The cosmetics industry has been promoting collagen for years. Anti-aging products contain almost always collagen. Collagen is an important protein found throughout the body, which the body can produce itself. It is also a popular nutritional supplement and cosmetic ingredient. The marketing of collagen products is very aggressive. Collagen is the most common protein in the body, found in all mammals. Collagen is often talked about when there is concern about aging of the skin. Collagen plays a huge role in the youthful appearance of the face. There is a lot of researched information about collagen available, but even more misconceptions and half-truths. In this article I will tell you more about collagen; what it is, how it affects the skin and how you yourself can affect the skin’s collagen level
Collagen is a protein
Collagen comes from the Greek word “kolla” which means glue.Collagen is a common protein found in all mammals. Collagen consists of amino acids, which together form a collagen spiral. Collagen is found in many body tissues such as
- In cartilage
- In connective tissue
- In bones
- In the tendons
- In ligaments
- On the skin
- In blood vessels
- In the intestines
- In corneas
- In the discs between the vertebrae (spinal discs)
- In the heart
Collagen makes up 1-2% of muscle tissue. It accounts for about 6% of bones. Collagen is therefore a very important protein whose effect does not only extend to the skin and youthful appearance.
There are five different types of collagens. The most common collagen in the human body is type 1 collagen. More than 90% of the collagen in the human body is type 1 collagen.
As you can see, collagen plays a very important role in all body functions. If collagen production does not work in the human body, the problems affect health very adversely. Wrinkles and aged skin are only the tip of the iceberg.
Functions of collagen on the skin
We could talk about collagen and health a lot, but in this blog, we will only focus on the collagen in the skin. The skin is divided into three parts
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutaneous layer
Collagen is located in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin.
What does collagen do in the skin?
The skin’s collagen is in the dermis and has many functions. Listed here are just a few of the most important roles that collagen plays in your skin.
- Collagen prevents the skin from sagging and gives us a youthful appearance.
- Collagen helps in the formation of fibroblasts, which supports the growth of new cells.
- Collagen participates in the replacement of dead skin cells
- Collagen offers protection to the organs and the lowest layers of the skin
- Gives the skin structure, strength, and flexibility
- Helps blood to clot and wounds to heal
The amount of collagen decreases with age
The skin of children, teenagers and young adults is elastic and wrinkle-free. They have plenty of collagen in the epidermis and the skin functions flawlessly. The human body takes care of collagen. Every year, 3 kilograms of collagen breaks down in our body and 3 kilograms of new, flexible collagen is produced as replacement.
As we age, collagen production declines. Collagen is formed less than it is removed and it is of lower quality. In an elderly person, collagen is not as flexible and elastic as in young people. All this can be seen on the face as signs of aging. The facial features glow downwards. Cheeks that were so round before are starting to sag. Deep furrows appear on the skin when the collagen is no longer stretching the skin taut.
Collagen production decreases little by little, but the biggest leap occurs after menopause. Then collagen production declines significantly. Everyone over the age of 60 experiences a decrease in collagen production. It is completely normal and part of aging.
How do I know if my collagen levels are declining?
You cannot measure your collagen levels with blood tests. However, you can determine your collagen status in other ways. Collagen is everywhere in the body, so its reduction is visible throughout the body, not just on the skin.
- Wrinkles around the eyes and mouth
- Saggy skin
- Joint pains and poorer joint mobility
- Digestive problems (thinning of the mucous membranes and resulting problems)
- Problems with blood circulation
- Muscle pain and muscle contraction
Increasing collagen levels is not a simple matter
Collagen has become a very good money maker for the nutritional supplement and cosmetics industry. People want to be convinced that by eating supplements containing collagen and using collagen creams, we can regain our youth. Unfortunately, however, this is not the case.
There are also collagen injections available to increase the level of the collagen in the body. The effect of the injections lasts for some time, after which new injections should be taken. This is an expensive procedure and only helps locally.
Collagen cannot be absorbed into the skin
Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids. Just to transport amino acids through the epidermis to the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, is almost impossible. The structure of collagen is so large that it cannot possibly get into the dermis. Collagen cannot even penetrate the epidermis, but remains on the surface of the skin. Therefore, creams containing collagen do not help to increase the amount of collagen in the skin.
There are lot of ads promoting collagen supplements and they are quite popular. However, the body can produce collagen itself from amino acids. You do not necessarily need to eat collagen, although there is no risk unless you eat huge amounts of it.
To get enough building materials to produce collagen from food, you need enough high-quality protein. This type of protein is found in meat, fish, milk, and eggs.
If you are a vegetarian, you need to be more careful about the quality of your food. To get complete protein, you should eat both vegetables, legumes (such as beans and lentils), and grains. All these plants have protein, but their protein consists of different amino acids. To get all the necessary amino acids, you should eat a variety of plant products.
Take care of your collagen levels
Collagen has been studied for hundreds of years. In traditional Chinese medicine, collagen-rich products were used internally to achieve more youthful looking skin. A gelatinous preparation obtained from donkey skin, called Ejiao, was a very popular medicine. Cao Zhi (192-232) was a famous Chinese writer. He was unnaturally thin and therefore was offered Ejiao preparation. His skin rejuvenated quickly, wrinkles disappeared and the skin became more elastic. Eating foods containing collagen is still a good way to take care of the youthfulness of the skin and the whole body.
Protect your own collagen stores
Easier than adding collagen that has already been lost from your body is protecting the existing collagen that is still left. There are many things that reduce our collagen levels. When we learn to remove these harmful things and habits from our lives, collagen levels stay higher and we can enjoy a youthful essence for longer.
At least the following things are known to lose collagen levels heavily
Smoking
Smoking has been found to reduce collagen formation. it damages collagen and slows wound healing. Nicotine constricts the peripheral blood vessels on the skin and prevents the transport of nutrients to the skin.
Too much sugar and too many carbohydrates
Sugar attaches to proteins and forms advanced glycation end products. Such proteins cause collagen to weaken and become brittle. Keep your carbohydrate levels moderate. It also helps with skin care.
Excessive sunlight
UV radiation causes collagen to break down faster. It also reduces collagen production. You can protect yourself from excessive sunlight by staying in the shade, covering your body and, if necessary, using sun protection products.
Can cosmetics affect collagen levels?
After all this, I can say to your surprise that it can. Applying collagen to the skin does not help collagen production, but there are other techniques. Many cosmetic substances increase the production of collagen, even if they do not contain collagen. They work so-called as a collagen booster. The most important and familiar ingredient in cosmetics that increases collagen synthesis is vitamin C, i.e. ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C
Along with amino acids, the most important substance in collagen synthesis is vitamin C. Vitamin C is of course an effective antioxidant, but it is also a necessary substance in the production of collagen. Taking vitamin C supplements is also beneficial for collagen synthesis. It benefits the whole body. When applied externally to the face using creams and serums containing vitamin C, it can be absorbed deep into the skin and have an effect exactly where collagen is produced. That is why the products containing vitamin C are really recommended in the treatment of aged skin.
Antioxidants
The worst enemy of collagen in the skin is low-grade inflammation. Products containing ingredients that soothe the skin and reduce inflammation protect the collagen in the skin. All antioxidants are such substances.
Inflammation breaks down collagen everywhere in the body, including the skin. It does not have to be a violent, acute inflammation. Low-grade inflammation can appear on the skin only as mild irritation. That is why many skin care products have skin-soothing properties. They reduce inflammation and at the same time protect collagen from destruction.
Use natural, unrefined vegetable oils in skin care
Natural vegetable oils contain antioxidants such as vitamin E, carotenoids, chlorophyll, and many phenolic compounds. In unrefined, natural oils, most of the unsaponifiable substances of the oil are still saved. Such oils are often colourful; green, red or golden yellow. There are, for example, high antioxidant concentrations in hemp oil, rosehip oil and sea buckthorn oil
Other good, antioxidant-rich cosmetic ingredients are:
- Resveratol
- Bakuchiol
- Pycnogenol
With these above-mentioned substances have a proven effect on collagen synthesis. Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to vitamin A. It helps in many ways in the treatment of aged skin.
When reducing the signs of skin aging, boosting your own collagen and its production is the key. Forget expensive collagen creams and pamper your skin with antioxidants. You do not have to wait until you are 60. It is worth taking care of the skin and the skin’s collagen level already now. Protecting the skin from excessive UV rays, a balanced diet and skin care products rich in vitamin C and antioxidants strengthen and protect your own collagen reserves.