In the past few years, collagen supplements have surged in popularity to become a beauty and wellness staple. But are their promises - of firmer, smoother skin, stronger nails, and healthier hair - too good to be true?
Well, it really depends on the type of collagen you use. And as more of us look for products that align with our values, there’s growing curiosity around vegan collagen especially.
If you’ve browsed the shelves and scrolled through the ads, you’ll know there’s no shortage of these plant-based alternatives. But there’s a lot of confusion around what “vegan collagen” actually means. To help separate fact from fiction, we spoke to registered nutritionist Julie Stewart. Let’s debunk the biggest myths about vegan vs. animal collagen, and dive into the science behind VeCollal®, the breakthrough, plant-based ingredient in our Complete Collagen formula.
Myth: Vegan collagen is nothing new.
Truth: Vegan boosters aren’t new. But VeCollal® is.
Until very recently, a “vegan collagen” product was really just a booster: a blend of vitamins and minerals designed to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, but not replicate it.
That changed with VeCollal®, the world’s first vegan collagen to perfectly mimic the structure of human collagen. This science-backed, patented ingredient is what powers our Complete Plant-based Collagen formula. It’s cruelty-free and clinically proven to reduce wrinkles, improve elasticity, increase skin hydration, and more. Meaning you don’t have to compromise on quality or your values.
Myth: Vegan collagen isn’t “real” collagen.
Truth: Animal collagen isn’t human collagen.
Before plant-based alternatives emerged, collagen supplements were made from animal sources (usually pigs, cows, or fish). And these products do contain “real” collagen—for the animals.
The fact is, animal collagen is fundamentally different from human collagen. It’s often missing essential amino acids, like l-tryptophan, which make it an incomplete protein.
VeCollal® isn’t just an “alternative” - it uses precisely sequenced amino acids to replicate the exact structure of Type I human collagen (the most abundant type in your body). Giving you a collagen formula that behaves like a human protein, and works in harmony with the human body (not a fish).
Myth: Vegan collagen isn’t as effective as animal collagen.
Truth: Vegan collagen delivers the same (or better) results as animal collagen.
If you’re sceptical that a vegan formula can perform as well as traditional collagen, science says otherwise. Because VeCollal® uses biomimetic molecules that match the amino acid profile of human Type I collagen, it can deliver the same, or even better, results—with 100% plant-based, ethical ingredients.
Clinical data shows VeCollal® stands shoulder to shoulder with animal collagen for improving skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle reduction. Lab studies also show that absorption is more efficient, releasing up to 90% of amino acids during digestion compared with less than 60% for bovine and marine collagens.
Plus, our Complete Collagen formula is enriched with skin-boosting extras: “With added vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, bamboo silica, and biotin, this formula not only matches animal collagen but also provides extra beauty-from-within support for skin, hair, and nails,” says nutritionist Julie Stewart.
Myth: Collagen powders are a wellness fad.
Truth: It depends on the powder…
Not all “vegan collagen” products are created using real science. Many are low dosage, packed with fillers, or overly sweetened.
We’ve formulated Complete Plant-based Collagen so that it’s pure, potent, and proven.
The results speak for themselves. In just 8 weeks, human clinical trials on VeCollal® showed:
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Wrinkles reduced by 32.9%*
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Skin collagen density increased by 7.7%*
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Elasticity and hydration improved by 6% each*
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Skin roughness reduced by 13.1%*
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Pore size reduced by 5.6%*
Just remember that consistency matters—your daily scoop helps you see and sustain these results.
We’ve worked hard to make sure Complete Collagen doesn’t cake or clump. And it’s available in two flavours (Mango or Unflavoured) so that it’s fun, easy and tasty to stir into your favourite drinks and meals.
The future of collagen is truly vegan
Before VeCollal® , “vegan collagen” was more of a marketing plug than a proven science. Now, we finally have a clinically tested, biomimetic alternative to animal collagen - one you can count on to deliver results, and do good by the planet.
*¹ Lin, Y.-K., Liang, C.-H., Lin, Y.-H., Lin, T.-W., Jiménez Vázquez, J., van Campen, A. and Chiang, C.-F. (2024) ‘Oral supplementation of vegan collagen biomimetic has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study’, Journal of Functional Foods, 112, p. 105955. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2023.105955.
*¹ VeCollal (n.d.) VeCollal increases collagen production by 134.97% (In vitro results). Available at: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0024/7123/1534/files/1.3_-Study-_VeCollal_increases_collagen_production_by_134_in_vitro_results..pdf?v=1712584969