Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, but as we age, it’s not doing as much for us as it does while we’re young.
Collagen gives our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. The collagen protein makes up 30% of the total protein in the body, and 70% of the protein in the skin.
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While collagen is beneficial to the entire body, it is most noticeably beneficial to the skin and joints.
Our body’s natural collagen production starts to decline after age 20. This is because as we age, the epidermic (outer layer of skin) thins and loses elasticity in a process known as elastosis. As this happens, we tend to show more signs of aging on our skin such as wrinkles, cellulite, loose and thin skin.
Renowned dermatologist, Dr Murad, confirms that after age 20 “a person produces about 1% less collagen in the skin each year.”
Increasing collagen levels through consumption can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.
But what else can you do to increase or maintain collagen levels?
1. Hydration
Keeping your skin hydrated with water consumption and hydrating skin care is possibly the easiest way to boost collagen. Dr Murad confirms that “The more hydrated your skin is, the better environment it gives for collagen and elastin to thrive.”
2. Facial massage
Massage can stimulate collagen production and strengthen muscle memory. Inge Theron, founder of FaceGym, said, “Facial muscles are crucial to the way we look and with regular stimulation can lift, tone and tighten the skin, boost blood circulation and collagen production giving a fresh youthful appearance to the skin.” Build upwards massage movement into your daily routine when applying your skincare products.
3. Diet
Foods that are rich in sulphur like beans, cabbage and garlic aid the forming of collagen and maintain the skin’s natural healthy pigmentation.” Vitamin C also supports the process of collagen formation and reduces oxidative damage, so eat broccoli, spinach, goji berries and kiwi fruits. Another source of collagen is bone broth. Cut back on foods with refined sugar.
Celebrity nutritionist Madeline Shaw says: “Sugar can permanently attach to collagen. When collagen is weighed down by glucose it becomes rigid and inflexible, resulting in dull, dry and aging skin.”
4. Apply sunscreen
UVA and UVB rays from the sun damage collagen. So be sure that you apply a broad or full spectrum sunscreen before going outside and use a daily moisturizer with at least 15 SPF to protect your face from these harmful rays. When swimming be sure to use a water-resistant sunscreen.
5. Collagen supplements
Supplements can get to work deep in the dermal layers and strengthen your collagen from the inside out. That’s why we strongly recommend collagen supplements like Ideal Collagen over collagen creams.
Ideal Collagen is the premier collagen formula with 10,000mg of hydrolyzed collagen in every serving and it tastes great. You get the added collagen your body needs so you can look years younger and feel years healthier.
If you’re looking to add more collagen to your diet, there’s no better solution than Ideal Collagen. Get yours here