People have been trying to figure out how to hold on to the appearance of youth since the beginning of time. Skincare routines to prevent the signs of aging have been around for thousands of years. Even the ancient Egyptians used sesame, moringa, and castor oils to keep their skin shiny and wrinkle-free!
These days, we’ve moved onto more specialized facial creams with ingredients that claim to restore elasticity to your skin. One of the most popular of these is collagen.
But what is collagen, anyway, and do collagen creams work? Keep on reading to have all your questions answered.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that’s found in nearly all your tissues. You, along with most other members of the animal kingdom, have more collagen than any other type of protein in your body. It’s found in the external and internal linings of your organs, blood vessels, tendons, skin, and many other body parts.
There are at least 16 different types of collagen, each performing a slightly different function in your connective tissues. The strong, flexible fibers are shaped like a triple helix(picture DNA with one extra strand). They work to hold your tissues together and keep them from losing their shape.
Collagen functions in a way similar to a bundle of rubber bands. If you stretch out a single rubber band, it won’t resist very much and it will bounce back quickly to its original shape. But if you put a bunch of rubber bands together and pull on them all at once, it’s much more difficult to stretch them out.
That’s exactly how collagen works. The fibers group together in bundles within your tissues so that when they’re stretched during movement, your body bounces back without getting damaged. So the next time you stretch out or do yoga, make sure to thank your collagen for keeping your tissues in line!
Why Is Collagen So Important?
Without help from collagen, your body would literally fall apart.
That’s the case for some people with connective tissue disorders like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, where the body produces defective collagen. Instead of resisting damage, their collagen is extra elastic and lets tissues stretch much farther than they’re supposed to. This leads to symptoms like fragile skin, joint dislocations, bowel problems, and chronic pain.
But even those of us with perfectly functional collagen can experience it deteriorating. Low production of or damage to the collagen that’s already present in your tissues can have a number of nasty effects, including:
- Wrinkles
- Sagging skin (and other body parts)
- Fragile, dry skin
- Joint pain
Thankfully, these symptoms aren’t life or death. Even so, they are things we would all rather avoid if possible.
How Is Collagen Damaged In the Skin?
Even though your body continuously makes more collagen, there are plenty of ways it can be damaged. This inevitably leads to skin that doesn’t bounce back like it used to. Here are a few of the most common reasons for collagen degeneration.
Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of toxic ingredients that damage all sorts of tissues throughout your body. Some of them are specifically known for harming the collagen and elastin (another connective tissue protein) in your skin.
The active ingredient in tobacco, nicotine, is also a vasoconstrictor. That means it narrows your blood vessels, including those that supply the outer layers of your skin. When blood flow to the skin is restricted, it can’t rebuild and repair itself anymore, leading to the appearance of premature aging.
Sun Damage
We all know that wearing sunscreen is a great way to protect our skin from melanoma and other types of cancers. But did you know that it’s also a great way to protect your collagen?
The UV rays in sunlight contribute to a process known as photoaging, in which the collagen in your skin is damaged and breaks down more quickly due to light exposure. Even if you don’t get a sunburn, the UV rays penetrate deep into your skin and damage the layers below the surface.
So to keep that youthful appearance, make sure to apply sunscreen to your face daily and stay in the shade when possible. Your dermatologist will thank you!
Poor Diet
Collagen is a type of protein that’s made by your body. So if you don’t eat a balanced diet, your tissues won’t have the fuel they need to keep up adequate collagen production.
Some research shows that a high-sugar diet is the worst type for collagen production. So make sure to eat low-sugar foods that are high in protein, healthy fats and carbs, and full of essential vitamins and minerals.
Aging
Getting older is tough enough without adding collagen loss into the mix. Unfortunately, our bodies naturally produce less and less collagen as we age. Decreased collagen production is the largest contributing factor to the wrinkled, sagging skin that we associate with the elderly.
There’s no way to stop this process entirely, but there are ways to slow down its effects. Following the advice above—eating a healthy diet, avoiding sun damage, and not smoking—is a great place to start. But if you’re hoping for even more of a collagen boost, specialty supplements or creams may be what you need.
What Is Collagen Cream?
Collagen cream for face or body is specially designed to boost your skin’s supply of collagen through absorption. It’s often marketed as an anti-aging product that claims to turn the clock back and reduce visible lines and wrinkles.
These creams are designed to not irritate the delicate skin on your face. They claim to repair damage from aging, sun, and other factors that contribute to wrinkles, dryness and fine lines.
Many collagen creams can be found in drugstores, makeup stores, and other retail locations with health and beauty sections. But if you’re having trouble finding one in a store near you, the internet is full of options—just be sure to only buy from a reputable seller.
How Is Collagen Cream Different from Other Moisturizers?
The thing that sets collagen cream apart from other anti-aging creams is—you guessed it—the collagen! Most face creams contain other active anti-aging ingredients like retinol A, biotin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Many collagen creams contain these ingredients along with the collagen, so you get the benefit of both product types in one.
Before you buy your first collagen creams, do your research on their active ingredients. Make sure to find one that doesn’t contain harmful parabens or sulfates, as these can damage the skin over time. If you have sensitive or oily skin, look for an oil-free formula that’s free of any added scents or dyes.
Because of the specialized formula, collagen creams tend to be a bit more expensive than other over-the-counter moisturizers and anti-aging products. Remember that you’re paying for a longer-term solution instead of short-term hydration and decide if the trade-off is worth it for you.
Do Collagen Creams Work?
There’s nothing we can do to completely stop time or reverse the aging process, collagen production included. So if you’re hoping for a miraculous overnight facelift from your collagen creams, it’s time to set more realistic expectations.
But, if they’re used over time, collagen creams can make a difference in your skin. Your skin may feel softer, look smoother and more well-hydrated, and feel healthier overall.
You may even notice your skin plumping up a bit and filling in some of the lines and wrinkles on your face. As long as you set achievable goals for your beauty products, collagen cream can be a great addition to your skincare routine.
Be sure to keep in mind that topical collagen doesn’t transfer to other parts of your body. If you’re looking to improve your joint or connective tissue health, you’ll need to look for an oral collagen supplement. Taking a daily multivitamin and eating foods high in antioxidants can also help promote collagen production as you age.
No Matter How You Do It, Skincare Is a Must
Do collagen creams work? Yes, they can, as part of a balanced skincare routine.
Using a collagen cream by itself isn’t guaranteed to turn back the clock for your face. But combining it with a gentle face wash and daily sunscreen application can help your skin stay supple and smooth for years to come. The key is consistency, so pick a routine and stick with it for best results.
Looking for other great skincare tips and tricks? Make sure to check out our makeup and beauty archives for more!
