If you're taking collagen but not seeing the full benefits in your skin, joints, or energy levels, there might be a critical piece missing in your routine: vitamin C.

Why Collagen Needs Vitamin C

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It forms the structural framework for your skin, bones, muscles, gut lining, and joints. But your body doesn’t just produce collagen on command. It needs specific tools to do the job—and vitamin C is one of the most essential.

Here’s the science: Vitamin C is required for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine, two amino acids that help form stable collagen’s triple-helix structure. Without vitamin C, collagen cannot be properly synthesised or stabilised. The result? Weak, ineffective collagen that your body can’t fully use.

According to a 2017 review published in Nutrients, vitamin C acts as a cofactor in the enzymes prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase, which are crucial for collagen cross-linking—the process that gives collagen its strength and elasticity. This means that no matter how much collagen you take, without enough vitamin C, your body simply can’t build strong, functional collagen.

👉 Reference: Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866

The Warning Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency

Even a marginal vitamin C deficiency can impact collagen production. Symptoms may include:

• Skin that looks dull, thin or crepey

• Slower wound healing

• Joint stiffness or pain

• Easy bruising

• Poor gum and dental health

In more severe cases—such as scurvy—collagen production breaks down almost entirely, leading to connective tissue damage, bleeding gums, and skin lesions.

Not All Vitamin C Is Created Equal

Many supplements use synthetic ascorbic acid, which lacks the natural cofactors found in whole plant sources. These cofactors—such as bioflavonoids and polyphenols—enhance absorption and synergistic function in the body.

That’s why at By Beth, we don’t rely on synthetic additives. Instead, we’ve turned to the richness of the Australian wild—harnessing botanicals that are naturally rich in vitamin C and packed with additional skin-loving compounds.

Supercharged Blends: Vitamin C from Nature

1. Wood + Spice Blend: Davidson Plum

Our Wood + Spice blend is infused with Davidson Plum, an Australian native fruit that contains up to 100 times more vitamin C than oranges. But it doesn’t stop there.

Davidson Plum is also rich in:

• Anthocyanins – Powerful antioxidants that fight skin-aging free radicals

• Flavonoids & Gallic Acid – Known for their anti-inflammatory and collagen-preserving properties

Research from Southern Cross University has shown that these compounds not only support collagen formation but also enhance skin brightness and reduce inflammation at a cellular level.

The flavour? Smooth, subtle, and earthy—with soft nutty and woody notes. Customers often say it’s the most comforting of our blends.

2. Fruit + Floral Blend: Quandong

In our Fruit + Floral blend, we’ve included Quandong—a desert superfruit also known as the native peach. Quandong is rich in:

• Natural Vitamin C – Supporting collagen formation and skin regeneration

• Rutin – A bioflavonoid that strengthens capillaries and reduces skin redness and pigmentation

Quandong has been used for centuries in Indigenous Australian medicine, and modern research is beginning to catch up—showing its unique ability to nourish the skin and reduce oxidative stress.

The flavour? A delicate balance of floral and fruity, refreshing and light—without any stevia or synthetic sweetness.

Why These Blends Make Your Collagen Work Harder

By pairing our high-quality, grass-fed bovine collagen with vitamin C-rich botanicals, you’re giving your body everything it needs to create real, lasting collagen. This combination:

• Promotes firmer, more elastic skin

• Supports stronger hair and nails

• Enhances joint and muscle recovery

• Improves gut lining and digestive health

It’s not just about looking better. It’s about feeling stronger, clearer, and more resilient from the inside out.

Final Word

If you’re investing in collagen, make it count. Without vitamin C, your collagen can’t reach its full potential. But when paired with nature’s most potent sources—like Davidson Plum and Quandong—it becomes a true powerhouse of transformation.

With every teaspoon of By Beth, you’re not just nourishing your body—you’re supercharging it.

→ Explore the blends and experience the difference today.