Our skin is amazing. It is the largest human organ, responds to pressure, vibration, temperature, pleasure and pain, and comes in a wide range of beautiful colours.
It can be a reflection of both our mental and physical health, as well as our lived experiences.
Taking good care of our skin often requires more than simply focusing on its surface: we need to go much further than skin deep. Collagen supplements can help do this.
In this blog, we’re going to explain why our plant-based supplement is the best collagen drink for skin, and what it will do for the rest of your body too.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. It is created naturally by combining the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, with manganese, vitamin C, zinc and copper.
So far, scientists have identified 28 different types of collagen found in various places in our bodies, of which Type I collagen accounts for roughly 90%.
As a structural protein, collagen plays a crucial role in strengthening our bones, muscles and tendons, while also bringing hydration and flexibility to our joints, ligaments, arteries and, of course, our skin.
But why is our plant-based supplement the best collagen drink for your skin?
Collagen supplements sources
The UK skincare market is predicted to be worth over £3.7 billion by 2028. It includes collagen products, which burst onto the scene in the past decade or so, and have generated a lot of buzz.
The majority of collagen supplements available to buy come from three different sources: animal, marine and plant-based.
Animal collagen
Also known as bovine collagen, it is sourced from animals including cows and pigs, but can also come from buffalo, bison or yak.
Collagen is extracted from the skin, muscles, bones and tendons, among other parts.
For some products, the collagen is hydrolysed, which means it has been broken down into smaller fragments, known as peptides, that are easier for the body to absorb.
Hydrolysed marine collagen
As the name suggests, marine collagen is extracted from the skin, scales, bones and swim bladder of fish, most commonly endangered wild-caught cod or farm-raised species.
Like animal collagen, marine collagen can be hydrolysed to produce collagen peptides.
Plant-based collagen
Unlike animal or marine collagen, plant-based alternatives don’t actually contain any collagen.
Instead, they have been specifically developed to provide all the building blocks our bodies need to naturally produce it and enhance our collagen levels.
Our liquid supplement contains VeCollal®: the world’s first plant-based, vegan-friendly collagen alternative. But why is it better for our skin than collagen from animals?
The benefits of plant-based collagen
Let’s explore two of the main advantages of our plant-based collagen alternative.
The science
As we said earlier, the VeCollal® at the heart of our liquid supplement isn’t collagen. It is a biomimetic, and contains amino acid profiles that enable it to exactly match human Type 1 collagen.
An animal and marine collagen drink is roughly similar to our collagen profile, but they are not identical. They can also contain ingredients that can be a bit of a mystery: who knows what potassium sorbate or ascorbic acid actually do?
As well as mimicking the necessary chain of amino acids to increase our collagen levels, VeCollal® also contains three plant-based essential nutrients that boost natural collagen production: ginseng, vitamin C and Asiaticoside.
When it comes to the taste of our collagen supplement, we looked at natural flavourings, opting for a delicious infusion of Japanese plum, rather than using artificial flavours.
The sustainability
Every collagen brand worth its salt wants to have a minimal or positive impact on the environment.
It’s the reason we chose a plant-based formulation for our collagen drink, why our packaging is minimal and why it is made from recycled materials wherever possible.
While animal and marine hydrolysed collagen may have skincare benefits, they come at a potentially dreadful price, with stories of deforestation and rights abuses.
You can take our liquid supplement knowing it won’t cost the Earth.
Why a liquid and not a powder or capsule?
It’s a good question, and the answer is also based on science.
Studies have shown that liquids are more readily absorbed by the body. That’s why we chose that option for our collagen supplement, rather than a hydrolysed collagen powder.
Our liquid formula is absorbed by the body at a rate of 98%, compared to capsules which can be as low as 3%.
But if we can make collagen ourselves, why do we need supplements at all?
Plant-based collagen and your skin
The human body produces collagen naturally but, by the time we reach our early twenties, that output starts to decline by around 1% per year.
By the age of 40, production decreases even more rapidly, with most women losing up to 80% of their collagen. Its effects can be both felt and seen.
Our bones and muscles become weaker, and our joints and arteries are less flexible.
We start to see fine lines and wrinkles in our skin, it may even start to sag a little, and look duller or lack a youthful glow.
The drop in collagen production can also affect our hair. When our scalp is less hydrated, it can lead to dry, brittle hair, and even hair loss.
Our plant-based collagen drink can help reverse these effects.
Collagen and skin hydration and skin elasticity
Because collagen is a structural protein - it takes the form of a triple helix - it acts as a framework for our skin, literally lifting and plumping out the layers where it’s found.
In addition, collagen also attracts and retains water molecules, boosting hydration within the skin layers.
Collagen is a key component of the skin's natural repair and renewal process, helping maintain the integrity and strength of skin cells, while also kick-starting their production.
One drink, taken daily, can lead to impressive results. It begins with improved skin moisture levels: dry skin is softer and smoother, while fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
Collagen improves skin tone, making it appear brighter and more youthful, and also improves skin elasticity, reducing the sagging effect.
But it’s not the only ingredient in our collagen drink that is aimed at helping keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Collagen and hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is another compound that is found naturally in our skin. It binds to water and helps retain moisture and increase skin elasticity, as well as relieving joint pain and repairing acne.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that together, collagen and hyaluronic acid are good moisturisers. They can help balance the body’s natural oils, and can ease conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
Collagen and Panax ginseng
Alongside collagen and hyaluronic acid, our liquid supplement also contains Panax ginseng.
It can protect against the UV damage that can cause fine lines and wrinkles, while its anti-inflammatory properties can help ease skin conditions such as psoriasis.
Panax ginseng also helps increase the circulation of our skin's smallest blood vessels, boosting collagen production and leading to firmer skin.
As if that wasn’t enough, it has antioxidant properties that protect skin from free radical damage and other environmental aggressors.
Collagen and Retinol (Vitamin A)
Studies have shown that people with higher Vitamin A concentrations in their skin tend to look younger than those with less. That’s why our collagen drink’s unique formula includes retinol.
It can improve skin elasticity by supporting the removal of damaged elastin fibres and promoting the production of new blood vessels.
Retinoids are the active form of vitamin A, and also stimulate the production of collagen, boosting cell turnover. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Collagen and biotin
Science has also demonstrated that biotin can help boost skin hydration, smoothness and overall appearance.
This essential vitamin, which we extract from food or our collagen drink, doesn’t just boost skin health. Taken in combination with collagen, it can enhance your hair and nails too.
But what else can our collagen drink do for your body?
Our plant-based collagen drink and you
Collagen is the most abundant form of protein in the body, and when our natural production of it declines, the effects can be at best negative, at worst catastrophic.
Our plant-based supplement aims to change that. Drinking a sachet daily helps rebuild your natural level of collagen, with results that definitely go further than skin deep.
As well as helping to hydrate dry skin and strengthening brittle nails and hair, our collagen drink can help strengthen bones.
Importantly for many women, it can also improve bone mass density and delay the onset of osteoporosis.
Our collagen drink can strengthen muscles and increase muscle mass, while ensuring our arteries remain flexible, boosting heart health.
It can also ease joint pain and improve our gut health, while also speeding up wound healing.
All this from a single daily sachet that has been specifically developed to have minimal impact on the environment.
This is why we believe our plant-based collagen drink is the best supplement for your skin and entire body.
Try our plant-based collagen drink
Just one sachet daily helps rebuild your collagen levels, boosting your skin, hair and nails, as well as bone, muscle and even heart health. What’s not to love?
We have a range of order options, including our 28-day subscription that comes with a free Arella bundle. Click here for details of all our offers.
Contact us
Got any queries that aren’t covered in our FAQs? Want to know more about plant-based collagen or our sustainability commitments? We would love to hear from you.
You can email us at info@arella-beauty.co.uk, or call 03303 209190. Alternatively, fill out this contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.
