All you need to know about Collagen
Collagen is the second most searched skincare ingredient on Google and while you may have heard about it, you may not know why it’s so important. In this blog we delve into why collagen is crucial for healthy skin and give you tips on how you can help protect and boost your body’s own production levels.
WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is the glue that holds our bodies together. Collagen is found abundantly in our skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissues. Collagen fibres are long, thin and link together to form a strong infrastructure to support elastin and hyaluronic acid. This infrastructure gives your skin stretch, elasticity and hydration.
Think of collagen as the scaffolding that holds everything together, ensuring our skin remains firm, supple, and resilient. Collagen fibres are long, thin and link together to form a strong infrastructure to support elastin and hyaluronic acid, giving your skin elasticity, hydration and firmness.
THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN FOR OUR SKIN
- Improves elasticity – Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining skin elasticity, keeping skin taut, plump and youthful looking.
- Enhances hydration – Collagen plays a significant role in maintaining optimal skin hydration levels by helping to form protective shield that retains moisture and prevents dryness.
- Brightens skin – By supporting the structure of the skin, collagen helps to improve the tone and radiance of your complexion.
- Reduces cellulite and stretch marks – Collagen can help minimise the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
- Supports wound healing and scar reduction – Collagen promotes the regeneration of skin cells.
- Strengthens hair and nails – Collagen can promote growth, reduce brittleness, and enhance the health of hair and nails.
COLLAGEN AND AGEING
As we age, our body’s natural collagen production gradually declines (we lose a third by the time we’re 40). This leads to visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and an increase in sagging skin. Environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, and unhealthy lifestyle choices can accelerate collagen breakdown, exacerbating the ageing process.
While it is inevitable that our collagen levels will decline with age, there are lifestyle changes we can easily make to maintain and even boost levels of collagen production.
WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERYDAY
The sun’s rays destroy collagen fibres. This directly leads to the tell-tale signs of premature ageing: fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness. It is vitally important that you use a sunscreen with at least an SPF30 to protect your skin from photodamage (sun damage).
USE COLLAGEN BOOSTING SKINCARE
Look for skincare products that contain collagen, preferably marine collagen (found in Rescue Diver and Firm Conviction) or collagen-boosting ingredients like retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients can help stimulate collagen production and improve overall skin health.
EAT A BALANCED DIET
Consuming a diet rich in collagen-boosting ingredients can help stimulate collagen production. This includes foods like fish, lean meat, eggs, berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bone broth.
Reduce your sugar intake – A diet rich in too much sugar can lead to “glycation” – when sugar molecules attach to collagen proteins making them brittle and weak, therefore reducing your skin’s elasticity.
MARINE COLLAGEN
If you need another reason to exercise, then think of how good it is for your skin! An increase in blood and oxygen supply stimulates collagen production and directly leads to healthier and more glowing skin.
DON’T SMOKE
It is proven that the toxins in cigarettes damage and reduce the levels of collagen production in the skin, leading to premature ageing.
ELIXSERI SERUMS AND THEIR COLLAGEN BOOSTING BENEFITS
All of our serums include ingredients which are scientifically proven to protect your existing collagen and to boost the production of new collagen.
OUR TOP FIVE INGREDIENTS
MARINE COLLAGEN
Marine collagen is 3.5 times more hydrating than traditional collagen (from pigs or cows). It forms a perfect shield of moisture on the skin to reduce trans-epidermal water loss and improve skin elasticity and bounce. Marine Collagen is found in Rescue Diver and Firm Conviction.
GARDENIA MERISTEM CONCENTRATE (STEM CELLS)
Gardenia Meristem exhibits an impressive and unrivalled action in preserving the skin’s collagen system due to its high content of phytoesterols which are proven to boost the skin’s collagen content. Gardenia Meristem Concentrates are found in Rescue Diver and Firm Conviction.
LACTIC ACID
Lactic Acid is known to strengthen and promote collagen fibres, improving the skin’s overall texture. This gentle AHA, sloughs off dead surface cells “shocking” the skin into producing new cells, which in turn boosts the production of new collagen. Lactic Acid is found in Opening Act.
MAGNOLIA BARK
The two primary compounds, Magnolol and Honokiol, are 1000 times more potent than vitamin E in their antioxidant activity and contain specific molecules that can reduce inflammation which leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Magnolia Bark is found in Skin Meditation.
PREBIOTIC NONI FERMENT
Noni contains over 200 powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which protect your skin’s collagen system from external aggression. One such compound is Anthraquinone which is scientifically proven to boost skin firmness by encouraging collagen production. Prebiotic Noni Ferment is found in Opening Act, Smooth Player, Firm Conviction and Skin Meditation.
As you can see, collagen is clearly a vital component for maintaining healthy, firm, youthful skin. By incorporating collagen-boosting skincare and practicing ways to prevent degradation in our daily lives, we can help combat the signs of ageing and achieve a radiant, glowing complexion.