When it comes to aging, a well-rounded skincare routine is naturally going to be the first line of defense for fighting off the fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin that come from a life well lived. However, while a ritual of SPF, retinol, and serums may make a world of difference in firming and brightening your appearance, a balanced diet and supplement selection can also have a profound effect on your complexion.
It’s always ideal to tailor your eating habits to naturally improve your appearance, but sometimes there are gaps in your diet which only a supplement can fill. Particularly when it comes to anti-aging, there’s one supplement that skincare experts agree can make a major impact on your skin, keeping signs of aging at bay while reducing the existing fine lines and wrinkles you may have already developed.
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It’s important to note first and foremost that there is no magic solution to aging, and while supplements can help to smooth the process, they won’t erase the natural side effects that everyone will acquire with time. That being said, collagen is one of the vital proteins that protects the elasticity of your skin, reducing drooping and wrinkling. Found in a variety of foods from fish to chicken and citrus fruits, taking a collagen supplement can help to preserve your complexion when consumed regularly.
“With age, collagen production naturally decreases, meaning, so does our elasticity. And as we all know, as our elasticity decreases wrinkles form. Collagen is what allows our skin to keep its elasticity and bounce back,” explains Sarah Akram, Celebrity Master Esthetician and owner of Sarah Akram Skincare.
Easily consumed in capsule form or mixed into your smoothies, collagen can help to create a more hydrated, glowing complexion while also having some benefits on your overall health as well. “Over a period of time depending on dosage you will become less dehydrated and gain some elasticity, and may notice that it helps alleviate joint pain as well as other health benefits,” notes Akram.
Along the same lines, Akram also says that you should make sure to be drinking plenty of water even when taking a collagen supplement in order to see the best results. Dehydrated skin will appear dry and cracked, displaying signs of aging more quickly than those that drink at least 64 oz per day. “Water intake increases skin elasticity and of course hydrates your skin-- you’ll see noticeable differences in your complexion,” she says.
Before integrating any new supplement into your daily regimen it’s always important to talk with a doctor to make sure this is the best step for you. However, Akram notes that there are no notable dangerous side effects to adding collagen into your routine.
“To my knowledge there isn’t much of a risk associated with taking a collagen supplement, unless you’re allergy prone, then be sure to do your research on ingredients in the supplement because it can be sourced from different things,” she says. As for how often you should be taking collagen to see the best results, daily supplementation is going to be your best bet for achieving visibly smoother, more lifted skin.
Although you cannot expect to see miraculous changes in your skin after integrating collagen into your day to day routine, you should notice a subtle shift towards a more hydrated, firmer, and younger looking complexion.
Combined with a healthy diet, adequate water intake, and a skincare routine complete with SPF and retinol to protect from sun damage and externally boost collagen production, you will have taken all the right steps towards a more youthful appearance for years to come.
