The Benefits of Collagen for Skin Health

by Dr. Nick Zyrowski December 18, 2022

You may have heard that collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Did you know that it also keeps your skin from sagging and helps give you a more youthful appearance?

If collagen helps your skin so much, why should you need to supplement with it? Starting in our 20s, we begin to lose collagen. If you’re a woman, you can lose up to 30% of your collagen production during the first five years of menopause. Since your natural supply of collagen decreases with age, it may be helpful to use a quality supplement to keep your levels adequate. (1) Let’s take a look at how collagen impacts skin health and what you should know to include it in your healthcare regimen.

Collagen and your skin

Collagen has many crucial functions like strengthening your bones, providing a cushion for your joints, and improving skin elasticity. Collagen membranes have even been used by doctors for skin wound repair. It has been shown to have positive effects on stimulating healing. (2)

Collagen strengthens your skin and also plays a role in hydration. When your skin is properly hydrated, it is less dry and has a healthier glow. You’ll notice your skin seems firm when it’s hydrated.

When you lose collagen, your skin can start to show the results. Since collagen is responsible for the firmness of different structures in the body, this includes your skin. Collagen is vital for your skin’s over elasticity.

Collagen makes up 70% of your skin mass. As you age, your skin tends to become thinner, less elastic, and dry. Eventually, collagen loss leads to the formation of wrinkles.

Another natural component of healthy skin is hyaluronic acid. It is a substance your body produces and can be found throughout the body, including your skin. Hyaluronic acid keeps your skin hydrated and flexible, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. It can also help with wounds and scarring. Hyaluronic acid is often used in treatments for acne because it helps reduce blemishes and scarring left behind.

One way to think of collagen and hyaluronic acid is like two best friends working together to support each other in providing improved skin health. Hyaluronic acid helps your body use collagen.

Naturally Healthy Skin

Now that you know how important collagen is for healthy skin, what should you do to be sure your skin keeps that natural glow and vibrancy? Many people get confused about how to obtain healthy skin, but it doesn’t have to be so complicated. You know that true health comes naturally, so there are some tips you can implement that won’t cost a fortune.

Get more sleep

According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep. (3) When you don’t get proper sleep, your cortisol levels go up. Cortisol is the hormone that triggers inflammation and that can break down your collagen supply. Inflammation also makes you more susceptible to acne.

Reduce stress

Stress can compound your skin problems. When you get stressed, your cortisol contributes to the overproduction of oil in your skin glands. That causes more acne and can stimulate your immune system. Your skin becomes more reactive and sensitive and can produce hives and red blotches. It can also make any existing skin conditions worse. (4)

Stay away from artificial sunlight

You know that getting fresh air and sunlight is healthy. Vitamin D is critical for your wellness. Some people use tanning beds to make their skin appear darker, but these beds come with plenty of risks. Using tanning beds can increase your chances of getting skin cancer. That risk gets higher with each use. (5)

Tanning bed use also ages your skin faster. Things like age spots, wrinkles, and loss of firmness come years sooner for people who use indoor tanning. Some people also develop leathery skin.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking lots of water is one of the easiest ways to improve your skin. Staying well hydrated keeps skin balanced and has a positive effect on appearance. Drinking enough water should be part of your healthy skincare routine.

Include quality supplements

Supplementing with collagen can boost your body’s metabolic processes. It also helps with preventing premature skin aging. Studies have shown that quality collagen supplements improve the elasticity, hydration, and moisture of skin. Interestingly, these supplements don’t have any side effects, like you might find with many expensive skin care products on the market.

When looking for a collagen supplement, you’ll get more advanced skin rejuvenation with a product that includes hyaluronic acid. Having a combination of collagen and hyaluronic acid is a powerful combination that supports your overall skin health.

Mild cleansers

People put all kinds of harmful products on their skin. Many of these products on the market contain toxins that can be detrimental to your health. When you clean your skin, you want to use mild cleansers that won’t irritate. Opt for natural products that contain healthy ingredients.

Skincare marketing today

If you watch television or search the internet, it seems there’s a product for everything you need to stay healthy these days. Most of these items featured in commercials or your local beauty store are loaded with useless ingredients and toxins that won’t help your skin.

Some of these skincare serums are also expensive for something that might not work. The skincare market saw a growth of over 4 percent in 2021. The beauty industry amounted to around $511 billion last year. (6)

Unfortunately, many marketing campaigns prey on people who want to have healthier skin. They promote serums and lotions that cost hundreds of dollars and promise amazing results. Some of these may have a few ingredients that help, but most are filled with chemicals you don’t need that can also be harmful to your skin. Long-term use of some of these ingredients can cause cancer, kidney problems, and thyroid issues. When looking for skin care products, you want natural ingredients that help rebalance your skin microbiome and increase hydration. Collagen is one of the best products you can use and it won’t cost a fortune to include it in your skincare routine.

Cover the basics

When it comes to your skin, you want to make sure you cover the basics we’ve mentioned in this article. You may have a parent or grandparent that has spent time in the sun and still looks youthful. Much of that comes from all the natural methods implemented that keep your skin looking fresh and healthy. We’ve been told to stay indoors and not get direct sunlight, but we now know that’s a false narrative and not good for our health.

It doesn’t require tons of different products and a confusing routine to keep your skin looking its best. Getting down to basics is the best way to take care of your skin. Collagen is one of the most impactful and beneficial products you can use for incredible skin health. Replenishing your collagen levels as you age can produce dramatic results with your skin elasticity.

Healthy skin comes from the inside. If you want to make changes that will improve all aspects of your wellness, contact us today for a consultation. We have tons of resources that can help you achieve the best health results, and you won’t spend money on things you don’t need. True and lasting health only comes naturally. We are here for you and are ready to help you regain the vitality you once had!

References :

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits#bottom-line

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/collagen-supplements.html

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#uses

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33349104/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33742704/#:~:text=Based%20on%20results%2C%20ingestion%20of,Keywords%3A%20clinical%20trials%3B%20collagen.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/face-moisturizer-expensive_l_5c48813de4b083c46d649020

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/11/keep-your-skin-healthy

https://sleepeducation.org/cdc-americans-sleep-deprived/

https://walkindermatology.com/how-does-lack-of-sleep-affect-skin/#:~:text=Inadequate%20sleep%20raises%20your%20cortisol,more%20sensitive%20to%20allergic%20reactions.

https://fldscc.com/2020/01/23/how-stress-affects-skin/#:~:text=The%20Mind%2DSkin%20Connection&text=When%20you%20feel%20stressed%2C%20your,clogged%20pores%20and%20acne%20breakouts.’

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/surprising-facts-about-indoor-tanning#:~:text=Indoor%20tanning%20can%20increase%20the,basal%20cell%20carcinoma%20by%2024%25.&text=Using%20tanning%20beds%20before%20age,risk%20increases%20with%20each%20use.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/#:~:text=The%20evidence%20from%20the%20reviewed,effects%20of%20its%20oral%20supplements.

https://commonthreadco.com/blogs/coachs-corner/beauty-industry-cosmetics-marketing-ecommerce

Dr. Nick Zyrowski
Dr. Nick Zyrowski



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