We hear over and over again that collagen is the key to keeping skin youthful and plump like a baby’s face. From powders and supplements to serums and moisturizers, it seems like we’re seeing it everywhere—which can make it hard to navigate finding the best source. Let’s break down what collagen actually is, talk about its most effective forms, and how to not only maintain it, but also how to boost it.
What role does collagen actually play in the skin?
Collagen is what binds skin cells and tissue together, so loss of collagen means loss of elasticity, structure, and firmness. “Think of it like the frame of your mattress: Without it, the mattress would be clumpy and wrinkly," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explains in The Zoe Report. This is why loss of collagen leads to a more hollow, sunken-in look and skin droops and sags with age.
Reach for peptides to support your skin’s structure.
Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but the production can start to slow down as early as our mid-to-late twenties. While a decrease in collagen is inevitable over time, we can use topical products to retain it. If your goal is to boost collagen, look for skin care containing peptides. Peptides come into play because they signal amino acid chains to intertwine, which creates collagen and therefore builds a stronger structure for the skin. (healthline.com)
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Use ingredients with smaller molecule size.
You might think that when picking skin care you would look for something with “collagen” right on the bottle, however pure collagen molecules are too large for the skin to absorb. So instead, opt for products with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and again, our superstar ingredient: peptides. The small molecule size in these ingredients allows them to penetrate deep into the skin to encourage collagen production rather than just sitting on top of the skin.
Stimulate with glycolic acid.
We know that chemical exfoliants are great anti-aging preventatives, but one in particular actually turns back time by stimulating collagen production: glycolic acid. “As a collagen stimulator, glycolic acid works by stimulating fibroblasts, cells that produce collagen.” (pillowtalkderm.com) Bonus: it’s a humectant, meaning that it attracts moisture to the skin. Hydrated skin is healthy, youthful-looking skin.
Eat your way to more elasticity.
While collagen supplements have been all the rage lately, it turns out that eating collagen-rich foods is often more effective. “The key difference between the two may be down to the bioavailability—the body’s ability to use a nutrient.” (healthline.com) Add these foods to your diet to boost collagen production naturally:
•Bone broth
•Chicken and fish
•Egg whites
•Citrus fruits, tropical fruits, and berries
•Garlic
•Leafy greens
•Beans
•Cashews
•Tomatoes
•Bell peppers
Trust the tried-and-true.
Our final tips to preserve collagen likely won’t come as a big surprise. Follow the same rules we hear again and again in skin care—drink lots of water, maintain a healthy diet, limit your alcohol and sugar intake, never smoke, and always use SPF.
