Is Collagen Vegan?

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that accounts for over a third of your body’s protein composition. There are sixteen types of collagen which help to build skin, bones, muscles and ligaments, and they are also found in the blood. It is vital to the development of the body. As you get older, your body produces less collagen, which is also of lower quality. 

Why do people take collagen supplements?

People take collagen supplements when they get older to try to increase levels of collagen in their system and so that they can potentially help the body produce more collagen of better quality. 

Collagen is having a moment in the world of skincare and beauty for its skin-firming properties. Your skin is made up of 75% collagen, which gives your skin structure— however by the time you turn 25, your collagen levels drop by up to 30%. Collagen is taken to combat this and is thought to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles (which is why it is often found in anti-ageing face creams) and helps you achieve smoother, plumper skin. It is also taken to help improve general digestive health as well as muscle and joint support. 

Is collagen vegan?

Collagen – in terms of when in supplements and skincare etc. – isn’t vegan, as it is naturally found in skin, nails and bones and is sourced from animals like beef or fish. It is possible to make a vegan collagen product using yeast, however, most if not all collagen supplements on the market at the moment are not vegan. 

There are collagen boosters available that are vegan, so rather than selling physical supplements of collagen, these brands sell supplements of other minerals and proteins that encourage the production of collagen being made. This is a good alternative if you want to incorporate a collagen supplement into your diet.

Where to buy collagen supplements

Collagen is available in lots of health shops and vegan organic stores; Holland and Barrett carry a range of vegetarian collagen and vegan collagen boosters, like this Silica complex booster. Together Health sells a hair, skin and nails supplement with the collagen-boosting hyaluronic acid. Vegan Vitality also sells a vegan collagen supplement, using all-natural and plant-based ingredients like bamboo and acerola cherry.