Collagen Serums Vs. Collagen Supplements: Should You Use One – Or Both – For Healthier, Firmer Skin?

Collagen is crucial for skin health, hydration, and a youthful appearance. It’s the primary structural protein in the body and is responsible for firming, plumping, and smoothing the skin. 

Yet, as you age, collagen levels decline. Sun damage, menopause, and other factors also contribute to collagen loss. Your body has a harder time producing new collagen, and collagen breakdown accelerates, resulting in more pronounced fine lines, wrinkles, and dehydration.  

Therefore, boosting collagen production and slowing its breakdown are critical components of anti-aging skincare, key to maintaining firm skin. But what’s the best way to get collagen to the skin? Is it a collagen supplement, collagen serum, or both?

Continue reading as we delve into the details and address your questions about collagen. This article will cover: 

• Topical collagen vs. oral collagen

• Can collagen be absorbed through the skin?

• Does ingesting collagen work? Benefits of collagen supplements

• Collagen skincare products – collagen cream and collagen serum

• Oral collagen supplements

• How to combine collagen supplements and collagen face serum in your daily routine 

Topical Vs. Internal: Absorption and Efficacy Differences - The Science of Collagen Peptide Bioavailability

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body; it’s found outside of cells and works like glue to hold the body together. More accurately, collagen is a group of proteins, including at least 28 distinct proteins. It’s largely found in the skin, but you’ll also find it throughout the body, including the bones, joints, and connective tissues. 

Proteins are large chains of individual amino acids. The body obtains amino acids from protein in the diet and utilizes them to synthesize the protein it needs, including collagen. When you eat collagen-rich foods or take a collagen supplement for the skin, you digest the protein, which provides the exact amino acids your body needs to make protein. Collagen protein is well digested and absorbed, leading to increased collagen levels in the body and skin.  

The next question is, does topical collagen work? Collagen proteins are too big to penetrate the skin barrier and typically aren’t added to skincare in the same way they are used in supplements. Instead, collagen skincare relies on bioactive ingredients that signal skin cells to produce more collagen and block collagen breakdown. Collagen-stimulating topicals include:

• Skincare peptides (small proteins that penetrate the skin)

• Retinol 

• Vitamin C

In general, when it comes to collagen peptides and the skin, both supplemental and topical products work. However, product quality matters, and you’ll find science-backed clinical formulas from NassifMD® facial plastic surgeon skincare. 

Boosting Dermal Firmness: What Serums Can Achieve

Let’s take a closer look at the active ingredients in NassifMD® serums and skincare that help improve collagen levels, thereby enhancing firmness, elasticity, hydration, and overall skin health. 

Skincare peptides are small amino acid chains added to skincare products for very specific purposes. One category of skincare peptides is signal peptides, when they are absorbed into the skin, they signal fibroblast cells to stimulate collagen production. You’ll find them in the best collagen serum: NassifMD® Pro Peptide Collagen Serum.

NassifMD® Pro Peptide Collagen Serum contains a lipopeptide complex, designed to stimulate collagen production, improve skin structure, texture, and hydration, while strengthening the skin barrier. 

Retinol is another skincare ingredient with properties that promote optimal collagen levels. It’s an active form of vitamin A and is well-used in anti-aging skincare for its wrinkle-reducing effects. Retinol works two-fold on wrinkles. First, it promotes genetic activity responsible for collagen production, and second, it inhibits the breakdown of collagen. There’s no doubt that wrinkles decrease when collagen increases.

NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum offers skin-restoring retinol in two forms, retinol and retinol molecular film fluid, along with other active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and antioxidants. Choose this serum to hydrate, nourish, and firm the skin, and for the collagen benefits retinol provides. 

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production in that it’s the cofactor of an enzyme involved in the process. Without enough vitamin C, collagen production is limited. The skin can store vitamin C for use as needed and replenish its stores through the diet and topical vitamin C products.

Layer NassifMD® Brightening Booster with Vitamins C & F Complex with other collagen-supportive serums. Or, try NassifMD® Pure Hydration Rejuvenating Night Cream as your nighttime moisturizer after serums; it also contains vitamin C. It’s not exactly a moisturizer with collagen, but it does promote collagen production overnight. 

NassifMD® Skin Barrier Protection Cream is another option to use after your collagen peptide serum routine. It contains niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3 with anti-aging and hydrating properties. It’s particularly beneficial for restoring the delicate skin barrier, the outermost layer of skin that keeps the skin healthy. 

Systemic Benefits: Supplement Impact on Full Body

Good collagen supplements offer body-wide benefits and provide the building blocks for collagen wherever it’s needed, including in the skin. Research indicates that even relatively small doses of oral collagen can lead to improvements in skin health. 

Compared to a placebo, collagen supplements improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles in as little as 90 days. In individuals with sun-damaged (photo-aged) skin, similar results are also possible. 

Larger doses offer benefits throughout the body, including improved joint health (increased functionality and decreased pain) and improved bone mineral density. 

NassifMD® Collagen Gummies provide 96 mg of collagen protein (from a marine source) per serving to support healthy collagen levels throughout the body and in the skin. This supplement truly takes an inside-out approach to skin health and well-being. 

Combining Serums and Supplements for Maximum Results

When it comes to collagen serums vs. supplements, you don’t have to choose! Use both to maximize the benefits. The best collagen supplements, such as NassifMD® Collagen Gummies provide the amino acid building blocks for collagen production throughout the body, and even small doses translate to improved skin firmness. 

In addition to collagen supplements, choose collagen-enhancing serums with active ingredients from NassifMD® Skincare. Choose from NassifMD® Pro Peptide Collagen Serum or NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum, or layer both for added benefits. Be sure to lock in the active ingredients with a supportive moisturizer, such as NassifMD® Pure Hydration Rejuvenating Night Cream with vitamin C for collagen support. 

Both collagen supplements and topical collagen for the face are must-haves in your skincare routine for firmer, elastic, hydrated, and younger-looking skin. 

References

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