Collagen As An Ingredient: What Does It Actually Do
The MYTH
Collagen as an ingredient in your skincare product is going to put collagen back in your skin
I’m sure you’ve all seen beauty ads promoting collagen. Often using words like ‘youthful’ and ‘age defying’ to promote their new anti-aging product. I’m sure at one point many of us thought:
Collagen in your skin = plump and youthful skin
THEREFORE
Collagen in your skincare products = More collagen in your skin
I wish things could be this simple but they really aren’t. So let’s dive into the REAL purpose as to why collagen is formulated into products.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a group of proteins that act as building blocks and provides strength to your skin, hair, bone, and other tissue in your body. Collagen works with proteins like elastin to keep your skin plump and youthful. As you age your body slowly begins to decrease the amount of collagen produced. This, among other factors, is one of the reasons for fine lines as you age.
Collagen in your products
So, now let’s chat collagen in your products! Collagen at a molecular level is actually too large to penetrate your skin to the dermis. This means that when you apply collagen topically it just sits on the top layer of the skin. Collagen as an ingredient does not stimulate collagen synthesis.
Does that make collagen as an ingredient useless?
No! Collagen has a purpose, it's just not the purpose you assume it has. Collagen works as a great humectant. Which means it has moisturizing properties to help your skin hold onto water.
So, in short, collagen in your products will not put back collagen you’ve lost, but it will leave your skin hydrated.
Products formulated with collagen such as the MARINE MINERAL COMPLEX NIGHT MOISTURIZER by Lifance Skincare would be great for people who are extremely dry in the winter.
How do you actually boost collagen production?
I feel like this should be a blog post on its own but since we’re on the subject, let’s jump into a few treatments. There are topical treatments you can use that can help stimulate collagen growth such as retinol (Vitamin A and it’s derivatives) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). As well as professional treatments like laser treatments, LED treatments, chemical peels, and microneedling treatments.
There’s so much more to be said on collagen and collagen products so hopefully I’ll be able to do a follow up soon. Thank you so much for reading our first blog post! If you like content like this please share and comment!
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