Collagen – What’s all the hype about? And why you should start using it?
Collagen: the new, favorite catchword that you’ve constantly been hearing about. Whether it’s collagen infused facial masks, pills, powders or other products, they all claim to have the same effect: to “rejuvenate your skin from the inside-out, keeping you looking young and fresh longer.” This sounds great, but still, what exactly is collagen and who’s to say these supplements or powders will work for everyone?
Collagen is found in your skin, bones, blood vessels, tendons, and digestive system. It’s the richest protein in your body. It replaces dead skin cells and strengthens your skin’s elasticity. In other words, it’s the “glue” that keeps your skin and body tight. Sadly, collagen cells degrade with age and your body starts to produce less. As the weakening process begins in your 20s and 30s, wrinkles start showing and skin starts to loosen, says dermatologist Dr. Hayley Goldbach. While aging is inevitable and some supplements may or may not work for everyone, there are some lifestyle changes to consider before you go out and spend tons of money on collagen products.
Dermatologist George Sun says the best method to increase the production of your skin’s collagen is to use sunblock everyday, even in the winter. A helpful tip is to find a moisturizer with SPF in it. Make sure your moisturizer also has vitamins B, C, and Retin- A. If you’re a smoker, it’s time to kiss it good-bye. According to Ask Women Net, the nicotine in cigarettes causes decline in the production of collagen causing you to age faster.
Facialist expert Cherry Woods suggests the best way for your skin to become a collagen-producing machine is to focus on your diet. “Reduce sugar intake diet to limit the glycation process and step up your Vitamin C intake, which will assist in stimulating collagen production. Our skin is constantly fighting free radical damage during exposure to high levels of stress, pollution and processed food, and this damage causes harm to collagen. In order to fight this damage and protect your collagen, eat foods that are rich in Co-enzyme Q (such as mackerel fish) Vitamin E (such as almonds) and plenty of Vitamin C (such as citrus fruits).”
If you want to add a collagen supplement to your beauty regime, remember that not all supplements are created equal. Marine collagen has been recognized as one of the most effective supplements. It absorbs 1.5 times more powerfully in the body than other forms of collagen. Marine collagen is produced using fish skin and scales. Now, collagen from fish skin might sound cruel, but it actually helps decrease environmental pollution and these skin parts are usually thrown away by the seafood industry anyways.
Nevertheless, collagen levels will diminish naturally over time. But, by taking precautionary measures, it’s possible to keep your skin healthy for longer.