Collagen has become a buzzword in the beauty and skincare world, and for good reason. As a key protein in our bodies, collagen provides the structural foundation for our skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues. It accounts for about 30% of the body’s total protein content, making it a crucial component of our overall health and appearance.
In 2023, the global collagen market was estimated to be worth US$1.5 billion and that’s steadily rising, year on year.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is often referred to as the “glue” that holds our bodies together. It gives our skin its strength, elasticity, and hydration. However, as we age, our natural collagen production decreases, leading to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. This decline in collagen is a natural part of the aging process, but there are ways to help support and maintain healthy levels.
Understanding the Types of Collagen
There are several types of collagen, each playing a unique role in the body. The most common types include:
- Type I: This is the most abundant collagen in the body and is found in the skin, tendons, and bones. It is essential for maintaining the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
- Type II: Found primarily in cartilage, this type of collagen is vital for joint health.
- Type III: Often found alongside Type I, it is present in the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs, contributing to skin elasticity and strength.
- Types IV & V: These types are involved in cell structures and tissue formation.
How Collagen Benefits the Skin
Collagen’s role in skincare is multifaceted. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by providing the skin with the necessary structure to maintain its firmness and elasticity. Additionally, collagen aids in retaining moisture, which keeps the skin hydrated and plump. This not only gives the skin a youthful appearance but also helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier, crucial for protecting against environmental damage.
Collagen also has healing properties. It can accelerate the healing of wounds and scars, making it a beneficial ingredient for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. By supporting the skin’s natural regeneration process, collagen helps maintain a smooth and even complexion.
Collagen in Skincare Products
With the growing popularity of collagen, there’s a wide range of products available that claim to boost or replenish collagen levels. These include topical products such as serums, creams, and masks that contain hydrolysed collagen. This form of collagen is broken down into smaller particles, making it easier for the skin to absorb. Often, these products are combined with other active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, which further enhance their benefits.
In addition to topical products, collagen supplements are gaining popularity. These come in various forms, including powders, gels, capsules, and drinks, so it’s easy to introduce them into a morning or evening routine. Supplements are designed to boost collagen levels from within, promoting overall skin health and are a non-invasive way to maintain that youthful glow.
Popular sources of collagen supplements include marine, bovine, and plant-based collagen, each offering unique benefits.
Innovative collagen technologies are also emerging, such as peptides and growth factors that stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production. Incorporating these into your skincare routine can provide additional support for maintaining youthful, plump skin.
Choosing the Right Collagen Products
Selecting the right collagen products can be overwhelming, given the multitude of options available.
When choosing collagen products, it’s also important to consider your skin type. For those with dry skin, collagen products that include hyaluronic acid can provide extra hydration. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores. For mature skin, look for products with additional anti-aging benefits, such as antioxidants and retinoids.
Realistic Expectations and Myths
It’s important to have realistic expectations when using collagen products. While they can help improve the skin’s appearance, they are not a miracle cure. Consistent use and a holistic approach to skincare are necessary to see noticeable results. Additionally, it’s important to debunk common myths, such as the belief that topical collagen can penetrate deep skin layers. In reality, the molecules are often too large to be absorbed fully, which is why combining collagen with other skincare ingredients and methods is recommended.
Try These Products
We’ve curated a number of products that really do work. We’ve tried them all and been pleased with the results.
Thea – Matcha Collagen Blend
When you have green tea, you’re only steeping the leaves and don’t benefit from all the nutrients it has to offer (unless you eat it!). Matcha powder is the entire leaf ground into a fine powder. It has antioxidants that are great to fight free radicals, an amino acid called l’theanine that has calming properties and caffeine to keep you alert for your day. A super green tea!
Thea is a New Zealand brand that will step up your matcha game.
Blended with premium grade matcha powder as well as collagen, organic coconut milk powder, Vitamin C and a hint of vanilla, THEA Matcha Collagen contains 10g of Collagen per serving, Type 1 & 3 Collagen, Vitamin C to increase absorption of Collagen and coconut milk which is a source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).
Scoop 2 heaped tablespoons into your cup, add 30ml hot water (under 80 C) and mix well. Top with more hot water for an instant latte or add frothed milk to make it creamier. Matcha can be used in baking as long as the oven temperature is less than 180°C and cooking time is under 20 minutes.
Whilst you’re placing an order on the Thea website, don’t go past the matchawhisk – a battery-powered frother for whipping up a magical matcha latte!
Dermalogica’s Pro-Collagen Banking Serum
Today’s skin-savvy consumers understand the importance of preserving youthful skin from an early age and the key to maintaining radiant skin lies in protecting its natural collagen. As we age, collagen production decreases, and factors like pollution accelerate its degradation, leading to visible signs of aging such as sagging skin, hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and fine lines.
Dermalogica’s Pro-Collagen Banking Serum is a revolutionary formula designed to future-proof your skin by preserving existing collagen and protecting against premature aging. This powerful serum is suitable for all ages and supports resilient, plumper, and more luminous skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
After cleansing, apply 2-3 pumps to clean, dry skin, and follow with a moisturiser. Remember to include SPF in your morning routine.
Holski
Holski (a blend of “holistic” and “skincare”) is a holistic, minimalistic, skincare system designed to achieve maximum results by combining the use of one silky smooth collagen hydrator applied morning and night with two teaspoons daily of a great tasting supplement powder.
The simple two-product, two-step system is marine collagen-based with powerful antioxidants, comprising Collagen Beauty Builder, an ingestible supplement, and complementary collagen signalling skincare cream Collagen Activation Hydrator. The two products are available in three versions: 20+, 35+ and 50+, each with age-specific formulas created with input from a skincare cosmetic chemist and herbalist.
It’s also worth noting that it’s 27% more effective if you use the skincare and supplements together!
The Beauty Chef introduces Plumpers™
Meet Plumpers™– 3 flavour-bursting collagen chewables from The Beauty Chef for collagen production, skin elasticity and hydration.
Take three healthy and delicious Plumpers™ daily – they’re a new way to take collagen, simply POP. CHEW. PLUMP.
With hydrolysed collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and a potent postbiotic Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (for the science savvy), the hardest part is choosing between one of three flavours.
Blissfully delicious Chocolate – A blend of delicious cocoa beans and organic carob powder
Fruity & juicy Kakadu Plum & Berry – A blend of Kakadu plum fruit and berry flavours
Fresh & zesty Orange & Turmeric – A blend of citrus and spice
Xcell Medical Skincare
Vitamin A is celebrated in the skincare world for its transformative benefits, particularly in stimulating collagen production and promoting cell turnover. At Xcell Medical Skincare, the potency of Vitamin A is harnessed into their meticulously formulated products to target multiple types of collagen, enhancing skin structure and appearance.
Featuring Retinaldehyde (a potent form of Vitamin A), the products are designed to stimulate the production of Type I and III collagen. This leads to enhanced skin firmness, elasticity, and repair. By promoting these collagen types, the Xcell formulations work to improve the overall texture and resilience of your skin.
Supernatural Face Crème Riche by Emma Lewisham
This powerhouse formulation harnesses specialised peptides to stimulate collagen production including a liposomal plant derivation of Human Tripeptide-1, which partners with our skin’s own natural repair signalling system to increase collagen synthesis.
The Crème helps improve the appearance of medium and deep wrinkles, skin firmness and suppleness. Packed with 23 synergistic actives and engineered with Emma Lewisham’s proprietary Physiology Synchrony Unlock Method™, this crème delivers up to 21 times the collagen boosting power of other leading brands.
Combining multiple weights of hyaluronic acid, Supernatural Face Crème Riche helps increase the skin’s moisture and stimulate its own production of hyaluronic acid which naturally decreases as we age. The specialised lipid complex supports fortification of the skin barrier, to lock in hydration for up to 72 hours after application.
Use Supernatural Face Crème Riche twice a day. After cleansing, warm a small dollop of crème between your fingertips, activating the powerful natural actives. Massage the crème into your face and neck using an upwards, circular motion to physically stimulate blood flow. Allow a couple of minutes for it to absorb, leaving your skin feeling nourished, plump and hydrated.
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream by ELEMIS
This award-winning anti-wrinkle moisturiser significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just a few weeks, while quenching skin with 24 hours of hydration. Formulated with powerful marine and plant actives, Elemis’ hero cream is infused with rose and mimosa, for a delicate floral aroma.
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is a lightweight gel-cream that glides effortlessly over the skin, leaving a silky-satin finish that is the perfect base for makeup on all skin types.
Use every morning, after cleansing. You only need to apply a pea-sized amount.
Elasto Collagen Night Cream by Mario Badescu
Ultra-rich in texture and infused with skin-conditioning oils, the Elasto Collagen Night Cream deeply nourishes to restore moisture to parched skin. Antioxidant Vitamin E, Collagen, and Elastin soften and smooth the look of dry fine lines and wrinkles to reveal a more youthful-looking complexion come morning.
Apply every evening after cleansing and toning. Layer over a serum for best results.
Collagen Inner Beauty Boost Supercharged by The Beauty Chef
This berry-flavoured concentrate is a nourishing and glow-boosting elixir crafted to support the production of and protect your natural collagen and elastin while preserving the skin’s structural proteins and protecting against free radical damage.
The formula is packed with bio-fermented goji berry, grape seed extract, zinc and vitamin C, and has been supercharged using The Beauty Chef’s unique Flora Culture™ fermentation process. The Collagen Inner Beauty Boost is fermented with a natural broad-spectrum probiotic to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut—because a healthy microbiome is the secret to radiant skin.
Mix 1 tbsp (15mL) in 200mL of water, a smoothie or your favourite drink. For optimal results, Collagen Inner Beauty Boost should be consumed daily in chilled or room temperature beverages and can be taken with any other Beauty Chef products.
Deep Marine Collagen by The Beauty Chef
Inner beauty support that is 100% clean with certified sustainable marine collagen peptides that contribute to skin elasticity, hydration, collagen density and protection deep within the skin. This fine powder also contains Bioavailability Factors™– the digestive enzyme bromelain and The Beauty Chef’s exclusive probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GUT5Y™– for enhanced absorption.
Mix 1½ tsp of The Beauty Chef marine collagen powder into 150ml of water or your favourite drink and consume immediately. Can be enjoyed up to 3 times per day in chilled or room temperature beverages or food and can be taken with any other Beauty Chef product.
Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum by ELEMIS
Boost your anti-ageing routine with this powerful, yet skin-kind rejuvenating treatment. An effective alternative to retinol, this clinically proven concentrate significantly reduces the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles, whilst hydrating and supporting the skin’s moisture levels.
Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum is infused with cutting-edge extracts that deliver retinol-like benefits without the irritation. The advanced formula also minimises the look of discolouration, sun damage and pores for visibly improved skin clarity. Gentle enough for daily use, your complexion will be left looking significantly more youthful, firmer and renewed.
Apply every morning and evening after cleansing.
Natural Ways to Boost Collagen Production
While collagen products can be beneficial, there are also natural ways to support collagen production. A balanced diet rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants can promote collagen synthesis. Foods such as citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, fish, and bone broth are excellent sources of these nutrients.
Lifestyle factors also play a role in maintaining collagen levels. Avoiding smoking and excessive sun exposure can help protect your skin’s collagen. Incorporating regular exercise and staying well-hydrated are also essential for overall skin health.
Final Thoughts on Collagen for Skin Health
Incorporating collagen into your skincare routine can be a valuable step in maintaining youthful, healthy skin. Whether through topical products, supplements, or natural methods, supporting your skin’s collagen levels can lead to visible improvements in texture, hydration, and overall appearance. Remember, a holistic approach that includes a balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and proper skincare is the best way to achieve long-lasting results.
For anyone looking to enhance their skincare regimen, collagen offers a promising solution. However, it’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to find the products and treatments best suited to your individual needs.
