{"id":1689260,"date":"2026-02-01T17:59:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T14:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1689260"},"modified":"2026-02-01T17:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T14:59:25","slug":"the-pros-and-cons-of-vegan-vs-animal-based-collagen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1689260","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Vegan vs. Animal-Based Collagen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"main_1-0\" class=\"comp main layout-body--continuous-scroll mntl-block\" data-tracking-container=\"true\"><\/p>\n<article id=\"beauty-article--sc_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-article--sc beauty-article mntl-article mntl-article--three-column sc-ad-container\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div class=\"loc article-header\">\n<div id=\"article-header_1-0\" class=\"comp article-header mntl-block article-top\">\n<h1 id=\"article-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp article-heading mntl-text-block\">The Pros and Cons of Vegan vs. Animal-Based Collagen<\/h1>\n<p id=\"article-subheading_1-0\" class=\"comp article-subheading mntl-text-block\">What the experts say.<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-meta_1-0\" class=\"comp article-meta mntl-article-meta mntl-block\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"bylines_1-0\" class=\"comp bylines beauty-bylines mntl-bylines\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__group_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--author\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item mntl-attribution__item--has-date\"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">By<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tooltip=\"Ariane Resnick, C.N.C. is a certified nutritionist, special diet chef, and contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things nutrition, wellness, and fitness.\" data-inline-tooltip=\"true\"> Ariane Resnick, CNC<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group\">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__top \">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Ariane Resnick: Contributing Writer for Byrdie\" class=\"lazyload mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f.webp\" title=\"ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f.webp\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" class=\"img--noscript mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" alt=\"Ariane Resnick: Contributing Writer for Byrdie\" title=\"ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__name_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item \">\nAriane Resnick, CNC\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav beauty-social-nav mntl-social-nav social-nav--tooltip\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<ul class=\"social-nav__list\">\n<li class=\"social-nav__item social-nav__item--instagram\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bio\">\nAriane Resnick, C.N.C. is a certified nutritionist, special diet chef, and contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things nutrition, wellness, and fitness.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bottom\">\nByrdie&#8217;s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-attribution__item-date\">Published on February 01, 2026 12:59PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__group_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--beauty_wellness_reviewer\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item \"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">Reviewed by<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tooltip=\"Brooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and best-selling author.\" data-inline-tooltip=\"true\"> Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group\">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__top \">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Brooke Alpert\" class=\"lazyload mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59.webp\" title=\"brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59.webp\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" class=\"img--noscript mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" alt=\"Brooke Alpert\" title=\"brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__name_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item \"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">Reviewed by<\/span><br \/>\nBrooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bio\">\nBrooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and best-selling author.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bottom\">\nAbout Byrdie&#8217;s Beauty &amp; Wellness Board\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-attribution__item-postscript\">Registered Dietitian <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-left-rail\">\n<div id=\"beauty-sticky-toc_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-sticky-toc mntl-block js-sticky-container sticky-toc__wrapper\">\n<div id=\"sticky-toc_1-0\" class=\"comp sticky-toc mntl-universal-sticky-toc mntl-sticky-toc mntl-block sticky-toc-widget\" data-desktop-bp=\"70em\">\n<div id=\"toc-wrapper_1-0\" class=\"comp toc-wrapper mntl-toc mntl-block\" data-chop-mobile=\"true\" data-offset=\"60\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__inner_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__inner mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading mntl-block js-toc-toggle\"><span id=\"mntl-toc__heading-text_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading-text mntl-text-block\">In This Article<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-toc-toggle_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc-toggle mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc-toggle__btn_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc-toggle__btn mntl-text-block js-mntl-toc-toggle text-label-300\" data-click-tracked=\"true\" data-collapsed-text=\"View All\" data-expanded-text=\"View Less\">View All<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__mobile-toggle_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__mobile-toggle mntl-block js-sticky-toggle\"><span id=\"mntl-toc__heading-text_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading-text mntl-text-block\">In This Article<\/span><\/div>\n<ul id=\"mntl-toc__list_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list mntl-toc__list-heading expert-content text-utility-300\">\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">What Is Collagen?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">What to Know About Animal Collagen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Vegan Collagen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">My Experience With the Options<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">The Final Verdict<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-content\">\n<div id=\"article__broad-video-jw_1-0\" class=\"comp article__broad-video-jw mntl-jwplayer-broad mntl-block is-hidden\" data-pixel-depth=\"100\">\n<div id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title mntl-block\"><button id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close mntl-block text-label-100\" data-click-tracked=\"false\"><span id=\"mntl-text-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-text-block\">Close<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-block article__body right-rail\">\n<figure id=\"mntl-universal-primary-image_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-universal-primary-image primary-image\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div class=\"primary-image__media\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" class=\" primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" class=\"loaded primary-img--noscript primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption id=\"primary-image__figcap_1-0\" class=\"comp primary-image__figcap mntl-figure-caption figure-article-caption\"><span class=\"figure-article-caption-owner\"><\/p>\n<p>Death to Stock<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-page_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-page mntl-block\" data-sc-sticky-offset=\"125\" data-sc-ad-label-height=\"16\" data-sc-ad-track-spacing=\"100\" data-sc-min-track-height=\"250\" data-sc-max-track-height=\"600\" data-sc-breakpoint=\"50em\" data-sc-load-immediate=\"5\" data-sc-content-positions=\"[1, 1250, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1]\" data-bind-scroll-on-start=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--finalverdict beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-finalverdict\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Animal-based collagen is renowned for its quick absorption and benefits for skin, joints, and overall health.<\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen supplements don&#8217;t contain real collagen but ingredients like vitamin C that support natural collagen production.<\/li>\n<li>Real vegan collagen has been developed for skincare and shows promise, though ingestible versions aren&#8217;t available yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It&#8217;s probably fair to say that you&#8217;ve heard the buzz about collagen\u2014it is quite literally everywhere. People swear by slathering it on their skin (although there are contradicting opinions on its efficacy), putting it in their smoothies, mixing it in their coffee, and taking supplements of the skin-plumping ingredient. And while that&#8217;s all well and good, especially if said people are seeing positive effects, there&#8217;s one big issue. Most collagen is sourced from bovine, porcine, or fish, so what if you&#8217;re vegan, vegetarian, or simply prefer an option that might be more planet-friendly?\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> That&#8217;s where plant-based collagen comes in. But can it stand up to its animal-derived counterparts? And what&#8217;s in it? To find out, we experimented with some of the many options ourselves <em>and<\/em> went to experts: nutritionist, Melissa Pfeister and nutrition coach, Karla De Epstein. Read on for their input.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--meetourexpert beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-meetourexpert\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Meet the Experts<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Melissa Pfeister is a Stanford Med Certified Nutritionist and Founder of Stripped with Melissa.<\/li>\n<li>Karla De Epstein, M.S., C.N.C. \u201cCoach Karli\u201d\u00a0is thefounder of MacroFIT by PeruvianPrincessFit\u00a0as well as a Lifestyle Macro Coach, NPC athlete, and bikini fitness competitor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Collagen? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is a vital structural protein that makes up our bodies&#8217; connective tissues, which is about a third of the protein in our bodies overall. &#8220;Collagen is so important for us,&#8221; explains Pfeister. &#8220;Not only is collagen a major component of our skin but it helps prevent bone loss, promote a healthy heart, and relieve joint pain. Collagen also keeps our skin from sagging,&#8221; she adds. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. That slowdown leads to external symptoms like loose skin and wrinkles, along with internal symptoms such as extended time for injuries to heal. Animal-derived collagen has been popular for nearly a decade now due to how well it holds up in studies for everything from improving osteoporosis to reducing wrinkles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is available in a range of different formulations including powders, anti-wrinkle creams, pre-mixed with coffees, in pill form, and more. Similar to how probiotics now show up in random places\u2014like popcorn and beer\u2014once everyone realized we needed to consume them frequently, consumer demand grew and the same goes for collagen now. This brings us to the need for plant-based vegan collagen products. In recent years, plenty have hit the market promising to be just as effective as animal collagen. But are they?\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What to Know About Animal Collagen <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;In food, collagen is naturally found only in animal flesh like meat and fish that contain connective tissue. Collagen is also found in the bones and skin of fresh and saltwater fish. If I had to pick an animal protein, I\u2019d say fish collagen because it is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body which means it has superior bio-availability over bovine or porcine types,&#8221; explains De Epstein.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> She goes on to add, &#8220;Another option for animal-derived collagen is bone broth. The process involves simmering animal bones in water and a small amount of vinegar (to help dissolve the bone and release collagen and minerals) for anywhere from four to 24 hours.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_17-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with animal collagen, as humans we have been reaping the innumerable benefits of consuming animal proteins seemingly forever. However, our meat-loving tendencies have not done our planet any favors. With the methane from cows as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and cattle raising in rainforests being responsible for 80% of Amazon deforestation, many climate scientists have urged us to shift focus towards eating more plants and fewer large animals. And that doesn\u2019t even speak to the inhumane nature of industrial animal farming, which has led many people to eschew animal foods in favor of plant options.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_19-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s a market for vegan collagen because there\u2019s a market for any plant-based alternative to an animal product. Whether that\u2019s leather shoes or a burger, using more plants and fewer animals has the potential to help the planet and the lives of farm animals and ocean creatures.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Vegan Collagen Made Of? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_22-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The surge of plant-based collagen in the consumer market may lead you to believe at first glance that it\u2019s possible for collagen to naturally occur in plants. However, this is not the case; collagen protein contains an array of amino acids, the precise combination of which cannot be found anywhere in nature. &#8220;Vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t come from animals, instead vegan collagen supplements sometimes come from more natural ingredients such as yeasts and bacteria, and oftentimes, vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t <em>actually<\/em> contain collagen,&#8221; explains De Epstein. Instead, vegan collagen &#8220;gives your body what it needs (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc) in order to boost your own collagen production; pretty much it supports your own body&#8217;s natural functions.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Collagen-Building Ingredients <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It\u2019s the same as when bone broth began trending, and suddenly \u201cvegan bone broth\u201d recipes popped up everywhere. Those broths don\u2019t contain gelatin (the collagen protein in bone broth that makes it solidify when cold and is reparative for joints, bones, and skin), but rather assorted vitamins, amino acids, and minerals similar to some of the ones naturally found in the liquid left after boiling animal bones. The premise for vegan bone broth was that the ingredients in it promote the production of the nutrients found in bone broth if they don\u2019t downright contain it.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_27-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> In the same way that vegan bone broth can\u2019t speed up injury recovery time like the collagen in real bone broth can, vegan collagen products should also be viewed as promoters or builders, and not as the real thing. Plant-based collagen promoters are typically composed primarily of vitamin C. That\u2019s because vitamin C is an antioxidant that human bodies utilize to create collagen. It\u2019s an essential cofactor for two of the enzymes needed for collagen synthesis. These collagen-building products assist with collagen production through vitamin C, silica, and numerous amino acids. Many brands of collagen builders are based on rice bran solubles, which can prevent the absorption of other ingredients. To get around that, some brands choose to use other ingredients such as adaptogens or amino acids like butterfly pea powder instead of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--tips beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-tips\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vegan collagen does not contain any animal byproducts and therefore, is not an apples-to-apples comparison to animal collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen gives your body the ingredients it needs to produce its own collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vitamin C is primarily found in vegan collagen formulas because it&#8217;s vital for collagen synthesis. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There is no doubt vegan collagen promoters are effective to an extent. With vitamin C being the main ingredient in a lot of these products, in theory, it\u2019s safe to rely on the study results of vitamin C in relation to collagen production. The main message from that is positive, though not emphatic: Overall, these studies provide evidence that vitamin C may be effective in promoting collagen synthesis in vivo, although further clinical studies are needed to strengthen the implications for postoperative vitamin C supplementation.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The tricky part about relying on a supplement taken internally to help promote the production of anything in our bodies is it can only be as effective as our bodies enable it to be. That means in those with poor digestion, for example, effects will be reduced because their bodies likely won\u2019t assimilate ingredients nearly as well. And for older people, whose bodies make less collagen, adding more of what\u2019s needed to build something won\u2019t necessarily enhance someone\u2019s ability to do so. It also depends on what the important nutrients are paired with, such as the potential absorption issue of putting vitamin C in a base of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> My Experience With the Options <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_36-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As someone who writes regularly about topics like this one, I receive regular offers from companies asking me to try their products.Over the years I\u2019ve used countless collagen and collagen-promoting goods, both animal-based and vegan, topical and ingested.I\u2019ve personally avoided collagen-promoting products as I haven&#8217;t found them to be effective. So, that\u2019s one answer for you: Collagen builders contain great ingredients, but I\u2019ve never noticed any improvement in my skin, hair, nails, or joints from taking them. I think they\u2019re worthwhile if you need the nutrients that they contain anyway, but chances are you\u2019re getting enough vitamin C in your diet already. Only about one in 20 people in developed nations are deficient, and with how prevalent vitamin C is in fresh fruits and vegetables, it is typically a quickly fixed problem.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_38-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> When it comes to animal collagen, I\u2019ve experienced faster recovery from cuts and burns in the kitchen when I\u2019ve been in periods of consuming collagen-rich bone broth regularly. As far as animal collagen creams and serums, though, I\u2019ve always broken out before they could have enough time to work, so I can\u2019t speak to their effectiveness. But, I have seen impressive and non-irritating results with the brand, Algenist&#8217;s, topical vegan collagen products. They&#8217;ve engineered a lab-manufactured version of collagen\u2014that contains all amino acids present in animal collagen\u2014that&#8217;s only available in skincare products as of now. But, it shows promise for what&#8217;s to come in the world of animal-derived collagen alternatives.\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> The Final Verdict <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_41-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As of now, ingestible plant-based collagen is not real collagen, but a collection of vegan ingredients designed to help boost your body\u2019s own collagen production. Thanks to genetic engineering, we do now have real vegan collagen for skincare, and it\u2019s been proven highly effective. Hopefully, soon there will be an ingestible version of vegan collagen; once there is, it\u2019ll be a level playing field, and animal collagen will no longer have the upper hand on ingestibles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources mntl-article-sources mntl-expandable-block u-article-styles\" data-scroll-offset=\"70\">\n<div class=\"loc toggle-content\">\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__wrapper_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__wrapper mntl-block\" data-click-tracked=\"true\"><span id=\"mntl-article-sources__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__heading mntl-text-block\">Article Sources<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc expandable-content\">\n<div id=\"citation-sources__text_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources__text mntl-text-block\">Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__citation-sources mntl-citation-sources mntl-sources\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<ol class=\"mntl-sources__content\">\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-2\">\n<p>Garc\u00eda-Coronado JM, Mart\u00ednez-Olvera L, Elizondo-Oma\u00f1a RE, et al. Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.\u00a0<em>Int Orthop<\/em>. 2019;43(3):531-538.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-4\">\n<p>Paul C, Leser S, Oesser S. Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2019 May 15;11(5):1079. doi: 10.3390\/nu11051079.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-5\">\n<p>Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2017 Aug 12;9(8):866. doi: 10.3390\/nu9080866.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-6\">\n<p>DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. <em>Orthop J Sports Med<\/em>. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177\/2325967118804544.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-post-content\">\n<div id=\"beauty-breadcrumbs--chips_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-breadcrumbs--chips mntl-universal-breadcrumbs--chips mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__read-more_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__read-more mntl-text-block text-title-100\">Read more:<\/div>\n<ul id=\"mntl-universal-breadcrumbs_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-universal-breadcrumbs mntl-block text-label-300 breadcrumbs\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<li id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Health &amp; Wellness<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Nutrition<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"recirc_1-0\" class=\"comp recirc mntl-block\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<h2 id=\"recirc__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp recirc__heading mntl-text-block\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul id=\"card-list-1_1-0\" class=\"comp card-list-1 card-list mntl-block l-container\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<li id=\"card-list__item_1-0\" class=\"comp card-list__item mntl-block \">\n<div class=\"loc card__top\">\n<div class=\"card__media mntl-image card__media universal-image__container\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" alt=\"Composed image of two bowls and a spoon with collagen powder\" class=\"lazyload card__img universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/plantbasedcollagen-fabf5c73d76442d48e6fcdcd1ca4be4c.webp\" 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class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" alt=\"Two individuals using derma rollers one on the left holding the device and the one on the right wearing a headband\" class=\"lazyload card__img universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/the-best-derma-rollers-tout-recirc-d76dd17931814c0db3fcf998cdf26430-1.webp\" title=\"the-best-derma-rollers-tout-recirc-d76dd17931814c0db3fcf998cdf26430-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/the-best-derma-rollers-tout-recirc-d76dd17931814c0db3fcf998cdf26430-1.webp\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" class=\"img--noscript card__img universal-image__image\" alt=\"Two individuals using derma rollers one on the left holding the device and the one on the right wearing a headband\" title=\"the-best-derma-rollers-tout-recirc-d76dd17931814c0db3fcf998cdf26430-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content \"><span class=\"card__title\"><span class=\"card__title-text \">The Best At-Home Derma Rollers for Radiant, Even-Toned Skin<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"card-list__item_14-0\" class=\"comp card-list__item mntl-block \">\n<div class=\"loc card__top\">\n<div class=\"card__media mntl-image card__media universal-image__container\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" alt=\"A woman's hand with a fork and a slice of cake\" class=\"lazyload card__img universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sugarcravings-a2443166699f4526954cabc3aafe102c.webp\" title=\"sugarcravings-a2443166699f4526954cabc3aafe102c\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sugarcravings-a2443166699f4526954cabc3aafe102c.webp\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" class=\"img--noscript card__img universal-image__image\" alt=\"A woman's hand with a fork and a slice of cake\" title=\"sugarcravings-a2443166699f4526954cabc3aafe102c\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content \"><span class=\"card__title\"><span class=\"card__title-text \">Craving Sweets? Experts Explain What Sugar Cravings Really Mean<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"card-list__item_15-0\" class=\"comp card-list__item mntl-block \">\n<div class=\"loc card__top\">\n<div class=\"card__media mntl-image card__media universal-image__container\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" alt=\"A woman taking a shower in red light.\" class=\"lazyload card__img universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/redlightlede-0dc1346c0a954bf9a053ae904877b00b-2.webp\" title=\"redlightlede-0dc1346c0a954bf9a053ae904877b00b-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/redlightlede-0dc1346c0a954bf9a053ae904877b00b-2.webp\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" class=\"img--noscript card__img universal-image__image\" alt=\"A woman taking a shower in red light.\" title=\"redlightlede-0dc1346c0a954bf9a053ae904877b00b-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content \"><span class=\"card__title\"><span class=\"card__title-text \">Is a Red Light Shower Head the Cure to Seasonal Depression?<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"card-list__item_16-0\" class=\"comp card-list__item mntl-block \">\n<div class=\"loc card__top\">\n<div class=\"card__media mntl-image card__media universal-image__container\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" alt=\"A woman wearing oversized sunglasses a patterned scarf tied around her head and a checkered coat posing against a red background\" class=\"lazyload card__img universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anti-aging-skincare-2-edd2ab11f64e4ceba0d4db767c3f0639-1.webp\" title=\"anti-aging-skincare-2-edd2ab11f64e4ceba0d4db767c3f0639-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anti-aging-skincare-2-edd2ab11f64e4ceba0d4db767c3f0639-1.webp\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" class=\"img--noscript card__img universal-image__image\" alt=\"A woman wearing oversized sunglasses a patterned scarf tied around her head and a checkered coat posing against a red background\" title=\"anti-aging-skincare-2-edd2ab11f64e4ceba0d4db767c3f0639-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card__content \"><span class=\"card__title\"><span class=\"card__title-text \">This Is the Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Recommended By Both Dermatologists and Aestheticians <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n<article id=\"beauty-article--sc_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-article--sc beauty-article mntl-article mntl-article--three-column sc-ad-container\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div class=\"loc article-header\">\n<div id=\"article-header_1-0\" class=\"comp article-header mntl-block article-top\">\n<h1 id=\"article-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp article-heading mntl-text-block\">The Pros and Cons of Vegan vs. Animal-Based Collagen<\/h1>\n<p id=\"article-subheading_1-0\" class=\"comp article-subheading mntl-text-block\">What the experts say.<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-meta_1-0\" class=\"comp article-meta mntl-article-meta mntl-block\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"bylines_1-0\" class=\"comp bylines beauty-bylines mntl-bylines\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__group_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--author\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item mntl-attribution__item--has-date\"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">By<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tooltip=\"Ariane Resnick, C.N.C. is a certified nutritionist, special diet chef, and contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things nutrition, wellness, and fitness.\" data-inline-tooltip=\"true\"> Ariane Resnick, CNC<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group\">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__top \">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Ariane Resnick: Contributing Writer for Byrdie\" class=\"lazyload mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f.webp\" title=\"ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f.webp\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" class=\"img--noscript mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" alt=\"Ariane Resnick: Contributing Writer for Byrdie\" title=\"ariane-88fa4e0001e241969a557d71f005712f\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__name_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item \">\nAriane Resnick, CNC\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav beauty-social-nav mntl-social-nav social-nav--tooltip\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<ul class=\"social-nav__list\">\n<li class=\"social-nav__item social-nav__item--instagram\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bio\">\nAriane Resnick, C.N.C. is a certified nutritionist, special diet chef, and contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things nutrition, wellness, and fitness.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bottom\">\nByrdie&#8217;s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-attribution__item-date\">Published on February 01, 2026 12:59PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__group_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--beauty_wellness_reviewer\">\n<div id=\"mntl-bylines__item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item \"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">Reviewed by<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tooltip=\"Brooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and best-selling author.\" data-inline-tooltip=\"true\"> Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group\">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__top \">\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Brooke Alpert\" class=\"lazyload mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59.webp\" title=\"brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59.webp\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" class=\"img--noscript mntl-author-tooltip__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" alt=\"Brooke Alpert\" title=\"brooke_alpert-screen-60428944ff944838b1d2cce515894d59\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-author-tooltip__name_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item \"><span class=\"mntl-attribution__item-descriptor\">Reviewed by<\/span><br \/>\nBrooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bio\">\nBrooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and best-selling author.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-author-tooltip__bottom\">\nAbout Byrdie&#8217;s Beauty &amp; Wellness Board\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mntl-attribution__item-postscript\">Registered Dietitian <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-left-rail\">\n<div id=\"beauty-sticky-toc_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-sticky-toc mntl-block js-sticky-container sticky-toc__wrapper\">\n<div id=\"sticky-toc_1-0\" class=\"comp sticky-toc mntl-universal-sticky-toc mntl-sticky-toc mntl-block sticky-toc-widget\" data-desktop-bp=\"70em\">\n<div id=\"toc-wrapper_1-0\" class=\"comp toc-wrapper mntl-toc mntl-block\" data-chop-mobile=\"true\" data-offset=\"60\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__inner_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__inner mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading mntl-block js-toc-toggle\"><span id=\"mntl-toc__heading-text_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading-text mntl-text-block\">In This Article<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-toc-toggle_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc-toggle mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc-toggle__btn_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc-toggle__btn mntl-text-block js-mntl-toc-toggle text-label-300\" data-click-tracked=\"true\" data-collapsed-text=\"View All\" data-expanded-text=\"View Less\">View All<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__mobile-toggle_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__mobile-toggle mntl-block js-sticky-toggle\"><span id=\"mntl-toc__heading-text_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__heading-text mntl-text-block\">In This Article<\/span><\/div>\n<ul id=\"mntl-toc__list_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list mntl-toc__list-heading expert-content text-utility-300\">\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">What Is Collagen?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">What to Know About Animal Collagen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Vegan Collagen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">My Experience With the Options<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-toc__list-item_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-toc__list-item-heading_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">The Final Verdict<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-content\">\n<div id=\"article__broad-video-jw_1-0\" class=\"comp article__broad-video-jw mntl-jwplayer-broad mntl-block is-hidden\" data-pixel-depth=\"100\">\n<div id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title mntl-block\"><button id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close mntl-block text-label-100\" data-click-tracked=\"false\"><span id=\"mntl-text-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-text-block\">Close<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-block article__body right-rail\">\n<figure id=\"mntl-universal-primary-image_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-universal-primary-image primary-image\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div class=\"primary-image__media\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" class=\" primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" class=\"loaded primary-img--noscript primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption id=\"primary-image__figcap_1-0\" class=\"comp primary-image__figcap mntl-figure-caption figure-article-caption\"><span class=\"figure-article-caption-owner\"><\/p>\n<p>Death to Stock<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-page_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-page mntl-block\" data-sc-sticky-offset=\"125\" data-sc-ad-label-height=\"16\" data-sc-ad-track-spacing=\"100\" data-sc-min-track-height=\"250\" data-sc-max-track-height=\"600\" data-sc-breakpoint=\"50em\" data-sc-load-immediate=\"5\" data-sc-content-positions=\"[1, 1250, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1]\" data-bind-scroll-on-start=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--finalverdict beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-finalverdict\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Animal-based collagen is renowned for its quick absorption and benefits for skin, joints, and overall health.<\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen supplements don&#8217;t contain real collagen but ingredients like vitamin C that support natural collagen production.<\/li>\n<li>Real vegan collagen has been developed for skincare and shows promise, though ingestible versions aren&#8217;t available yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It&#8217;s probably fair to say that you&#8217;ve heard the buzz about collagen\u2014it is quite literally everywhere. People swear by slathering it on their skin (although there are contradicting opinions on its efficacy), putting it in their smoothies, mixing it in their coffee, and taking supplements of the skin-plumping ingredient. And while that&#8217;s all well and good, especially if said people are seeing positive effects, there&#8217;s one big issue. Most collagen is sourced from bovine, porcine, or fish, so what if you&#8217;re vegan, vegetarian, or simply prefer an option that might be more planet-friendly?\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> That&#8217;s where plant-based collagen comes in. But can it stand up to its animal-derived counterparts? And what&#8217;s in it? To find out, we experimented with some of the many options ourselves <em>and<\/em> went to experts: nutritionist, Melissa Pfeister and nutrition coach, Karla De Epstein. Read on for their input.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--meetourexpert beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-meetourexpert\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Meet the Experts<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Melissa Pfeister is a Stanford Med Certified Nutritionist and Founder of Stripped with Melissa.<\/li>\n<li>Karla De Epstein, M.S., C.N.C. \u201cCoach Karli\u201d\u00a0is thefounder of MacroFIT by PeruvianPrincessFit\u00a0as well as a Lifestyle Macro Coach, NPC athlete, and bikini fitness competitor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Collagen? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is a vital structural protein that makes up our bodies&#8217; connective tissues, which is about a third of the protein in our bodies overall. &#8220;Collagen is so important for us,&#8221; explains Pfeister. &#8220;Not only is collagen a major component of our skin but it helps prevent bone loss, promote a healthy heart, and relieve joint pain. Collagen also keeps our skin from sagging,&#8221; she adds. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. That slowdown leads to external symptoms like loose skin and wrinkles, along with internal symptoms such as extended time for injuries to heal. Animal-derived collagen has been popular for nearly a decade now due to how well it holds up in studies for everything from improving osteoporosis to reducing wrinkles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is available in a range of different formulations including powders, anti-wrinkle creams, pre-mixed with coffees, in pill form, and more. Similar to how probiotics now show up in random places\u2014like popcorn and beer\u2014once everyone realized we needed to consume them frequently, consumer demand grew and the same goes for collagen now. This brings us to the need for plant-based vegan collagen products. In recent years, plenty have hit the market promising to be just as effective as animal collagen. But are they?\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What to Know About Animal Collagen <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;In food, collagen is naturally found only in animal flesh like meat and fish that contain connective tissue. Collagen is also found in the bones and skin of fresh and saltwater fish. If I had to pick an animal protein, I\u2019d say fish collagen because it is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body which means it has superior bio-availability over bovine or porcine types,&#8221; explains De Epstein.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> She goes on to add, &#8220;Another option for animal-derived collagen is bone broth. The process involves simmering animal bones in water and a small amount of vinegar (to help dissolve the bone and release collagen and minerals) for anywhere from four to 24 hours.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_17-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with animal collagen, as humans we have been reaping the innumerable benefits of consuming animal proteins seemingly forever. However, our meat-loving tendencies have not done our planet any favors. With the methane from cows as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and cattle raising in rainforests being responsible for 80% of Amazon deforestation, many climate scientists have urged us to shift focus towards eating more plants and fewer large animals. And that doesn\u2019t even speak to the inhumane nature of industrial animal farming, which has led many people to eschew animal foods in favor of plant options.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_19-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s a market for vegan collagen because there\u2019s a market for any plant-based alternative to an animal product. Whether that\u2019s leather shoes or a burger, using more plants and fewer animals has the potential to help the planet and the lives of farm animals and ocean creatures.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Vegan Collagen Made Of? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_22-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The surge of plant-based collagen in the consumer market may lead you to believe at first glance that it\u2019s possible for collagen to naturally occur in plants. However, this is not the case; collagen protein contains an array of amino acids, the precise combination of which cannot be found anywhere in nature. &#8220;Vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t come from animals, instead vegan collagen supplements sometimes come from more natural ingredients such as yeasts and bacteria, and oftentimes, vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t <em>actually<\/em> contain collagen,&#8221; explains De Epstein. Instead, vegan collagen &#8220;gives your body what it needs (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc) in order to boost your own collagen production; pretty much it supports your own body&#8217;s natural functions.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Collagen-Building Ingredients <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It\u2019s the same as when bone broth began trending, and suddenly \u201cvegan bone broth\u201d recipes popped up everywhere. Those broths don\u2019t contain gelatin (the collagen protein in bone broth that makes it solidify when cold and is reparative for joints, bones, and skin), but rather assorted vitamins, amino acids, and minerals similar to some of the ones naturally found in the liquid left after boiling animal bones. The premise for vegan bone broth was that the ingredients in it promote the production of the nutrients found in bone broth if they don\u2019t downright contain it.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_27-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> In the same way that vegan bone broth can\u2019t speed up injury recovery time like the collagen in real bone broth can, vegan collagen products should also be viewed as promoters or builders, and not as the real thing. Plant-based collagen promoters are typically composed primarily of vitamin C. That\u2019s because vitamin C is an antioxidant that human bodies utilize to create collagen. It\u2019s an essential cofactor for two of the enzymes needed for collagen synthesis. These collagen-building products assist with collagen production through vitamin C, silica, and numerous amino acids. Many brands of collagen builders are based on rice bran solubles, which can prevent the absorption of other ingredients. To get around that, some brands choose to use other ingredients such as adaptogens or amino acids like butterfly pea powder instead of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--tips beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-tips\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vegan collagen does not contain any animal byproducts and therefore, is not an apples-to-apples comparison to animal collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen gives your body the ingredients it needs to produce its own collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vitamin C is primarily found in vegan collagen formulas because it&#8217;s vital for collagen synthesis. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There is no doubt vegan collagen promoters are effective to an extent. With vitamin C being the main ingredient in a lot of these products, in theory, it\u2019s safe to rely on the study results of vitamin C in relation to collagen production. The main message from that is positive, though not emphatic: Overall, these studies provide evidence that vitamin C may be effective in promoting collagen synthesis in vivo, although further clinical studies are needed to strengthen the implications for postoperative vitamin C supplementation.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The tricky part about relying on a supplement taken internally to help promote the production of anything in our bodies is it can only be as effective as our bodies enable it to be. That means in those with poor digestion, for example, effects will be reduced because their bodies likely won\u2019t assimilate ingredients nearly as well. And for older people, whose bodies make less collagen, adding more of what\u2019s needed to build something won\u2019t necessarily enhance someone\u2019s ability to do so. It also depends on what the important nutrients are paired with, such as the potential absorption issue of putting vitamin C in a base of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> My Experience With the Options <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_36-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As someone who writes regularly about topics like this one, I receive regular offers from companies asking me to try their products.Over the years I\u2019ve used countless collagen and collagen-promoting goods, both animal-based and vegan, topical and ingested.I\u2019ve personally avoided collagen-promoting products as I haven&#8217;t found them to be effective. So, that\u2019s one answer for you: Collagen builders contain great ingredients, but I\u2019ve never noticed any improvement in my skin, hair, nails, or joints from taking them. I think they\u2019re worthwhile if you need the nutrients that they contain anyway, but chances are you\u2019re getting enough vitamin C in your diet already. Only about one in 20 people in developed nations are deficient, and with how prevalent vitamin C is in fresh fruits and vegetables, it is typically a quickly fixed problem.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_38-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> When it comes to animal collagen, I\u2019ve experienced faster recovery from cuts and burns in the kitchen when I\u2019ve been in periods of consuming collagen-rich bone broth regularly. As far as animal collagen creams and serums, though, I\u2019ve always broken out before they could have enough time to work, so I can\u2019t speak to their effectiveness. But, I have seen impressive and non-irritating results with the brand, Algenist&#8217;s, topical vegan collagen products. They&#8217;ve engineered a lab-manufactured version of collagen\u2014that contains all amino acids present in animal collagen\u2014that&#8217;s only available in skincare products as of now. But, it shows promise for what&#8217;s to come in the world of animal-derived collagen alternatives.\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> The Final Verdict <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_41-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As of now, ingestible plant-based collagen is not real collagen, but a collection of vegan ingredients designed to help boost your body\u2019s own collagen production. Thanks to genetic engineering, we do now have real vegan collagen for skincare, and it\u2019s been proven highly effective. Hopefully, soon there will be an ingestible version of vegan collagen; once there is, it\u2019ll be a level playing field, and animal collagen will no longer have the upper hand on ingestibles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources mntl-article-sources mntl-expandable-block u-article-styles\" data-scroll-offset=\"70\">\n<div class=\"loc toggle-content\">\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__wrapper_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__wrapper mntl-block\" data-click-tracked=\"true\"><span id=\"mntl-article-sources__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__heading mntl-text-block\">Article Sources<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc expandable-content\">\n<div id=\"citation-sources__text_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources__text mntl-text-block\">Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__citation-sources mntl-citation-sources mntl-sources\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<ol class=\"mntl-sources__content\">\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-2\">\n<p>Garc\u00eda-Coronado JM, Mart\u00ednez-Olvera L, Elizondo-Oma\u00f1a RE, et al. Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.\u00a0<em>Int Orthop<\/em>. 2019;43(3):531-538.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-4\">\n<p>Paul C, Leser S, Oesser S. Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2019 May 15;11(5):1079. doi: 10.3390\/nu11051079.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-5\">\n<p>Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2017 Aug 12;9(8):866. doi: 10.3390\/nu9080866.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-6\">\n<p>DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. <em>Orthop J Sports Med<\/em>. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177\/2325967118804544.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc article-post-content\">\n<div id=\"beauty-breadcrumbs--chips_1-0\" class=\"comp beauty-breadcrumbs--chips mntl-universal-breadcrumbs--chips mntl-block\">\n<div id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__read-more_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__read-more mntl-text-block text-title-100\">Read more:<\/div>\n<ul id=\"mntl-universal-breadcrumbs_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-universal-breadcrumbs mntl-block text-label-300 breadcrumbs\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<li id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__item_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Health &amp; Wellness<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"mntl-breadcrumbs__item_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block\"><span class=\"link__wrapper\">Nutrition<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"loc article-content\">\n<div id=\"article__broad-video-jw_1-0\" class=\"comp article__broad-video-jw mntl-jwplayer-broad mntl-block is-hidden\" data-pixel-depth=\"100\">\n<div id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title mntl-block\"><button id=\"mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-jwplayer-broad__title-icon--close mntl-block text-label-100\" data-click-tracked=\"false\"><span id=\"mntl-text-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-text-block\">Close<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-block article__body right-rail\">\n<figure id=\"mntl-universal-primary-image_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-universal-primary-image primary-image\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<div class=\"primary-image__media\">\n<div class=\"img-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" class=\" primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625.webp\" width=\"1138\" height=\"853\" class=\"loaded primary-img--noscript primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry\" alt=\"A group of medicine bottles and a pill organizer on a surface\" title=\"collagen-2-17c842205e4c4015929450a4bf92c625\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption id=\"primary-image__figcap_1-0\" class=\"comp primary-image__figcap mntl-figure-caption figure-article-caption\"><span class=\"figure-article-caption-owner\"><\/p>\n<p>Death to Stock<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-page_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-page mntl-block\" data-sc-sticky-offset=\"125\" data-sc-ad-label-height=\"16\" data-sc-ad-track-spacing=\"100\" data-sc-min-track-height=\"250\" data-sc-max-track-height=\"600\" data-sc-breakpoint=\"50em\" data-sc-load-immediate=\"5\" data-sc-content-positions=\"[1, 1250, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1]\" data-bind-scroll-on-start=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--finalverdict beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-finalverdict\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Animal-based collagen is renowned for its quick absorption and benefits for skin, joints, and overall health.<\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen supplements don&#8217;t contain real collagen but ingredients like vitamin C that support natural collagen production.<\/li>\n<li>Real vegan collagen has been developed for skincare and shows promise, though ingestible versions aren&#8217;t available yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It&#8217;s probably fair to say that you&#8217;ve heard the buzz about collagen\u2014it is quite literally everywhere. People swear by slathering it on their skin (although there are contradicting opinions on its efficacy), putting it in their smoothies, mixing it in their coffee, and taking supplements of the skin-plumping ingredient. And while that&#8217;s all well and good, especially if said people are seeing positive effects, there&#8217;s one big issue. Most collagen is sourced from bovine, porcine, or fish, so what if you&#8217;re vegan, vegetarian, or simply prefer an option that might be more planet-friendly?\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> That&#8217;s where plant-based collagen comes in. But can it stand up to its animal-derived counterparts? And what&#8217;s in it? To find out, we experimented with some of the many options ourselves <em>and<\/em> went to experts: nutritionist, Melissa Pfeister and nutrition coach, Karla De Epstein. Read on for their input.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--meetourexpert beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-meetourexpert\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Meet the Experts<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Melissa Pfeister is a Stanford Med Certified Nutritionist and Founder of Stripped with Melissa.<\/li>\n<li>Karla De Epstein, M.S., C.N.C. \u201cCoach Karli\u201d\u00a0is thefounder of MacroFIT by PeruvianPrincessFit\u00a0as well as a Lifestyle Macro Coach, NPC athlete, and bikini fitness competitor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Collagen? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is a vital structural protein that makes up our bodies&#8217; connective tissues, which is about a third of the protein in our bodies overall. &#8220;Collagen is so important for us,&#8221; explains Pfeister. &#8220;Not only is collagen a major component of our skin but it helps prevent bone loss, promote a healthy heart, and relieve joint pain. Collagen also keeps our skin from sagging,&#8221; she adds. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. That slowdown leads to external symptoms like loose skin and wrinkles, along with internal symptoms such as extended time for injuries to heal. Animal-derived collagen has been popular for nearly a decade now due to how well it holds up in studies for everything from improving osteoporosis to reducing wrinkles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is available in a range of different formulations including powders, anti-wrinkle creams, pre-mixed with coffees, in pill form, and more. Similar to how probiotics now show up in random places\u2014like popcorn and beer\u2014once everyone realized we needed to consume them frequently, consumer demand grew and the same goes for collagen now. This brings us to the need for plant-based vegan collagen products. In recent years, plenty have hit the market promising to be just as effective as animal collagen. But are they?\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What to Know About Animal Collagen <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;In food, collagen is naturally found only in animal flesh like meat and fish that contain connective tissue. Collagen is also found in the bones and skin of fresh and saltwater fish. If I had to pick an animal protein, I\u2019d say fish collagen because it is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body which means it has superior bio-availability over bovine or porcine types,&#8221; explains De Epstein.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> She goes on to add, &#8220;Another option for animal-derived collagen is bone broth. The process involves simmering animal bones in water and a small amount of vinegar (to help dissolve the bone and release collagen and minerals) for anywhere from four to 24 hours.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_17-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with animal collagen, as humans we have been reaping the innumerable benefits of consuming animal proteins seemingly forever. However, our meat-loving tendencies have not done our planet any favors. With the methane from cows as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and cattle raising in rainforests being responsible for 80% of Amazon deforestation, many climate scientists have urged us to shift focus towards eating more plants and fewer large animals. And that doesn\u2019t even speak to the inhumane nature of industrial animal farming, which has led many people to eschew animal foods in favor of plant options.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_19-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s a market for vegan collagen because there\u2019s a market for any plant-based alternative to an animal product. Whether that\u2019s leather shoes or a burger, using more plants and fewer animals has the potential to help the planet and the lives of farm animals and ocean creatures.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Vegan Collagen Made Of? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_22-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The surge of plant-based collagen in the consumer market may lead you to believe at first glance that it\u2019s possible for collagen to naturally occur in plants. However, this is not the case; collagen protein contains an array of amino acids, the precise combination of which cannot be found anywhere in nature. &#8220;Vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t come from animals, instead vegan collagen supplements sometimes come from more natural ingredients such as yeasts and bacteria, and oftentimes, vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t <em>actually<\/em> contain collagen,&#8221; explains De Epstein. Instead, vegan collagen &#8220;gives your body what it needs (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc) in order to boost your own collagen production; pretty much it supports your own body&#8217;s natural functions.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Collagen-Building Ingredients <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It\u2019s the same as when bone broth began trending, and suddenly \u201cvegan bone broth\u201d recipes popped up everywhere. Those broths don\u2019t contain gelatin (the collagen protein in bone broth that makes it solidify when cold and is reparative for joints, bones, and skin), but rather assorted vitamins, amino acids, and minerals similar to some of the ones naturally found in the liquid left after boiling animal bones. The premise for vegan bone broth was that the ingredients in it promote the production of the nutrients found in bone broth if they don\u2019t downright contain it.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_27-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> In the same way that vegan bone broth can\u2019t speed up injury recovery time like the collagen in real bone broth can, vegan collagen products should also be viewed as promoters or builders, and not as the real thing. Plant-based collagen promoters are typically composed primarily of vitamin C. That\u2019s because vitamin C is an antioxidant that human bodies utilize to create collagen. It\u2019s an essential cofactor for two of the enzymes needed for collagen synthesis. These collagen-building products assist with collagen production through vitamin C, silica, and numerous amino acids. Many brands of collagen builders are based on rice bran solubles, which can prevent the absorption of other ingredients. To get around that, some brands choose to use other ingredients such as adaptogens or amino acids like butterfly pea powder instead of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--tips beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-tips\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vegan collagen does not contain any animal byproducts and therefore, is not an apples-to-apples comparison to animal collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen gives your body the ingredients it needs to produce its own collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vitamin C is primarily found in vegan collagen formulas because it&#8217;s vital for collagen synthesis. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There is no doubt vegan collagen promoters are effective to an extent. With vitamin C being the main ingredient in a lot of these products, in theory, it\u2019s safe to rely on the study results of vitamin C in relation to collagen production. The main message from that is positive, though not emphatic: Overall, these studies provide evidence that vitamin C may be effective in promoting collagen synthesis in vivo, although further clinical studies are needed to strengthen the implications for postoperative vitamin C supplementation.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The tricky part about relying on a supplement taken internally to help promote the production of anything in our bodies is it can only be as effective as our bodies enable it to be. That means in those with poor digestion, for example, effects will be reduced because their bodies likely won\u2019t assimilate ingredients nearly as well. And for older people, whose bodies make less collagen, adding more of what\u2019s needed to build something won\u2019t necessarily enhance someone\u2019s ability to do so. It also depends on what the important nutrients are paired with, such as the potential absorption issue of putting vitamin C in a base of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> My Experience With the Options <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_36-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As someone who writes regularly about topics like this one, I receive regular offers from companies asking me to try their products.Over the years I\u2019ve used countless collagen and collagen-promoting goods, both animal-based and vegan, topical and ingested.I\u2019ve personally avoided collagen-promoting products as I haven&#8217;t found them to be effective. So, that\u2019s one answer for you: Collagen builders contain great ingredients, but I\u2019ve never noticed any improvement in my skin, hair, nails, or joints from taking them. I think they\u2019re worthwhile if you need the nutrients that they contain anyway, but chances are you\u2019re getting enough vitamin C in your diet already. Only about one in 20 people in developed nations are deficient, and with how prevalent vitamin C is in fresh fruits and vegetables, it is typically a quickly fixed problem.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_38-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> When it comes to animal collagen, I\u2019ve experienced faster recovery from cuts and burns in the kitchen when I\u2019ve been in periods of consuming collagen-rich bone broth regularly. As far as animal collagen creams and serums, though, I\u2019ve always broken out before they could have enough time to work, so I can\u2019t speak to their effectiveness. But, I have seen impressive and non-irritating results with the brand, Algenist&#8217;s, topical vegan collagen products. They&#8217;ve engineered a lab-manufactured version of collagen\u2014that contains all amino acids present in animal collagen\u2014that&#8217;s only available in skincare products as of now. But, it shows promise for what&#8217;s to come in the world of animal-derived collagen alternatives.\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> The Final Verdict <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_41-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As of now, ingestible plant-based collagen is not real collagen, but a collection of vegan ingredients designed to help boost your body\u2019s own collagen production. Thanks to genetic engineering, we do now have real vegan collagen for skincare, and it\u2019s been proven highly effective. Hopefully, soon there will be an ingestible version of vegan collagen; once there is, it\u2019ll be a level playing field, and animal collagen will no longer have the upper hand on ingestibles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources mntl-article-sources mntl-expandable-block u-article-styles\" data-scroll-offset=\"70\">\n<div class=\"loc toggle-content\">\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__wrapper_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__wrapper mntl-block\" data-click-tracked=\"true\"><span id=\"mntl-article-sources__heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__heading mntl-text-block\">Article Sources<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"loc expandable-content\">\n<div id=\"citation-sources__text_1-0\" class=\"comp citation-sources__text mntl-text-block\">Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-article-sources__citation-sources_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-article-sources__citation-sources mntl-citation-sources mntl-sources\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<ol class=\"mntl-sources__content\">\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-2\">\n<p>Garc\u00eda-Coronado JM, Mart\u00ednez-Olvera L, Elizondo-Oma\u00f1a RE, et al. Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.\u00a0<em>Int Orthop<\/em>. 2019;43(3):531-538.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-4\">\n<p>Paul C, Leser S, Oesser S. Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2019 May 15;11(5):1079. doi: 10.3390\/nu11051079.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-5\">\n<p>Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. <em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2017 Aug 12;9(8):866. doi: 10.3390\/nu9080866.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"mntl-sources__source\" id=\"citation-6\">\n<p>DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. <em>Orthop J Sports Med<\/em>. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177\/2325967118804544.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-page_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-page mntl-block\" data-sc-sticky-offset=\"125\" data-sc-ad-label-height=\"16\" data-sc-ad-track-spacing=\"100\" data-sc-min-track-height=\"250\" data-sc-max-track-height=\"600\" data-sc-breakpoint=\"50em\" data-sc-load-immediate=\"5\" data-sc-content-positions=\"[1, 1250, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1]\" data-bind-scroll-on-start=\"true\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--finalverdict beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-finalverdict\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Animal-based collagen is renowned for its quick absorption and benefits for skin, joints, and overall health.<\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen supplements don&#8217;t contain real collagen but ingredients like vitamin C that support natural collagen production.<\/li>\n<li>Real vegan collagen has been developed for skincare and shows promise, though ingestible versions aren&#8217;t available yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It&#8217;s probably fair to say that you&#8217;ve heard the buzz about collagen\u2014it is quite literally everywhere. People swear by slathering it on their skin (although there are contradicting opinions on its efficacy), putting it in their smoothies, mixing it in their coffee, and taking supplements of the skin-plumping ingredient. And while that&#8217;s all well and good, especially if said people are seeing positive effects, there&#8217;s one big issue. Most collagen is sourced from bovine, porcine, or fish, so what if you&#8217;re vegan, vegetarian, or simply prefer an option that might be more planet-friendly?\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> That&#8217;s where plant-based collagen comes in. But can it stand up to its animal-derived counterparts? And what&#8217;s in it? To find out, we experimented with some of the many options ourselves <em>and<\/em> went to experts: nutritionist, Melissa Pfeister and nutrition coach, Karla De Epstein. Read on for their input.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--meetourexpert beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-meetourexpert\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Meet the Experts<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Melissa Pfeister is a Stanford Med Certified Nutritionist and Founder of Stripped with Melissa.<\/li>\n<li>Karla De Epstein, M.S., C.N.C. \u201cCoach Karli\u201d\u00a0is thefounder of MacroFIT by PeruvianPrincessFit\u00a0as well as a Lifestyle Macro Coach, NPC athlete, and bikini fitness competitor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Collagen? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is a vital structural protein that makes up our bodies&#8217; connective tissues, which is about a third of the protein in our bodies overall. &#8220;Collagen is so important for us,&#8221; explains Pfeister. &#8220;Not only is collagen a major component of our skin but it helps prevent bone loss, promote a healthy heart, and relieve joint pain. Collagen also keeps our skin from sagging,&#8221; she adds. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. That slowdown leads to external symptoms like loose skin and wrinkles, along with internal symptoms such as extended time for injuries to heal. Animal-derived collagen has been popular for nearly a decade now due to how well it holds up in studies for everything from improving osteoporosis to reducing wrinkles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> Collagen is available in a range of different formulations including powders, anti-wrinkle creams, pre-mixed with coffees, in pill form, and more. Similar to how probiotics now show up in random places\u2014like popcorn and beer\u2014once everyone realized we needed to consume them frequently, consumer demand grew and the same goes for collagen now. This brings us to the need for plant-based vegan collagen products. In recent years, plenty have hit the market promising to be just as effective as animal collagen. But are they?\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What to Know About Animal Collagen <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;In food, collagen is naturally found only in animal flesh like meat and fish that contain connective tissue. Collagen is also found in the bones and skin of fresh and saltwater fish. If I had to pick an animal protein, I\u2019d say fish collagen because it is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body which means it has superior bio-availability over bovine or porcine types,&#8221; explains De Epstein.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> She goes on to add, &#8220;Another option for animal-derived collagen is bone broth. The process involves simmering animal bones in water and a small amount of vinegar (to help dissolve the bone and release collagen and minerals) for anywhere from four to 24 hours.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_17-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with animal collagen, as humans we have been reaping the innumerable benefits of consuming animal proteins seemingly forever. However, our meat-loving tendencies have not done our planet any favors. With the methane from cows as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and cattle raising in rainforests being responsible for 80% of Amazon deforestation, many climate scientists have urged us to shift focus towards eating more plants and fewer large animals. And that doesn\u2019t even speak to the inhumane nature of industrial animal farming, which has led many people to eschew animal foods in favor of plant options.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_19-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There\u2019s a market for vegan collagen because there\u2019s a market for any plant-based alternative to an animal product. Whether that\u2019s leather shoes or a burger, using more plants and fewer animals has the potential to help the planet and the lives of farm animals and ocean creatures.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> What Is Vegan Collagen Made Of? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_22-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The surge of plant-based collagen in the consumer market may lead you to believe at first glance that it\u2019s possible for collagen to naturally occur in plants. However, this is not the case; collagen protein contains an array of amino acids, the precise combination of which cannot be found anywhere in nature. &#8220;Vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t come from animals, instead vegan collagen supplements sometimes come from more natural ingredients such as yeasts and bacteria, and oftentimes, vegan collagen doesn&#8217;t <em>actually<\/em> contain collagen,&#8221; explains De Epstein. Instead, vegan collagen &#8220;gives your body what it needs (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc) in order to boost your own collagen production; pretty much it supports your own body&#8217;s natural functions.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Collagen-Building Ingredients <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> It\u2019s the same as when bone broth began trending, and suddenly \u201cvegan bone broth\u201d recipes popped up everywhere. Those broths don\u2019t contain gelatin (the collagen protein in bone broth that makes it solidify when cold and is reparative for joints, bones, and skin), but rather assorted vitamins, amino acids, and minerals similar to some of the ones naturally found in the liquid left after boiling animal bones. The premise for vegan bone broth was that the ingredients in it promote the production of the nutrients found in bone broth if they don\u2019t downright contain it.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_27-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> In the same way that vegan bone broth can\u2019t speed up injury recovery time like the collagen in real bone broth can, vegan collagen products should also be viewed as promoters or builders, and not as the real thing. Plant-based collagen promoters are typically composed primarily of vitamin C. That\u2019s because vitamin C is an antioxidant that human bodies utilize to create collagen. It\u2019s an essential cofactor for two of the enzymes needed for collagen synthesis. These collagen-building products assist with collagen production through vitamin C, silica, and numerous amino acids. Many brands of collagen builders are based on rice bran solubles, which can prevent the absorption of other ingredients. To get around that, some brands choose to use other ingredients such as adaptogens or amino acids like butterfly pea powder instead of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-callout--tips beauty-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-tips\" data-tracking-id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout\" data-tracking-container=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-body_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vegan collagen does not contain any animal byproducts and therefore, is not an apples-to-apples comparison to animal collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vegan collagen gives your body the ingredients it needs to produce its own collagen. <\/li>\n<li>Vitamin C is primarily found in vegan collagen formulas because it&#8217;s vital for collagen synthesis. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> Do Plant-Based Collagen Products Work? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> There is no doubt vegan collagen promoters are effective to an extent. With vitamin C being the main ingredient in a lot of these products, in theory, it\u2019s safe to rely on the study results of vitamin C in relation to collagen production. The main message from that is positive, though not emphatic: Overall, these studies provide evidence that vitamin C may be effective in promoting collagen synthesis in vivo, although further clinical studies are needed to strengthen the implications for postoperative vitamin C supplementation.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> The tricky part about relying on a supplement taken internally to help promote the production of anything in our bodies is it can only be as effective as our bodies enable it to be. That means in those with poor digestion, for example, effects will be reduced because their bodies likely won\u2019t assimilate ingredients nearly as well. And for older people, whose bodies make less collagen, adding more of what\u2019s needed to build something won\u2019t necessarily enhance someone\u2019s ability to do so. It also depends on what the important nutrients are paired with, such as the potential absorption issue of putting vitamin C in a base of rice bran.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> My Experience With the Options <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_36-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As someone who writes regularly about topics like this one, I receive regular offers from companies asking me to try their products.Over the years I\u2019ve used countless collagen and collagen-promoting goods, both animal-based and vegan, topical and ingested.I\u2019ve personally avoided collagen-promoting products as I haven&#8217;t found them to be effective. So, that\u2019s one answer for you: Collagen builders contain great ingredients, but I\u2019ve never noticed any improvement in my skin, hair, nails, or joints from taking them. I think they\u2019re worthwhile if you need the nutrients that they contain anyway, but chances are you\u2019re getting enough vitamin C in your diet already. Only about one in 20 people in developed nations are deficient, and with how prevalent vitamin C is in fresh fruits and vegetables, it is typically a quickly fixed problem.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_38-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> When it comes to animal collagen, I\u2019ve experienced faster recovery from cuts and burns in the kitchen when I\u2019ve been in periods of consuming collagen-rich bone broth regularly. As far as animal collagen creams and serums, though, I\u2019ve always broken out before they could have enough time to work, so I can\u2019t speak to their effectiveness. But, I have seen impressive and non-irritating results with the brand, Algenist&#8217;s, topical vegan collagen products. They&#8217;ve engineered a lab-manufactured version of collagen\u2014that contains all amino acids present in animal collagen\u2014that&#8217;s only available in skincare products as of now. But, it shows promise for what&#8217;s to come in the world of animal-derived collagen alternatives.\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"><span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> The Final Verdict <\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_41-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block beauty-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"> As of now, ingestible plant-based collagen is not real collagen, but a collection of vegan ingredients designed to help boost your body\u2019s own collagen production. Thanks to genetic engineering, we do now have real vegan collagen for skincare, and it\u2019s been proven highly effective. Hopefully, soon there will be an ingestible version of vegan collagen; once there is, it\u2019ll be a level playing field, and animal collagen will no longer have the upper hand on ingestibles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> Source URL: https:\/\/www.byrdie.com\/vegan-vs-animal-based-collagen-11896981<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pros and Cons of Vegan vs. Animal-Based Collagen What the experts say. By Ariane Resnick, CNC Ariane Resnick, CNC Ariane Resnick, C.N.C. is a certified nutritionist, special diet chef, and contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things nutrition, wellness, and fitness. Byrdie&#8217;s Editorial Guidelines Published on February 01, 2026 12:59PM Reviewed by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1689264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[83,226],"class_list":["post-1689260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-byrdie-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1689260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1689260"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1689260\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1689264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1689260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1689260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1689260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}