Everything you need to know about Collagen

By Merna Al Murady | Pharmacologist

18 September 2023

Skincare

You've probably heard of collagen? It is a skin care ingredient that you can't avoid if you want to maintain the suppleness and firmness of the skin.

Are you ready to give your skin some loving attention? Then let's introduce collagen - your skin's new best friend! This wonder ingredient has long since taken the beauty world by storm, and we're here to reveal the secrets behind its magical abilities. So sit back and let us take you on a journey into the amazing universe of collagen, where radiant skin is the ultimate goal.

Benfits

Reduces the depth of wrinkles
Increases skin firmness and glow
Makes the skin appear more youthful
Strong bones and muscles
Beautiful and shiny hair and nails
Flexible joints

What is collagen and what is it made of?

Collagen is a substance the body forms. It is a protein that consists of several types of amino acids. There are 6 types of collagen in the body. Collagen 1 and 3 are found in skin, bones and muscles. Collagen 2 is found in various cartilages and joints. The most dominant amino acids are glycine, hydroxyproline and proline.

What is collagen good for?

Collagen is responsible for maintaining the skin's structure and elasticity. With age, the body's natural production of collagen decreases, resulting in loss of skin firmness and in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By adding collagen to your skin care routine, you can rebuild and strengthen the skin's connective tissue, giving you smoother, firmer and more youthful looking skin. In addition to its anti-aging effect, collagen also has a moisturizing effect that improves the skin's hydration and gives it a radiant glow. If you want to maintain healthy and youthful skin, collagen is the ultimate key to unlocking a radiant and refreshed glow. And if you want to do something active to minimize wrinkles, fine lines etc., you can add collagen to the skin in the form of nutritional supplements and skin care.

Collagen deficiency

Collagen builds skin, hair nails, bones and cartilage. When the skin starts to wrinkle or you experience cellulite, muscle and joint pain, it can indicate that you lack collagen. Already at the age of 25-35, the body begins to break down the collagen you have.

Collagen in food supplements

Collagen is found in various forms of dietary supplements. You can get it as collagen capsules, in liquid form or as collagen powder. If you wear out your joints due to a lot of activity, collagen supplements are a really good idea to supplement with. It helps if you want to take care of your inner and outer self. Which form of collagen to choose depends on your personal preferences.

How much collagen per day?

It is recommended to take 5-10 grams of collagen daily - however, this can vary depending on the type of form you choose. When you choose to invest in collagen, it is a good idea to buy collagen supplements with vitamin C, as vitamin C is important in collagen synthesis.

How long does it take to see results with collagen supplements?

To achieve results, you must take collagen for at least 3 months. You can easily take collagen all year round.

Good to know

If you want to maintain collagen, regular exercise is a good idea
Use SPF to avoid UV rays, as it can damage the collagen you have
Nicotine makes the skin thinner, and thus there is a greater risk of the skin aging prematurely
Collagen production can be boosted through certain foods such as shellfish, meat and poultry
Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis, and is therefore good to consume alongside the collagen

Collagen in skin care

There are a number of skin care products that contain collagen. However, it is often alongside other ingredients than just collagen, as the collagen molecule is too large to penetrate the skin's barrier.

Collagen in creams

Collagen creams have become more widespread in recent years. It is a good idea to look for creams that contain vitamin A, as it is a good cocktail when you mix it with collagen. It moisturizes the skin and makes it more elastic and firmer.

Collagen in serum

A serum is thinner in consistency, but it penetrates further into the skin than a cream. It is a good idea to choose a serum that contains vitamin C, as it helps the production of collagen.