What if you could drink your way to more youthful skin? Sound too good to be true? It actually might not be…
Turns out, drinkable collagen supplements are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to encourage youthful-looking skin.
But you might be wondering… what exactly is a collagen supplement? How does it work? And could it be right for you?
Well, we’ve got the lowdown on this latest skincare innovation… so keep on reading.
Collagen: A Primer
Now, are you thinking: “Wait a second, isn’t collagen a lip filler?” Well, you’re right, it is. In fact, collagen has been used for years to enhance the lips and fill in deep wrinkles.
But that’s not all collagen has to offer.
You see, collagen is also a naturally-occurring protein in the body that makes up the structure and foundation of your skin.1
It’s what keeps your skin looking smooth, firm, plump, and taut.
In essence… collagen is one of the main factors needed to make your skin appear youthful.
But as you age, your collagen production slows down. And the collagen you do have begins to break down. This decrease in collagen leads to the visual signs of aging: skin that’s wrinkled, dry, saggy, and crepey.2 In fact, the lack of a healthy collagen structure may even lead to the appearance of cellulite.3
So, Just How Does A Collagen Supplement Work?
One key to keeping skin youthful, then, is to make sure there’s plenty of collagen in your body. This is where collagen supplements come in.
But first… it’s important to understand the steps involved in the formation of collagen:
- The most minute building blocks of collagen are organic compounds called amino acids.
- These amino acids link together to form chains called peptides.
- When peptides become long enough, they form proteins — like collagen.4
Now — a supplement that contains fully-formed collagen would be difficult for your body to utilize because the molecules are too big for your digestive system to break down and absorb.
This is why supplements use hydrolyzed collagen. What’s hydrolyzed collagen? It’s simply collagen that’s been broken down into amino acids. These amino acids don’t have to be broken down by the stomach and can be absorbed directly from the gut into the bloodstream.5
In fact, collagen supplements come in a powdered form and incorporating them into your diet is really easy. You can simply add a scoop to your smoothie, yogurt, coffee, or juice and — voila! You’re on your way to more youthful-looking skin.
How Can A Collagen Supplement Improve Your Skin?
Good question. Well, in determining whether or not a supplement is right for you — it’s important to understand what benefits it may provide.
Increases Skin Elasticity
Skin that’s elastic allows you to smile or frown before snapping back into its natural, unlined state. But as you age, skin becomes markedly less elastic.6 In other words, those furrowed brows eventually become a permanent fixture on your face.
You may also notice a lack of skin elasticity on your neck, under your chin, and even on your hands. This absence of elasticity can manifest itself as sagginess and crepiness.
But collagen supplements may be able to boost your skin’s elasticity. A study done in 2014 showed that women experienced statistically significant increases in skin elasticity after four weeks of collagen supplementation.7 So, if you’re concerned about sagging skin, collagen may be able to help.
Boosts Skin Hydration
Another issue that might affect you as you age is an increase in the dryness of your skin.8 This can have you reaching for lotions, moisturizers, and creams to keep itchiness, flaking, and irritation at bay. And this dryness only serves to accentuate the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Now, part of the reason for increasing dryness is a decrease in something called hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that exists in your skin that works to keep moisture locked in. But as you age, hyaluronic acid tends to disappear on the outer levels of your skin, leading to the symptoms of dry skin.9
But collagen supplements have been found to actually increase your body’s production of hyaluronic acid, resulting in better skin hydration.10 And BioCell formulations even include an extra boost of hyaluronic acid — giving your skin an extra dose of moisture. And of course, skin that’s well-moisturized gives off a softer, dewier appearance.
Diminishes the Appearance of Wrinkles
As you already know, collagen provides the foundation and framework for your skin. With a healthy amount of collagen, skin looks smooth and firm. But as collagen production slows down with age, so does the look of skin. Low levels of collagen result in the development of that tell-tale sign of age: wrinkles.
But since collagen keeps skin smooth, it only makes sense that reinstating collagen in the body can help reinstate smoothness.11
Recent studies have pointed out that collagen supplementation can actually improve the depth of wrinkles, making them less severe and apparent.
In other words, people might guess your age because of your obvious wisdom — not because of your obvious wrinkles.
Staves Off Cellulite
Cellulite, which often appears on the thighs — can give your skin a cottage cheese-like appearance. This dimpling is the result of abnormalities in the structure of fat and skin tissue, resulting in those little bulges across the skin.12
Cellulite is a common condition that affects approximately 80-90% of women.13 But even though it’s common, it can still make you self-conscious when swimsuit season comes around.
Collagen supplements do offer hope for reducing the appearance of cellulite. A 2015 study showed positive results after 6 months of collagen supplementation. Here are some of their findings:
- An increase in skin density
- A strengthening of connective tissue.
- A decrease in the appearance of “wavy” thigh skin.
- A decrease in the appearance of cellulite.14
Drink Your Way To Youthful Skin, A Recap
Have you ever thought that a beverage could help make you look younger?
Well, with a scoop of collagen powder added to any beverage… it can. Collagen supplements can increase skin hydration while minimizing the look of wrinkles, sagging, and cellulite. So drink up. And cheers to good skin health!
Learn More:
This Part of Your Body Shows Signs of Aging Fast (not your hands!)
Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846778/
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18489274
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21582/
5.http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/smallgut/absorb_aacids.html
6.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19159383
7.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208
8.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492432
9.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
10.https://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TONUTRAJ/TONUTRAJ-8-29.pdf
11.http://www.jmnn.org/article.asp?issn=2278-1870;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=47;epage=53;aulast=Borumand
12.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20865236
13.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25940753
14.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685482/
