How to Boost Your Collagen: The Best Skin Care Supplements
Collagen is more than just a buzzword in the beauty and wellness sectors—it's the fundamental keystone for achieving youthful, radiant skin. As we age, especially beyond our twenties, the collagen structure in the deep skin layers shifts. It transforms from a tightly organised network of fibers into a disordered labyrinth. This structural breakdown results in the appearance of wrinkles and reduced skin tightness and elasticity. But collagen's importance isn't limited to skin alone—it also plays an essential role in the health of our hair (including hair thinning), nails, bones, and joints.
What is Collagen, and Why is it So Crucial?
Collagen accounts for an impressive 30% of the total protein content in the human body, making it the predominant protein (1). Its unique triple-helix structure not only provides strength but also ensures the durability of various parts of the body—from the skin to tendons and bones (2,3).
To effective collagen production, the body requires essential amino acids, primarily obtained from our diet. This production is further supported by vital nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc, and copper (4).
Fueling the Collagen Boost Through Diet
You can enhance your collagen levels through diet in two primary ways: by eating collagen-rich foods rich in collagen or by consuming foods that promote collagen production (5).
Collagen-rich foods, typically animal-based foods like meat, fish, bone broth, and gelatin are rich in collagen, providing peptides or hydrolyzed collagen that that body can easily absorb (5).
Miracle Collagen is a meticulously crafted product with bioactive collagen peptides, specifically weighing 2kDa. Clinically tested, it rejuvenates the skin, and strengthens hair and nails, and is free from fillers. This product represents a decade of rigorous research and development in Australia.
Conversely, nutrient-dense foods that support collagen production are primarily plant-based. These include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes, all packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that protect skin from oxidative stress and inflammation while boosting collagen synthesis (5).
Top foods to boost collagen production (4,5):
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Leafy greens
- Nuts and seeds
- Soy
- Egg Whites
- Whole grains,
- Tomatoes
Vegan Collagen's creamy vanilla concentrate nourishes the skin and reduces fine lines. Infused with Organic Tremella, the Beauty Mushroom, it offers hydration, antioxidants, and Vitamin D precursors. Tocotrienols derived from Rice Bran offer additional antioxidant benefits and Vitamin E.
What Habits Help Collagen Production?
Besides adopting a collagen-friendly diet, certain habits can further boost collagen production and safeguard it from degradation (5):
- Sun Protection: Protect your skin from excessive UV exposure.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow, limiting oxygen to your skin cells.
- Stress Management: Constant stress raises cortisol levels, disrupting collagen production.
- Adequate Sleep: Sleep promotes the secretion of growth hormone and melatonin, both essential for collagen synthesis.
How Skincare Products and Supplements Enhance Collagen
A 2022 study found that quality skincare and supplement products, fortified with the right ingredients, can delay skin aging (6).
Collagen Skincare Products: When shopping for skincare, look for ingredients like retinol/retinals (Vitamin A forms), vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Research shows these ingredients promote collagen (7,8). Collagen creams may enhance skin hydration, but their larger molecules might limit absorption. Serums, with smaller collagen molecules, can penetrate the skin more effectively. Hence, why using both a cream and serum is recommended.
Clean Collagen fights collagen loss using plant-based skincare innovation. Blending natural retinol alternative (bakuchiol) with powerful plant-derived compounds. Every ingredient is fully bioavailable. This ensures skin rejuvenation, diminished fine lines, and a plump, radiant complexion.
Collagen Supplements: The efficacy of collagen supplements is closely linked to the quality of their ingredients. A rigorous blind study, examining two different collagen hydrolysates with differing dipeptide concentrations revealed that those with richer dipeptide content significantly improved facial skin parameters like moisture retention, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction (9). Importantly, collagen constitutes approximately 60% of cartilage, which cushions bones during intense activities (5). As a result, collagen supplements not only enhance skin health but also improve bone density and joint function (2).
Collagen Lips is a natural volumising lip treatment enriched with active collagen peptides. It hydrates and volumise, serving as a lip treatment, mask and balm all in one - a natural lip filler.
In Conclusion
Collagen, isn't merely an aesthetic enhancer; it's a cornerstone of our physiological well-being. By merging evidence-based nutrition with proven skincare routines and quality products, we can tap into collagen's power against the wear of time. This journey isn't just about pursuing beauty—it's an investment in our cellular health and structural longevity. Dive into this knowledge, and unlock the body's natural resilience and revitalisation.
Check out some of our fantastic recipes to seamlessly incorporate your collagen supplements and elevate your daily routine!
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Pink Collagen Latte (coming soon).
These recipes will not only enhance your collagen routine but also tantalise your taste buds. Get ready to enjoy the benefits of collagen in the most delicious way!
References:
1) Ricard‐Blum, S. (2011). The collagen family. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, 3(1), a004978
2) Juher, T. J, Perez E. B, (2015) An overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolysed collagen intake on joint and bone health and on skin ageing
3) Gelse, K., Pöschl, E., & Aigner, T. (2003). Collagens—structure, function, and biosynthesis. Advanced drug delivery reviews, 55(12), 1531-1546
4) Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D., Nutrition— By Sarah Garone — Updated on February 9, 2023, 13 Foods That Help Your Body Produce Collagen
5) Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021) Collagen
6) Al-Atif, H. (2022) Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Fields of Dermatology and Cosmetics
7) Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006) Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
8) Pumori Saokar Telang (2013) Vitamin C in dermatology
9) Inoue, N., Sugihara, F., Wang, X., (2016) Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study
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