Best Vegan Collagen Supplements for Healthy Skin, Hair & Bones
The best vegan collagen supplements are not essentially collagen supplements. Confusing, much? Let me elaborate! Since real collagen is a protein typically found in skin, hair, nail, and bones of animals; dedicated vegans cannot directly consume collagen supplements, as they are commercially available.
Collagen supplements are often sourced from animal products such as beef or fish. Then how can even vegan collagen be a thing and what exactly these vegan collagen pills are made of? Let’s find out.
Collagen is essentially a structural protein predominantly found in skin, bones, muscles, cartilages and tendons. As it would imply, collagen helps our skin hold structure and assists it in appearing firm and plump. Like all animals, our bodies are capable of producing our own collagen too.
However, the rate of collagen production may slow down owing to factors like ageing, smoking and drinking habits and inefficient diet and nutrition.
If for some reason, you’ve noticed negative changes with your skin and hair, it might make sense for you to worry about your collagen levels. Yet, being on a vegan lifestyle doesn’t allow you to consume real collagen sourced from animals. Similar is the case with vegan probiotics.
‘Vegan collagen capsules’, as they’re marketed, enter here to save the day. And nope, plant based collagen supplements are neither derived from animals nor do they hurt them at any stage of manufacturing. Vegan collagen supplements are in fact a blend of nutrients that are crucial in collagen production within our bodies.
This implies, we’d be more correct if we address them as vegan collagen boosters or vegan collagen builders as they are meant to ‘boost’ collagen production inside our body as opposed to consuming real collagen sourced from animals.
Over the years, I’ve nearly tried all top-rated ones and I compile this list today to let you all know my thoughts about them. If plant based collagen supplements work at all and which I think is the best vegan collagen supplement among the overwhelming number options at your disposal.
Best Vegan Collagen Supplements
1. Future Kind Vegan Collagen Booster
Future kind, a cruelty-free venture established by a dedicated vegan duo that also happen to be certified plant-based nutritionists, focuses on resolving the lack of certain critical nutrients that are not abundantly available in a strictly vegan diet.
Among other products, their vegan collagen supplement is my absolute favorite at the moment.
It has managed to gather widespread acclamation for being a safe, reliable and effective solution against the natural decline in the body’s collagen production capability with ageing.
This is a 100% vegan-friendly formulation and packs the might of 16 natural collagen boosting agents, all aimed towards augmenting the natural collagen production of your body.
I’ve been using this one myself for 4 months now and can vouch for its superiority. My skin has become firmer, I’ve seen clear reduction in fine lines and my skin tone has evened out.
What I really liked about this plant based collagen capsule is the fact that they’ve included vitamin A and E, both potent vitamins known to promote skin and hair health respectively (reference). In addition, the formula also accompanies the age-old trusted benefits of Amla, Zinc, Grape seed extract, Bamboo silica extract and more.
The combination of these ingredients makes for a highly potent collagen boosting formula that is sure to reflect distinct positive effects on your skin, hair, nails and joints. Alright! Everything sounds good on paper, what’s a realistic expectation if you start supplementing with future kind’s collagen boosting capsules.
Well, looking at the vast first-hand reviews of users that have had an experience with this product, you can expect to restore your skin’s elasticity and suppleness thereby reducing fine lines and other effects of ageing.
PROS —
- 100% vegan-friendly formula
- Endorsed by medical practitioners, athletes and nutritionists
- Easy to swallow capsules
- Independently 3rd party tested
- Low cost per serving compared to peers
CONS —
- Has an after-taste
Collagen supplements can be easily misinterpreted for something that they’re not. However, Vitauthority comes clear with what their vegan-friendly supplement actually does. This was why I decided to give it a try as well about a year or so ago.
This plant-based collagen booster, true to its name, supplies your body with essential superfoods that boost your body’s natural collagen production. To be particular, I decided to stick to it for its taste and obviously, the evident benefits.
With the goodness of universally hailed ingredients like kiwi, tremella mushroom, Camu camu, Hyaluronic acid, Amla, pomegranate and others; this vegan collagen supplement makes for a potent supply of antioxidants to the body.
While there are countless health benefits of a diet rich in antioxidants, it is particularly beneficial in the well-being of your skin, hair, nails and bones. Collagen being an integral protein in the skin structure, maintains elasticity of your skin and governs its ‘youthfulness’.
Further, a sustained intake of antioxidant-rich plant-based collagen booster will fight the many ill-effects of free radicals present in the body. These might include skin infections, redness and acne in mild cases and fatal hazards like cancer in worse cases.
PROS —
- 100% plant-based composition
- Hydrating ingredients promote supple skin
- Fights free-radical damage
- Aids in delaying fine lines and other signs of ageing
CONS —
- Powdered form might not be as convenient as tablets
3. Garden of Life Vegan Collagen
This collagen supplement from Garden of Life makes a really good option for helping you with your hair, skin, and nails. I know at least a couple of people that would be willing to bet money on its effectiveness.
And having myself tried it, I can concur on the effectiveness part. Just that tablets are not my thing, so I could not stick to it for very long.
Made with the extracts of organic pomegranate, turmeric, amla, green, and rooibos tea, this one supports healthy skin, teeth, and bones, you get approximately 1,500 milligrams whole food biotin from the organic sesbania and antioxidants in this supplement.
It contains all the co-nutrients of collagen so that your body retains its own natural production of collagen. Silica, a key ingredient in collagen creation, is included in this formula.
Apart from collagen, maintaining youthful levels of keratin and elastin in the body is another benefit of this supplement.
Another ingredient in this supplement is High Polyphenolic Pomegranate, which supports skin health and protects against UV damage. The collagen pills are certified USDA organic, non-GMO project verified, vegan certified, gluten-free certified, and kosher made. It is absolutely safe for vegans. You’ll find this supplement at affordable rates during Black Friday Sale for Garden Of Life.
PROS —
- Enriched with silica
- Protects against UV damage
- Contains High Polyphenolic Pomegranate
- USDA certified organic, vegan, gluten-free
CONS —
- Exact ingredient amounts are hidden
- Sold to Nestle, an unethical company in the vegan community
4. Amazing Grass GLOW Vegan Collagen
Amazing Grass has come up with its vegan collagen powder, which is enriched with collagen co-nutrients. The labeling and ingredients of this supplement ensure that the product will help you to glow.
Many customers have given feedbacks asserting that it does what it promises. I have not personally tried this one but I know a friend who loves it.
This supplement supports collagen synthesis in your body with vitamin C from the organic acerola cherry. It has 100% DV plant-based biotin, which results in collagen stimulation in the body.
The B complex and C vitamins in this supplement help you to grow the immune system as well. You can also have substantial vitamin B12 in your diet without supplements.
The organic rose petals in this one gives full-body radiance, helping you to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails. Also, it has some reviving superfoods, which ensure that you get proper nutrition. There is no sugar in this supplement. This product is available in a 15g jar, which is easy to use and store. It is USDA organic, gluten-free, and vegan.
PROS —
- Contains organic acerola cherry and rose petal
- Has 100% DV plant-based biotin
- Rich in B complex and C vitamins
- USDA organic, gluten-free, and vegan
CONS —
- Flavoring comes from stevia that tastes bad
- Exact ingredient amounts are not listed
- One pack only lasts you 15 days
5. PlantFusion Complete Plant Collagen
Those who prefer flavored supplements will love this chocolate flavored collagen supplement. I say so because I’ve used a box of this thing and it aces at taste. The labeling says that this product is the world’s first plant-based, triple-action formula that builds, hydrates, and protects collagen.
It includes saberry amla fruit extract, amino acid proline, glycine, and proteins from plants. All these ingredients are essential for collagen growth in the body.
Also, it has a powerful white tea extract called Oxyphyte, which works together with hyaluronic acid to help prevent collagen breakdown in the body. It helps to boost collagen from within and supports healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.
The secret ingredients of this product are the ceramides oils, which make up 35-40% of the natural oils that form the skin’s barrier and retain moisture. This one is certified non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. The rich chocolate flavor tastes well when you make a shake, smoothie like the Quinoa smoothie, or add it to your daily coffee.
PROS —
- Available in chocolate, vanilla and unflavored
- Contains saberry amla fruit extract and ceramides oils
- Oxyphyte prevents collagen breakdown
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan
CONS —
- Users might dislike the consistency
- Not many servings in each container
What is Vegan Collagen?
Vegan collagen makes an excellent option for everyone irrespective of whether they are following a vegan diet or not. These are actually the plant-based collagen alternatives incepted through some very cutting-edge science.
These products can provide equal benefits without any cruelty to animals. In most of these supplements, genetically modified strains of yeast and bacteria (P. pastoris) are provided to produce the ‘building blocks’ of human collagen under the right conditions. As the enzyme called pepsin is added to the building blocks, human collagen is produced (reference).
Are There Vegan Collagen Sources?
The foods that have collagen are pretty much animal-derived. However, there are some vegan foods that contain ingredients helpful for collagen production in our body. Foods containing amino acids such as proline and glycine have shown to stimulate collagen production in the human body (reference).
Some of the vegan foods rich in amino acids are – cabbage, beans, cauliflower, pumpkin, spinach, asparagus, buckwheat, cucumber, chives, tempeh, watercress, and more.
But as compared to non-vegan foods, these foods have less amount of amino acid. You can either compensate this lack with a vegan protein powder or a vegan BCAA supplement (if you like to sip on something intra-workout)
Is Vegan Collagen Effective?
Vegan collagen is effective and has shown many benefits for human skin, hair, nails, and bones. Not only effective, but vegan collagen is also safer than the animal-derived collagen, where there are risks of animal transmitted side effects and illnesses. The plant-based collagen is risk-free and cheaper than the animal-derived collagen.
How to Consume Vegan Collagen?
When it comes to consuming vegan collagen powder, one of the most popular methods is to mix it into a liquid. To mix collagen, you can add the powder to water, juice, smoothies, and even hot drinks like coffee or tea.
However, it’s important to note that not all liquids are created equal when it comes to mixing collagen powder. Different liquids have varying viscosities, pH levels, and temperatures that can affect the dissolution of the powder, and therefore the efficacy of the supplement. Feastgood’s standalone post on how to mix collagen powder discusses this very topic in great depth.
Difference Between Plant-Based Collagen and Animal-Derived Collagen
The main difference between plant-based and animal-derived collagen is that they have completely different ingredients. The plant-based collagen supplements are sourced from herbs while the animal-derived collagen is sourced from the bones, skin, and cartilage of animals.
Secondly, the plant-based collagen supplements work by providing nutrients and antioxidants that help your body to produce more collagen naturally. On the other hand, the animal-derived collagen goes directly to the body and works.
This is similar to creatine intake. Creatine is essentially found in large quantities in red meat. While we can produce our own, athletes or bodybuilders could use supplementation to enhance performance at their respective sports.
For vegan lifters or crossfit athletes, getting enough creatine from the diet itself may get tricky. Hence, vegan creatine supplements can be a viable option. Like vegan collagen, synthetic creatine too, does not have any animal-sourced constituents.
Best Vegan Collagen – Buying Guide
The word “collagen” has been riding the hype train among health enthusiasts for a while now, and rightfully so. A protein originally traced in many parts of the human body including skin, hair, cartilage, bones, ligaments, intestines, tendons, and blood vessels, collagen is equipped to make our skin more elastic and strengthen our bones.
With age, our body’s collagen production reduces, causing skin wrinkles and sags. This is where collagen supplements come in to save the day.
There are different types of collagen supplements which are typically made from animal products such as pig, fish, and beef bone broth, but there are alternative vegan sources of collagen for vegan community as well as there are supplements available in the name of collagen boosters.
While they are not exactly collagen per se, vegan collagen boosters act as a catalyst for collagen production in the body while also providing other necessary nutrients.
Factors To Look For In A Vegan Collagen Supplement
There are a few factors to be on the lookout for if you are going for vegan collagen boosters. If you are considering buying vegan collagen supplements from your local drugstore or off a website, make sure you check off the following list:
- Thoroughly research the company’s website
- Know in detail about the active ingredients in the supplement
- Cross-check claims that sound too good to be true
- Be mindful of the suggested dose
The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements, as well as they, do prescription medications, so it is better to be wary of what you are getting into with the help of a little thorough research. Here are a few things to look out for in vegan collagen supplements:
1. Role of Vitamins A and C in Vegan Collagen Supplements
Vegan collagen consists of amino acids, silica, phytoceramides, minerals, and antioxidants. One of the most crucial parts of vegan collagen promoters is vitamins, especially A and C. The human body typically uses vitamin C to produce natural collagen so including that in the supplement boosts the chances of collagen production.
According to a study conducted in 2015, the vitamin C in vegan collagen boosters can significantly induce collagen synthesis, especially in women of all ages but more so for those under 50. Vitamin C also aids our immune system’s cellular functions and amps up our skin barrier by resisting environmental damage.
As for the presence and importance of vitamin A in vegan collagen supplements, it aids the immune system much like vitamin C, apart from facilitating normal vision, reproduction, and general growth and development.
It assists our lungs, heart, and other crucial organs in their proper working. So it is essential for vegan collagen boosters to include vitamins A and C to have the best effects.
2. Importance of Zinc in Vegan Collagen Supplements
Yet another important ingredient in vegan collagen supplements is zinc. Zinc helps protein creation in the body, including collagen and DNA. We need zinc in vegan collagen solely because it is usually food in shellfish, meat, and dairy items.
A major player in cell growth, DNA formation, protein building, healing damaged tissues, and assisting a healthy immune system, zinc is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. So, always make sure your vegan collagen supplement contains zinc.
3. Easy Consumable Forms of Vegan Collagen Supplements
Yet another factor to look out for in vegan collagen is its available form and whether it is easily consumable. Vegan collagen supplements are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and powders.
Make your pick based on convenience and personal preference, since all have the same benefits as long as the ingredients contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other crucial markers.
4. Eco-Friendly Packing
There is no point in consuming vegan collagen supplements if it comes in a packaging that does just as much harm to the environment that carnivorous diets do. So, make sure you double-check your vegan collagen packaging for eco-friendly aspects so as to keep up the practice of looking out for the environment. Avoid plastics or other non-biodegradable materials, and go for paper or similar packaging.
5. Cost Per Serving
This is of course an essential part of the buying process. Make sure the vegan collagen supplement you purchase has ample nutrients in a serving as compared to the cost per serving of other similar supplements. Go for one where you get the most vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients per serving when costs are juxtaposed.
These are the main markers for buying vegan collagen supplements. We hope this guide was helpful in demarcating the concerns to look out for while choosing an apt vegan collagen booster for yourself. A little research goes a long way. Good luck!
Vegan Collagen from Natural Food Sources
As we’ve already discussed, it’s possible to get vegan foods that can improve collagen stimulation in the body. All you need is to find out the natural foods that are high in amino acids for collagen production.
Such foods making a vegan source to collagen are beans and legumes (black and kidney beans), soy (tofu and tempeh), seeds (chia and pumpkin), nuts (peanut and cashew), etc.
Is there a vegan collagen? – No, there is no such thing as vegan collagen but vegan collagen co-nutrients supplements.
Is hydrolyzed collagen protein vegan? – No, since hydrolyzed collagen protein can be obtained from agro-food waste (bones, tendons, and skin of animals).
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the best vegan collagen supplements, go ahead and add them to your vegan diet for improved collagen in the body. These supplements are essential for vegans and vegetarians since they cannot consume collagen-rich animal-derived foods such as seafood and meat.
The above collagen supplements for vegans come from different brands and therefore, the formulas slightly differ. Simply go through the description of each and see which one is suitable for you. For instance, if you are allergic or intolerant to a specific ingredient, avoiding that product will be beneficial for you.
