The Role of Collagen in Your Skin: Myths vs Realities

Do you know collagen is one of the most abundant proteins found in the body of mammals? It comprises one-third of our body's protein and is essential for healthy skin, nails, muscles and bones. Collagen makes our skin elastic and supports the structure of many organs and muscles. Collagen is also responsible for cushioning the joints around the bones in the body of humans. Despite these functions, it gives us the advantage of glowy and radiant skin. Who does not want glowy skin? We will learn about the facts and myths related to the role of collagen in our skin.

Collagen holds your skin together, preventing it from sagging and wrinkling. It nourishes your skin and helps to make it glowy. But when you reach age 25, collagen production decreases naturally. Because your body starts to develop signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, you need collagen from supplements or a source outside your body.

Natural collagen supplements made from plants are available in the market. Other factors, such as stress and sun damage, can also cause a decrease in collagen levels. So, you must take collagen from your diet and supplements. Some people lack knowledge about collagen, which spreads misinformation. Here are some myths and realities related to collagen.

Collagen is essential for skin, but our body also needs collagen for many other functions. Collagen serves as a natural adhesive that holds the joints and muscles together. It also preserves the natural elasticity of our skin and makes it young. Collagen also improves our hair and nails and nourishes them. It comprises thirty per cent of our body's protein. Collagen also functions in the clotting of blood. Collagen maintains the structure of our blood vessels and contributes to their elasticity. The Wound healing process also takes help from collagen. Hence, collagen is not only a skin-specific protein. It serves a variety of functions in our body.

Reality

Your nutrition, lifestyle, and skincare routine can all help your body produce more collagen. Vitamin C-rich foods are essential for collagen production. Eating a good diet, drinking adequate water, and using excellent skin care practices also influence healthy collagen levels. While sleep is critical for the body's repair processes, including collagen formation, exercise boosts blood flow, which delivers vital nutrients to the skin.

Collagen supplements can be helpful, but they're not a quick remedy. Usually, consistent use of collagen supplements over a few months is required to observe improvements. Collagen supplements promote collagen production in your body by providing amino acids. However, the results of supplements differ from person to person due to diet, age, and lifestyle.

Although collagen molecules are too big to be applied topically, they can still promote collagen production. Vitamin C and Bakuchiol are two ingredients known to increase collagen production. Many topical products promote collagen formation in your skin. They usually contain 2 Bakuchiol, a plant-based substitute for retinol that supports collagen formation without irritating the skin.

Our bodies start producing less collagen after our mid-20s. Over time, using collagen-boosting products can maintain the firmness and elasticity of our skin. Also, in skincare, beginning to use collagen early can postpone the apparent symptoms of ageing. However, following regular use, you can still experience improvements even if you start to utilize these products later.

Both topical treatments and collagen supplements are beneficial for our skin. Supplements function internally by giving the body the building blocks to produce collagen. On the other hand, topical therapies can directly address particular skin issues and regions, improving localized collagen synthesis and skin health. Consider using a combined strategy for best results: topical treatments to address specific skin issues and supplements to promote collagen formation generally.

Animal and marine collagen work in identical ways. When taken orally, both have almost minimal effect on the skin.

Collagen derived from cold-water fish is called marine collagen. Marine and animal collagen have the same inefficiency; when taken orally, both are useless in increasing the amount of collagen in the skin.

Collagen supplements will hardly affect your skin. Instead of firming up and restoring skin flexibility, when collagen-enriched items are consumed orally, your body will break down the collagen molecule in the stomach and use it as food. Your skin's collagen levels won't increase if you take collagen supplements.

Collagen offers us much more benefits than only skin. It is a vital protein in our body that is essential for many functions. Due to misinformation, people oversimplify the benefits of collagen. It maintains the elasticity of our connective tissues and acts as a glue for sticking our joints. Our balanced lifestyle can naturally boost the production of collagen in our bodies. After reading these myths, you will learn about collagen's benefits and true power.