If you’re a longtime reader, you’ll know I’m a big supplement fan and get asked about collagen daily. And because BASE is vegan and cruelty-free, the question that comes up most often is whether vegan collagen alternatives work as well as the animal-derived ones
So before you restock your shelves, let’s explore it together…
What Collagen Actually Does for Your Skin
Collagen is the main structural protein in your body, which just means it keeps your skin feeling firm, bouncy and supported. I always describe it as the internal scaffolding that holds everything up.
The reason collagen has become such a skincare buzzword is because, from our mid-20s onwards, our natural collagen levels start to slow down. That’s when we gradually notice more fine lines, less elasticity and that slightly tired look that no amount of concealer can fully fix.
How Traditional Collagen Supplements Work
And that’s why I’m so focused on collagen-boosting skincare and of course, supplements too. Most traditional collagen supplements are animal-derived, usually from cows or fish. They contain collagen peptides, which are broken down during digestion into smaller particles called amino acids.
Those amino acids are then used by your skin as building blocks, helping to keep it feeling firm, bouncy and strong.
How Vegan Collagen Supplements Are Different
Vegan collagen on the other hand, works in a very different way.
Collagen itself doesn’t exist in plants, so a vegan collagen supplement can’t contain literal collagen in the same way. Instead, it gives your body the exact tools it needs to make more of its own.
That means using nutrients and actives like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and vitamin A to kick-start your internal collagen-making factory. So rather than ‘adding’ animal collagen from the outside, vegan collagen supplements are designed to help your body do the job naturally.
And personally, I love that idea. You get exactly the same firm, bouncy results, but it feels smarter and more aligned with how the body actually works. And of course, it’s completely cruelty-free too.
Something Very Exciting Is Coming…
The catch is, not all vegan collagen supplements are created equal. I’ve been asked for recommendations for years and if I’m honest, I’ve struggled to find a vegan option that ticks every box.
Some are under-dosed, some are heavy on marketing but light on meaningful formulation and many focus on collagen alone, when skin health is never just one ingredient.
But…Do not worry 🙌🏼 We may or may not have been quietly working on something behind the scenes, that I’m genuinely beyond excited to introduce to you on the 11 January! It's an absolute game-changer, so make sure you're subscribed to be the first to hear all about it...
