All About Collagen

Collagen is the latest skincare ingredient that has been making quite the noise. If you’ve ever searched for an anti-ageing skincare product, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of collagen. Let’s find out the role of collagen in everyday skincare

The skincare industry is evolving at such a speed that it’s tough to keep track of everything your skin does or doesn’t need. I mean, how many acids or actives or everything else can one use? Too many choices. However, the latest addition to the list of skincare must-haves — collagen — stands out for what it can do for you.

Collagen is a protein that provides structure, and forms building blocks for your bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments. In skincare, collagen holds your skin together, and prevents it from sagging. It is the binding block that holds the different layers of your skin together, making it look plump, soft, adding elasticity, and volume to the skin. “Due to micro-ageing, you lose one per cent of collagen production every year from your 20s. By the age of 40, there is a loss of collagen of over 30 per cent, and unfortunately, even a three per cent reduction is noticeable. So, it is essential for skin health and to prevent accelerated ageing that one does everything they can to boost their collagen production,” explains Dr Harshna Bijlani, Medical Head of The AgeLess Clinic.

Mini Sood Banerjee, assistant director and marketing head of Innisfree, explains that collagen is an important protein that the body needs to keep the skin looking young and healthy. “Products that contain peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants that can boost collagen supplies and restore elastin. Using chemical peels (AHA or BHA,) serums that contain hyaluronic acid, vitamin C can help build up and help to stimulate collagen and elastin production in your skin. The product that contains antioxidants enhances the effectiveness of collagen production and rejuvenates the skin. Include green tea, blueberries, mulberry extract, pomegranate extract,” she says.

Dr. Bijlani continues, “The most effective way to boost your own collagen production is through collagen boosting treatments. Certain hyaluronic acid-based products are best given in an injectable form as a moisturising injectable (hyaluronic acid is a fairly large molecule, so the absorption isn’t as great through topical creams). Apart from these, there are some amazing collagen-boosting technologies like radio-frequency, ultrasound, and even PRF treatments that use your own fibrin (an advanced version of conventional platelet boosting treatments) to help boost the natural production of collagen under your skin.

She continues, “I would recommend using a 360° approach when it comes to something as essential as collagen. You can consume collagen daily or a few times a week as a supplement or use collagen-boosting ingredients in your skincare ingredients like retinoids, hyaluronic acid, etc. For the final big push, opt for some good collagen boosting treatments that work for your skin type and skin age.”

Amanda Bell, Global Director of Education and Artistry at Pixi Beauty, opines, “It is a fantastic ingredient to plump and volumise the skin, it improves the health of skin and has strengthening properties. Collagen also forms part of the connective tissue that keeps it firm and supple.” Dr Jamuna Pai, cosmetic physician and founder of SkinLab, explains that since the amount of production of collagen is not proportional to the body’s requirements, it is only imperative to supplement the body with external collagen.

“There are various ways of doing so, and one can choose whatever suits them best. Starting with collagen-rich foods. Altering and improving lifestyle and diet has always been the number one solution. Consuming meat, fish, and especially shellfish can help boost collagen. Additionally, citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables, as well as nuts like cashews can help keep levels of collagen high. The second one would be consuming collagen powder. When searching for supplements, collagen powder will probably be the most common form one may come across. This is more due to the convenience of consuming it. Since it is a powder, one may mix it with any beverage or even in any meal. One scoop daily in the morning tea/coffee or simply in a glass of water suffices the required collagen intake. Lastly, dermal fillers containing a combination of collagen and hyaluronic gel can help boost collagen, and keep the skin hydrated and youthful,” she concludes.

Adding that drop of C to your skincare routine seems more important than ever, guys.

Also Read; Do You Double Cleanse? Here’s Why You Definitely Should

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