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POSTED: 15 Mar 2025
Collagen Benefits for Skin, Here’s Everything You Need to Know ==============================================================
Collagen is the scaffolding of skin and key driver of a youthful complexion. Read our blog about tracking your triggers here. Driven by the growth of skincare and wellness, collagen supplements, skin products and professional treatments have become hugely popular. However, beyond the hype, what exactly is collagen and its effects on skin health? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of collagen and its peptides for skin, why it diminishes and if we can actually replenish it. We’ll also review the the best ways to use collagen to get brighter, smoother and younger looking skin.
What is Collagen?
This is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen is responsible for providing structure and support to our skin, bones, muscles and connective tissues. In the skin, it works alongside elastin and hyaluronic acid to keep the complexion plump, resilient and hydrated. Roughly 75% of the dermis (middle layer of the skin) consists of collagen, which acts like a supportive net maintaining firmness and elasticity. There are three main types of collagen important for skin health:
Under ideal conditions, our bodies regularly produce new collagen whilst breaking down old fibres at a steady rate. Unfortunately, as we get older, this renewal process becomes less efficient. This decline leads to thinner skin, wrinkles and sagging.
Why Does Collagen Decline?
Collagen production naturally begins to slow as we get older. From our mid-20s onwards collagen synthesis reduces at a rate of about 1% per year. By your 40s, the rate of collagen break down speeds up and the rate of synthesis slows down further. As such, collagen levels can be significantly lower resulting in thinner, less elastic skin and more noticeable fine lines. Beyond the natural ageing process, several lifestyle and environmental factors accelerate collagen breakdown:
Effects of Collagen Loss on Skin
As collagen levels drop, the skin loses the structural support it needs to remain firm and radiant. Reduced collagen has the following effects on skin:
Can You Restore Collagen?
Whilst it’s impossible to fully reverse collagen depletion, it is still possible to boost your collagen levels. There is a growing body of research that indicates that you can meaningfully slow its progression and even bolster your existing reserves. The main strategies include oral collagen peptide supplements, nutrient-rich diets and targeted skincare ingredients. On top of that, there are a number of professional non surgical treatments which can stimulate your skin to make more collagen. We’ll discuss all of these in the following sections and review the best way to increase collagen and its effects on your skin through supplements, diet and skincare. Mr Giuseppe Di Taranto
Collagen Supplements for Skin
Supplements containing hydrolysed collagen peptides are widely promoted for their potential benefits in boosting skin elasticity, hydration and firmness. Research suggests these peptides are easily absorbed by the body where they can provide the amino acids needed for new collagen production. Whilst more evidence is still needed, so far studies are promising. Daily oral collagen supplementation can improve skin elasticity, thickness and hydration as well as reduce wrinkles. Here are some of our best tips if you’re considering taking collagen supplements:
Remember that when you take collagen orally (either as a supplement or through diet), it will be distributed to all of the parts of the body that need it. That means anywhere like the joints, hair follicles, other organs so not just the skin. As such, it will take time to find the correct amount of collagen you need to get the desired effects on your skin.
How to Increase Collagen Through Diet
Collagen naturally occurs in a variety of foods. These are mainly animal-based sources but there are also a few plant-based collagen sources. More and more research shows that regularly consuming collagen-rich foods can provide valuable building peptides for collagen synthesis and offer broader benefits for skin. Here are some key collagen-containing or collagen-supportive options:
It’s also vital to complement collagen-rich foods with nutrients that boost your body’s own collagen production. Here are the key ones to be aware of and how to get them:
Collagen Skincare
There’s quite a bit of hype and controversy around the benefits sand effects of collagen containing skincare like creams and serums. Whilst research on topical collagen itself is limited, we do have some useful research. Firstly, collagen molecules are often too large to penetrate the skin and so may not have much benefit when you apply it on the skin beyond basic hydration. However, studies suggest that smaller collagen fragments (known as collagen peptides) may be more effective at reaching deeper layers and have benefits. Although more robust data is needed, there are promising results that collagen peptides may provide benefits like smoothness, skin hydration and elasticity over time.
Beyond collagen peptides, there are also several well-established, research-backed compounds which can help your skin produce more collagen. HydraFacial videos Here are the main skincare ingredients that can help boost your skin’s collagen:
Professional Collagen Stimulating Treatments
There are several professional treatments which have been shown to help stimulate collagen production in the skin. Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist – Siew Gratton Membis Hair However, results vary from person to person and there’s not much evidence in terms of long term benefits. The top collagen boosting treatments include:
Collagen is essential for firm, radiant skin and healthy skin. However, it naturally declines over time and hence leads to skin looking thinner, duller and wrinkled. Whilst you can’t fully reverse tor stop this natural process, you can reduce the rate of collagen breakdown and increase its production. You can get the benefits of collagen and its peptides through using it in your diet, supplements and skincare. As always, there are no silver bullets and the best is through combining a balanced diet, supplements if needed, a thoughtful skincare routine and collagen boosting skin treatments.
At City Skin clinic, we are super passionate about personalised beauty. Our virtual skin clinic offers safe and effective custom skin and hair loss treatments. Where appropriate our doctors use ingredients such Tretinoin and Hydroquinone to treat skin conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin ageing. Start your online consultation today. The journey towards great skin starts here.
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