There are dozens of collagen supplements, from bovine, to marine and porcine; they’re everywhere, from powders to creams and pills; however, not for a vegetarian. It has been a long time coming, but finally, there is a potent, safe and sustainably extracted vege collagen that offers results. Read on to learn more, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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It's almost like clockwork. You get to a certain age, and you start to notice that lack of plumpness in your skin, especially the under-eye area, your joints may feel stiff after a workout and your nails and hair become weak and lack-lustre. Bolstering your collagen reserves each day can help with these beauty dilemmas. Clinicians' latest beauty supplement is Vege Collagen which comes in a convenient capsule; here’s how they work.
What’s in it?
Choosing evidence-based ingredients is top of mind for naturopath Jane Cronin from Clinicians. So when she discovered new sustainable collagen that would appeal to vegetarians, it was a no-brainer. "We were looking for a suitable vegetarian ingredient, so we were very excited to find the Ovoderm™ eggshell collagen." As effective as marine and bovine collagens on the market, Ovoderm™, is specifically for anyone who does not eat meat. "There are products claiming to be vegetarian collagen; they do not contain collagen but provide nutrients that support the natural formation of collagen," says Jane. Silica and that moisture magnet hyaluronic acid also feature in the formula. "Bamboo is naturally rich in silica, a mineral needed to strengthen hair, skin and nails and helps skin elasticity. ExceptionHYAL™, sodium hyaluronate (a hyaluronic acid derivative), is also plant-based and extracted using a bio-fermented process from wheat and corn." Cronin adds sustainability was also top of mind when selecting ingredients. "Eggshell membrane is a waste product of the food industry. Over one billion eggshells are repurposed yearly to make Ovoderm™ powder, a great way to reduce waste and benefit the beauty industry. Similarly, bamboo is a fast-growing plant, easily regenerated after harvesting, which also fits in with our vision for sustainability."
Clinicians Vege Collagen, 60 Vegetarian capsules, $45.
When would you expect to see results?
The entire Clinician’s appearance range of supplements is backed by science, and these newbies are no different. ”Ovoderm™ collagen is backed by several studies showing its benefits for skin elasticity, smoothness, reduced pigmentation and firmness from the inside out,” says Cronin. “A study which measured the effect of a five-week treatment revealed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity (12 per cent increase, p = .0136) and a tendency to reduce skin pigmentation (five per cent decrease). A further study which measured results after two months showed a 33 per cent improvement in skin firmness and a 45 per cent improvement in skin fatigue and helped skin elasticity.” Also, while we can all see the results when using skincare with hyaluronic acid, taking a supplement with ExceptionHYAL™ works in the same way, but from the inside out. Cronin says, “It showed an increase of hyaluronic acid in the blood after seven days, which as a humectant, helps to draw moisture into the skin.”
The take home?
Choosing a collagen supplement can be daunting, not to mention frustrating, especially for those with dietary requirements. However, the ease of popping a capsule over mixing liquids and powder (which can be less stable) is not only ideal for travel, but it’s a quick and easy way to take a beauty supplement. After all, consistency is vital when you want to see the best results from a collagen boost.
At home with food stylist Fiona Hugues.