Benefits of Collagen in Skincare

Collagen dietary supplements are everywhere, but are they worth the hype? The short answer is yes, they are. Not only does collagen benefit bones, joints, and hair, but collagen benefits are significant for skin health.

Today’s article will dive into collagen for skin health and discuss collagen peptide supplements and topical skincare solutions to support natural collagen production and maintenance. Keep reading as we explore:

• What is collagen? What are collagen peptides?
• What does collagen do for the skin?
• How to improve skin elasticity and skin benefits of collagen
• Do collagen supplements work? Benefits of taking collagen
• NassifMD® Skincare routines for collagen maintenance and support

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein the body makes from amino acids in the diet with the help of vitamin C. It’s the most abundant protein in the human body and helps build the structure of joints, bones, tendons, organs, connective tissue, and the skin. You can think of collagen as the glue that holds everything together.

Collagen peptides often refer to collagen protein supplements. Peptides are small proteins.

What is Collagen’s Role in Skin Health?

Collagen is crucial for skin structure and function. It promotes skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration. Unfortunately, collagen levels peak in our 20s and decline after that with age, accelerating after menopause with the loss of natural estrogen. Sun damage, pollution, poor diet, stress, and other factors can also contribute to poor collagen production and loss.

As collagen declines, it contributes to the physical signs of skin aging, including:

• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Crepey skin
• Loose skin
• Dry skin

The Benefits of Collagen

Collagen and skin go hand in hand. Without sufficient collagen, you won’t see the skin benefits you desire. Eating a collagen-rich diet or taking a collagen supplement helps restore collagen levels in the skin. You can also support collagen levels with a collagen cream and other topical skincare products.

Boosts Skin Elasticity

Elastin is the protein responsible for skin elasticity, allowing the skin to stretch and bounce back into place. Interestingly, collagen supplements benefit skin elasticity. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial suggests that oral collagen peptides significantly improved skin elasticity after only 12 weeks. The supplement dose was much lower than many collagen supplements, just 2.5 grams daily, along with vitamin C and other skin nutrients.

Enhances Skin Hydration

The same study suggests that collagen supplements benefit more than elasticity. They also help improve skin hydration, density, and texture. Beyond the study results, participants also reported more satisfaction with their skin’s appearance. Further, results were maintained at the follow up after the study was over.

Supports Skin Repair

Because collagen is the primary structural protein in the skin, collagen peptides are a promising supplement for promoting wound healing and skin repair. Collagen may also help with recovery from surgery, plastic surgery, and other medical (or medical spa) procedures that damage the skin. Often the skin improvement and anti-aging benefits from cosmetic skin treatments come from the healing and regeneration process itself.

Protects Against Aging Signs

Several studies suggest collagen supplements protect and reverse signs of skin aging. A 2021 systematic review looked at 19 studies on collagen supplements and concluded they promote favorable results in terms of skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle improvement. Just 90 days of collagen supplementation reduced signs of skin aging.

A 2022 randomized controlled trial confirmed benefits of collagen peptides for skin health, including firmness, elasticity, and hydration. Additionally, collagen may also improve skin barrier integrity and sun damaged skin.

Promotes Radiant Glow

Collagen’s anti-aging and skin integrity benefits contribute to improved radiance and younger, glowing skin. Because of the dramatic loss of collagen after menopause, the collagen benefits for women may be more pronounced.

Sources of Collagen

Animal foods naturally contain collagen. However, the modern diet focuses on muscle meats instead of eating the entire animal, including connective tissues, tendons, and skin. Modern humans don’t naturally consume as much collagen as our ancestors once did.

Dietary collagen sources include:

• Bone broth
• Gelatin
• Skin-on and bone-in cuts of meat
• Tougher cuts of meat (like brisket) that require slow cooking
• Fish skin and bones

If these food sources aren’t appealing or a part of your diet, good collagen supplements can help to fill the dietary gap.

Collagen Supplements for Skin

There’s no doubt that collagen peptides benefit skin health, but not all supplements are created equal or high quality. It’s important to choose supplements from a high-quality, trusted source.

You’ll find collagen in the form of protein powders, gummies, and pills. The collagen will be from a bovine, porcine, or marine source.

NassifMD® Collagen Gummies support skin health and elasticity, providing 96 mg of marine-sourced collagen per serving in a delicious tropical gummy. This product is a fantastic way to support skin health from the inside out.

Collagen peptides’ side effects tend to be minimal, but be sure to check the label for any allergens and discuss new supplements with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Maintaining Collagen Levels

The benefits of collagen supplementation are far-reaching and provide the amino acid building blocks your skin (and body needs) to make collagen. In addition to a collagen-rich diet and NassifMD® Collagen Gummies, you can promote and enhance collagen levels and skin health with topical skincare products. Here are our recommendations:

• NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Hydrating Serum helps repair, firm, and protect the skin by delivering powerful antioxidants, promoting collagen formation, and optimizing hydration. See results in as little as 5 weeks!

• NassifMD® Pro Peptide Collagen Serum evens, firms, and smooths the skin by enhancing collagen production. See improved skin texture, smoothness, wrinkles, and crepey skin in just 4 weeks!

• NassifMD® Night Therapy Serum firms, corrects, and plumps the skin while you sleep. It boosts collagen levels to promote firmness and hydration, and protects the skin with powerful antioxidants.

• NassifMD® Radiance Brightening Booster Vitamin C Serum brightens, softens, and protects the skin with concentrated vitamin C. Remember, vitamin C is the cofactor for collagen production!

Please note that you can layer multiple serums, from thinnest to thickest, in your skincare routine.

Promoting collagen production is key to healthy skin. NassifMD® facial plastic surgeon skincare has you covered with collagen supplements and collagen-promoting skincare. Don’t wait for collagen levels to decline further; begin supporting collagen health today!

References

1. Gordon, M. K., & Hahn, R. A. (2010). Collagens. Cell and tissue research, 339(1), 247–257.
2. Varani, J., Dame, M. K., Rittie, L., Fligiel, S. E., Kang, S., Fisher, G. J., & Voorhees, J. J. (2006). Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. The American journal of pathology, 168(6), 1861–1868.
3. Lephart, E. D., & Naftolin, F. (2021). Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatology and therapy, 11(1), 53–69.
4. Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerß, J., & Voss, W. (2019). A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients, 11(10), 2494.
5. Geahchan, S., Baharlouei, P., & Rahman, A. (2022). Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration. Marine drugs, 20(1), 61.
6. de Miranda, R. B., Weimer, P., & Rossi, R. C. (2021). Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of dermatology, 60(12), 1449–1461.
7. Kim, J., Lee, S. G., Lee, J., Choi, S., Suk, J., Lee, J. H., Yang, J. H., Yang, J. S., & Kim, J. (2022). Oral Supplementation of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Improves Biophysical Properties of Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of medicinal food, 25(12), 1146–1154.