What is collagen?

Collagen is the main structural protein of the extracellular space in multiple connective tissues. It makes up a whopping 80 percent of our skin tissues. Collagen has significant roles including providing structure to your skin tissues and helping blood clot. It’s one of the biggest building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. In young skin, the collagen protein is intact, and the skin remains moisturised and elastic. However, overtime the body natural production of collagen gradually reduce, which weakens the skin structure and loses its elasticity. The skin will appear duller and less plumped, making facial lines and wrinkles more prominent.

Why do we need them?

Collagen is responsible for several biological functions, one of which is to provide structural support in connective tissue, muscle, and skin. It also plays a role in joint and bone health. If you have ever searched for an anti-aging skincare product, collagen should ring a bell in your mind. Several products in the market claim to “refill collagen” or “boost collagen production” in the skin. While collagen is a major component in battling against aging, these marketing claims can be misleading and overexaggerated at time. Therefore, when picking your skincare, it is important to take this into consideration. If you are heading into your late 20s or early 30s, you might want to invest in products that will boost collagen production to bring that plumpness back to life, however if you are still young, collagen production should be the least of your skin concern.

Nutrients that increase collagen production

Your body naturally creates procollagen by combining glycine and proline. This process uses vitamin C. To ensure that your body receives enough nutrients to produce plenty of collagen, you may want to consider adding these ingredients into your skincare or diet.

• Vitamin C: Large amounts are found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries or through the use of topical creams.
• Proline: found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms
• Glycine: Large amounts are found in pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatine, but glycine is also found in various protein-containing foods
• Copper: Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews, and lentils.

In addition, your body requires protein that contains sufficient amount of amino acids in order to produce collagen. This can be found in meat, poultry, seafood, diary and many more.

Benefits of collagen supplements

According to several studies, taking collagen supplements orally is associated with improving skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkling. The result is due to the activation of collagen production. Collagen peptides are in supplements. They’re made of the same amino acids as collagen but are more easily absorbed by our bodies, because they are shorter chains of amino acids than regular collagen. Because you are consuming these products, be sure to look at the label as companies often make exaggerated claims that may not always be safe to consume.

Skincare tips for collagen production

• Topical vitamin c cream

Vitamin c is great as a promotor for collagen production, as the process of producing procollagen required great amount of vitamin c. Using topical creams is the easiest method to get the right vitamin c nutrients into your skin.

• Retinoids

Topical application of tretinoin can improve the appearance of photoaged skin by stimulating new collagen production in the dermal layer of skin. While there are several over-the-counter products formulated with retinol, tretinoin and other prescription retinoids have proven to be more potent and effective when treating aging skin.

• Chemical peels

It helps facilitate the process of facial exfoliation created by acids that produce a controlled injury to the skin. Chemical peels can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and many other skin concerns by stimulating collagen remodelling. 

• Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is an important component for collagen in the skin. It is found in foods rich in amino acids, such as beans, root vegetables, and soy. Increasing hyaluronic acid to the diet through food can or through the use of topical creams can easily help to boost collagen levels. Hyaluronic acid is also available as a supplement

Don’t forget to protect your skin.

We cannot stress this enough; sunscreen is so crucial in fighting against signs of aging and reduction in collagen. Skin cells are always in a cycle of being created and destroyed. However, factors such as the environment make matters worse. Harsh weather, pollution, sun exposure, and even dust particles can damage the skin. The damaged cells have to be replaced, which reduces collagen levels. A simple solution is to simply apply sunscreen regularly. Washing and exfoliating daily can help to protect the collagen within the skin.