You have heard of collagen and the many benefits a quality collagen serum can have for your skin. But what is vegan collagen and why should you keep an eye out for this as an ingredient in your skin products?
Have a look at what you need to know to get more from a collagen serum while keeping an ethical beauty cabinet, and find out about Botani's amazing new PhytoCollagen Vitamin B3 serum, which is now available in Australia.
Vegan vs animal collagen; what's the difference?
Collagen occurs naturally. It is a protein that is essential for healthy skin, bones and muscles. When you injure yourself, collagen gets to work, stimulating new tissue growth. Because it is more abundant at a young age, collagen is responsible for those healthy cheeks you see in children. It also helps you feel limber and healthy, rather than stiff and tight in your muscles.
Unfortunately, you lose around 1% of your natural collagen supplies every year from the age of 20. This is why skin experts recommend supplements and serums. They can act almost immediately to restore a youthful glow.
There are two options for beauty-enhancing collagen products - animal and plant-based/vegan.
Animal collagen
Animal collagen comes from cows and fish. It is made from ground-up hooves, bones and joints. The idea is you supplement your own reserves with collagen from another creature.
However, animal collagen is not destined to become collagen in your body. What's more, perhaps surprisingly, bovine and marine collagen aren't conclusively proven to work.
There is another issue if you're using animal collagen products. There can be a risk of the pesticides and herbicides the animal has been exposed to entering your system.A study conducted by the Consumer Wellness Center tested eight products such as collagen supplements to determine the level of contaminants and overall human safety. The test revealed the presence of antibiotics, drugs, and chemicals in many of the animal-based collagen supplements.
Vegan Collagen
Vegan collagen products, on the other hand, come from plants such as seaweed and other sustainable plant sources. The first benefit of using this type of product is of course knowing you have not contributed directly to the harming of animals. Vegan collagen itself acts differently from animal collagen as well. It causes your body to produce more of its own collagen, rather than 'boosting' your reserves.
What is vegan collagen and why is it a better option than animal collagen?
Vegan vs animal collagen is not a matter of comparing apples with apples.
For one thing, plants do not produce collagen. However, there is fascinating science involved with the way they are used to stimulate collagen production in humans.
This is a great explainer from Dr Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who shared that
"(Plants are) made up of ingredients that promote the body's natural production of collagen€”usually silica, phytoceramides, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants, especially vitamin C since the human body naturally uses vitamin C to produce collagen. As the natural building blocks of collagen, these ingredients, when taken as supplements, will help boost collagen production in the body. Think of it like giving someone the ingredients they need to make a recipe rather than cooking them the meal."
Picture your skin with the ingredients it needs to make more collagen and being excited to get to work!
If you are relatively healthy and produce collagen yourself, use a plant-based collagen serum or supplement. It supplies vitamins, minerals and beauty phytonutrients that help your body build more of its own. You also get the many other benefits of plant-rich ingredients, such as hydration, protection from antioxidants and anti-aging effects.
Introducing PhytoCollagen Vitamin B3 Serum from Botani
With all the above in mind, Botani set out to create a unique vegan collagen serum. This serum provides an ethical and effective alternative to animal-based collagen.
Many brands use seaweed in their collagen serums. However, our skin-friendly, non-genetically modified, plant-based hydrolysed collagen complex blends Soya, Rice Amino Acids, Baobab Seed Extract (obtained from sustainable sources from Africa) and L-Proline.
These ingredients have proven to intensely moisturise skin. They also protect its moisture barrier, stimulate collagen production and provide long-term skin firming effects.
What ingredients make the best vegan collagen serum in Australia?
Both soya and rice were used for centuries in many Asian cultures. They have proven health and skin benefits, which is why we included them in Botani's fresh-feeling new serum.
We have also included Baobab (Adansonia Digitata). This ancient super fruit from Africa contains amino acids and vitamin C to help keep your skin at its luminous, healthy best.
This multitasking serum also contains highly revered and very rare Mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus). This plant originates from the Greek island of Chios, and has proven medical properties. Its use in medical and skin treatments dates back to Ancient Greek times, when it was literally worth its weight in gold.
To complete our serum, we looked closer to home for skin-brightening ingredients. We added Australian Kakadu Plum, which is one of the world's richest sources of Vitamin C.
Use PhytoCollagen Vitamin B3 Serum to:
- Balance excessive sebum production and give your skin a matte appearance
- Reduce the appearance of larger pores
- Improve skin radiance and give yourself a healthier complexion
- Plump your skin with an instant hydration boost
- Smooth fines line and wrinkles
- Combat dehydration and protects the skin's vital moisture barrier
- Reduce and lighten dark spots, acne, pimples and lesions
- Give your skin a smooth, even texture
- Stock up your vegan beauty cabinet
Created with the help of our passionate and experienced naturopaths, this unique collagen serum is a fusion of botanicals, science & ancient wisdom. Use it once and you will notice the immediate hydration boost for your skin. Apply this refreshing serum regularly and you will promote a smoother, plumper complexion. Try Australia's brand new, all-natural vegan collagen serum for yourself.
