Is there such a thing as Vegan Collagen or is it just a myth?

--- url: https://insights.avea-life.com/skincare/is-there-such-a-thing-as-vegan-collagen-or-is-it-just-a-myth/ title: Is there such a thing as Vegan Collagen or is it just a myth? scraped_at: 2025-11-30 type: wordpress --- # Is there such a thing as Vegan Collagen or is it just a myth? Written by [Sophie Chabloz](https://insights.avea-life.com/author/sophie-chabloz/) You may have heard of vegan collagen, but here’s the truth: plants don’t produce collagen, only humans and animals do. So what exactly is vegan collagen? In reality, it’s a science-backed, plant-based source of **collagen building blocks** that supports your body in producing its own collagen naturally. At AVEA, we partnered with longevity researchers at ETZ Zurich to develop Colgevity™, a patented, 100% vegan collagen precursor. It delivers the three essential amino acids your body needs to build collagen fibers: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. This formula goes beyond simply supplying raw materials; it stimulates your body’s own collagen production, for deeper, longer-lasting results and it is 4x more effective than generic collagen. ## **How does AVEA Vegan Collagen Activator work?** Unlike most collagen supplements on the market, which rely on conventional animal-derived peptides, AVEA takes a next-generation, science-driven approach that focuses on stimulating your body’s own collagen production. Recent advances in skin longevity research have shown that simply supplementing collagen is not enough, especially in the skin, where long-term structural integrity depends on more than just protein intake. At the forefront of this approach is **Colgevity™**, developed in collaboration with longevity researchers at ETZ Zurich. **Colgevity™** is designed to support the **full lifecycle of collagen production**: supplying essential building blocks, activating synthesis, and protecting newly formed collagen fibers. The heart of this innovation is the **patented plant-based Colgevity™**, delivering **glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline** in the precise ratios your body needs to form collagen’s stable triple-helix structure. To maximize its effectiveness, **Colgevity™** is combined with key co-factors in the [Collagen Activator](https://avea-life.com/products/collagen-activator) formulation, creating a complete, multi-step solution: - **Vitamin C from Acerola Cherry** acts as a critical co-factor for hydroxylation, the enzymatic step that stabilizes newly formed collagen fibers. - **Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG)**, a longevity-associated molecule, supports cellular energy metabolism and facilitates collagen cross-linking, ensuring newly produced collagen is structurally resilient. - **Astaxanthin**, a powerful antioxidant, protects existing collagen from oxidative stress and UV-induced degradation, preserving your skin’s structural integrity. Together, these ingredients provide a **comprehensive, scientifically grounded solution** for collagen support – targeting synthesis, structural stability, and long-term protection. This makes AVEA’s approach one of the most advanced formulations available for supporting **skin longevity and overall connective tissue health**. ## **What Is Animal Collagen and Why AVEA Vegan Collagen Precursors Are More Effective** Animal collagen is a structural protein found in the connective tissues of animals, including skin, bones, cartilage, and tendons. Most traditional collagen supplements are made from hydrolyzed animal collagen, broken down into smaller peptides for easier absorption. However, once ingested, these peptides are not guaranteed to reach the skin, they may be used by muscles, organs, or simply treated as general protein. There are a few reasons why conventional animal collagen often falls short: - Poor absorption: Collagen molecules are naturally large. Even when hydrolyzed, the resulting peptides can still be too big or lack the right structure, so the body treats them like any other protein rather than directing them to skin and joints. - Lack of stimulation: Many supplements simply provide raw protein without activating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing new collagen. It’s like leaving bricks at a construction site with no workers to build the house. - Missing co-factors: Collagen production is a complex process that requires helper nutrients like Vitamin C and Zinc. Without these, the body can’t efficiently build or stabilize new collagen fibers, no matter how much raw material is present. Because of these limitations, traditional animal collagen supplements rarely trigger the body to produce new collagen where it matters most, reducing their effectiveness for skin, joints, and overall connective tissue health. Vegan collagen precursors, on the other hand, are designed to support the entire collagen synthesis process. By providing the three essential amino acids: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, in precise ratios, activating fibroblasts (the body’s collagen-producing cells), and including key co-factors like Vitamin C and Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG), these plant-based formulations signal your body to produce and stabilize collagen effectively. Unlike conventional animal collagen supplements, vegan precursors work with your body to build collagen exactly where it’s needed, supporting skin firmness, elasticity, and long-term connective tissue health. True collagen synthesis is a complex process that depends on three critical components: 1. Specific amino acids in precise ratios Collagen is primarily made of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. While these amino acids can come from dietary protein, effective collagen production requires them in the exact proportions that match the body’s natural collagen structure. Generic protein powders or fragmented peptides often don’t provide this balance, limiting their ability to support meaningful collagen formation in the skin. 2. Activation of fibroblasts — the body’s collagen-producing cells Fibroblasts, found in the dermis, are responsible for creating new collagen. But simply having the building blocks isn’t enough — these cells need a signal to start producing collagen. Without this activation, the body cannot begin rebuilding, even when all the necessary amino acids are present. 3. Essential co-factors to support and stabilize collagen Collagen formation involves multiple enzymatic steps and requires co-factors like Vitamin C and Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG). These nutrients help stabilize collagen fibers and ensure proper cross-linking, giving the collagen matrix its strength. Without them, newly formed collagen can be weak, unstable, and break down quickly. By addressing all three of these components — amino acid supply, fibroblast activation, and co-factor support — vegan collagen precursors provide a more complete and effective approach than traditional animal collagen supplements, helping the body produce collagen where it’s needed most for healthier, firmer, and more resilient skin. ## **AVEA Patented Collagen Activator Real Results** AVEA ran a 6-month observational clinical study, in collaboration with the dermatology clinic Hatwerk in Zurich. Isabel, one of the participants, was eager to share with us her experience with our advanced formula – designed to stimulate the body’s own collagen production. Here are the results: After just three months of consistent use of our [Collagen Activator](https://avea-life.com/products/collagen-activator), Isabel’s skin analysis revealed measurable improvements across multiple markers: - Hydration: Skin hydration levels surged by 18.6%, especially on her cheeks and arms. - Spots & hyperpigmentation: Saw a dramatic 144.4% improvement, leading to a more even skin tone and reduced dark spots. - Wrinkles: Initial increase, then smoothed out to a 7.1% decrease, giving her skin a more youthful look. - Texture: Rapid enhancement of 73.9% within the first month, stabilising at 39.1%, leaving her skin smoother and more refined. - Sun damage (UV spots): Reduced by 42.9% in the first month, settling at a 14.3% improvement after three months. - Brown spots: Minor but steady reduction of 4.3% in the first month and 2.2% by the third month. - Red areas (Inflammation): Reduced inflammation by 11.8% initially, with continued improvement to 4.4% by three months. These changes, captured through a professional Visia scan imaging, reflect more than just surface-level improvements – they indicate a real shift in skin health from within. [AVEA Collagen Activator](https://avea-life.com/products/collagen-activator) isn’t just about beauty – it’s about supporting long-term skin vitality on a cellular level. And Isabel’s story is just one example of what’s possible when science backs your skincare. Overall, our clinical study showed promising results within 3 months – with significant changes in skin quality: - Skin hydration improved by 30% within just 1 month - Skin texture improved by 8% within just 1 month - 97% of participants reported improvements in their skin quality within 3 months - On average, we observed a reduction in biological age by 1.4 year Developed in Switzerland, our [Collagen Activator](https://avea-life.com/products/collagen-activator) has gone through rigorous clinical testing at ETH Zurich, with an observational human study at Hautwerk dermatology Clinic. By [Sophie Chabloz](https://insights.avea-life.com/author/sophie-chabloz/) Sophie is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Avea, focusing on developing innovative supplements with an emphasis on ingredient synergies. She holds an MSc in Food Science, Nutrition & Health from ETH Zurich, underpinning her strong scientific and industry expertise. Sophie is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Avea, focusing on developing innovative supplements with an emphasis on ingredient synergies. She holds an MSc in Food Science, Nutrition & Health from ETH Zurich, underpinning her strong scientific and industry expertise. ### Science-based solutions designed to keep you feeling energized, vibrant, and youthful. ### Collagen Activator [Learn More](https://avea-life.com/products/collagen-activator) Supports natural collagen production €79.0 Lemon - €79.0 Raspberry Mint - €79.0