Can collagen and keratin be replaced with vegan alternatives?

Yes, collagen and keratin can be replaced with vegan alternatives in cosmetic formulations. Plant-based and biotechnology-derived ingredients can closely mimic the moisturizing, film-forming, and strengthening functions of their animal-derived counterparts. While no vegan substitute is chemically identical to collagen or keratin, many perform comparably in real-world cosmetic applications. Below, we unpack the best alternatives, how they perform, and what brands should consider when making the switch.

What makes collagen and keratin non-vegan?

Collagen and keratin are non-vegan because they are proteins derived exclusively from animal sources. Collagen is extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissue of cattle, pigs, and fish. Keratin is sourced from animal hair, wool, feathers, and hooves. Because obtaining these proteins requires slaughtering animals or using animal by-products, they are incompatible with vegan cosmetic formulations.

Beyond the ethical concern, the sourcing of these ingredients raises transparency challenges. Supply chains for animal-derived proteins can be difficult to trace, making it harder for brands to guarantee ethical sourcing or consistent quality. For brands building a sustainable cosmetics identity, this lack of traceability is an additional reason to explore plant-based alternatives.

What are the best vegan alternatives to collagen?

The best vegan collagen alternatives are ingredients that replicate the hydrating, plumping, and skin-supporting functions of collagen without using animal-derived proteins. The most effective options include plant-based peptides, marine-free hyaluronic acid, and fermentation-derived ingredients that stimulate the skin’s own collagen production.

Hydrolyzed wheat protein and rice protein: These plant-derived peptides form a protective film on the skin, improving elasticity and moisture retention in a way that parallels collagen’s function.
Hyaluronic acid (vegan-grade): Produced through bacterial fermentation rather than animal tissue, vegan hyaluronic acid delivers intense hydration and helps maintain skin volume and suppleness.
Tremella mushroom extract: A natural humectant that binds water to the skin similarly to hyaluronic acid, offering a compelling plant-based collagen alternative for skincare formulations.
Bakuchiol: A plant-derived retinol alternative that stimulates collagen synthesis in the skin, making it effective for anti-aging formulations without any animal input.
Peptides from legumes (soy, pea): Soy and pea peptides support skin firmness and repair, functioning as signal peptides that encourage the skin to produce its own structural proteins.

For vegan skincare formulations, combining a hydrating humectant like fermented hyaluronic acid with a collagen-stimulating ingredient like bakuchiol often delivers results that rival conventional collagen-based products.

What are the best vegan alternatives to keratin?

The best vegan keratin alternatives are plant-derived proteins and conditioning agents that smooth the hair cuticle, reduce breakage, and restore strength without using animal-sourced keratin. Key options include hydrolyzed wheat protein, oat protein, and rice bran protein, all of which penetrate or coat the hair shaft to improve its integrity.

Hydrolyzed wheat protein: One of the most widely used vegan keratin alternatives in hair care, it strengthens the hair shaft and reduces frizz by filling gaps in the cuticle.
Hydrolyzed oat protein: Conditions and adds body to hair while improving moisture balance, making it well suited for fine or damaged hair types.
Rice bran protein: Rich in amino acids, it reinforces the hair’s outer layer and improves shine and manageability.
Soy protein: Provides deep conditioning benefits and helps repair chemically treated or heat-damaged hair.
Quinoa protein: Contains all essential amino acids, offering a comprehensive strengthening effect that closely mirrors what keratin provides structurally.

For vegan hair care products, hydrolyzed plant proteins are the most practical and effective route to replicating keratin’s smoothing and strengthening benefits.

Do vegan alternatives perform as well as collagen and keratin?

In most cosmetic applications, vegan alternatives perform comparably to collagen and keratin, though the mechanism of action differs. Vegan collagen alternatives work by hydrating, stimulating the skin’s own protein synthesis, or forming a protective film, rather than delivering collagen directly. Vegan keratin alternatives condition and strengthen the hair through plant proteins with similar amino acid profiles.

The performance gap, where it exists, tends to show up in highly concentrated treatments or clinical anti-aging contexts where the molecular weight and structure of animal-derived proteins have historically been optimized. However, advances in fermentation biotechnology and peptide science have significantly narrowed this gap. Many formulators now find that well-chosen plant-based combinations outperform single animal-derived proteins in terms of overall skin feel, compatibility, and consumer results.

For everyday personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, serums, and moisturizers, vegan alternatives are fully capable of delivering professional-quality results.

How are vegan protein alternatives used in cosmetic formulations?

Vegan protein alternatives are incorporated into cosmetic formulations as conditioning agents, film formers, humectants, or bioactive actives, depending on the ingredient and the product type. Their usage levels, solubility, and compatibility with other ingredients vary, so understanding each ingredient’s behavior in a formula is essential.

In skincare formulations

Plant-based peptides and fermented hyaluronic acid are typically added to the water phase of a formulation. Bakuchiol is oil-soluble and works in the lipid phase. Mushroom extracts can be introduced as water-soluble actives. These ingredients are generally stable across a wide pH range, though some peptides require specific conditions to remain active.

In hair care formulations

Hydrolyzed plant proteins are water-soluble and added directly to shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments. Their molecular weight determines whether they penetrate the hair shaft or coat the cuticle surface. Smaller molecular weight proteins tend to penetrate more deeply, while larger proteins provide surface conditioning and shine. Combining proteins of different molecular weights can maximize both structural repair and surface performance.

Should brands switch to vegan collagen and keratin alternatives?

Yes, brands should seriously consider switching to vegan collagen and keratin alternatives, especially in 2026, when consumer demand for sustainable cosmetics and transparent ingredient sourcing has never been stronger. Vegan alternatives are not a compromise; they are increasingly the preferred choice for both ethical and commercial reasons.

Key reasons to make the switch include:

Consumer alignment: A growing segment of consumers actively seek out vegan hair care and vegan skincare products, and ingredient transparency is a key purchase driver.
Regulatory direction: The cosmetics industry is moving toward stricter animal-derived ingredient disclosure, and proactive reformulation positions brands ahead of compliance requirements.
Supply chain simplicity: Plant-based ingredients often come with cleaner, more auditable supply chains, reducing sourcing risk.
Formulation performance: As demonstrated above, vegan alternatives now match or exceed the performance of animal-derived proteins across most product categories.
Brand differentiation: Committing to plant-based collagen and keratin alternatives strengthens a brand’s sustainability story in a credible, verifiable way.

Switching does require careful reformulation work to ensure the right ingredients are selected and properly integrated, but the long-term brand and market benefits make it a worthwhile investment.

How Rebel Nature helps brands switch to vegan ingredients

At Rebel Nature, we specialize in developing and manufacturing 100% natural personal care products, including formulations that use high-performing vegan alternatives to collagen and keratin. We work with a portfolio of over 500 ethically sourced raw materials, which means we have the breadth and depth to find the right plant-based protein or bioactive for any product category, whether that is a strengthening shampoo, a firming serum, or a conditioning hair mask.

Here is what we offer brands looking to reformulate or develop new vegan products:

Expert ingredient selection from a curated library of natural and vegan raw materials
In-house formulation development tailored to your brand’s performance and sustainability goals
Flexible production for both small and large order volumes
Active guidance on packaging and ingredient communication to support your brand story
A transparent, sustainable manufacturing process recognized with a Silver EcoVadis medal

Whether you are reformulating an existing product or building a new vegan line from scratch, we are here to help you do it properly. Get in touch with our team to discuss your project, or learn more about how we work with brands at every stage of product development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a vegan protein alternative is truly vegan and not just plant-derived?

Look for third-party certifications such as The Vegan Society trademark or COSMOS Organic certification, which verify that no animal-derived inputs were used at any stage of production, including processing aids and fermentation media. When working with a contract manufacturer, always request a full ingredient declaration and supplier documentation for each raw material. Fermentation-derived ingredients like hyaluronic acid, for example, must use vegan-compatible growth substrates to qualify as truly vegan.

Can vegan protein alternatives cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in consumers?

Yes, some plant-based proteins carry allergen considerations that brands must account for. Hydrolyzed wheat protein, soy protein, and oat protein are derived from common allergens and must be declared appropriately on product labels in many markets. If your target audience includes consumers with known sensitivities, rice bran protein or quinoa protein are generally considered lower-risk alternatives. Always conduct consumer patch testing during product development and review regional allergen labeling requirements before launch.

How many vegan protein ingredients should I combine in a single formulation for the best results?

A combination of two to three complementary ingredients typically delivers the best results without overcomplicating the formula or creating compatibility issues. For hair care, pairing a low-molecular-weight protein like hydrolyzed rice bran protein for penetration with a higher-molecular-weight protein like oat protein for surface conditioning covers both repair and shine. For skincare, combining a humectant such as fermented hyaluronic acid with a collagen-stimulating active like bakuchiol addresses both immediate hydration and long-term firmness. More is not always better — each ingredient should serve a distinct functional role.

What are the most common mistakes brands make when reformulating away from animal-derived collagen or keratin?

The most common mistake is making a direct one-for-one substitution and expecting identical results without adjusting the broader formula. Animal-derived collagen and keratin have specific molecular weights, charge profiles, and interactions with other ingredients that plant-based alternatives do not replicate exactly. Brands also frequently underestimate the importance of molecular weight selection when choosing hydrolyzed plant proteins, which directly affects whether the ingredient penetrates the hair or skin or stays at the surface. Working with an experienced formulation partner from the outset avoids costly reformulation cycles.

Will switching to vegan alternatives significantly increase my product's cost of goods?

Not necessarily, and in some cases the cost of goods can remain comparable or even decrease. High-quality plant proteins like hydrolyzed wheat or rice protein are widely available and competitively priced relative to animal-derived keratin. Fermentation-derived hyaluronic acid has also become more cost-accessible as production technology has scaled. Premium bioactive ingredients like tremella mushroom extract or advanced legume peptides do carry a higher price point, but these are typically used at low inclusion levels, limiting their impact on overall formulation cost.

How should I communicate the switch to vegan ingredients to my existing customers?

Be transparent and proactive — customers who have trusted your product appreciate being informed of changes rather than discovering them on the label. Frame the reformulation as an upgrade rather than a compromise by highlighting the performance credentials of the new ingredients and the ethical and sustainability benefits of the switch. If you have performance data or consumer testing results from the reformulated product, share them. Updating your product page, sending an email to your customer base, and briefing retail partners ahead of launch are all effective communication steps.

Are vegan collagen and keratin alternatives stable enough for products with a long shelf life?

Most hydrolyzed plant proteins and fermentation-derived actives are stable within standard cosmetic shelf life ranges of 12 to 36 months when properly formulated and preserved. Stability can be affected by factors such as pH, temperature during storage, and the presence of certain preservatives or chelating agents, so stability testing across your target conditions is essential. Some bioactive peptides are more sensitive and may require encapsulation or specific pH conditions to maintain efficacy over time — your formulation partner should flag these considerations during development.