Beth Levis, By Beth Collagen
Introducing By Beth Collagen founder, Beth Levis.
A great collagen supplement is the foundation to our daily wellness and beauty rituals. Collagen (a protein) is the main component of our connective tissues including our skin and muscles. Importantly it supports our skin with structure helping to retain firmness and suppleness, as well as a host of other important functions. However as we age our production of collagen declines. There has been a meteoric rise in the popularity of Collagen supplements, however not all supplements are created equal.
During our search for the best clean, luxury collagen supplements we discovered, and fell in love with, By Beth Collagen. By Beth was launched by Sydney Founder and Entrepreneur Beth Levis. The Bared sat down with Beth to learn more about her story, the By Beth brand, and to understand more about the benefits of Collagen…
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Beth Levis. I am a Sydney-based mother of four and businesswoman. I’m the founder and CEO of By Beth, an Australian collagen collection centred on the ethos that luxury and sustainability need not be mutually exclusive.
What was your inspiration to launch By Beth Collagen?
I had heard about the benefits of edible collagen and was blown away by the results when I first started incorporating it into my own beauty routine a few years ago. Within just a few months my skin was more hydrated and moisturised than it had ever been. I had suffered from ongoing skin conditions since I was a teenager, and after taking collagen they finally began to heal. During my four pregnancies my hair and nails became brittle and weak but collagen made my nails notably stronger and gave my hair volume and gloss. The only problem was I couldn’t find a collagen brand on the market that ticked all the boxes for me – so I decided to make my own. By Beth is created on my own terms with the things I care about front of mind: luxury, simplicity, sustainability and efficacy. 
The idea of edible beauty has increased in popularity in recent years. Why do you think this is? What are the benefits you have experienced of taking collagen daily?
There is a growing body of scientific research that supports the anecdotal evidence around collagen’s many benefits. There’s a reason why it has been described as the holy grail for glow and taken off in such a big way! Edible collagen has been clinically proven to hydrate and plump the skin, strengthen hair and nails, and support gut health. It’s so effective because it actually works at a cellular level. When you think about it, the skin’s role is to protect us from the external elements, so a cream or serum can really only go so far.
Edible collagen, on the other hand, enters the bloodstream when we ingest it and is dispersed throughout the body including to the dermis (the layer of skin below the epidermis) where it stimulates the production of collagen. Found naturally in the body, collagen is a vital protein that gives the skin strength and structure. Basically, it’s what keeps us looking plump, ‘bouncy’ and glowy. However as we age, we begin to rapidly lose our supply of collagen – resulting in wrinkles, fine lines and skin laxity – which is why regular and consistent intake of edible collagen is so necessary to top up these levels.
As I mentioned earlier, I was taken aback by how quickly I experienced the benefits of collagen. By Beth collagen has really helped to smooth out my skin, improving elasticity while simultaneously reducing dryness and dehydration. My nails are much less prone to breakage and are now long, strong and healthy. I’ve found that my hair is fuller and thicker too. Multiple studies show how bovine collagen can improve gut health and this is something I’ve personally experienced while taking By Beth. It works by strengthening the intestinal lining, preventing ‘leaky gut syndrome’ which can have all sorts of symptoms from inflammation and acne to lethargy and low mood.
You have a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Why has this been important and how do you incorporate this into the business?
I was born in the Northern Territory and raised on Queensland’s Magnetic Island, so I’ve always had a strong connection to the natural environment. It was really important to me to create an environmentally-friendly beauty brand. All of the packaging we use is as low impact as possible. Our signature vessels are refillable and plastic-free, we use FSC certified papers across our packaging suite and we embrace innovative materials like biodegradable bamboo and soy-based ink.
Our formulations are 100% natural and locally-sourced. There are no artificial colours, flavours or any additives at all. All of the collagen we use comes from pasture-raised and grass-fed Australian cattle, making it the highest quality available. We also use native Australian botanicals selected for their incredible antioxidant properties. I feel comfortable having complete visibility over the supply chain and knowing exactly where my ingredients have come from.
As a brand that celebrates Australia, we have a deep connection not only to our land but our people. We are guided by our social responsibility to give back. We are proud to align with i=Change on our philanthropic vision, donating $1 from each sale to causes we feel strongly about including The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation, Greening Australia and Seabin Project.
You lead an incredibly busy lifestyle. What do you do to maintain balance and wellness in your day to day routine? What are your top 3 wellness tips?
I think it’s important to foster a good work-life balance. I do this by ensuring I prioritise time with my children and husband. Work culture has changed post-pandemic, so a silver-lining of COVID is that it’s now much easier to work remotely and on-the-fly. For me, this means I can stay on top of emails and take calls while I’m dropping my kids off to sport or dance classes, so I don’t miss out on these special moments with them.
My top three wellness tips are...
1. Spending as much time off the screen as possible and reconnecting with nature, even if it’s going for a quick beach walk or sitting outside in the garden with my dog,
2. Nurturing beauty from the inside out with a balanced diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables, along with taking By Beth collagen daily.
3. Getting enough sleep! Sounds simple but I have a nighttime routine where I wind down about an hour before bed by reading a book and always aim for at least 7 hours sleep.
What's next for By Beth?
Our collagen formulations have been so well-received that we’re in the process of developing an exciting new product. It’s also in the edible beauty category and complements our existing range, however it’s completely vegan and plant-based. I can’t give too much away yet, but watch this space.