Collagen is a type of protein that's found throughout the body but is most abundant in our skin, hair, bones, connective tissue and nails. Our natural collagen production declines as we age so many people choose to take supplements to boost their levels, in order to speed up recovery after workouts or just improve their overall wellness.
Since collagen is typically derived from animal products, vegans and vegetarians can find it tricky to shop for a plant-based alternative that will be just as effective. In this guide, we'll compare the anti-ageing and general health benefits of collagen-boosting ingredients like spirulina, amino acids, biotin and more. We've even ranked and reviewed the top 9 best supplements, drinks and powders for vegans in the UK on Amazon and eBay!
Quick List - Top Vegan Collagen Supplements
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Collagen is a protein found throughout the body that plays a very important part in maintaining our hair, skin, muscles, joints and bones.
Many people choose to take collagen supplements for anti-ageing purposes, as well as to improve their general health and reduce recovery time. As collagen can be broken down and reabsorbed, it's thought that taking these supplements will increase the levels present in our bodies.
However, most of the products on the market contain collagen derived from animals and fish, making them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. Instead, vegan supplements contain plant-based vitamins and minerals that promote the natural production of collagen within our cells.
We're here to help you choose a vegan collagen supplement that works for your lifestyle and needs. From the types of plant-based collagen available online to the method by which they should be taken, read on for our top tips!
Want to try incorporating a vegan collagen supplement into your daily routine but not sure where to start? Here are some of the key plant-based ingredients to look for and their main properties.
Vitamin C might just be the most important ingredient to look for when choosing a vegan collagen supplement! It promotes the production of collagen and protects your skin from UV damage. Although your body already produces it naturally, a supplement can really help to boost the levels.
If you're looking to encourage your skin to heal after an injury or improve the appearance of acne lesions and scars, seek out supplements that contain zinc. Zinc is mostly present in the outer layer of our skin and keeps cell walls stable as they divide — so it's a vital part of the healing process.
Even if your supplement doesn't explicitly state vitamin C or zinc on the ingredients list, these elements may be present in the form of concentrated fruits and vegetables included in the product. These include citrus fruits, broccoli, spinach and other dark, leafy greens.
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that can be a valuable addition to your supplement, even though it doesn't contain collagen. This is because it's rich in nutrients uch as vitamins A and K, copper and iron.
If you're looking to improve your recovery time from sports and decrease muscle fatigue, opt for a vegan collagen supplement with added spirulina. Oxidative damage is one of the factors that contributes to us feeling tired and achy after working out, so spirulina's antioxidant properties will keep you going for longer!
Amino acids are vital for maintaining many processes within the body; for example, they're needed to build proteins and synthesise hormones. There are various different types of helpful amino acids, but glycine, lysine and proline are the three most important ones for collagen production.
These three amino acids work in a similar way to collagen, as they're thought to aid in cultivating and sustaining healthy connective tissue. Luckily, they can be derived from plant-based sources such as legumes, seeds and nuts, so are often added to vegan supplements.
On the other hand, capsules are by far the most convenient type of collagen as no preparation is needed. They're mess-free and can be taken on the go or while travelling, as long as you have a bottle of water to hand. However, you may want to check the recommended dosage and number of capsules per pack to ensure that they're good value for money.
Lastly, collagen gummies are a fun alternative to pills and capsules. Since gummies can be chewed rather than swallowed, they may be better for those with digestive issues as they're easier for the stomach to break down. Plus, they tend to come in tasty fruit flavours!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Direct Vitality Vegan Collagen | ![]() | The Overall Best Collagen Supplement for Vegans | |
2 | Igennus Advanced Vegan Pro-Collagen | ![]() | Suitable for Baking, Smoothies and More | |
3 | The Pro Co Vegan Collagen Formation Complex | ![]() | Ideal for Those With Allergies or Intolerances | |
4 | Vegavero Colla-Veg Complex | ![]() | Vitamin C From Pomegranate and Goji Berry | |
5 | Sunwarrior Collagen Building Protein Peptides | ![]() | An All-in-One Collagen Shake | |
6 | WeightWorld Vegan Collagen Advanced | ![]() | Provides Gut-Friendly Bacteria as Well as Vitamins | |
7 | Swisse Hair Skin Nails | ![]() | Contains Vitamin C, Biotin and Selenium | |
8 | Your Super Plant Collagen Superfood Mix | ![]() | An Organic, Protein-Packed Mix | |
9 | HS Health Supplements Collagen Chews | ![]() | Tasty, Citrus-Flavoured Chews |
Direct Vitality's vegan collagen simply had to be our no.1 pick! These convenient capsules contain all of the essential building blocks for collagen production, including spirulina, vitamin C and zinc, as well as the amino acids l-proline and l-lysine.
If you also supplement for vitamin B12, you'll be pleased to hear that each dose contains 200 mcb of methylcobalamin too. This is the most bio-available (easily absorbed) form of B12, helping you to streamline the number of pills you take per day. Best of all, these capsules are easy to swallow and budget-friendly — that's why they're our top recommendation!
If you're not really a fan of swallowing capsules or pills, you might want to try this powdered supplement instead. Finely ground and practically flavour-free, it's the perfect choice for adding to protein balls, cookies, muffins and more. We can't think of a tastier way to stimulate collagen production!
Unlike many other powders and shakes, this supplement contains all three vital amino acids needed for collagen synthesis. Not only are these present in a higher concentration per dose, but they're tailored to the optimal ratio for improved efficacy.
The Pro Co.'s vegan collagen complex is formulated especially for healthy skin, hair and nails. It's made and manufactured here in the UK, without any unnecessary additives, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours, delivering only an expert blend of collagen-boosting vitamins and minerals.
Along with vitamin C, zinc and spirulina, each capsule contains copper, which can promote even skin pigmentation. They're also a suitable choice for those with food intolerances and allergies, as the formulation is free from gluten, soy and nuts.
Looking to nature for inspiration, Vegavero have developed a range of high quality vegan supplements that cater to a variety of nutritional needs. Their Colla-Veg complex combines fruit, vegetable and plant extracts with amino acids l-lysine and l-proline to support skin, nails, cartilage and bones.
Two included ingredients that are particularly beneficial are pomegranate and goji berry. Pomegranate extract is rich in punicalagin, a potent antioxidant, whilst goji berries contain beta-carotene which our bodies convert to vitamin A. These, along with the amino acids, should help to boost collagen production swiftly.
If you're looking for an all-in-one daily wellness shake, we recommend this offering from Sunwarrior. Each scoop provides 14 g of plant protein, as well as vitamin C, copper, spirulina and biotin. This particular blend also includes peptides, which are short-chain amino acids that can speed up wound healing and muscle growth.
You get approximately 20 servings per tub, and it's available in both chocolate fudge and vanilla flavours and also comes unflavoured, which can be conveniently mixed up in your gym shaker. It's even suitable for those following a ketogenic diet!
Aside from recovery and rejuvenation (thanks to the inclusion of vitamin C & zinc), WeightWorld's vegan collagen promises to be beneficial for your gut too. Each capsule contains Lactobacillus acidophilus — a probiotic found in fermented foods that helps with digestion and promotes the healthy functioning of your gut microbiome.
Although some reviewers have experienced bloating with this product, it remains a popular choice with most people only having positive results. You also get 180 capsules per container, so it's pretty good value for money.
This liquid supplement contains vitamin C, biotin (otherwise known as vitamin B7) and selenium, which are used in the body to break down amino acids and reduce oxidative stress. Many customers find the blood orange flavour to be particularly strong though, so we recommend taking the two teaspoon dose quickly with breakfast.
Regardless of its acquired taste, this formula promises to improve the quality and texture of your skin, hair and nails. Plus, the fact that it comes in a glass bottle means you can recycle the packaging once you're done!
The base ingredient of this superfood mix is pea protein, and only organic, plant-based ingredients have been used. It even contains vanilla, for a hint of flavour without sugar or sweeteners.
Although the main collagen-boosting ingredients that we mentioned earlier are absent, you'll benefit from extracts like tocos and tremella mushroom. Tocos is a fat-soluble form of vitamin E, whereas tremella has been shown to increase the longevity of fibroblasts (the cells that synthesise collagen). So as well as getting a decent protein intake, this powder will help with anti-ageing too!
These gelatin-free gummies make a good alternative to powders and capsules if you want to try a vegan supplement. Each capsule contains a whopping 96 mg of collagen derived from black marine algae, which is in the same family as spirulina.
The delicious orange flavour and soft, chewy texture make these gummies easy to ingest However, they contain almost much sugar as the average sweet (4 g per piece), so they may not be the healthiest choice.
It's never a bad idea to start thinking about your health, so why not check out our other supplement recommendations? We've done all the research for you — you can simply read our reviews and decide which product sounds right for your lifestyle.
If you've been wanting to try vegan collagen, we hope this article has helped you to decide which one to go for. For the best results, make sure you take your supplements alongside a balanced plant-based diet and always consult your GP if you have any queries or concerns. Thanks for reading!
No. 1: Direct Vitality|Vegan Collagen
No. 2: Igennus |Advanced Vegan Pro-Collagen
No. 3: The Pro Co |Vegan Collagen Formation Complex
No. 4: Vegavero|Colla-Veg Complex
No. 5: Sunwarrior|Collagen Building Protein Peptides
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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