With the skincare industry coming up with trends now and then, we don’t want to be left behind this recently trending theme, and that is collagen. But do you need it? What is collagen anyway? And how can you benefit from it? Is there a vegan variant in the market? To find answers to all your collagen related doubts, keep reading!
It turns out collagen is already there in your body. In fact, it is the most abundantly present protein in the body. It is a protein which provides structure and strength to your body parts. It can be found in hair, bones, tissues, blood vessels etc. But most importantly, in your epidermis. About 80 per cent of your skin is composed of collagen. If there is anything you should be thankful for which protects you against absorption of toxic substances and pathogens, it is the collagen present in your skin.
Collagen slows down the ageing process.
Collagen helps your skin maintain elasticity and provides an overall structure to it. With increasing age, your body slows down collagen production, leading the skin to lose its elasticity and giving rise to wrinkles and dry skin. Collagen production can also slow down due to exposure to UV light and even smoking. However, studies have shown that consuming collagen in the form of supplements or by natural means may delay signs of ageing by slowing down the depletion of collagen.
Collagen in skincare products
Many dermatologists offer collagen treatments in clinics. However, if you’re looking for a more convenient solution, you can use collagen-based products yourself. These supplements encourage the collagen-producing centres in your body to produce more collagen. Collagen is also used topically in the form of creams and lotions.
Collagen-based skincare product contains much smaller, broken-down components. Since collagen molecule as a whole is not readily absorbed into the skin, much smaller collagen peptides are included in skincare products.
Collagen containing skincare products help in plumping and hydrating your skin. They diminish fine lines and wrinkles and promote skin brightening. It is recommended to use retinoid serums along with collagen products as retinol helps stimulate collagen production.
Natural Collagen for the win
Using plant-based collagen is a far better approach to your collagen needs. Collagen is readily available in nature in fruits, veggies and by-products of plants. When it comes to boosting the body’s collagen production naturally, plant-based collagen takes the lead. Mentioned below are some of the benefits of plant-based collagen.
- Plant-based collagen helps the body boost collagen production naturally.
- Extracts like sea buckthorn, acerola cherry, etc., can be applied topically and lead to procollagen production, which helps the body build collagen molecules.
- After a certain age, your body needs external help to boost collagen formation. In this case, collagen supplements come to the rescue. They are absorbed in the gut, where they reach the bloodstream and thereby the cells that need collagen production.
- The antioxidants in plant-based collagen builders also contain antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential vitamins, which further assist collagen formation.
- They provide ample nutrition to the body as they contain vitamin C, silica, and biotin, along with other essential vitamins and nutrients. These substances help the cells of the body to heal naturally, which in turn is vital for repairing and manufacturing collagen.
Final thoughts:
Collagen is essential to keep the youthfulness of your skin. However, as you age, your body’s ability to produce collages comes down gradually. To help retain the firmness and elasticity of your skin, you can use plant-based collagen in supplements, creams and natural plant produce. Natural collagen supplements also help mitigate joint pain, strengthen bones and protect your gut. Therefore, investing in collagen is equivalent to youthful-looking skin and overall good health.