7 of the best vegan collagen supplements

Vegan… collagen… do the pair really go together? Yes, they can do!

Although lots of collagen products out there contain fish and animal bits, you can go vegan with your collagen.

But how? Let us explain all things vegan collagen + reveal some of the best vegan collagen supplements out there for you to try.

What is collagen?

Let’s start off with the basics, shall we?

Collagen is an amino acid (component of protein) that our bodies make to support our:¹

• Skin
• Bones
• Teeth
• Muscles
• Blood
• Tendons
• Ligaments

A healthy balanced diet is key to support our body’s natural collagen formation as some nutrients are essential for this process, e.g. vitamin C.

Collagen synthesis starts to decline as we age, which often causes our skin to get drier and less elastic, as well as affecting our hair and nail health. This is why babies have such lovely, soft and bouncy skin!

What is vegan collagen?

In the sea of bovine collagen and marine collagen (extracts from animals, like fish scales and bones) vegan collagen can seem a little elusive – how are you going to get collagen from a pea or a carrot!?

Vegan collagen does exist, it just took a little longer to come into existence as the processing is a little complicated... Here’s how:⁶

1. To make vegan collagen, four human genes that code for collagen are added to the genetic structure of yeast or bacteria
2. These microbes then start to produce amino acids that act as building blocks of human collagen.
3. Then a digestive enzyme is added to structure the building blocks into molecules of collagen that have the exact same structure of human collagen – pretty clever, right?

That being said, this process is far from easy and has not reached the beauty or health world in a big way just yet.

So, when you see vegan collagen supplements, they are usually more of a collagen-promoting supplement, which means they will provide your body with the micronutrients it needs to make collagen itself.

You will usually find they include the following:

• Vitamin C – which regulates the collagen synthesis process in the body⁷
• Amino acids – especially glycine, lysine and proline, which are the most abundant amino acids found in collagen
• BCAAs

11 Vegan collagen-supporting foods

You can also help support your body’s natural collagen formation with the following vegan foods which are high in the amino acids glycine, lysine and proline:

• Tempeh
• Tofu
• Soy protein
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Chia seeds
• Pistachios
• Peanuts
• Cashews

7 of the best vegan collagen supplements + skincare products

Here are our top 7 picks for vegan collagen products, so you don't have to miss out on all of collagen's wonderful benefits. 

1. The best vegan collagen gummies

Starpowa Vegan Collagen Support, 60 Gummies

If you’re looking for a quick and easy vegan collagen supplement that tastes like a sweet – this offering from Starpowa could be for you!

These cloudy lemon-flavoured gummies contain ingredients proven to promote natural collagen formation in the body,  support skin health and much more, including:

• Bamboo
• BCAAs
• Amino acid blend, including l-lysine
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Hyaluronic acid

They’re naturally flavoured and sweetened, 100% vegan, and contain less than 0.2g of sugar per gummy.

What our customers think:

Gummielover – Amazing! – 5/5 stars

“Love love love this product! Noticed a difference after just a few weeks! I love it & highly recommend ✨”

2. The best vegan collagen protein powder

Bioglan Superfoods Beauty Protein, 100g

Vegan protein + a collagen boosting blend = sign us up!

This beauty protein by Bioglan combines plant-based pea and rice protein with ingredients that help our bodies create collagen naturally, vitamin C and biotin which support our skin and other ingredients, like:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Silica

Each serving is high in protein, 100% vegan, and contains no added sweeteners, so you can add it to lots of recipes, including smoothies, porridge, yoghurt, pancakes, brownies, cakes, and more.

What our customers think:

LesleyGreen – Excellent product – 5/5 stars

“Just bought my second sachet as the results from the first were so good. Add it to a mid-morning smoothie every day and I have had several days with no makeup which hasn’t happened in a long time.”

Hamzat – Beauty Protein – 5/5 stars

“This is a great way off adding protein to my smoothies and breakfast. Only need one teaspoon not two. Well pleased with my purchase!”

3. Vegan collagen-support tablets

Botanycl Skinclear Elixir Vegan with Coconut Oil Powder – 60 Capsules

Although not marketed as a collagen supplement, these Skinclear Elixir tablets contain some of the ingredients needed for optimum collagen synthesis, like vitamin C.

It’s 100% plant based and made with carefully selected active botanicals to provide effective yet gentle skin support.

What our customers think:

Caz50 – Love it – 5/5 stars

“Fantastic product, all natural and really does make a huge difference, I absolutely love it!”

4. Vegan hair, skin and nail gummies

Starpowa Hair, Skin and Nail, 60 Gummies

Again, this supplement has not been designed specifically designed to support collagen levels, but it does contain some ingredients that do just that!

These Starpowa gummies contain the following key ingredients to support your hair skin and nails:

• Vitamin C – this is needed by your body and contributes to normal collagen formation, a type of protein which supports normal function of skin cells.
• Zinc – this mineral is present in almost every cell in the body and is essential for healthy and normal hair, nails and skin.
• Biotin – this form of vitamin B is known for its crucial role in maintaining healthy and normal skin and hair.

What our customers think:

Sarah456 - Great product - 5/5 stars

"Great. Works very well. Would recommend. Got on offer so very happy."

MonicqueX - Confidence with gummies - 5/5 stars

"I've been using these gummies for a few weeks now and most definitely feel a glow about myself. I take mine in the morning as part of my morning routine which suits perfectly! Grab yourself some Co fidenxe in gummies❣️"

5. Vegan vitamin C tablets

Holland & Barrett Vitamin C with Wild Rose Hips, 100 Caplets, 1000mg

Vitamin C is key for collagen formation in our bodies, and these 1000mg caplets can help keep you topped up!

It is also essential for immune, metabolic and psychological function, and helps us absorb iron.

What our customers think:

Dino84Greek – Vitamin C – 5/5 stars

“Great vitamins! Great price and great quality! I’m satisfied!”

Welsh Jewels – Vitamin C at its best – 5/5 stars

“These are the best vitamin C tablets on the market.”

Vegan collagen skincare

If you’re taking collagen to help improve the condition of your skin, you can also get vegan skincare that supports your skin’s natural collagen levels.

Here are a few options:

6. Vegan collagen serum

Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Serum

A serum is an amazingly nourishing addition to any skincare routine, and this vitamin C collagen-boosting serum is no exception!

Vitamin C and omega oils from kiwi, sea buckthorn and sweet orange oils have been blended to help visibly plump and hydrate the skin, help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and deliver a healthy glow.

What our customers think:

SKSays – This really works! – 5/5 stars

“This is a wonderful little product. I’ve only been using it for four days now, but from day one, my skin feels smooth and replenished. I’ve been applying it once at night, alongside my usual cleanser and moisturiser. I’m really impressed, I wasn’t expected to see such wonderful results so soon!”

R Begum – Good serum! – 5/5 stars

“Good serum, I use a few drops with my night cream and it’s made a huge difference in my skin, my skin is very soft and hydrated. It has a slight fruity scent, which is nice too.”

7. Vegan collagen night cream

Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Night Cream

Support your skin’s collagen production while you sleep with this collagen-boosting night cream by Vitakin!

Just like the serum, it contains omega oils and vitamin C from a natural blend of kiwi seed, sweet orange and sea buckthorn oils.

These ingredients all work together to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and help give you a healthy, youthful glow.

What our customers think:

Cheryl51 – Fab collagen night cream – 5/5 stars

“Good value for money and I have noticed an improvement in my skin. Soft, plump and I feel, looks better/fresher!”

Molly64 – Love this range – 5/5 stars

“I started using the Vitaskin skin care range 2 months ago. Absolutely no regrets. My skin feels smooth, soft, well hydrated and looks brighter."

The final say

• Collagen supplements are usually made from animal bones and fish skin – but there is an alternative for all you vegans out there!
• Vegan collagen supplements that replicate human collagen do exist, but most supplements currently on the market support collagen formation with vitamins and other nutrients
• You can also find vegan collagen in foods like soya products, beans, seeds and nuts
• There are also vegan creams and serums to help support your skin’s collagen synthesis

Last updated: 21 June 2021