You don’t need a face lift or expensive electricals to fight the signs of ageing skin. In fact, alongside a healthy, balanced diet, just one powerful ingredient could be all you need to rejuvenate your complexion.
Today, we are looking at collagen and why this protein is the key to reducing wrinkles, fine lines and dull skin as we age.
What is collagen?
The most abundant protein found in the human body, collagen is essential to the functioning of your skin, hair, bones and muscles. Put simply, collagen helps you stay looking and feeling your best!
What causes collagen levels to decline?
As you age, your natural collagen levels start to decline, and by age 40, you may lose up to 1% of your body’s collagen each year.
However, just like how we age can be determine by other lifestyle factors, collagen can also be damaged as a result of other factors and lifestyle choices, including:
- Smoking – The toxins in cigarette smoke are detrimental to collagen and elastin. Therefore, if you want to avoid deep facial wrinkles and premature skin ageing, we recommend giving up this habit!
- Pollution and UV light exposure – Air pollution and smog can seriously compromise your collagen levels, and when combined with prolonged sun and exposure to UV rays, can intensify ageing significantly.
- Sugar – It’s bad news for anyone with a sweet tooth. Sugar has been shown to destroy collagen as it increases inflammation, which in turn, breaks collagen down, rendering it useless within the body. Instead, we recommend sticking to natural sugar substitutes such as stevia and honey, which won’t negatively impact your wellbeing.
How does collagen reduction impact the skin?
As collagen production decreases, you may begin to notice physical changes to your face and body. Signs of collagen loss could include stiffer tendons and joint pain; however, a lot of people initially notice changes to their skin, with a decrease in collagen leading to premature fine lines, wrinkles and may be more likely to notice sagging skin or a change in elasticity.
4 ways to restore collagen in the face
Whilst we can’t prevent the natural decline of collagen in our bodies, all is not lost! Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can incorporate into your routine to restore the collagen in your face for firmer, healthier looking skin.
1. Increase collagen production with Vitamin C
One of the most effective ways of stimulating collagen production in the skin cells is with Vitamin C. A Vitamin C deficiency could lead to a decrease in collagen levels, as well as the potential of more serious health problems such as scurvy, bleeding gums and trouble healing wounds.
Vitamin C is essential for synthesizing the body’s natural collagen production, helping to provide your skin with a glowing, youthful appearance. However, similarly to collagen, Vitamin C levels decline as you age, meaning you need to find other ways to get the right amount of Vitamin C your skin craves. Supplementing with collagen can be a great way to boost those powerful nutrients your skin needs to glow.
Foods high in Vitamin C
The first way to get adequate amounts of Vitamin C is through your diet. Whilst you may already be aware of the high levels of the vitamin within citrus fruits, did you know bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes and bone broth are also excellent sources of C vitamins? So, next time you are out shopping, be sure to pick up some of these skin-quenching super-foods!
Vitamin C supplements
Another excellent way of restoring the collagen in your face with Vitamin C is by taking supplementation. Vitamin C supplements have been scientifically proven to significantly increase levels of collagen within the body, making them a highly effective solution for promoting collagen production.
Topical Vitamin C application
Vitamin C is often incorporated into face creams, chemical peels, lotions and even cosmetic products. Whilst there is little evidence proving the efficiency of this method, it is believed that Vitamin C applied topically with regularity may raise the production of collagen and protect the collagen in your skin against UV damage.
2. Manage stress levels to rebuild collagen
Could anxiety be the cause of your ageing skin? Stress causes an increase in hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in the blood stream, which can lead to adverse impacts on the skin, and ultimately, decrease the production of collagen. Therefore, whilst easier said than done, aim to manage stress levels to boost your skin health and restore that youthful glow.
Here are some of our top tips for managing stress levels when it all gets a bit too much.
Cook a healthy meal
Mental health experts are now promoting the positive benefits of cooking as studies have shown it can help to relieve depression and anxiety. The therapeutic nature of chopping, stirring and creating has been attributed to having a positive effect on our mental wellbeing, allowing us to feel more happy and relaxed.
Explore some of our healthy recipe ideas to get you started.
Get active
Whether it’s a simple stroll to the shops or an online yoga class, exercise is one of the best things you can do to boost your mood due to the increase in endorphin levels, a chemical better known as the ‘happy hormone.’
In fact, it’s been proven so effective that one study found that running just 15 minutes a day reduces the risk of major depression by 26%!
3. Boost collagen production with antioxidants
Antioxidants are defined as substances that may protect your cells against free radicals. Put simply, the antioxidants found in certain foods can slow down collagen degradation, stimulate new collagen production, while protecting existing collagen from free radicals. Therefore, for plumper, more vibrant skin, it’s essential that you are getting the right amount of antioxidants in your diet.
Foods with antioxidants
In broad terms, the best sources of antioxidants tend to be plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. But some of the highest in antioxidants specifically are blueberries, artichokes, kale, beans, spinach and even dark chocolate thanks to its high cocoa content.
4. Supplements for collagen synthesis
One of the most effective ways to stimulate collagen production is through collagen supplementation. There are various collagen supplements available on the market, including powders, gummies and capsules. Whilst all forms of collagen can help to produce collagen in the face, we believe capsules to be the most effective method, thanks to their ability to hold higher servings of active ingredients. In fact, consumers often need to take 2, 3 or 4 gummies to obtain the same amount of nutrients that are in just one collagen capsule.
Although the most important way of getting healthy skin is through a healthy diet and balanced lifestyle, taking the right collagen supplement will ensure your body is consuming enough collagen to counteract its natural degradation that occurs with age. A dedicated skin care regime based on the best collagen supplements can work wonders for restoring healthy skin.
Still unsure whether collagen supplements will work for you? Here is more information on how collagen can transform your skin from the inside out.
Marine collagen supplements from Simone Thomas Wellness
Restore collagen in your face with Simone Thomas Wellness’ highly powerful marine collagen and vitamin C supplements. Our SkinQuencher is packed with 18 amino acids and the finest vitamins and minerals, the marine collagen peptides working to leave your skin looking vibrant and refreshed as well as feeling plumper and more moisturised, and the vitamin C helping to support the immune system and maintain overall health, while boosting collagen rejuvenation.
Give your skin the nutrients it deserves with our expertly formulated collagen supplements.