Collagen makes up nearly 80 percent of the skin and is found in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin.
“After the age of 25, we break down more collagen than we make so that’s why we start to see fine lines and wrinkles. From there, you start losing about one percent of your collagen each year. Under a microscope you see fragmentation of the collagen network in the dermis — this is the hallmark of skin aging,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist.
Recommended: Discover How Ideal Collagen can help your skin
Why is Collagen Hydrolyzed
The process of hydrolysis breaks down the amino acids in collagen into smaller molecules, making it easier for your body to absorb, thus being more effective.
What are the benefits of taking hydrolyzed collagen for the skin?
There was a study published in 2014 in which the researchers randomly chose 46 of 69 women, ages 35-55 years old, to take a hydrolyzed collagen supplement. The rest of the group took a placebo. After just four weeks, the women who took the collagen supplement, showed an improvement in skin elasticity. (1)
Besides elasticity, other benefits of taking hydrolyzed collagen are:
Helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by adding moisture and more plumpness to the skin
Heals skin conditions that involve inflammation like acne, psoriasis and eczema. The amino acids proline and glycine that are found in collagen reduce inflammation from the inside out.
Improves digestive health conditions such as leaky gut syndrome. Collagen acts as a “glue” for the intestinal wall and helps to coat the digestive tract and both heal and seal the gut lining.
Reduces the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. Hydrolyzed collagen can stimulate collagen production at a cellular level to add more elasticity to the skin and smooth cellulite and lighten stretch marks.
Aids in healing wounds by reducing inflammation associated with wounds and injuries. The amino acid arginine helps to restore damaged muscle tissue which in turn improves skin health.
