Vegan Collagen Gummies: Is There Such a Thing?

By the GUUDIES Editorial Team · Updated 26 October 2026 · Claims checked against the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register; sources below.

Disclosure: GUUDIES makes a daily gummy pouch. Five of its six gummies are vegan; our Marine Collagen gummy contains fish and is not vegan. We explain the difference below.

The short answer: there is no such thing as a vegan collagen gummy in the strict sense, because collagen is an animal protein, made from fish skin, cow hide or similar sources. Products sold as "vegan collagen" usually contain vitamin C, amino acids and plant extracts rather than collagen itself, so check the ingredient list before you buy.

Why Collagen Cannot Be Vegan

Collagen is the main structural protein in animal connective tissue, skin and bone. Collagen supplements are made by breaking that protein down into smaller pieces called peptides. The source is always animal:

• Marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales.
• Bovine collagen comes from cow hide.
• Gelatine, used in many gummies, is a form of cooked collagen from pigs or cows.

Plants do not make collagen. So if a product says "vegan collagen", it is either using the phrase loosely or describing something other than collagen.

What Is Actually in "Vegan Collagen" Gummies?

Most products marketed as vegan collagen, collagen support or plant collagen contain some mix of:

• Vitamin C, which has an authorised claim: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
• Amino acids such as glycine, proline and lysine, which are building blocks the body uses to make its own proteins.
• Plant extracts such as bamboo silica, sea buckthorn or various berries, which have no authorised claims.
• Other vitamins and minerals, such as biotin or zinc.

Some companies are also developing collagen-like proteins made by fermentation with microbes. If a product claims to contain one, check exactly what it is and whether it is listed on the ingredient label.

None of this makes vegan collagen products bad. It just means they are a different thing from collagen peptides, and you should compare them on what they actually contain.

Collagen vs "Vegan Collagen" Compared

	Marine or bovine collagen	"Vegan collagen" products
Contains collagen?	Yes, as hydrolysed peptides	No
Vegan?	No	Usually, but check the gummy base
Typical ingredients	Collagen peptides, sometimes vitamin C or biotin	Vitamin C, amino acids, plant extracts
Authorised UK health claim	None for collagen itself	Only for the vitamins and minerals, at 15% NRV or more
What to check	Source (fish or cow), allergens, amount per day	Vitamin C dose and % NRV, full ingredient list

Collagen itself has no authorised health claim in the UK. Claims on collagen products normally rely on added vitamins, such as vitamin C or biotin.

Vitamin C and Collagen

Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg a day, and most people can get this from fruit and vegetables such as oranges, peppers, strawberries, broccoli and potatoes (NHS). The NHS says taking less than 1,000mg a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm.

So for vegans, the honest route is a varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, plus a vitamin C source if you want the reassurance of a supplement.

Other Non-Vegan Ingredients to Check in Supplements

Collagen is the obvious one, but it is not the only animal ingredient that can turn up in vitamins and gummies:

• Gelatine in gummy bases and capsules. Pectin or starch-based gummies avoid it.
• Vitamin D3 from lanolin, which comes from sheep's wool. Vegan D3 is usually made from lichen.
• Fish oil for omega-3. Algae oil is the vegan alternative.
• Shellac, a glaze made by lac insects, and carmine, a red colour from cochineal insects.
• Beeswax or lactose, sometimes used as coatings or fillers.

How to Check a Supplement Is Vegan

1. Look for a vegan label on the specific product, not just on the brand's homepage.
2. Read the full ingredient list, including the gummy base, coatings and colours.
3. Check the allergen information. Fish, milk and egg must be emphasised on UK labels.
4. If the source of vitamin D3 is not stated, ask the brand.
5. If a brand sells several products, check each one. One vegan product does not make the range vegan.

Where GUUDIES Fits

GUUDIES is one daily pouch of six pectin-based gummies, with no gelatine. Five of the six are vegan; our Marine Collagen gummy contains fish and is not vegan. It provides 200mg of hydrolysed marine collagen peptides (Type I and III) plus 100µg of biotin (200% NRV); biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal hair. Collagen itself has no authorised claim.

The vegan Daily Greens+ gummy includes 80mg of vitamin C (100% NRV). Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. If you follow a vegan diet, the Marine Collagen gummy is not suitable for you, and the full pouch includes it. Every ingredient is listed on our ingredients page.

See the GUUDIES daily pouch

Common Questions

Is there such a thing as vegan collagen?
Not in the strict sense. Collagen is an animal protein. Products called vegan collagen usually contain vitamin C, amino acids and plant extracts instead.

What do vegan collagen gummies contain?
Usually vitamin C, amino acids such as glycine and proline, and plant extracts. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.

Is marine collagen vegan?
No. Marine collagen is made from fish skin and scales, so it is not suitable for vegans or for people with a fish allergy.

Are GUUDIES vegan?
Five of the six gummies in the GUUDIES pouch are vegan. The Marine Collagen gummy contains fish.

How can vegans support normal collagen formation?
Get enough vitamin C from fruit and vegetables or a supplement. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.

Sources

• NHS, Vitamin C: nhs.uk
• NHS, The vegan diet: nhs.uk
• GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register: gov.uk

Related Reading

Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen · Best Vegan Gummies UK · Vegan Gummy Vitamins: What to Look For · Vitamin C Gummies Explained