Understanding the Impact of Collagen on the Skin
Hollie Simpson, founder of Our Skin Academy sits down to educate about collagen - a celebrity favourite and miracle ingredient.
Collagen has grown in popularity in recent years. From being included in shampoos, lotions and skincare to being a key ingredient in supplements and protein powders, collagen is everywhere.
Yet you may still be wondering what is collagen, what’s it good for and is it a miracle worker like some claim it to be? Whilst it won’t wash your dishes or put the kids to bed at night, collagen can aid in keeping the skin young and hydrated.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, that makes up 72% of dry skin weight and is responsible for the strength and stability of the skin. When collagen begins to deplete, the skin will loosen and lines begin to form. Collagen occurs throughout the body but mainly within the skin, bones and tissue.
There are two main types of collagen, endogenous and exogenous. Endogenous is natural collagen which is created by the body, whereas exogenous collagen comes from an external source such as supplements.
Collagen in foods
The foods which promote the skin to form collagen are foods that contain Vitamin A, beta keratin, carotenoids, and Vitamin C. These vitamins encourage the skin to produce its own collagen and help support the new collagen. Fibre blast cells, which form collagen in the dermis, use these nutrients to form new collagen.
You can find Vitamin A in a variety of foods including, dairy, eggs, chicken and poultry. Carotenoids (the plant version) are found in sweet potatoes, tomatoes, bells peppers and typically anything of a red/orange colour. Vitamin C can be found in green foods like broccoli and spinach, berries, citrus fruits, and also bell peppers and sweet potatoes.
Preventing the loss of collagen
Whilst it is a good idea to eat foods that promote the skin to form new collagen, it’s also worth protecting the collagen already in your skin. Uv rays can destroy the natural collagen reserves, so use an SPF with broad-spectrum protection to shield the skin from UV rays A and B. You should also be wary of radical-free damage which will damage the DNA of cells. This includes eating a high antioxidant diet, including lots of fruit and vegetables in a variety of colours to protect from a range of free radicals.
There are a variety of factors that can deplete the levels of collagen in the body, aside from UV rays which is one of the biggest elements of collagen decline.
High Sugar consumption: A high-sugar diet will increase the rate of glycation, which is a process where blood sugars will attach to proteins. This creates new molecules that are called advanced glycation end products. Also known as AGEs. AGEs can make collagen dry and weak because it damages proteins nearby.
Smoking: There are a variety of damages caused to the body by smoking, collagen being one of them. The chemicals in tobacco damage the elasticity of the skin which also damages the collagen levels. In addition, nicotine will narrow blood vessels which reduce the delivery of oxygen to the skin.
The ageing process: Aging is inevitable and so is the decline of elasticity in the skin. As we get older, the levels of collagen in our body will naturally reduce which is why fine lines and wrinkles appear. There is no prevention to ageing, but avoiding smoking and excessive sun exposure, whilst maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime will help to protect the bodies collagen.
Collagen myths
As collagen has been a popular topic this year, there are a plethora of myths surrounding the use of collagen.
Many skincare products that contain collagen, including moisturisers and serums, claim to boost collagen production in the body. This, however, is not likely as collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. Any benefits to the skin from these products are usually due to the moisturising effect. Especially if the products contain hydraulic acid, which gives a plump and hydrated look to the skin.
Another myth is that consuming collagen will increase the collagen in the skin. This has not been proven, however, when you do ingest more collagen you will be improving your gut health. Collagen aids in repairing the gut lining meaning you will be able to absorb nutrients more efficiently and can help with the inflammation of the gut. Whilst it’s still a good idea to consume collagen for the benefit of your gut, it may not be directly increasing your body's collagen levels.
Are you looking to learn more about the power of skincare and different ingredients? Get 20% off Our Skin Academy’s bestselling Skin Practitioner Course here.