I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of buzz around collagen for health and beauty! It seems to be everywhere.
While it may be a trend right now, the science is valid.
Supplementing and building collagen for skin, joints and the body is completely effective and easily achievable.
Internally, Externally, Easily! Let’s find out more….
What is Collagen for Skin in General?
Collagen is a fibrous protein that keeps the skin strong and helps tissues withstand stretching.
It is in nearly everything – skin muscles, bones, tendons.
According to the National Institute of Health: “Collagen is an abundant structural protein in all animals. In humans, collagen comprises one-third of the total protein, accounts for three-quarters of the dry weight of skin . . . ” – COLLAGEN STRUCTURE AND STABILITY
Three Main Types of Collagen
Collagen in the body comes in at least 16 different forms. There are three main types of collagen you should know about:
- 1st Type – skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, teeth
- 2nd Type – cartilage, eyes
- 3rd Type – skin, muscles, blood vessels
Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Elastin are Friends
Collagen and one other natural body substance – Hyaluronic Acid – reside with Elastin.
Elastin is the second protein complex and its function is to provide elasticity.
Collagen and Elastin partner together to form long strands that strengthen and give the skin elasticity.
Then, Hyaluronic Acid works to retain water and keep your tissues well-lubricated and moist.
Incredibly, Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule that attracts and holds onto 1000x its weight in moisture. What Does Hyaluronic Acid Serum do For Your Skin?
All three (collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin) are found in the Dermis layer of the skin. See graphic below.
Strengthen and Repair Collagen Internally and Externally
Collagen keeps us looking young and radiant in our early years. However, collagen production begins to drop in our 20s.
This loss, along with the loss of Hyaluronic Acid and Elastin begins our path to sagging skin.
Skin that doesn’t bounce back, shows fine lines and wrinkles, exhibits dark spots and other signs of aging.
In general, skin begins to lose its radiant glow.
1. Build Collagen Internally with Foods and Supplements
Currently, there are many great collagen-based supplements on the market. Boosting collagen from the inside is one step in an easy way to build and repair collagen.
Related Articles – Foods with Collagen for Skin and How to Produce Collagen Naturally in Six Steps Without Injections
2. Build Collagen Externally with Serums and Avoiding Damage
Collagen from quality topical serums is a fantastic way to strengthen collagen from the outside.
Avoiding damage by avoiding the things that cause damage is easy.
Related Articles – Best Quality Serum for Skin and What Depletes Collagen? and 6 Essential Oils for Collagen Production
Strengthen, rebuild, repair collagen in two ways – Internally and Externally
Summary – What’s Collagen for Skin?
Collagen is the skin’s scaffolding – holding up the Epidermis and Cuticle. When collagen is present, the skin is strong and supple.
Without collagen, skin sags and wrinkles and give us the appearance of a “broken scaffolding”.
Collagen is also a fibrous protein that breaks down as we age, from the foods we eat, environmental factors such as oxidative stress, and the natural aging process.
However, collagen can be rebuilt internally and externally. Replenished and repaired to give us healthy, strong, firm, supported skin.