supplement isn't used directly. The body uses the amino acids it's been broken down into.
A vegan collagen alternative skips that breakdown step entirely. Instead of providing intact animal collagen that needs to be digested into amino acids, it provides amino acids directly, in a form that's already available for the body to utilise. This is the fundamental logic behind what's called a pro-collagen approach.
The amino acids most associated with collagen structure are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. This is what a a lot off collagen is actually made from.
What is our vegan pro-collagen supplement made from?
Our Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement is built around an innovative ingredient called Vollagen®. It’s a vegan amino acid complex produced through an advanced fermentation process of non-GMO corn.
Vollagen® is designed to match the amino acid profile found in human collagen. It provides all 18 amino acids associated with collagen composition, including glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. It contains no animal-derived ingredients of any kind and is certified suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Rather than simply blending isolated amino acids together, it's created through a fermentation process that naturally produces an amino acid complex. This gives the body what it would have created itself if a collagen supplement had been taken.
Our Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement also includes Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper, Iron, SOD and Grape Seed Extract to support collagen formation in the skin and protect cells from oxidative stress. It's totally free from wheat, soy, dairy, yeast, added sugar, colours, flavours and preservatives too.
Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement 50 Caps
A vegan pro-collagen complex for advanced skin defence from within£29.50
Read more about Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement.
Does a vegan pro-collagen supplement really work for skin?
In a 60-day study of Vollagen® featuring 55 participants, at least 66% said:
- Skin feels softer and more hydrated
- Skin looks healthier and tone more even
- Fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced
- The appearance of dark circles under the eyes is reduced and eyes look less tired
- The appearance of breakouts and blemishes is reduced
As well as Vollagen®, the Advanced Pro-Collagen Skin Defence Supplement formula contains vitamins and nutrients that are approved for use to support your skin:
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Vitamin C's role in the body's collagen synthesis processes is one of the most researched in nutritional science
- Zinc helps to contribute to the keeping normal skin looking and feeling good. Zinc plays a role in the structural integrity of skin and cellular health
- Copper contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues - the network of tissue that gives skin and joints their structure and resilience
- SOD and Grape Seed Extract have a strong antioxidant effect that helps to protect skin from oxidative stress
As with any supplement, consistency is key. This is designed to be taken daily, year-round, as part of a long-term approach to skin nutrition, not as a quick fix.
What vegan foods support collagen?
Diet is important when it comes to skin nutrition, and supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet. A plant-based diet can absolutely provide excellent nutritional support for vegans.
Collagen is made from amino acids, so your overall protein intake matters. Most plant proteins are considered "incomplete" - they provide some but not all essential amino acids. To get a complete amino acid profile from plant foods, the key is variety and combination:
Soya products, quinoa, hemp seeds, buckwheat and a varied diet can help you to get the collagen support your skin needs. Vitamin C is also essential for normal collagen formation. The good news is that plant foods are among the richest sources available of Vitamin C:
- Red and yellow peppers contain more Vitamin C per gram than oranges
- Kiwi fruit, strawberries, blackcurrants and citrus fruits
- Broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and other dark green vegetables
- Tomatoes and tomato-based foods
Zinc contributes to normal skin maintenance. Plant-based sources include pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, lentils, chickpeas, cashews, oats and wholegrain breads and cereals. Note that zinc from plant sources is less readily absorbed than from animal sources, so variety and volume matter.
Copper contributes to normal connective tissue. Good plant sources include cashews and other nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, lentils, mushrooms and avocado.
Oxidative stress - from UV exposure, pollution and other environmental factors - can challenge the skin over time. A diet rich in antioxidants provides useful support. Think colourful fruits and vegetables, berries (particularly blueberries, raspberries and blackcurrants), green tea, dark leafy greens and herbs like turmeric and rosemary.
Complement your nutrition with a collagen-boosting skin care routine
Nutrition works from the inside out. But getting your skin care routine right matters too. Here’s what we’d recommend to naturally support your skin’s collagen production.
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum
Our best-selling Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum is the natural topical partner for this supplement. Powered by skin-plumping Hyaluronic Acid, it's enriched with Vitamin C (which plays a role in normal collagen formation), Bakuchi Oil for antioxidant support, and a blend of age-defying plant actives.
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum 30ml
Discover the difference collagen-boosting Vitamin C makes to your skin£48.00
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Face Oil Elixir 30ml
Our most advanced collagen-support face oil, powered by CO₂LLAGENEER® Bio and an elite blend of 11 super-seed oils, the Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Face Oil Elixir was created to deeply nourish, visibly firm and boost your skin’s natural collagen production.
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Face Oil Elixir 30ml
Reveal visibly firmer, radiant skin with our collagen-boosting organic facial oil£47.00
Shop the full range of natural vegan anti-ageing skin care products at Green People.
We hope you’ve found our guide to vegan collagen helpful. If you need any further information, please contact our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
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