Is It Worth Taking Collagen For Skin? Find Out Here!

One thing that’s for certain is that we all age! The wellness industry is all about collagen supplements and its many benefits when it comes to skin aging. Is it true? Does collagen really make a difference? Is it worth taking collagen for skin health? Keep reading to find out what the experts have to say about collagen and the best collagen for skin tightening.

What is Collagen?

Let’s back up for a moment and consider what collagen actually is. After all, you can’t make a decision about collagen supplementation if you don’t really understand what collagen is.

Collagen is a vital protein found in the connective tissues that makes up the human skin physiology; it quite literally holds our cells together, structurally. But it also plays an important role in many bodily functions. Simply put, our body can’t function without collagen.

Types of Collagen 

Collagen plays so many roles in our overall health and body functions. So, is all collagen the same? No, it’s not! There are many types of collagen protein found within the human body. However, there are four main types: Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV. These are the collagen types that we will focus on, as they are most common in collagen products found on the market today.

Type I

This is the most abundant type of collagen in the body and is found in the skin, tendons, and ligaments. It provides strength and elasticity to these tissues, greatly improving skin quality.

Type II

Type II collagen is found in cartilage, giving it elasticity and helping to cushion and protect the joints. Less collagen equals sore muscles and achy joints.

Type III

This type of collagen is found in the walls of blood vessels and plays an important role in maintaining their stability.

Type IV

This type of collagen is found in the basal lamina, the basement membrane, a layer that helps to hold cells in place. It also supports filtration and absorption in the kidneys.

What Are the Benefits of Collagen Supplements?

Many people understand that collagen is amazing for slowing down the signs of skin aging. But that is only one of the many health benefits of taking collagen supplements. Continue to find out how collagen supplements support other areas of your body.

Joints

Collagen supplements improve joint health. The collagen peptides that make up these supplements can help to repair and strengthen cartilage, which cushions our joints and helps them to move smoothly. As you take oral collagen supplements, your body is stimulated to also produce more collagen.

Bones

Collagen is a protein that helps to maintain the strength and structure of bones. Supplementing with collagen has been shown to improve bone density and reduce the incidence of fractures.

Skin and Hair

Our skin and hair needs collagen for its overall health. Taking collagen supplements to keep our collagen levels up as we age results in firmer, younger looking skin and thicker, fuller hair.

Digestion

Most people are shocked to learn that taking collagen supplements is beneficial for the health and function of their digestion. The lining of the digestive tract is formed by collagen protein. The lining is what helps to keep out harmful bacteria and toxins while still allowing nutrients to be absorbed.

Over time, the lining of the intestines can become damaged, which can lead to a leaky gut. This means that harmful substances can pass through the intestines and into the bloodstream, causing inflammation throughout the body.

Collagen supplements can help to repair this damage and improve the overall health of the digestive system. Experts also say that collagen aids in the production of stomach acid and enzymes, which can further improve digestion. 

How to Preserve Collagen Naturally

Collagen supplements are very popular in the health and wellness market so it should be no surprise that many want to know if there are also ways to preserve collagen naturally. Here are a few very practical ways to keep your collagen healthy and preserved naturally.

Eat Collagen-Rich Foods

Eating healthy has a great impact on your overall health but you should also know that there are specific foods that are considered to be collagen-rich and quite beneficial for boosting our collagen levels.

Bone broth should be high on your dietary list of foods for boosting your collagen. It’s full of protein, full of collagen, as well as amino acids which are necessary for natural collagen production.

Chicken, fish, dark leafy green, and citrus fruits are must haves as well.

Get Enough Sleep

There’s a reason for the popular phrase “be sure to get your beauty sleep”! One way to help preserve your collagen is to make sure you get enough sleep.

When we sleep, our bodies produce more human growth hormone, which helps to stimulate collagen production. Sleep also helps to repair damaged cells and provides the body with a chance of recovery from the stresses of the day. This is when collagen regenerates.

Make Sure to Exercise

Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy body and preventing disease. But did you know that it can also help to preserve your collagen?

Regular exercise, even if it’s just a few minutes a day, can help to counteract our natural collagen decline by increasing blood flow and stimulating the production of new collagen fibers. As well, exercise helps to reduce stress levels, which damages collagen. Getting enough exercise ensures your collagen is protected as well as stimulating collagen synthesis.

Don’t Smoke

One of the many reasons to quit smoking is that it takes a toll on your skin. This is in part due to the fact that smoking damages collagen, the main protein found in connective tissue. Collagen is responsible for skin elasticity and much more so when it’s damaged, the skin begins to sag and wrinkle, joints begin to stiffen and your overall health is affected.

Quitting smoking can help to preserve collagen and prevent further damage. Not smoking will also improve circulation and promote cell turnover, both of which can help to keep you healthy and youthful.

Reduce Stress

One of the biggest culprits in the aging process is stress. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which breaks down collagen. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to reduce stress naturally so that you can preserve your collagen. From meditation, exercise, deep breathing to simple ways of relaxing, find a stress reliever that works for you.

When is it Time to Consider Collagen Supplements?

How do you know if you need a collagen supplement? Here are a few signs that it might be time to consider adding collagen to your diet:

• If you’re noticing more wrinkles or fine lines than usual, it could be a sign that your body’s collagen levels are low. Collagen helps with skin elasticity and plumpness, so when levels start to decline, your skin is going to let you know.
• If you’re experiencing joint pain or stiffness, it could be due to a lack of collagen. Collagen is essential for healthy joints.
• If you’re struggling to recover from injuries or wounds, lower collagen levels may be to blame. Collagen is critical for healing, so if your body isn’t producing enough of it, recovery can take longer than usual.

Experts believe that collagen production drops naturally sometime between your 20s and 30s. If you want to get a jump on skin aging, you might not want to wait until that first wrinkle appears. If you have passed that first wrinkle and your joints began hurting a while ago, then there is no time like the present to add a collagen supplement to your daily regime.

Different Types of Collagen Supplements

Collagen supplements not only increase our collagen intake but they also provide the body with the raw materials it needs to produce more collagen. There are several different types of collagen supplements available on the market, each with its own set of benefits.

Marine collagen, for example, is derived from fish and is rich in amino acids that can help to boost collagen production. Other popular types of collagen include bovine collagen, which is derived from cows, and chicken collagen, which is a good source of proline and glycine. 

The most popular and well-known type of supplement is probably collagen peptides, which are small fragments of collagen that are easily absorbed by the body.

Another type is hydrolyzed collagen, which is collagen that has been broken down into smaller pieces so that it can be more easily absorbed.

Lastly, there’s gelatin, which is a collage-derived protein that’s often used in gummy vitamins or as a thickener in cooking. All of these supplements work by increasing the body’s levels of collagen, through intake and simulating the body into collagen production. The result: improved skin elasticity, joint health, gut function, and more.

Collagen supplements can be found in powdered form, liquid, capsules, creams, or serums. Whether you choose an oral collagen supplement, a topical one or combine them, the collagen peptides and amino acids found in the supplement you choose will benefit your health in many ways. Just be sure to choose a collagen supplement that is of good quality.

How to Choose the BEST Collagen Supplement

When choosing a collagen supplement, it’s important to choose one that contains high-quality ingredients that have been sourced from reputable manufacturers. The supplement you choose should also be free of fillers, artificial flavors and colors.

It’s also important to pay attention to the type of collagen used in the supplement. If you’re looking for a supplement to improve your skin health, for example, you may want to choose one that contains marine collagen or hydrolyzed collagen and includes hyaluronic acid as these types are particularly beneficial for the skin.

You should also make sure that you’re taking the right dosage of collagen for your needs. If you’re just starting out with collagen supplements, it’s a good idea to start with a smaller dose and increase it gradually as your body adjusts.

We also recommend that you consider the following when choosing a collagen supplement that’s right for you:

Look For a Brand That is Transparent

Reputable brands will be clear about where they source their collagen from. If a brand refuses to disclose this information or is vague about it, that’s a red flag

A transparent brand is one that is open and honest about what goes into their products. They should clearly list all of the ingredients, as well as the source of each ingredient.

They should provide clear and concise information about how the product is manufactured. By choosing a brand that is transparent, you can be sure that you are getting a quality product that contains exactly what it claims to.

You want to be confident that you are supporting a company that values honesty and integrity. So when you are looking for a collagen supplement, be sure to look for a brand that is transparent.

Check Out Other Users’ Reviews

Choose a brand with a good reputation. One way to assess the quality of a brand is by reading online reviews. It’s important to do your research. Read reviews from other users. By seeing what others have to say about a product, you can get a better idea of its quality and effectiveness.

Don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it–check out other users’ reviews before making your final decision. 

Take a Closer Look at the Ingredients

First, consider the source of the collagen. There are two main sources of collagen: animal-based and plant-based. Animal-based collagen comes from sources like beef or chicken, while plant-based collagen comes from sources like algae or peas. Each type of collagen has its own set of benefits, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your needs.

Second, pay attention to the type of collagen. Check for the three main types of collagen: Type I, II, and III. Type I collagen is the most abundant type of collagen in the human body, and it’s responsible for skin elasticity. Type II collagen is found in tendons and cartilage, and it provides support and strength. Type III collagen is found in muscles and blood vessels, and it helps with tissue regeneration. Again, each type of collagen has its own set of benefits, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.

Finally, don’t forget to check the label for purity. Collagen supplements can be contaminated with heavy metals or other impurities, so it’s important to choose a product that has been third-party tested for purity. With so many factors to consider, choosing a collagen supplement can be daunting, but if you keep these tips in mind and the brand is transparent, you’ll be sure to find the perfect product for your needs.

Conclusion

So, is it worth taking collagen for skin aging? It sure is! The best collagen for skin tightening is one that is from a reputable and transparent brand and is full of quality collagen peptides . A superior oral collagen supplement combined with a quality topical skin care cream or serum is your best defense when it comes to skin elasticity and the best collagen for skin tightening. 

Check out our Health BLOG and collagen product page and find all you need for your best health! Your skin and your body will thank you! 

Check out our Health BLOG and collagen product page and find all you need for your best health! Your skin and your body will thank you! 

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