Why does our skin need collagen and where is it found?

In the pursuit of eternal beauty and youth, many people spend huge sums on facial care products. However, they often forget that it is not so difficult to maintain healthy skin – it is enough to monitor collagen levels and, if necessary, to raise them. Cosmetologist Maria Vasilieva tells us more about what it is and how it affects the skin condition.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most common protein in the body. It is found in tendons, fatty tissue and ligaments and plays a crucial role in the formation of bone structure. When collagen levels are normal, the cells that contain it take on a healthy and youthful appearance.

Elastin is another type of protein. It is found in areas of the body that shrink, such as the arteries and lungs. This is possible, among other things, because of the outstanding elasticity of elastin: it is able to return to its original shape.

These two proteins are, of course, also found in the skin. They work together to give it a certain texture and shape. Skin with healthy levels of collagen and elastin looks beautiful and radiant.

Maria: Up to age 20-25, we produce our own endogenous collagen, which helps our skin to look better and our joints to be more resilient. Toward the age of 35, the body’s ability to produce its own collagen decreases dramatically due to a lack of micronutrients such as vitamin C and E, frequent stress, unbalanced diet and so on.

What foods contain collagen?

When the body produces collagen, it uses amino acids – nutrients that it gets with protein-rich foods such as beef, chicken, fish, beans, eggs and dairy products.

Vitamin C, zinc and copper are also required for this process. Vitamin C can be obtained by eating citrus fruits, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and greens, meat, shellfish, nuts, whole grains and beans.

In addition, it is believed that if you boil animal bones, you can extract collagen from them. Therefore, bone broth is one of the best collagen-containing foods.

How does water balance affect collagen levels?

To retain water in the skin and create a moisture-rich environment favorable for collagen and elastin, maintaining water balance will help. To do this, drink at least two liters of water daily or eat foods that contain a lot of liquid, such as watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries.

You can also moisturize your skin with the help of aloe. Its gel is widely used for healing and pain relief. The reason why it helps treat cuts and burns is that when applied topically or even ingested, the plant increases collagen production. Aloe can be applied either pure or as part of other beauty products.

Should I buy collagen supplements?

If you follow a healthy diet and eat enough foods necessary for the production of collagen, special supplements are not necessary to use. But you can try them if you want to. Hydrolyzed collagen powder (or “collagen peptide”) is usually tasteless and easily dissolved in liquids: smoothies, soups, and sauces.

There are also a wide variety of collagen-infused creams available. These will form a film-like layer on the skin to prevent water loss and act as a barrier against harmful environmental particles. However, just using a cream or supplements will not give a “miraculous” effect.

Maria: There is a huge amount of exogenous (externally derived) collagen on the market now in the form of supplements and food additives. Such collagen can support and slightly improve the condition of the skin, bones, vessels, but it is important to remember that when we drink collagen, it first of all goes to the place where there is an acute shortage of it. Therefore, if you want to improve the condition of facial skin, it is better to give preference to injectable or hardware techniques – for example, the impact of narrowly focused ultrasound waves, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous collagen, as well as improve microcirculation of the skin.

What not to do?

If you want to improve the condition of your skin, first make sure you don’t burn it in the sun or in a tanning bed. Smoking can also lead to premature aging. So when spending time outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen.

To maximize the production of your own collagen, you should avoid sudden temperature changes for your facial skin.

As for supplements, some have side effects, the most common being calcium overproduction, allergic reactions and joint pain. If you are allergic to seafood or meat, be especially careful when taking collagen supplements.

It is important to remember that some substances that the body produces sometimes need a boost. If you notice that your skin has started to look worse, it is worth thinking about it. Maybe the reason is a reduced level of collagen.

The most effective methods of its restoration, according to the expert, are considered cosmetic procedures. But remember: without proper nutrition, maintaining water balance and careful skin care, their effect will not last long.