*Only Pixi, Revive and Caudalie items are gifted.

Sian Victoria © - Pixi, Facetheory Collagen Skincare & Supplements

Plant-Based Collagen Beauty Benefits

Maintaining a healthy skincare regimen is among one the many important things in some people’s daily routines. From facial cleansers to serums, toners and creams, there are so many products on the market – and one of the most notable ingredients added to these in recent years is collagen.

Known for its benefits within skincare, collagen is produced within the body to aid skin elasticity but it, unfortunately, breaks down with age. Therefore, products containing essential proteins are in-demand and have become increasingly prevalent in the beauty and supplement market.

If you fancy getting your hands on some of the top-rated skincare containing this remarkable protein continue reading to see just how beneficial collagen can be in your daily skincare routine, and what products you can try out. Even better, the skincare on this list is completely vegan and cruelty-free.

I’ll also discover the difference between vegan and animal collagen and why a plant-based skincare routine should be something you consider if you haven’t yet.

What does collagen do in skincare?

Collagen is produced within the body, making up around 80% of our skin. It’s vital in the sense it ensures our skin remains strong and healthy, as it maintains the structure of the skin's connective tissue. The protein encourages new cells to grow that ensure the strength of the tissue and is what makes the skin – particularly, the face – look youthful and hydrated.

However, with age, the production of collagen slows and breaks down; this is why it’s such a prominent feature in skincare nowadays, as many of us seek out this fresh-faced, healthy look with firm skin and no areas of sagging. Because media and aesthetics doctors on the telly make us think that we can’t age gracefully, but when it comes to natural easy ways of fighting off signs of ageing, I’m more than happy to give it a try.

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Botanical Collagen Mask, Tonic & Eye Serum

What benefits of collagen for your skin?

This essential protein is recognised for its benefits in ensuring skin elasticity and strength as it increases muscle mass and restores the youthful appearance that is often lost with age.

Perfect for those who want to reduce the signs of ageing, collagen replaces dead skin cells and encourages the strength and structure of the dermis, which prevents the skin from sagging. Furthermore, the protein is beneficial in healing wounds and scars as it encourages the blood to clot, and those who take collagen have even noticed thicker hair and healthier nails.

Vegan collagen vs Animal collagen

Something that might be unknown to those who aren’t too clued up on skincare or collagen itself is that there is a difference between vegan and animal collagen.

Vegan or plant-based collagen is usually made from genetically modified yeast and bacteria. There is also the option of acacia collagen, which is a plant-derived alternative to animal collagen, made from the natural sap of the acacia tree. All the benefits depicted above can be enjoyed when trying out vegan skincare products that contain these elements, ensuring the skin remains hydrated and strengthened as the body's production of the protein is promoted.

On the other hand, animal collagen is produced from the skin, bones, and ligaments of animals, most notably pigs, cows, and fish. These are extracted and then boiled down into a gelatine mixture and often consumed as drinking bone broth soup.

Whether you choose to get your collagen from plant leaves or animal bones and skin they both have similar skin, hair, and nail benefits.

Sian Victoria © - Vegan wholefood pantry essentials

How to get more vegan collagen in your diet - Collagen-Boosting Nutrients

So, how can you make sure you can get more vegan collagen into your diet to reap all the benefits of this incredible protein? You need to consume plant-based foods that are high in all three essential amino acids abundant within collagen these are glycine, lysine, and proline, found in foods such as soy, quinoa and tofu. Consuming these will ensure your body receives the essential nutrients and minerals it needs to stimulate the production of collagen.

Benefit your skin, hair, nails and your overall well-being and physical health by accommodating these plant-based foods into your diet. Whether it’s black beans, tempeh, seeds or nuts you fancy eating more of, any of these foods are certain to encourage the production of this incredible protein without causing any harm to animals.

Best Skincare Products containing Vegan Collagen

As I experienced in my hormonal acne skincare journey, it’s important to nourish your skin from the inside and out. So, eating higher in collagen foods alongside a collagen skincare routine will with time make a visible difference to your skin.

Want to know how you can get even more natural collagen into your body to enjoy all the benefits? Check out my list of my tried and tested skincare products proficient in collagen that is completely plant-based and kind to the skin. Here are just a few of the collagen skincare products I’ve used over the past year and more that I highly recommend.

1. Facetheory PolyPep Collagen Boosting Serum S8

Sian Victoria © - Facetheory PolyPep Collagen Boosting Serum S8

FaceTheory is among the cult skincare brands that are tried and tested by the best in the skincare game. Although it may not be one that immediately springs to mind when you think of popular skincare companies, it’s certainly one to be on the lookout for. Creating natural, organic skincare that is completely vegan and cruelty-free, FaceTheory couldn’t be a better company to support. And, to make things even better, their products are some of the best on the market today.

The Facetheory PolyPep Collagen Boosting Serum S8 is one of the company's best-selling products – and for good reason. Formulated with a biomimetic peptide proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this serum is a great choice for those looking to decrease the signs of ageing.

The PHA gluconolactone is also beneficial– kind to the skin due to its large molecular size, this ingredient carefully exfoliates deep within the skin to remove dead skin cells and reveal a smoother, more even texture. Alongside these hardworking ingredients are green tea and chamomile to ensure the serum is gentle on the skin and offers anti-inflammatory benefits.

This vegan serum is completely free of harmful parabens and silicones, meaning you can enjoy all its benefits. Simply apply a few drops of the serum onto damp skin daily and see how your face is transformed, revealing a soft, even complexion of plump and refreshed skin while reducing signs of ageing. Retailing for £26.99 for 30ml, this product is certainly on the higher end of the skincare market – but the results are certainly worth it.

2. Biovea Collagen 750mg Capsules

Sian Victoria © - Biovea Collagen 750mg Capsules

Considered a leading retailer of up-market health and beauty products, Biovea produces effective products that are tried and tested among healthcare professionals. The Biovea Collagen 750mg Capsules are one of the best ways to get more of this essential protein into your system. For £27.85 you can purchase a bottle containing 120 capsules of 750mg of collagen, with 1 capsule advised to be taken daily at night.

When taking these you’ll not only be benefitting your skin, but your overall physical health will be transformed too. After utilising this product for a short time you'll notice a difference – with collagen being recognised for its benefits in supporting the strength of the skin, the structure of the connective tissue and the overall youthful appearance of the skin. The capsules work hard to ensure our different organs and tissue retain their strength.

The product contains a 4-month supply of collagen supplements, proven to enhance collagen benefits from within as opposed to applying directly onto the skin. Perfect for those who want to slow down signs of ageing or even those with more serious healthcare concerns, such as poor eyesight, arthritis, or hair loss.

As you’ll see in my vegan supplement brands post, I’ve been using these for almost 3 years, so I highly recommend them. And they have great product reviews on Biovea from other customers too, so I’m sure you will notice an improvement in your overall health after using this product for at least 4 months.

The capsules contain pure hydrolysed collagen that is 100% vegetarian, so many can reap the benefits of these capsules.

3. Pixi Botanical Collagen Volume Sheet Mask

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Botanical Collagen Volume Sheet Mask

Loved by beauty bloggers, dermatologists, and everyday skincare users, Pixi is a cosmetic brand recognised for its high-quality, clean beauty products that naturally revive the skin. Their focus on enhancing natural skin means their products are free from any harmful chemicals and are completely cruelty-free, with many of their products being vegan except for their blushers and lipsticks etc.

The Pixi Botanical Collagen Volume Sheet Mask is one of the company's top-rated products. Containing botanical collagen, peptides and hyaluronic acid, this sheet mask is applied onto the skin and removed after a minimum of 15 minutes to reveal hydrated, plump skin that has a more youthful glow.

Botanical collagen is safe and is incredibly effective in restoring the skin's elasticity, leaving your face feeling firmer and healthier, while the peptides assist the effects of collagen and fight visible signs of ageing. Hyaluronic acid ensures your face gets the luxury treatment it deserves, promoting essential moisture and hydration.

This paraben-free product couldn’t be kinder to the skin, it comes in a pack of 3 sheet masks for £10.

4. Pixi Botanical Collagen Tonic

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Botanical Collagen Tonic

You may have heard of the bestselling Pixi Glow Tonic, a cult classic in the skincare world. I did a blog post on this holy grail skincare item recently in this liquid face exfoliant toners post.

However, another best-selling Pixi product is the Pixi Botanical Collagen Tonic. With a kind-to-skin formulation that is completely vegan, cruelty-free, and alcohol-free, this tonic works wonders on the skin by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, strengthening the skin's elasticity and restoring hydration and a youthful complexion.

These noticeable benefits are made possible due to the careful formulation of the toner – with plant-based acacia collagen, proven to firm the skin and reduce moisture loss, peptides to revitalise and encourage collagen production and coconut water to ensure hydration. Simply apply daily using a cotton pad, sweeping across the face and neck, and notice a difference after just a few weeks of continued use.

If you want to reduce the signs of ageing, and hyperpigmentation and bring back that bright, youthful glow, this is the product for you. Retailing for £18 for a 250ml bottle, this toner will help to transform your skin and leave you looking and feeling more refreshed.

5. Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum

After you’ve used your Pixi sheet mask and applied your Pixi toner, finish off your new skincare regimen with the Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum.

As well as boasting a whole host of benefits for the skin, hair and physical health, collagen has also been proven to improve the elasticity of the under eyes, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of undereye bags and fine lines. This product harnesses these benefits within the Pixi Botanical Collagen Eye Serum.

Retailing for £24 for a 25ml serum, this product has great results. Formulated with plant-based acacia collagen, which gives volume and refreshes the skin to leave behind a smooth complexion. The under eyes are also treated to the soothing effects of adenosine, proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and reveal a more youthful complexion.

The skin's sensitivity remains at the core of Pixi’s principles with this product, with hyaluronic acid ensuring the vital hydration and moisture of the skin. Simply apply the product around the eye area whenever desired and wait for the difference to take place with continued use.

6. Facetheory Ocuwake Eye Cream EYE1

Sian Victoria © - Facetheory Ocuwake Eye Cream EYE1

Another wonderful product I use by FaceTheory is their Ocuwake Eye Cream EYE1. Retailing for £17.49 for a 30ml tube, this product's benefits and proven results make the asking price worth it if your budget accommodates this.

If you have fine lines and wrinkles under the eye or dark circles, this product is for you. Formulated with vitamin c and chamomile, discolouration is alleviated and the undereye area is firmed out and hydrated as the skin is thickened.

Additionally, the plant extract Mieview encourages the production of collagen and therefore stimulates the elasticity of the undereye to leave behind smoother and plump skin, while hexylresorcinol brightens dark circles through its melanin production and antioxidant properties.

This effective and dermatologically tested formulation means this eye cream couldn’t be more beneficial for your skincare needs. Made completely vegan and cruelty-free as well as being free of harmful parabens and silicones, this product uses only the best and most vital ingredients to make sure you get the results you desire.

7. Pixi Botanical Collagen LipGloss

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Botanical Collagen LipGloss

Although collagen lip gloss may not be something that immediately springs to mind when thinking of the benefits you can enjoy from collagen skincare products, it certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Pixi Botanical Collagen LipGloss harnesses the effectiveness of its other bestselling collagen products and ensures its benefits can be enjoyed on the lips, too.

Formulated with essential botanical collagen, the lip product leaves the lips feeling hydrated and moisturised upon application, while additionally softening and smoothing them. Enjoy plumper, fuller-looking lips thanks to the peptides within the formula.

Fancy giving your lips the luxury treatment of collagen while also giving you the classic shine of a traditional gloss? This lip balm retails at £14 for a 15ml tube.

8. Caudalie Instant Firming Resveratrol-lift Serum & Cashmere Cream

Sian Victoria © - Caudalie Instant Firming Resveratrol-lift Serum & Cashmere Cream

Caudalie is considered one of the many top-rated French beauty brands specialising in cutting-edge products that utilise the effects of vinotherapy and botanical ingredients to create natural, exceptional products. Their luxurious skincare is enjoyed by many, from celebrities to the skincare obsessed. Among their glamorous skincare products are the Caudalie Resvératrol lift Firming Cashmere Cream and serum that’s vegan and cruelty-free.

The Caudalie Instant Firming Resveratrol-lift Serum and Cream are perfect products for those who are keen to restore a youthful complexion and reduce the signs of ageing. Resveratrol is a tried and tested anti-ageing ingredient found in many of Caudalie’s products and is therefore proven to reap effective results – derived from vine shoots, the antioxidant properties of this ingredient increase elasticity while reducing dark spots and the appearance of wrinkles.

The inclusion of a vegan collagen booster maintains the strength and structure of the skin and its connective tissue, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and nourishes the surface layer.

If your budget accommodates this, your skincare routine may love these luxurious products, with the Firming Serum retailing for £48 and the Cashmere Cream for £44.

9. Revive Liquid Vegan Collagen

Sian Victoria © - Revive Liquid Vegan Collagen

Revive Collagen is a supplement skincare brand that specifically targets the visible signs of ageing with its products. Formulating a range of products scientifically proven to restore the youthful glow that is often lost with age, these natural products use only the most necessary ingredients to give you the best results.

The Revive Liquid Vegan Collagen is a perfect product to consider purchasing if your main skincare concerns lie with the signs of ageing. Claiming to be the world's first clinically proven vegan collagen drink, this product comes in the form of sachets in which the collagen is ingested through drinking.

These raspberry-flavoured drinks are formulated with a clinically proven vegan substitute for human type 1 collagen, ensuring the product can target fine lines and wrinkles and get to work restoring the elasticity and strength of the skin.

The sachets also utilise the anti-inflammatory properties of Panax ginseng to reduce signs of ageing. The brightening properties of Vitamin C and D can be found within the formula, as well as Vitamin B7 to encourage vital keratin production to produce thicker, healthier hair and Vitamin E to protect the skin from UV damage.

It's not just visible signs of improvement that you’ll notice from using this product, however, the sachets also contain Vitamin B6 – this works deep within the system to reduce fatigue and improve the function of the nervous system and red blood cell formation within the immune system.

This product is perhaps one of the best vegan collagen drink supplement products on the market so far since there are not many out there yet. Retailing for £37.99 for 14 sachets or £64.60 for 28 days, it is an expensive beauty routine to keep up. While the Marine collagen version is a little more affordable, which is always the way. But if you’re seeking a more youthful appearance, it’s certainly worth trying, they taste and smell good too.

The drink is to be ingested daily, and the seemingly endless benefits will leave your skin looking improved, while also improving your overall well-being and physical health too with continued use.

Sian Victoria © - Vegan & cruelty-free beauty skincare

Cheaper alternatives to vegan collagen skincare

Despite the incredible benefits of collagen, it can often be difficult to enjoy these benefits when leading a plant-based lifestyle. Beauty products containing vegan collagen can often be far more expensive - especially since it’s a new beauty trend and only just becoming more mainstream.

As more people are discovering the benefits of collagen in skincare, they are looking for kinder plant-based alternatives. Vegan collagen will benefit the health of your skin considerably, although it can be an expensive beauty routine to keep up. The only way vegan products will get cheaper is if more people adopt plant-based lifestyles. However, there are several alternatives to these expensive products that will give you similar effective results.

So, as well as eating more Collagen-Boosting nutrients to benefit your skin and overall health from the inside, there is a range of other easy alternatives. Start looking for skincare products containing grapeseed oil, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C to mimic similar results to vegan collagen beauty benefits - but for much cheaper.

Benefits of grapeseed oil in skincare

Grapeseed oil is extracted from grape seeds during winemaking and is extremely beneficial in skincare. This natural extraction has numerous benefits that mean you don’t need to splash out on expensive, plant-based skincare. I’ve been using it for years as you’ll see in my vitamin skincare routine post from 2017. Particularly if you suffer from acne or are prone to breakouts, the linoleic acid within the oil helps unclog pores and strengthens the membrane of skin cells.

As well as minimising breakouts on the skin, grapeseed oil is incredibly beneficial in reducing the signs of ageing. Due to containing a high concentration of the antioxidant Vitamin E, the effects of UV and sun damage are reduced as collagen production is encouraged, therefore reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This can help protect against more serious healthcare concerns, such as skin cancer.

The benefits of grapeseed oil don’t stop there. The Vitamin E concentration replenishes any lost moisture and hydration within the skin, ensuring the skin's protective barrier is strengthened.

Sian Victoria © - Biovea Grapseed oil with vitamin E

Benefits of vitamin C in skincare

Vitamin C is known for its multitude of healthcare benefits. We often get this vital vitamin from our diet, however, there are several ways to ensure we can ingest this vitamin and enjoy its effects either through skincare products or in capsule supplement format.

This antioxidant is most known for its effectiveness in evening out the complexion and reducing inflammation on the skin by preventing sun and UV damage from free radicals. As a result of this, the vitamin is also incredibly effective in reducing signs of pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles as the risk of premature skin ageing due to sun damage is reduced.

Following this, ingesting more Vitamin C will also stimulate collagen production in the body, therefore reducing the possibility of skin sagging as the connective tissue is strengthened. This also means wounds will be likely to heal quicker as higher collagen production encourages blood clotting and reduces the possibility of inflammation and scarring.

Benefits of vitamin A in skincare

This essential nutrient is ingested through our diet, with leafy green vegetables being a key source of this. There are several reasons why Vitamin A is so essential to our overall well-being, most notably through the fact it aids immunity and therefore the body's ability to defend against illness.

However, Vitamin A is also incredibly beneficial for the skin. Its benefits for the skin's immunity also mean it can speed up the healing process of wounds, and in turn, promote a healthy surface layer of skin.

If you're prone to breakouts, you may find ingesting more Vitamin A will reduce the possibility of acne and breakouts. Encouraging the growth of new, healthy skin cells to overturn dead skin cells, the vitamin will even out the complexion and leave you with clearer skin.

If you suffer from redness, you’ll also find the vitamin effective. Fighting inflammation as an anti-oxidant, Vitamin A encourages the production of new blood vessels and promotes cell turnover. Due to boosting collagen production, fine lines and wrinkles are minimised.

The benefits of this vitamin are endless and are therefore considered highly useful in skincare. Either by adding more to your diet or by choosing skincare containing it, it’s usually described as retinol.

If you read my Environ Skincare journey you’ll discover how supplementing my diet with Vitamin A and applying it topically is how I managed to get rid of hormonal acne as well as evidently reducing sun damage that was seen on my skin by using a facial scanner before and after treatment. It’s the holy grail ingredient I’ll never stop using or eating.

Benefits of vitamin E in skincare

Finally, Vitamin E has been proven to be beneficial in skincare, but also incredibly important in maintaining general well-being and physical health. Strengthening the immune system, the vitamin is crucial in fighting off illness.

In terms of skincare, the vitamin is incredibly effective at reducing inflammation. Particularly after UV exposure, free radicals often caused by sun damage are neutralised and therefore possible skin swelling and premature signs of ageing and reduced.

The vitamin is also beneficial in ensuring the skin's hydration and moisture remain a top priority, by softening the skin as it protects the skin's moisturise barrier and is able to penetrate deep below the skin's surface layer, for this the skin will be nourished from within. These soothing and moisturising properties mean cracked or dry skin will be benefitted.

To conclude

There we go - a run-down of some of the most beneficial skincare products on the market that boast collagen in their formulation and are completely plant-based, vegetarian and vegan. Let me know if you're considering trying out some of these products after reading about their benefits to the skin and the body, or just want to get more collagen naturally into your diet.

Follow & Support

9 Best Vegan Collagen Skincare Beauty Products & Skin Tips