Ever wonder what keeps your skin plump, bouncy, and wrinkle-free when young? Meet collagen, the superhero protein that protects your youthful glow!
Collagen 101
Collagen is a protein produced naturally by the body and is integral to our bones, muscles, hair, and skin. It makes up almost 80% of the skin and is the secret to keeping it firm and plump.
Even though collagen is produced by the body naturally, its production declines by 1% to 2% annually. Collagen supports the skin's elasticity and structural integrity; the natural ageing process causes our collagen fibres to break down, resulting in wrinkles, sagging skin, larger pores, and other signs of ageing.
Step 1 - Preventing Collagen Depletion
The more we can inhibit collagen breakdown, the better our skin will fare as we age. Unsurprisingly, the number 1 accelerator is exposure to ultraviolet radiation or UV rays from the sun. Sun damage can alter DNA and accelerate collagen depletion, which leads to premature ageing.
What to watch out for:
- External factors like sun damage, smoking, and a diet high in sugar can accelerate collagen loss.
- Chronic stress, inadequate sleep, and lifestyle choices like smoking, excess drinking, and insufficient nutrition can speed up the rate of collagen loss.
- Stress puts the body in a state of inflammation
- Limit Sun Exposure
- Prioritize sleep
While we focus on food and skincare, they address symptoms, not the root cause—STRESS!
Here’s how Stress impacts Collagen Production
Stress is the body’s natural ‘fight or flight’ response to:
- Insulin Reaction: High cortisol spikes cause insulin resistance, disrupting glucose and collagen formation and weakening skin structure.
- Gut Absorption: Chronic stress affects gut health, reducing the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C and zinc, crucial for collagen synthesis.
- Adrenal Fatigue: Prolonged stress exhausts adrenal glands, reducing hormones like DHEA that support collagen production, leading to decreased skin elasticity and increased ageing signs.
- Liver Detox: Elevated cortisol increases liver toxin load, overwhelming it and hindering collagen maintenance.
Stress has become normalised, especially for women, causing hidden inflammation that skincare and diet alone can’t fix. The real transformation begins with understanding and managing stress.
Step 2 - Stimulating Collagen Production
The interesting thing about collagen is that stimulating its growth causes a domino effect. The more collagen you have, the more your body can produce and maintain.
Lifestyle and dietary choices combined with effective skincare are the perfect recipe to maintain youthful-looking skin even as you age. Factors like smoking, excessive drinking, inadequate nutrition, and environmental pollution contribute to collagen depletion and must be avoided.
Your diet also plays a role in collagen production. Both consuming vitamin C in your diet and applying it topically to your skin can help boost collagen production. Collagen synthesis can only happen with adequate vitamin C in your body.
Skincare Ingredients That Promote Collagen Production
Vitamin C: Topical vitamin C is proven to have an anti-ageing effect by inducing enzymes important for collagen production. Since Vitamin C is not naturally produced by the body, topical application and supplementation can help keep your skin looking youthful for longer.
The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C also support the neutralisation of oxidative stress. Environmental aggressors like stress, pollution, and sun exposure cause premature signs of ageing through oxidative stress. Vitamin C helps even out skin tone, reduces pigmentation, and has an overall brightening effect—our Vitamin C Serum is among the best serums for skin brightening.
Niacinamide: Niacinamide boosts collagen production to improve skin texture, including smoothness, fine lines, and wrinkles, and helps brighten and fade hyperpigmentation.
Bakuchiol: This potent bio-retinol stimulates collagen-producing receptors in the skin. It increases cell turnover and reduces hyperpigmentation without making it more sensitive to sun damage, making it a safer alternative to Retinol for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Glycolic Acid: When applied to the skin, it exfoliates the top layer and boosts collagen production. This powerful ingredient is a staple, especially for people struggling with post-acne marks and uneven skin texture. Find it in our Clarifying Toner.
This incredible Serum is one of our bestsellers and is clinically proven to reduce collagen breakdown by inhibiting anti-collagenase activity by a whopping 96%, keeping your skin looking brighter and younger, for longer.
Conclusion
Consistency is key! By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can fight back against collagen loss and keep your skin looking fresh, firm, and youthful. So ditch the fear of ageing and embrace the power of a collagen-conscious lifestyle + skincare routine.
