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Rae Wellness is a vegan wellness brand that set out on a journey to create affordable wellness solutions, from supplements that help with sleep to collagen boosters that rejuvenate your skin.
We’re going to look at their vegan collagen booster, which Rae claims to support natural collagen production, the protein that preserves your skin structure and is also theoretically useful in preventing joint pain, and bone loss, among other benefits.
In this article, we’re going to look at the ingredients in Rae’s collagen booster and determine whether or not it’s worth the investment. Feel free to keep reading this article (as it’s not that long).
Main Takeaways
- Rae’s Collagen Booster combines acerola fruit extract for vitamin C, bamboo extract for silica, and amino acids, all aimed at boosting collagen production and supporting skin health.
- Priced at $11.99 to $14.99 for 60 capsules, it’s an affordable option with an additional 20% savings available through a subscription-based purchase.
- Due to its affordable price and research-backed ingredients, Rae’s Collagen Booster is a no-brainer formula you ought to try.
Why Should You Care About Collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. It provides structural support to tissues and plays important roles in cellular processes, including tissue repair and immune response.
As you get older, your body produces less collagen naturally. Additionally, collagen deteriorates and disperses more widely as we age, resulting in wrinkles and dry, sagging skin, which are common signs of aging. Age also causes a decrease in the integrity of the collagen found in the skeletal system, which affects bone strength. 1, 2
While collagen deterioration and loss as you age are unavoidable, some dietary and lifestyle choices can hasten this process. For instance, it is well known that smoking cigarettes degrades collagen, which results in skin aging, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. It has also been demonstrated that excessive drinking speeds up skin aging by decreasing collagen production and harming skin repair processes. 3, 4
A diet high in processed foods and added sugars can also hasten the aging process by promoting the glycation process, which slows collagen turnover and obstructs collagen’s ability to interact with other proteins and cells in the body. 5
Excessive sun exposure is also associated with collagen loss, and it’s actually among the biggest causes of aged skin, which is why using sunscreen is incredibly important. 6
So, in order to maintain a healthy collagen structure, it is significantly better to adhere to some lifestyle changes as those will make the bigger difference. Way more than any supplement would.
With that being said, it’s also true that taking a collagen supplement may be helpful, or if you’re vegan and don’t want to directly consume collagen because it’s derived from animals, you use a solution that supports your natural collagen production.
Rae’s Collagen Booster Ingredients & Benefits
Rae’s collagen booster contains acerola fruit extract, bamboo stem extract (also referred to as silica), and a proprietary blend that contains amino acids such as glycine, L-proline, L-lysine, and an extract derived from the gynostemma plant.
Let’s closely analyze each one to determine whether or not they’re effective.
Acerola Fruit Extract
In essence, the ingredient that gives this product its 90 milligrams of vitamin C, or 100% of the RDA, is acerola cherry.
Acerola cherries seem to perform better than strawberries and oranges in terms of vitamin C content, especially if they are grown organically, so it makes sense that they would have health benefits. 1
Vitamin C helps the body fight off infections, viruses, and cancers while also protecting mucous membranes, promoting collagen synthesis, and preventing scurvy. It also helps the immune system remain healthy.
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the production of collagen because it is a necessary co-factor for the enzymes prolyl hydroxylase, which stabilizes the collagen molecule, and lysyl hydroxylase (that provides it with structural strength cross-linking). In other words, vitamin C has anti-aging properties because it is essential for the synthesis of collagen. 2
Bamboo Stem Extract or Silica
Those who favor bamboo claim that it contains a lot of silica, a substance that supports healthy skin and hair. If you want to do your own research, you’ll find that using the term orthosilicic acid instead of silica will make it easier to find information.
According to a review written in 2013 with more than 100 references, the therapeutic benefits of silica (or orthosilicic acid) include the stimulation of collagen type 1, bone mineralization, and many other benefits. 3
Those benefits are discussed in detail in the video above if you’d like to learn more.
Proprietary Blend (Glycine, L-Proline, L-Lysine HCL, Gynostemma Herb Extract)
This proprietary blend contains three amino acids, two of which are crucial for the production of collagen. Glycine and proline are two of the three amino acids used in collagen production. L-lysine also seems to play an important role in collagen production, and it’s even more involved in the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
Gynostemma, also called Jiaogulan, is a herb that researchers theorize as being able to promote antioxidant defenses, which should be able to promote overall well-being by offering protection against cancer-forming compounds called free radicals.
There’s no evidence that this herb plays a role in the production of collagen, but its antioxidant properties benefits the body in other ways.
How Much Does Rae’s Collagen Booster Cost?
The price range for Rae’s vegan collagen booster can go from $11.99 to $14.99 for a single tube with 60 capsules, which is the equivalent of 30 servings.
This makes it a very affordable supplement when compared to collagen boosters. Most collagen boosters cost between $27 and $40 for a one-month supply, and the fact Rae Wellness manages to keep its product under $15 is impressive.
The price of this collagen booster varies because you have two options when you purchase it: you either buy it once (also called a one-time purchase), or you subscribe to their recurring delivery service and get a 20% discount.
This basically means that you get this supplement delivered to your door every 30 days. It’s certainly a great option if you decide that it’s worth it to use this supplement recurrently in the future.
Is Rae’s Collagen Booster Worth It?
If you want a supplement that can enhance your collagen production, then Rae’s formula is certainly one that should be able to do that based on the research we have found about each ingredient.
However, it is important to note that it’s not a miraculous product, and you will probably not notice an immediate effect, as that is typically only seen after medium to long-term use as is the case with many other beauty formulas.
With that being said, we do feel like it’s worth it to try. Not only because the ingredients seem solid but because it’s also a very affordable product that won’t break the bank. So even if the supplement doesn’t work out for you, it’s not like you will have wasted that much money. So, is Rae’s vegan collagen booster worth it? Yes.
Try this collagen booster risk-free with Rae’s 45-day satisfaction guarantee.Â
Available at Rae Wellness
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
References:
1. Shin JW, Kwon SH, Choi JY, Na JI, Huh CH, Choi HR, Park KC. Molecular Mechanisms of Dermal Aging and Antiaging Approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 29;20(9):2126. doi: 10.3390/ijms20092126. PMID: 31036793; PMCID: PMC6540032.
2. Shuster S. Osteoporosis, like skin ageing, is caused by collagen loss which is reversible. J R Soc Med. 2020;113(4):158-160. doi:10.1177/0141076820910315.
3. Jurkić LM, Cepanec I, Pavelić SK, Pavelić K. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013 Jan 8;10(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-10-2. PMID: 23298332; PMCID: PMC3546016.
4. Goodman GD, Kaufman J, Day D, et al. Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(8):28-39.
5. Nguyen HP, Katta R. Sugar Sag: Glycation and the Role of Diet in Aging Skin. Skin Therapy Lett. 2015 Nov;20(6):1-5. PMID: 27224842.
6. Budden T, Gaudy-Marqueste C, Porter A, Kay E, Gurung S, Earnshaw CH, Roeck K, Craig S, Traves V, Krutmann J, Muller P, Motta L, Zanivan S, Malliri A, Furney SJ, Nagore E, Virós A. Ultraviolet light-induced collagen degradation inhibits melanoma invasion. Nat Commun. 2021 May 12;12(1):2742. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22953-z. PMID: 33980846; PMCID: PMC8115293.
7. Pollyanna C. Cardoso, Ana Paula B. Tomazini, Paulo C. Stringheta, Sônia M.R. Ribeiro, Helena M. Pinheiro-Sant’Ana, Vitamin C and carotenoids in organic and conventional fruits grown in Brazil, Food Chemistry, Volume 126, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 411-416, ISSN 0308-8146, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.10.109.
8. Karen E. Burke, Chapter 8 – Prevention and Treatment of Aging Skin with Topical Antioxidants, Editor(s): Nava Dayan, In Personal Care & Cosmetic Technology, Skin Aging Handbook, William Andrew Publishing, 2009, Pages 149-176, ISBN 9780815515845, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-8155-1584-5.50012-0.
9. Jurkić LM, Cepanec I, Pavelić SK, Pavelić K. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013 Jan 8;10(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-10-2. PMID: 23298332; PMCID: PMC3546016.
