Is Vegan Collagen As Effective As The Real Deal?

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Today, it seems like there's a plant-based version for just about everything, but finding a suitable alternative for your collagen supplements is surprisingly challenging—despite the fact that it's a vital protein source for our bodies—and one that we produce less and less of as we age.

That's because, contrary to popular belief, there's no natural vegan source of collagen because collagen is 100 percent animal-based, explains naturopathic physician Dr. Tricia Pingel. So what should you do if you're following a plant-based diet? Luckily, "our bodies create their own collagen when given proper nutrition, and this is where vegan-based ‘collagen’ products come in,” she says.

Meet the experts: Tricia Pingel, ND is a naturopathic physician. Trinty Mouzon Wofford is the co-founder and CEO of Golde. Dendy Engleman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Here, expert-recommended products that can help spark collagen production t0 reduce wrinkles and skin sagging and even improve the structure of our bones and our bodies' ability to heal from an injury.

1. Golde Coconut Collagen Boost

Swirl this vanilla-coconut superfood blend into your coffee, tea, or smoothie to support hair, skin, and nail health. For convenience, you can choose a 15- or 30-serving pouch or jar, based on your preferences.

2. Rae Vegan Collagen Boost Powder

Just one scoop of this vitamin C- and bamboo-rich formula is enough to up your bodies' natural collagen production. And because it's unflavored, you can add it to any beverage of your choice, without worry about it altering the taste.

3. Mary Ruth's Collagen Boosting Gummies

Hate choking down a liquid mix, no matter how flavorful? Reach for these nutrient-rich gummies instead. Each one contains a heavy dose of collagen-boosting ingredients like L-lysine, amla fruit, and vitamins A and C.

4. Grown Alchemist Nutricosmetics Dermal Smoothingg

Incorporate this powder into your diet once daily to up your collagen production without consuming any animal products. It's entirely vegan and cruelty-free, but contains enough of the good stuff—Lysine and vitamin C, for example—to give you smoother, plumper skin and healthier hair, nails, and bones.

5. HUM Collagen Love

These nutrient-dense capsules offer up another option that doesn't require guzzling down a big glass of thick or strange-tasting liquid. Simply take three of the vitamin C- and hyaluronic acid-rich capsules each day, and watch as your skin becomes firmer and more elastic.

6. The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost

Because this vegan collagen is fully liquid, it doesn't clump the same way powdered formulas do, making it instantly more palatable. Still, it has all of the same benefits, thanks to ingredients like vitamin C, zinc, pomegranate fruit peel extract, and probiotics.

What is vegan collagen, and what is it made from?

Although you may not be able to find pure collagen that isn’t animal-derived, you can boost your own collagen production from within by using plant-based ingredients.

“Unlike animal-derived collagen, plant-based collagen supplements (also known as ‘collagen promoters’) do not provide a direct source of collagen to the body,” notes Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Instead, they are made up of ingredients that promote the body’s natural production of collagen—usually silica, phytoceramides, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants—especially vitamin C—since the human body naturally uses vitamin C to produce collagen.”

As the natural building blocks of collagen, these ingredients, when taken as supplements, will help boost collagen production in the body. “Think of it like giving someone the ingredients they need to make a recipe rather than cooking them the meal,” Dr. Engelman adds.

Since it's a rich source of silica, bamboo is among the plants known to stimulate collagen production, which is why when Golde was creating its Coconut Collagen Boost, Mouzon Wofford was sure to incorporate it. “Bamboo is the world's richest plant source of silica, a trace element that's an essential building block for collagen,” she says. “As we age, our bodies produce less collagen over time, so giving your body a boost can strengthen your skin to increase elasticity and hydration.”

Does vegan collagen really work?

For anyone whose body can make collagen effectively, vegan collagen boosters will enhance that natural production by providing the necessary building blocks needed.

“A 2015 study revealed that the vitamin C found in vegan collagen sources significantly induced collagen synthesis in women of all ages, but especially in those under age 50,” Dr. Pingel notes.

Because vegan collagen is formed from healthful plant-based ingredients, the benefits extend well beyond collagen production, too. In fact, according to Dr. Pingel, it can strengthen joints, muscles, and bones, increase energy, support the immune system, improve seasonal allergy symptoms, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, protect the liver, support wound healing, and of course, help slow the signs of aging—just to name a few.

But is vegan collagen as effective as animal-derived collagen?

While animal-derived collagen provides collagen directly from the source, vegan alternatives can still have value. “Since plant-based collagen supplements cannot provide the body with a direct source of collagen—it can only promote the body’s production of it—it is generally considered less effective,” explains Dr. Engelman. “The blend of antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids makes a healthy supplement for your body, but it will not have as strong of an effect as animal-derived collagen since its efficacy depends on your body’s ability to take the collagen-stimulating ingredients and actually produce collagen with them (which depends on factors like age and individual metabolism).”

But these plant-based ingredients can be helpful in many other areas. “Because vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals are critical in many areas of your body for overall health, the vegan precursors actually can provide a greater benefit than animal-based collagen products and foods,” Dr. Pingel says. “Vitamin C, for instance, both supports many of the immune system’s cellular functions and strengthens your skin barrier by blocking environmental damage.” Plus, you can avoid the inflammatory effects that animal-based foods can have on the body.

What else can vegans do to help promote collagen production?

While the best vegan collagen boosters are relatively easy to find and many come at affordable price points, you can also find the same ingredients (and their collagen-building benefits) in food. “Look for foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, berries, garlic, kale, bell peppers, papaya, tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries,” says Pinger. “Also: foods rich in the minerals zinc, copper, and silicon, including pumpkin seeds, cacao, sesame seeds, spinach, almonds, cashews, chickpeas, oats, lentils, sunflower seeds, Swiss chard, spirulina, shiitake mushrooms, and figs.”

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals