Biosil
BioSil comes in both liquid and capsules, and contains ch-OSA® (choline-stabilized orthosic acid), a type of silicon that helps assist your body's natural formation and upkeep of collagen and other connective tissues. There are quite a few studies on Biosil.
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in women with photodamaged skin found that 20 weeks of ch-OSA supplementation improved skin roughness and elasticity, and decreased hair and nail brittleness. Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in 48 women with fine hair discovered that 9 months of ch-OSA supplementation improved hair tensile strength and hair morphology (structure, texture). A third randomized controlled trial lasting 12 months in women with low bone density found ch-OSA increased bone-formation markers, suggestive of increased type I collagen at the 6- and 12-mg dose.
Several clinical trials have investigated ch-OSA supplementation in 211 individuals with knee osteoarthritis. In men specifically, ch-OSA supplementation was associated with improvements in overall knee symptoms, stiffness, and physical function. Men taking ch-OSA also showed a greater reduction in pain and smaller increases in biomarkers associated with cartilage breakdown. These findings suggest ch-OSA may help support joint function and reduce cartilage degradation in men with osteoarthritis.
Lastly, an open-label study of 39 participants concluded ch-OSA supplementation for five months improved hair, skin, and nail parameters.
Black Currant Powder
In a 2018 study, researchers found that an anthocyanin-rich black currant extract increased type I and type III collagen, and elastin in human skin cells. In the same study, rats given black currant extract for three months had more collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in their skin compared with rats that didn't receive the extract.
Another 2018 study looked at human skin cells exposed to UVB radiation, which can damage skin and break down collagen. The researchers found that black currant increased type I procollagen, which is involved in making new collagen, while lowering an enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also reduced IL-6, an inflammatory molecule associated with UV-related skin damage and aging. The researchers found that black currant appeared to activate pathways the body uses to produce collagen.
A more recent review of the research came to a similar conclusion. It found that the polyphenols in black currant increased type I procollagen in UV-exposed human skin cells, apparently through pathways involved in collagen production.
There is also some research in humans. In one small randomized controlled trial, women took either 392 mg or 784 mg of black currant powder daily for six months. The researchers found a significant increase in P1NP, a marker of new type I collagen formation in bone. Women taking the higher dose also experienced less loss of whole-body bone mineral density.
Taken together, these studies suggest that black currant may do more than simply provide antioxidants. Its anthocyanins and other plant compounds may encourage collagen production while helping protect collagen from being broken down.
Vegetology Vollagen
Vollagen® by Vegetology is a vegan collagen alternative made from a blend of amino acids rather than animal-derived collagen. The company says the formula contains 18 amino acids in proportions designed to mirror those found in animal collagen, including relatively high amounts of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, three amino acids strongly associated with collagen structure. The amino acids in Vollagen are produced through fermentation using non-GMO corn as the starting material, making the finished ingredient plant-based.
The main study associated with Vollagen ia a 60-day independent consumer efficacy study conducted by Ayton Global Research. It included 55 women ages 30–60, who took 1,000 mg of Vollagen per day (two 500-mg capsules). After 60 days, participants reported improvements, including firmer and more hydrated skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, smoother skin, more even skin tone, reduced appearance of dark circles, and stronger, healthier nails.
There is also a newer 2023 consumer study that included 50 volunteers ages 35–75. Participants used 1,000 mg of Vollagen daily for 60 days. The study was an in-home user trial, and participants were selected because they had visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, dark circles, and blemishes.
Vedge Collagen by Vedge Nutrition
Vedge is a plant-based collagen alternative made from proteins that are hydrolyzed, or broken down, into smaller peptides known as VEGCOL. According to the company, VEGCOL is derived from broccoli and carrots, using extraction techniques to obtain collagen-like peptides from broccoli and hydroxyproline from carrots. Vedge says this combination is designed to support healthy skin, hair, nails, joints, and gut health. The company describes VEGCOL as having “the same amino acid profile as animal collagen” and claims that it “mimics the benefits of animal-based collagen exactly.”
A 2024 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology recruited 66 adults ages 30 to 60 to test VEGCOL. Participants were split into three groups that consumed either 2.5, 5, or 10 grams per day for 60 days. A total of 63 individuals finished the study. The researchers measured skin hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, skin texture, hair growth, hair thickness, joint pain, and muscle strength.
Skin smoothness increased by 33% in the group that received 2.5 grams daily, while those who received 10 grams saw improvements in hair density and thickness. All three groups experienced increased hair growth. Other notable improvements included skin elasticity, skin hydration, and skin roughness.
The researchers concluded:
"Treatment demonstrated its worth in hair care by promoting hair growth, hair density, thickness and its general appearance. The study indicated that a dose of 2.5 g was sufficient for improving skin, nail and hair health, while a dose of 10 g showed improvement in joint pain and muscle strength. The treatment satisfied the patients' needs along with improvements in sleep quality, food digestion, bowel movement, gut health, nail health, and a reduction in joint pain and stiffness. VEGCOL™, being a natural collagen boosting source without any proven adverse events, provides a rich amino acid profile, making it an ideal choice for enhancing hair, skin, nail, gut and joint health."
All of these ingredients work to contribute to collagen production and skin health. Pea, pumpkin seed, chia, cranberry, and sunflower seed proteins provide amino acids that the body uses to build its own collagen. Acerola is particularly important because it provides vitamin C, which is required for collagen formation and helps the enzymes involved in building and stabilizing collagen. Human fibroblast studies have shown vitamin C can increase type I and III collagen production. Rosehip provides vitamin C and antioxidant compounds that may help support skin and connective tissue, while bamboo silica provides silicon, a mineral involved in connective-tissue structure; preliminary human research on orally consumed silicon has found improvements in measures such as skin firmness and hydration. Researchers looking at the effects of Tremella (Tremella fuciformis) polysaccharides on human skin fibroblasts discovered that it increased levels of type I collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in UV-exposed cells while also providing some protection from the oxidative damage related to UV exposure. Additionally, Tremella extract was shown to increase collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts in another recent study.
Sprout Living markets their product as organic, vegan, third-party tested, and also states there are no gums, artificial flavors, fillers, or sugar alcohols.
VeCollal® is the world's first clinically proven, plant-based alternative to animal derived collagen. It is made by combining fermented, food-grade amino acids from plant-based sources to recreate the amino-acid profile of human collagen. The company states that its Type I formula uses 18 amino acids designed to match human type I collagen.
For the Type I/Beauty version, the formula also includes natural collagen-pathway “inductors,” specifically Panax ginseng, Centella asiatica (gotu kola), and vitamin C. These are intended to stimulate pathways involved in your body's own collagen production.
The amino acids listed in VeCollal-containing products include glycine, L-proline, L-alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, serine, leucine, valine, threonine, glutamine, lysine, vitamin C, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan.
A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Functional Foods included 90 adults, randomized into three groups of 30 each. There was a placebo group, vegan collagen group, and fish collagen group. All groups consumed one sachet daily for 8 weeks. The vegan collagen used in this trial used 5 grams of VeCollal®. The study measured changes to skin collagen density, elasticity, wrinkles, skin texture, pores, skin hydration, and brightness.
Skin collagen density and elasticity were improved after eight weeks in the VeCollal group. Skin collagen density was increased 7.7% from baseline and also increased 4.7% from placebo. Skin elasticity was increased 6% from baseline and 5.1% from placebo. Wrinkle depth was reduced 32.9% from baseline. Skin texture, pores, hydration, and brightness were also improved.
A newer study from the University of Pavia in Italy included 60 women ages 39–65 using 5 grams of VeCollal Type I per day for 56 days. According to VeCollal, the study measured a 10.5% increase in dermal collagen intensity, a 21.16% improvement in skin hydration, and a 20.10% improvement in the appearance of cellulite versus placebo.
VeCollal seems like one of the more promising vegan collagen supplements out there. This is mostly because there is human research supporting actually measured increases to skin collagen density.
Moon Juice Collagen Protect is a plant-based collagen creamer and skin supplement that is a simple three-ingredients: Rice bran (called Tocos), Tremella mushroom, and hylauronic acid. Their rice bran solubles come from organic Thai jasmine rice and is naturally rich in vitamin E, including tocotrienols, which has antioxidant properties that may help protect skin from oxidative stress. Tremella fuciformis, also known as snow or silver ear mushroom, is included for its skin-hydrating and antioxidant properties. The third ingredient, sodium hyaluronate, is a form of hyaluronic acid that helps the skin retain moisture, which improves hydration and the appearance of skin elasticity and plumpness.
Moon Juice describes the formula as supporting the body's natural collagen while helping protect collagen from environmental and oxidative damage.
The Future of Vegan Collagen
A newer generation of vegan collagen substitutes goes beyond collagen boosters and collagen biomimetics to something called recombinant collagen (such as Vecollagen and SynthCol1). This refers to collagen or collagen-like protein produced via biotechnology. Recombinant collagen production can involve genetically engineered yeast, bacteria, or even plants to grow specific human collagen proteins. Unlike collagen boosters which merely support your body's existing collagen production, or collagen biomimetics which attempt to replicate aspects of collagen building blocks, true recombinant collagen seeks to produce collagen protein or an extremely similar protein through fermentation or other biological production methods.
Taking it one step further, Engineered extracellular matrix (ECM) is an even more recent development in animal-free collagen technology. Rather than focusing only on collagen production, scientists are attempting to mimic cells' entire scaffolding of surrounding proteins and molecules. This includes collagen, but also other elements involved in tissue growth and repair. Preliminary studies have produced human cell-derived ECM materials that promote cellular growth and wound healing in lab models.
While many of these products are years away from being commercially available, they have the potential to provide collagen that doesn't come from an animal while also mimicking collagen's structure and function much more effectively than currently available collagen supplements.
Exciting but a little overwhelming, too!