Collagen for Your Skin: Is It Healthy or Is It a Hype?

What Is Collagen—and Where Does It Come from?

Collagens are protein peptide that comprises 30 per cent of our body’s total protein mass, making them the most abundant protein in mammals. “It’s the structural protein of the body and the stress-resistant material of the skin,”

The Different Types of Collagen

Because of its fibrous nature, collagen is often referred to as the body’s “scaffolding,” supporting and connecting tissues and internal organs. Think of it as the glue that holds everything together. Type I is the most common form of collagen in the body, and it forms the structure of your skin, bones, organs and tendons. (Because of its role in supporting skin, this is often the type of collagen you’ll want to look for in beauty products). Type II collagen is a building block of cartilage, the flexible connective tissue in joints. Research suggests that type II collagen may be useful in reducing joint pain. Type III collagen is found in various organs (such as the lungs) and the skin. It’s usually found alongside type I collagen and helps it do its job of supporting skin, bones and more.

The Skin Benefits of Collagen

Collagen also improves elasticity, which reduces the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite collagen injections are one treatment that can help prevent new stretch marks from forming and fade existing ones. Collagen can restore “dermal structure,” which gives it the ability to smooth the look of cellulite.

1: Hydration Galore

Therefore, is more hydration = younger-looking skin. By increasing the moisture levels of your skin, not only will it look more youthful and supple, but it’ll be healthier too. That’s because epithelial cells (the ones that work in wound healing) move across a moist surface much easier. Hydrolyzed collagen is hygroscopic, which acts like a magnet to water. When applied to your skin, it draws moisture out of the air, imparting it into your stratum corneum (the outermost part of your dermis).

2: Fewer Fine Lines

Topical collagen peptides don’t just improve the appearance of wrinkles. The benefits of using a collagen serum include even addressing and treating the fine lines themselves, all but banishing them to the great void. The application of a collagen serum will improve your skin's lipid content, which means healthier, less dry skin overall. Then there’s the fact that it also helps to safeguard your skin against something called “matrix metalloproteinase” (MMP) damage, which can lead to collagen breakdown.

3: Improved Skin Texture

Using a topical collagen serum has also been shown to help improve your skin texture. Again, this isn’t just about wrinkles, either, and it can also help promote significantly better elasticity. Your face can also start to grow lax, and UV damage can also trigger skin laxity issues. But with the application of a collagen peptide serum, your skin can start to look firmer and tighter right away. These other collagen serum benefits are long-lasting, as well. While you’ll start to see the results within minutes of the initial application, over time, they add up. The more you use it, the better your results will be.

4: Protection Against Pathogens

Another way collagen peptides can benefit your skin is by protecting it from pathogenic bacteria. While that may seem like a secondary benefit, it’s more important than you might realize. Using a topical collagen infusion serum can restore your skin’s pH balance. The thing is, your face is extremely sensitive to any changes, and something as simple as modifying its pH can be just like setting out a welcome mat for nasty germs. But collagen peptides can help keep it in check. In turn, you’ll find that your skin has a much healthier flora (the healthy bacteria on it) and an improved lipid barrier.

5: A Serious Glow

There’s nothing quite like having a gorgeous glow from within. For many people, being a beautiful person on the inside shows outside. Improving its lipid barrier and smoothing out your fine lines and pores, you’re going to start to see that luminous glow you so crave when you look in the mirror

6: Anti-Aging Antioxidants

We all know the benefits of antioxidants, especially since they’ve been both literally and figuratively shoved down our throats for the past couple of decades. On any given day, your body is going to produce a vast number of oxidants or free radicals. These free radicals are the byproducts of anything from your everyday metabolism (breaking down the food you eat, for instance) and even UV damage. Collagen peptides, however, are a known powerful antioxidant. The hydrophobic amino acids found inside a collagen peptide serum can neutralize the oxidative damage caused by the free radicals, leading to healthier skin.

7: Long-Lasting Results

Finally -- and this is arguably one of the most important collagen serum benefits -- is that it isn’t just a one-and-done sort of deal. Yes, you’ll start to notice immediate improvement upon application, but it doesn’t stop there. You’re going to age, regardless. But collagen peptides can help mitigate that damage, not only slowing down the ageing process but even reversing it. A combination of factors works to hurt your skin, but collagen will fight them on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

The many benefits of collagen peptides more than speak for themselves, as you can see. But using a collagen peptide serum is so much more than wanting to look your best, though, and it’s also about showing your face some TLC and treating it with the care and love it deserves. Fortunately, collagen peptide serums do just that. By restoring your skin’s hydration levels, reinforcing its lipid barrier, healing it from within, and even treating its textural issues, you can finally achieve the flawless skin you desire.

Considerations when choosing collagen serums

Skin type: Consider your skin type when choosing a collagen serum. Not all serums will work for all skin types. Oily and combination skin types should choose a water-based serum. Serums, in general, are well suited for oily skin because they’re lighter than lotions or creams. Acne-prone skin may benefit from a serum that contains salicylic acid to break up acne-causing oil and treat existing blemishes. Dry skin types should look for formulas with added hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.

FAQ

Q. How often should I apply a collagen serum? A. For optimal anti-ageing results, apply your serum twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Apply after you wash and tone your face before applying sunscreens and moisturizers. If irritation occurs, apply less often. Q. Do I still need a separate moisturizer if I’m using a collagen serum? A. Collagen serums will hydrate the skin and can be used in place of a moisturizer if you have oily skin. If you have dry skin, a collagen serum probably won’t cut it alone, and you should use a moisturizing cream or lotion following application and absorption of the serum. Q. Is collagen good for skincare? A. As you age, your body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. However, several studies have shown that collagen peptides or supplements containing collagen may help slow the ageing of your skin by reducing wrinkles and dryness.

Precaution:

Although irritation is unlikely, you should always do a patch test before full application, and this is the only way to determine how your skin will react to the serum.