The Role of Collagen in Skin and Skincare

"Collagen" is a very commonly buzzed about word in skincare, especially when it comes to the marketing of products for the anti-aging market. But what is it? And what can it do for us in our skincare?

Simply put, collagen is a protein that helps build the skin. It is produced naturally by our own bodies and contributes to the plump and taut look and soft, elastic feel of healthy skin. This same protein is also essential for sturdy bones and teeth, , strong, lean muscles, and flexible tendons and ligaments. As we age, the internal production of collagen begins to decline, starting from about age 25 to 30 and declining from there. This results in more brittle bones and hair and muscles that are more likely to pull and tear and joints that become stiffer as the years go on, but for our skin, this slow down of collagen-making is what gives us fine lines and wrinkles.

The good news is that while collagen can get weaker and production of it slows as we age, there are ways to actively maintain and create more of the collagen that we need. We can get more collagen from consuming certain foods, particularly animal products such as eggs and bone broth, or else certain types of seaweed. It is also possible to take collagen as a supplement in powder, liquid, or capsule form. However, in taking a collagen supplement, it is critical to make sure that you take the right type of collagen that targets the specific concerns you are having. Different types of collagen serve us in different ways, though some do overlap. For example, Collagen Type I and Type V are the ones most benefiting our skin, hair, and nails, whereas Collagen Type II helps mostly with joints and Type IV is responsible for making tissue around internal organs such as around the heart or in the digestive and respiratory systems. You can read more about the different types of collagen and their uses within the body in this article here It is also very critical that you ensure, if you start taking collagen as a supplement that your stomach acid is plentiful, which makes your body able to break it down readily so it can be put to use.

Adding more collagen to your diet or taking a supplement, is not the only way to add it to your system. In fact, some say that an even better way to increase collagen is to bump up the collagen-making functions within your own body. This is largely done by doing things to naturally stimulate growth hormone. Ever wonder why children have such clear and bouncy skin? Well, one reason is that their growth hormone is high and continues to be so through the dawn of adolescence. Yet, even when we stop growing in height, growth hormone takes on a critical strengthening and renewal role of our bodies systems throughout our life, including making new and repairing our skin, hair, bones, and teeth-- all things directly related to collagen. Some ways to safely boost growth hormone and/or stimulate collagen production throughout our lives as we age include getting ample and regular sleep and doing exercise. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts are particularly useful here, but as always, everybody's body is different, so be careful or consult your doctor when beginning any kind of exercise routine. Also, going back to diet and what we may take as supplements, Vitamin C sources (such as leafy greens, cherries, oranges, and peppers) also work with the body to kickstart collagen production and also to help maintain it through antioxidant protection against free radical damage--very much the same benefits are touted, with more mild effects, of Vitamin C in skincare products.

But returning more into skincare, many products and creams are starting to include collagen directly in them. But it is important to note that applying collagen externally to the skin will do nothing to help generate more collagen within it. In this case, collagen is smoothed onto the skin to help it feel softer and appear more fresh and glowing, but any firming effects you may see from a cream with collagen in it will only be temporary and often optical illusion as skin that looks softer and hydrated will often look plumper and more youthful to the eye. The only topical that has a potential effect on collagen production and potentially creating visibly firmer skin is, once again, a topical Vitamin C (L'ascorbic acid serum) to date, and even then the results of using one may degrade if you discontinue use of the product for a time.

When thinking aging well and as gracefully possible, it can be very easy to be swayed by the latest marketing claim or fancy or cutting edge-sounding ingredient available, and often times, many included in products do provide amazing and lasting effects. In the case of collagen, however, its role in skin and skincare is often misrepresented and misunderstood, but perhaps shines further light on how the answers to healthier and more resilient skin lie much more within ourselves than in a bottle alone.