COLLAGEN FOR YOUR BEAUTY
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It's a long, fibrous, structural protein that gives the skin strength and elasticity.
Collagen is not just essential for the skin, but a vital component of the entire body. There are at least 28 different types of collagen, but over 90% of the collagen in our bodies is type one. It's found in skin, tendons, blood vessels, organs and bones.
Your skin makes fresh collagen all the time and then as it gets damaged, it's taken down and new collagen is produced.
But like all good things, the levels we produce don't stay consistent as we get older.
Collagen production diminishes with age, as well as with exposure to UV radiation and environmental stressors such as smoking and pollution.
Daily sun cream
UV exposure plays a major part in the degradation of our collagen levels. If you are really good with your UV protection and wear it daily, whether it's cloudy or not, it’s the single biggest thing you can do to push out the collagen slowdown.
Snack smart
Other supporting nutrients for collagen production include vitamin C (strawberries broccoli, oranges, peppers); copper (shellfish, nuts and red meat); vitamin A (liver, egg yolks, carrots and sweet potatoes).
Exercise regularly
Whether a HIIT class or park run is your favoured way to workout, exercise can have a positive impact.
Increasing oxygen and blood supply makes for healthier skin.
No smoking
Smoke and toxins unleash free radicals that cause oxidative damage to the skin, which limits collagen production.
So long, sugar
Excessive sugar consumption may lead to glycation, a process that can cause collagen to become weak and brittle and therefore reduce its effect on skin elasticity, leading to signs of premature ageing.
We don't have to forego the white stuff completely, but the 4pm chocolate bar may need to go.
Collagen masks are the skincare trend we can’t get enough of, but collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed into the skin.
Instead, it's more likely your mask includes skincare actives to support the skin’s ability to produce collagen. For example, retinol has a unique metabolism so boosts collagen as part of its mode of action. Vitamin C is essential in collagen synthesis, so is often recommended as a topical antioxidant.
There's countless capsules, powders and liquid shots featuring hydrolysed collagen peptides on offer, with a multitude of potential beauty benefits, from stronger nails, healthier hair, smoother skin, and muscle repair.
These supplements can help to improve collagen production, but they can't guarantee where the collagen will go.
There are studies to show that those taking collagen supplements for a period of time see improvements in skin elasticity, but like food, they are broken down in the gut.
So, there’s no guarantee if or where it will be involved in collagen creation. The body is far too complex for that.
Finally, look out for sugar in your supps. Considering its implication in damaging collagen, there’s still a surprising number of formulas that sweeten with the sugary stuff.
And remember your SPF, no negotiation, otherwise all your other good work will be negated by the UV exposure.
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