Article Overview
- Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. There are up to 28 known types of collagen in the body, all providing structural support to various tissues, including skin, bones, and tendons. In the skin, collagen forms a network of fibres that give it firmness, elasticity, and a youthful appearance. Ageing, sun exposure, smoking, and poor diet can contribute to a decline in collagen production and damage existing collagen fibres, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Fortunately, lifestyle changes like sun protection, diet, stress management, and your skincare routine can help support collagen production and protect existing collagen, promoting a healthier-looking, more youthful-looking complexion.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structural support to various tissues, including skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It's the "glue" that holds everything together, giving tissues their strength, elasticity, and resilience.
What does collagen do for the skin?
In the skin, collagen forms a complex network of fibres that give it firmness, elasticity, and resilience. These fibres are tightly interwoven, supporting the skin's structure and maintaining its youthful, smooth appearance. As we age, collagen production naturally slows down, and existing collagen can become damaged due to factors like sun exposure and pollution, leading to a loss of skin elasticity, the formation of wrinkles and a decrease in overall skin firmness.
What are the different types of collagen?
There are up to 28 known forms of collagen, but around five are the most commonly found. These five types include:
- Type I: Accounts for around 90% of collagen found in our body, and is essential for skin, bone and connective tissue.
- Type II: Found in cartilage between joints to provide cushioning and support.
- Type III: The second most prominent collagen type in the body, making up an essential structural component of certain organs, including the skin.
- Type IV: Found in layers of skin, acting as a supporting structure or matrix.
- Type V:found in some layers of skin, the cornea, and hair, among other connective tissue.
What are collagen peptides?
When broken down, collagen fibres are made up of chains of amino acids. Peptides are very short chains of amino acids, essentially fragments of collagen. The process of breaking down larger collagen molecules into collagen peptides allows them to be easily absorbed into the body, either in the form of a topical peptide serum or as a supplement. These collagen peptides help support the skin’s existing collagen to keep it resilient and supple.
What is collagen's role in skin ageing?
Collagen plays an important role in your skin’s strength and elasticity. As we age, collagen levels decline, and existing collagen fibres begin to break down. The impact of the quality and quantity of collagen fibres causes the skin to become weaker and less supple, making it harder for it to “bounce back” and restore its shape. Over time, loss of skin elasticity leads to deep wrinkles and sagging or thinning skin.
What causes a loss of collagen?
Collagen production gradually declines with age, but this loss of collagen can be exacerbated or sped up by other factors. Pollution, UV radiation, smoking and other irritants can affect existing collagen fibres and slow down production levels, causing premature skin ageing. Poor skincare habits, especially a lack of sun protection, and poor sleeping habits, can also play a role in loss of collagen.
How do I prevent loss of collagen in the skin?
While a loss of collagen is an inevitable part of ageing, there are some measures you can take to reduce collagen loss and prevent premature skin ageing.
Lifestyle
Avoid smoking, excessive drinking and maintain a balanced diet. You should also aim for a consistent sleep routine of 7-9 hours every night.
Stress
Stress levels impact the entire body, including the skin. Ensure you’re managing stress levels with exercise, mindfulness practices, and other stress-management techniques.
Supplementation
Some supplements are formulated with collagen to increase collagen levels in the body, but it’s important to look for an active form of collagen that the body can properly absorb. It’s also relevant to note that while collagen supplements can indirectly impact collagen in the skin, topical forms of collagen are best for seeing skin benefits.
Sun protection
The single most important thing you can do to protect skin is by using sun protection every day. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF is essential to every skincare routine, even on cloudy days, even in winter.
Skincare
A proper, consistent anti-ageing skincare routine is essential to maintaining the skin’s protective moisture barrier and keeping the skin balanced. There are also skincare ingredients you can use to increase collagen production to counteract the loss of collagen that comes with age. Ingredients that can help increase collagen production include peptides and tripeptides, vitamin C, lipids, retinol, and niacinamide.
SkinCeuticals Collagen
P-TIOX Peptide Serum
An advanced peptide anti-wrinkle serum for face and collagen and elastin production
A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum
A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum
A.G.E Interrupter Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Anti-wrinkle cream for targeting the loss of skin firmness caused by skin glycation.
A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles
Brightening eye cream for dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles
