Okay, so you want it all: glowing skin, strong nails, and long luscious hair. But getting the whole package is difficult, sometimes nearly impossible. And you’re tired of buying expensive anti-aging creams that don’t really work.
What if I told you there is one beauty product that can help you improve all that? It’s widely available and thousands of people swear by it! It’s everywhere and it can easily be in your life too: let’s talk about vegan collagen supplements!
Collagen is an immensely crucial protein that affects our bodies on so many levels. If you want a more elastic skin, it starts with collagen. Stretch marks and scars? Collagen. Fine lines and wrinkles? Yep, collagen!
But is there such a thing as vegan collagen? And it is really effective?
Click for a collagen boost and discover how to improve your health and life!
I’m sure you’ve had that moment too: when you find a new wrinkle that wasn’t there the day before. Or your brittle nails cannot handle one more layer of that gorgeous new nail polish. And you’ve applied all the coconut oil of the world to your hair and it continues to be dull and boring.
I used to believe it was all because I wasn’t paying enough attention to my skincare. It took me a while to realize that’s not the main reason for my sagging skin and fine lines and brutally horrible nails.
And it took me a while longer to finally find the solution. I mean, I still can’t believe I’ve overlooked it since it’s been everywhere. It’s on Facebook, Google, TV, Instagram stories, literally everywhere! What’s more, all the reviews all praise it to the moon and back. It’s a great solution to anti-aging problems and it’s here to stay.
I was sold as soon as I tried and realized it worked. Ladies, I’ve tried one of the few vegan collagen supplements and I’ve never looked back.
And today I’ll tell you all about it. Oh, and let’s get one thing straight: there is no such thing as vegan collagen. There are vegan collagen booster options available instead. That means you take supplements that contain all the ingredients and components that promote collagen boost. Imagine these supplements as basic ingredients your body needs to continue building collagen. Without these components, it can’t promote more collagen and you face the dreadful signs of aging earlier as you otherwise might.
Interested? Below, I’ve gathered the best vegan collagen Amazon has to offer. But before we get there, let’s talk about the basics. What is collagen and why exactly do you need it!
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein that helps to build our bodies. In other words, it’s the glue that helps to hold our bodies together. It’s everywhere: in our hair, bones, skin, nails, ligaments, hair, and muscles. Generally, its supplements come from animal sources (beef or fish) but there are vegan and vegetarian options available as well.
There are many known types of collagen, but what we’re most interested in are the first three types: Type I, II, and III. These take up more than 90% of all collagen in our bodies.
Type I collagen
This is the most important type. It’s also the most abundant in our bodies and it’s a component of teeth, skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, and scar tissue. It’s normally the main collagen type found in the tissue. What’s more, it’s commonly found together with type III.
Type II collagen
This one is a support collagen. It looks after the age-related symptoms, such as joint pain. It’s found in supportive tissue in ears, nose, larynx, and many other places in our bodies.
Type III collagen
Most commonly is found with type I. More specifically, you can find it in intestinal walls, within the muscles, and walls of blood vessels. If you lack this collagen type, you’re more likely to have to deal with broken blood vessels.
Why is collagen important for your skin?
As we age, collagen production in the body starts to decrease and it continues to decrease especially after we’re 30. There are other factors that help decrease collagen as well, such as: devouring too much sugar, exposing your skin excessively to UV rays, smoking, and autoimmune diseases. Collagen is one more reason as to why it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle!
Source: School of Natural Skincare
Due to decreased amounts of collagen production, supplements and alternatives are very important especially if you’re vegan or vegetarian. After all, there are a few very important roles that collagen plays in our bodies:
- Gives our skin structure
- Strengthens bones
Bones are made mostly of collagen and replenishing it can help you save a lot of trouble in the long run. Without enough collagen, your bones are prone to various problems such as osteoporosis.
- Improves skin health and hydration
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
Collagen has powerful anti-aging properties. Since it boosts the hydration of the skin, making it more elastic and plump, it also helps to minimize the signs of aging, reduce the depth of wrinkles.
- Boosts skin elasticity
Collagen has an important role when it comes to strengthening and firming the skin. This study showed that women taking collagen noticed a great increase in the elasticity of their skin compared to those who took no supplements.
- Aids in skin conditions like acne
While there are online claims that collagen supplements may help reduce and prevent acne, there are no official studies that would support these claims.
- Strengthens hair and nails
Boosting collagen intake can help you grow stronger and healthier nails as well as luscious and healthy locks. It might also help your nails and hair grow longer faster.
- Minimizes stretch marks
- Reduces cellulite, according to 2015 study:
patients taking 2.5 grams of Bioactive Collagen Peptides experienced significant decreases in the degree of cellulite and a reduced skin waviness on thighs….BCP taken for 6 months led to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite.” And as expected, the results were most impressive in women who were overweight.
In short, if you want that elastic and firm glowing skin that’s smooth, with less wrinkles and fine lines, you may want to consider a collagen supplement!
What is the best collagen supplement?
We’ve learned the importance of collagen for our skin and body. Now, let’s have a look at the best vegan collagen supplements!
1. Vitauthority Plant Based Collagen Booster
Vitauthority Plant Based Collagen Booster is a blend of natural botanical ingredients that help to boost collagen production in your body. The company claims to have developed a unique yet effective formula that helps to rebuild damaged skin, improve your hair and nail health, promote glowing and plump skin, minimize the signs of aging, and even scars and stretch marks.
The powder comes in one flavor, tastes like lemonade, and is easily mixed with hot or cold drinks, also smoothies. The taste is much better than with other supplements, but it’s slightly on the sweeter side since it contains stevia.
Pros
- Powder is mixes quite easily
- Gluten- and soy-free
- Packed with antioxidants
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Made in the USA
- 60 day money-back guarantee
- Free USA shipping
Cons
- Tastes too sweet
2. Amazing Grass GLOW Vegan Protein Powder
This product will easily give you glowing skin, long hair, and strong nails. It’s there to fully support the needs of your body and the lack of collagen. It’s one of the best collagen powder options on the market and it boasts with positive reviews and real results.
This powder is available in nine different flavors, such as rich chocolate & rose, light vanilla honeysuckle, and this gorgeously fresh wild berry hibiscus. If you’re looking for a plant-based solution to collagen, this is it!
You can expect moist and supple skin even though the flavor isn’t the best. You can try mixing it with a bit of lemon juice to help with the taste. But, it’s all about the results, not the flavor. Mix it in your smoothie, protein shake or plain water. It mixes quite well, but the container doesn’t last the whole month.
Pros
- Boosts collagen production
- Without sugar
- Plant-based biotin
- B-complex and C vitamin
- USDA organic and gluten-free
Cons
- Not great taste
3. Sunwarrior Plant-Based Collagen Protein Peptides
These organic plant-based collagen peptides are organic, keto and paleo-friendly, and completely vegan! They’re free of soy, gluten, and added sugars. This supplement easily provides your skin with a lovely healthy glow if you use it regularly.
What’s more, this supplement combines vitamin C with hyaluronic acid as well as biotin, and other ingredients that help boost collagen production and provide the body with the necessary support.
You can easily mix it into smoothies but it doesn’t go well with coffee. To use, blend 1 scoop of the supplement with 10 oz of liquid. The taste isn’t good and the powder has a monk fruit aroma and it’s already sweet.
Pros
- Vegan and keto-friendly
- Effective anti-aging benefits
- Made with hyaluronic acid, biotin, and vitamin C
Cons
- Horrible taste
4. PlantFusion Collagen Builder
Made with high-quality ingredients, this supplement packs amazing benefits and qualities. It’s certified non-GMO, GF, dairy-free, great for anyone who needs a collagen boost. It helps to protect collagen and improve its growth.
In other words, it helps to build collagen, hydrate your skin and body, and it’s easy to digest. It’s available in three different flavors: unflavored, vanilla, and chocolate.
To use, mix it with coffee, almond milk, water, smoothie or a shake. Use a shaker cup to mix it thoroughly and clump-free. The best part? It doesn’t taste bad but it doesn’t have a completely horrible taste to it.
Pros
- USDA certified
- Bearable taste
- Unique blend of plant protein, amino acids proline, and glycine
- Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Doesn’t dissolve easily
- Pricey
5. Mykind Organics Vegan Collagen Builder
For a youthful-looking skin and beautiful hair and nails, try this supplement from Garden of Lifes. It claims to help you maintain and restore healthy levels of elastin, collagen, and keratin.
This one is made to suit plenty of demands, as it’s non-GMO, completely vegan, gluten-free, and kosher. What’s more, it’s made from more than 30 powdered fruits, botanicals, and veggies. It combines these powders with bamboo silica, tea, citrus flavonoids, and turmeric.
This product seems to do its job well, even though it doesn’t work for everyone. There have been some speculations that the formula changed when the brand was bought by Nestle. I personally haven’t tried this supplement so I can’t say whether it’s effective or not.
Pros
- USDA organic certified
- Contains bamboo silica
- Blend of veggies and fruit powders
- Vegan and gluten-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Garden of Life was bought by Nestle
6. BioSil by Natural Factorsnima Mundi Plant-Based Collagen
The secret ingredient of this supplement is choline, and along with silicon, the supplement boasts with very positive results online. One bottle can easily last you up to two months if you use it as suggested.
Unlike other products on the list, this one actually comes in liquid form and you take it as drops (but it’s also available in capsule form). Mind you, the taste isn’t good, but the product can provide you with great results if you’re willing to suffer through the taste. You can try adding it to sour juices or lemon water to tone down the flavor.
Pros
- Liquid and capsule form
- Effective ingredients
- Easy to use
- Vegan
- Non GMO
- Sugar-free
Cons
- Horrible taste
Is there a vegan alternative to collagen?
As I mentioned before, there is no such thing as vegan collagen. There are vegan collagen supplements and peptides, and many other components that help boost collagen production in our bodies.
Among others, these alternatives can help you boost collagen production:
- Foods rich in amino acids (soy products, such as tempeh, tofu, black and kidney beans, legumes, pumpkin, chia, squash seeds, and a few nuts)
- Vitamin C and foods rich in it
- Vitamin A and foods rich in it
- Zinc and copper, manganese
- Amino acid supplements
- Anthocyanin (elderberries, blueberries, raspberries, chokeberries…)
- Lysine (spirulina, brewer’s yeast, tofu, beans, tempeh, quinoa)
- Plant-based silica
Yes, but is there plant-based collagen?
I found a very interesting thing: researchers discovered that they can make collagen with genetically modified yeast and bacteria! This is actually great news. Vegan collagen can be more affordable with this process as well as accessible to a wider crowd of people. It may also be much cheaper in certain procedures such as wound healing and skin and tissue growth.
How can I increase collagen in my skin?
- Stay hydrated, drink water
- Eat foods that boost collagen production (from the list above)
- Cut down on sugar consumption
- Stack up on supplements
- Try silica
- Try a face and body massage
- Exfoliate face and body
- Try dry brushing method
- SPF your skin all the time
Collagen supplements are most effective when we consume them. There hasn’t been any research that would support the benefits and efficiency of topical collagen. Collagen is too big of a molecule that could penetrate the skin. So, avoid slathering it on your face and eat it instead. That’s more effective and you’re not wasting money!
Vegan collagen supplements: a recap
While there isn’t such a thing as plant-based collagen, there are plenty of options available for those who want to boost collagen production in their bodies. After all, collagen is an extremely important protein in our bodies. Since it starts to decrease as we age, we have to get it from outside sources.
Vegan collagen supplements and alternatives can help you boost skin elasticity, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, reduce cellulite and stretch marks, and much more. Collagen is a must for a healthy functioning body and glowing plump skin. Important ingredients that help build it can be found in a number of supplements!
I’ll admit; I was skeptical when I first tried vegan collagen boosters, because how effective could they really be, huh? But after testing many different products, I must say that most options from the list above provide similar results. My skin began to look different; more glowing, more alive, and healthier as well.
Still, if I had to choose one product, I’d say that Vitauthority Vegan Collagen Booster would be my choice of a plant-based supplement. They also provide numerous collagen supplements that aren’t vegan and boasts with numerous happy clients and positive reviews.
Vitauthority Vegan Collagen is an excellent addition to smoothies, but you can add it to any type of drink you prefer. Just make sure to shake/stir well, even though it dissolves quite quickly (although could be better)!
What’s more, the supplement is made of clean and natural ingredients and surprisingly, it has a palatable taste. I’m not the biggest fan though many users reported it tasting quite good. Still, I must say that the results I’ve begun to notice have been well worth it. Keep in mind that the taste is slightly on the sweet side.
With regular use, I noticed my hair looking better, fuller, and feeling stronger. What’s more, my skin now naturally looks healthier, smoother, and glowing. I’m also thrilled that my nail stopped breaking so much, which has been a nightmare before, especially when I used nail polish on a more regular basis.
Vitauthority comes with two more advantages; their 60-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to waste no money whatsoever (this policy convinced me to give them a go in the first place), and their subscribe & save feature where you get 15% discount and choose how often you’d like to receive another package of vegan collagen.
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