The Vegan Collagen Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Vegan Collagen
|
Time to read 5 min
In recent years, celebrities and influencers alike have found the modern-day fountain of youth – collagen. Or for anyone who’s vegan – vegan collagen.
And if you find yourself spending more time in the mirror than you used to – analyzing your pores, covering up your wrinkles, and contemplating botox – vegan collagen may be the answer to all your skincare woes.
As vegan Beauty Box curators, we’re always looking for new products to keep you looking and feeling your best. So you never know when the perfect vegan collagen supplement or skincare product might show up at your door.
Until then, here’s everything you need to know about vegan collagen.
Searching for cruelty-free brands?
Check out the Ultimate A-Z Cruelty-Free Beauty Brand Guide and discover a comprehensive list of brands you can truly stand behind.
What Is Collagen?
Before we jump into what vegan collagen is, let’s talk about collagen in its most basic form.
Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins found in the human body. Its production is naturally occurring in our connective tissue and consists of three amino acids – glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It’s in our bones, skin, muscles, and tendons. And it has various functions like acting as a protective barrier for our internal organs, reducing joint deterioration, and maintaining our skin’s elasticity and strength.
But as we age, our collagen production begins to decline, resulting in joint pain and muscle aches. In the case of beauty, it can cause wrinkles and sagging. Of course, other factors also play a role in our skin’s evolution, such as toxins, UV light, and stress.
In essence, collagen is what keeps you feeling and looking more youthful.
What Is Vegan Collagen?
Unlike the most common animal-derived collagen on the market today, vegan collagen doesn’t provide a direct source of collagen to the body. Because animals have joints and connective tissues, every time they’re consumed in the form of food, supplements, and powders – it’s a direct source of collagen.
Most collagen found in supplements and powders is made from the bones of animals such as cows. Once the bones and other byproducts have been boiled down, the collagen is extracted and dried to make a powder.
Instead, plant-based supplements and foods stimulate collagen production from within. Vegan collagen sources typically contain ingredients such as:
- -Silica
- -Phytoceramides
- -Amino Acids
- -Minerals
- -Antioxidants
- -Vitamin C
These natural ingredients help to promote the body’s creation of collagen without harming any animals in the process.
The good news for vegans is that innovative companies are currently working to create and perfect true vegan collagen supplements that give you a direct dose. This type of vegan collagen is made from genetically modified yeast and bacteria, specifically the bacteria P. pastoris. It then has four human genes that code for collagen added, along with the digestive enzyme pepsin.
While you wait for these vegan collagen-packed products to hit store shelves, there are other things you can do to aid in the production of collagen.
How Vegans Can Get Collagen
Even though the most direct sources of collagen come from animals, certain foods help stimulate collagen on a vegan diet.
Foods with high concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin C like papaya, spinach, kale, almonds, citrus fruits, and pumpkin seeds, to name a few – work together to boost collagen.
Anti-inflammatory foods like olive oil, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and various fruits like strawberries and blueberries have also been shown to increase collagen production.
And because you’re consuming high amounts of vegetables and fruits, not only are you helping your body produce more collagen naturally, but you’re keeping your immune system strong. Having a robust immune system aids in overall better sleep and the body’s ability to fight off disease, which helps your body maintain healthy collagen levels.
However, if you’re looking for an addition to your diet and lifestyle routine, you can incorporate vegan collagen peptides.
Vegan Collagen Peptides
Peptides are strings of amino acids and the building blocks of proteins. Naturally, your body makes peptides, but some are made in a lab. Studies have shown that certain types of peptides can benefit your skin and muscles, which is why companies are putting them into skincare products and dietary supplements.
Vegan collagen peptides can be found in pill form or vegan collagen powders. They help make your body produce more collagen and elastin. They also act as antioxidants which can work to repair skin damage.
You can find vegan collagen peptides in lotions, creams, serums, and face masks in beauty products. However, the benefits tend to be more subtle since the molecules in these products are too big to penetrate the skin.
Health Benefits of Vegan Collagen
Because vegan collagen is derived from plant-based ingredients, there are various health benefits you’ll experience when using vegan collagen peptides and beauty products.
While vegan collagen is still relatively new to the scene, some studies have shows that a few of the health benefits include:
- -Improved skin health – reduced wrinkles, increased hydration, and an increase in skin elasticity
- -Stronger joints, muscles, and bones
- -Improved seasonal allergy symptoms
- -Immune system support
- -Improved digestion
Top 5 Vegan Collagen Products To Try
This nourishing nighttime moisturizer helps to hydrate and revive your skin. It’s formulated using vegan collagen, antioxidants, floral extracts, and vitamin C and E.
Pacifica vegan collagen overnight recovery cream is free from parabens, phthalates, SLS, and mineral oil. Bonus: It’s modestly priced for a vegan collagen cream!
Made with all-natural ingredients, Ora’s vegan collagen powder is packed with ingredients to help boost your body’s natural collagen-making ability. It also comes in various flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and peanut butter you can easily add to your daily smoothie.
This vegan collagen creamer is getting all the praise from happy consumers. Its ingredients are 100 percent traceable and sustainably sourced. It helps to preserve your natural collagen production, hydrate skin, improve elasticity, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What a way to start your day by adding this to your morning cup of coffee.
These supplements are truly a must-have. They contain 16 natural collagen-boosting ingredients, including zinc, biotin, silica, grape-seed extract, and vitamin A & E, to name a few. And not only does this supplement keep your hair, skin, and nails healthy and happy, but the company also donates a percentage of its profits to animal sanctuaries. Talk about a win-win!
Not a fan of pills or powder? Don’t worry. Mary Ruth’s has you covered. These delicious vegan gummies contain ingredients like L-lysine, Amla fruit, and Vitamin A and C to help your body produce more collagen. And did we mention they’re watermelon flavored? Yum!
Interested in vegan and cruelty-free beauty?
Vegancuts curates monthly premium-quality Discovery Beauty Boxes so you can explore the best of vegan beauty every month from your home.
Submit your email below to claim your discount:
Jillian Kincaid
Jillian is a freelance writer based out of Portland, OR. She has been vegan for 7 years and passionate about the written word for as long as she can remember. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, loving on her pup Nala, and exploring new vegan restaurants!
