What you need to know about collagen
Collagen is the glue that holds our bodies together. It is essential to our skin’s elasticity and ‘bounce,’ and it aids the health of the body’s bones, joints, muscles and organs. Given how important it is, it is worth understanding how you can help boost your body’s own production. From lifestyle choices, such as protecting your skin against the sun, to knowing what ingredients to look for in your skincare, including marine collagen, we’re giving you the top tips of how to protect your body’s collagen production.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and its name derives from latinised Greek and French and literally means “producing glue”. It’s essential to our internal organs, but it also makes up three quarters of your skin.
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.
Collagen is produced naturally in the body but as we age, we produce less and less (we lose a third of collagen by the time we’re 40). Collagen depletion leads to a loss of firmness in the skin and the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. So, while it is inevitable that our collagen levels will reduce as we age, there are lifestyle changes we can easily make to maintain and even boost levels of collagen production.
DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN
The sun’s rays are harmful to your skin as they destroy collagen fibres. This directly leads to the tell-tale signs of premature ageing: fine lines, wrinkles, 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).
BOOST COLLAGEN VIA YOUR DIET
Your diet can encourage collagen production so make sure to include food sources high in amino acids, such as Proline found in egg whites, dairy and cabbage and Glycine found in pork and chicken. Vitamin C plays a major role in in the production of collagen, so it is important to have a diet rich in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables.
Reduce your sugar intake – A diet rich in too much sugar can lead to “glycation” – this is when sugar molecules attach to collagen proteins making them brittle and weak, therefore reducing your skin’s elasticity.
EXERCISE HELPS
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.
STOP SMOKING
It is proven that the toxins in cigarettes damage and reduce the levels of collagen production in the skin, leading to premature ageing.
USE COLLAGEN BOOSTING SKINCARE
All our serums include ingredients which are scientifically proven to protect collagen and to boost the production of new collagen.
OUR TOP FIVE INGREDIENTS
MARINE COLLAGEN
Collagen molecules are generally too large to penetrate deeply into the skin but our Marine Collagen has a better penetration than traditional collagen (from pigs or cows), holding up to 200% more water. It forms a perfect shield of moisture in the skin to reduce trans-epidermal water loss and improve skin’s 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 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 boost the production of new collagen. Lactic Acid is found in Opening Act.
MAGNOLIA BARK
The two primary compounds, magnolol and honokiol, are 1,000 times more potent than vitamin E in their anti-oxidant activity and contain specific molecules that can reduce the 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 anti-oxidant 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, there are plenty of ways you can help boost your body’s collagen production. Combining as many lifestyle and diet choices as you can, plus using the best products to support your skin’s elasticity, such as marine collagen and lactic acid, is the best way to ensure prolonged healthy levels of collagen.